JD 955

[jxhopper]

Hi all!

I just wanted to get your opinion on a new purchase I made. I just bit on a JD955 with 72" belly mower.

It's a 1998 with 540 hours on it. I'll post some pictures up of it next week when I pick it up, but it is very clean and everything works on it. It was very well taken care of. I only see a tiny bit of rust on the front cover at the bottom (likely a bit of corrosion from the battery located behind?). Other than that it's just about perfect.

Got it for $7500 cash. How did I do? I got it to perform duty on my current 4 ( possibly to be expanded to 7/8) acres.

So what is the general perception of this particular machine? Most info I found on them (couldn't find a whole lot) seems to point to a good piece.

Any advice/ gotchas I should look out for on this model? I understand it's 12 years old, but it appears to have barely been used, and has the power in a compact size I was looking for.

This is my first tractor. I have a lot to learn. I plan to spend time on this forum doing just that.

Regards,

Jx

 

[Ductape]

Congratulations ! You just bought a great tractor, and in my opinion perhaps the sexiest compact tractor ever made. I look forward to seeing the pictures.

 

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN Jx

Like Ductape said, the x55 series tractors are great-very tough and well respected. The price sounds very fair also.

 

[glc24]

Welcome to TBN
I did alot of research on used JD CUT's, especially the x55 series before I decided to go new. If it is in the shape you say with those low hours,IMO,I think you made an excellent purchase

Greg

 

[jxhopper]

Thanks guys. I feel good about the purchase. Now I need to learn how to use it.

I looked around on tractorhouse ( not sure if that is a good place to compare), but I couldn't find a machine in this condition for near the price.

I do wish it had a loader though. My thinking is, that I'm not in a hurry for that. I hope to find a used one pop up for a decent price in the future.

 

[kennyd]

Thanks guys. I feel good about the purchase. Now I need to learn how to use it.

I looked around on tractorhouse ( not sure if that is a good place to compare), but I couldn't find a machine in this condition for near the price.

I do wish it had a loader though. My thinking is, that I'm not in a hurry for that. I hope to find a used one pop up for a decent price in the future.

Tractorhouse and Machine Finder are two great resources. Good luck finding a used loader...very few of them on the market. I do believe though that you can get the new 300CX loader with the proper mountings for the x55 series machines...check with a good JD dealer (one who is willing to search a little)

BUT: Does this machine have the joystick to operate the loader? If not, then a aftermarket unit would be a better choice.

 

[glc24]

I do believe though that you can get the new 300CX loader with the proper mountings for the x55 series machines

Ken,that,I did not know. All the info searching I did on those,and not once did I see anything about that being possible. Something learned every day

Greg

 

[kennyd]

Ken,that,I did not know. All the info searching I did on those,and not once did I see anything about that being possible. Something learned every day

Greg

I found it in JDParts...John Deere good about supporting older machines in that respect...one more reason they may cost a little more up front.

 

[jxhopper]

I thought the 300x would work on the x55 machines but I did not see where the 300cx would.

Thanks for the info Ken.

What do you mean joystick? Pardon my ignorance, but the seller showed me a lever on the right side he said was for loader operation.

 

[kennyd]

I thought the 300x would work on the x55 machines but I did not see where the 300cx would.

Thanks for the info Ken.

What do you mean joystick? Pardon my ignorance, but the seller showed me a lever on the right side he said was for loader operation.

The joystick is the lever that would operate the loader, it moves fore/aft and left/right for the loader functions. It is very good that is has this!

The X and CX would use the same mounting brackets, although they may not recommend the CX due to the higher lift capacity. But that doesn't matter now...the good thing is that it expands your possibilities in the future. When you are ready to spend more money...we will be here to help

 

[jxhopper]

That's great. You guys are awesome. I will be asking for advice on many things in the future. I'll post some pix up when I get the tractor home next weekend.

 

[zzvyb6]

The MMM is a good system but is difficult to remove and install when the times come. I now use a 7' rear finish mower. 2 pins and a pto hookup and its on to green fields. There are plenty of other things that your hydraulics control will run. Anything requiring up to two 2-way cylinders. This includes a front snow plow, cement mixer, hay mower, front loader, top link on the rear hitch, log splitter, etc.

By far the most use will be a front loader. Then you're gonna need another 10 - 20 acres to enjoy it with.

(Get the canopy for it) !

 

[jxhopper]

I was already thinking of the canopy. Where's the best place to get one of those? JD dealer? I think the AgTurf dealer near by me may have went out of business. I drove by the other day and it was completely empty.

How much does the canopy sell for?

Thanks for the input ZZ!

I was under the impression that the MMM was easy to hook up. I was told you just drive over it and latch it up. Is that not the case? Why is it a pain?

 

[kennyd]

I was already thinking of the canopy. Where's the best place to get one of those? JD dealer? I think the AgTurf dealer near by me may have went out of business. I drove by the other day and it was completely empty.

How much does the canopy sell for?

Thanks for the input ZZ!

I was under the impression that the MMM was easy to hook up. I was told you just drive over it and latch it up. Is that not the case? Why is it a pain?

Only the newest mowers can you "drive over", the older ones like mine you have to slide in from the side to attach it. I don't find it a big deal at all...it slides easily on a concrete floor.

Did you get all the manuals? If not you can order them or download them HERE

 

[jbarker855]

jx-
I have a JD 855 with 60" MMM. Mine is probably a bit lighter than yours, but I take it on and off all the time without difficulty. Takes me less than 2 minutes.
As Kennyd said, the trick is to take it on and off on a hard, smooth surface. Messing with the MMM on grass would be much more difficult.
The first few times I took it on and off, it took me much more time. Now, I learned several important things, such as to lower it ALL the way first, not just down to regular cutting height. Also, I had to lube up a few pins and levers to get things moving smooth. Sounds like you got a great deal on your new machine. Have fun!
-Jay

 

[jxhopper]

Only the newest mowers can you "drive over", the older ones like mine you have to slide in from the side to attach it. I don't find it a big deal at all...it slides easily on a concrete floor.

Did you get all the manuals? If not you can order them or download them HERE

I'm glad you posted the links to the manuals because I need to get some, the owner did not have them.

Thanks

 

[jxhopper]

The listing for the 72" MMM does not have a link. Does this mean I can no longer get the operator manual for it?

John Deere Ag - New Equipment: Technical Publications - Publications Search

 

[jxhopper]

Only the newest mowers can you "drive over", the older ones like mine you have to slide in from the side to attach it. I don't find it a big deal at all...it slides easily on a concrete floor.

Did you get all the manuals? If not you can order them or download them HERE

Also I don't see the Owner's manual in the link you sent. For starters that is the most important one I'll need. Am I missing it there?

Also, my serial # is 300903. I see multiple manuals for the engine guide for instance. 2 listings for the North America Tractor.

I also entered the part number and title for the MMM here and got no hits.

http://techpubs.deere.com/deere/Default.aspx


TITLE: 72-Inch Mid-Mount Mower - 855 & 955 Tractors
part # : OMM93936

Am I doing something wrong?

 

[jxhopper]

Anyone know what size trailer would work for transporting the unit?

 

[Ezlivn]

JX...I too am new to tractors. I just bought the baby brother to yours a 2001 JD790. I have the FEL but no mower...and no we can't swap. lol

Good luck and enjoy!! I love mine!!