Price Check John Deere 855

[Snojetter]

Hi folks - I'm in the market for a small compact, or sub-compact tractor. Been looking at new, but keeping my eyes open for a decent used model. I came across a 1997 JD 855 with 70A loader, 644 hours, R1 tires. It's listed on multiple sites, one at $10,500 the other at $10,000. Looks bright and shiny in the photos, the only scuffs appear to be on the bucket and foot rests. Assuming this tractor is as nice mechanically as it looks cosmetically, is this a fair price?

From what I can tell, the 855 is very similar in size, weight, and hp to the sub-compacts like the JD 1025R, Massey GC1705, Kioti CS2410, Kubota BX's among others. The one thing these sub-compacts lack (other than the 1025R) is position control on the 3-point, which I think is very important. Tractor data shows the 855 has position control. If this is the case, other than being 20 years old the 855 has the other SCUT's beat from what I can tell.

Anybody have any thoughts on price and comparison of the 855?

Thanks,

Kyle Sands <>< Brandon, MN

 

[bigtiller]

The 855 is a twin to the newer 2025. The 1025R is much smaller.

 

[grnspot110]

For comparison, last fall I gave $7k for a 1993- 755, next smaller size to the 855. 1000 hours, turfs all around & mid-mount mower!

I only wanted it for mowing, as I have a 790 for loader work.

 

[Snojetter]

For comparison, last fall I gave $7k for a 1993- 755, next smaller size to the 855. 1000 hours, turfs all around & mid-mount mower!

I only wanted it for mowing, as I have a 790 for loader work.

So I'm hearing you say $10K is probably reasonable (at least in your estimation)?

 

[Rara Avis]

The 855 was the cadillac of CUTs in its day...mine still runs the hay rake and tedder on small field hay activities, besides maintaining the manure pile and snow blowing the drives around the barn and house, etc...as well, as rake the arena on a weekly schedule and bush hog the tight areas back on "the shelf" areas that the larger tractors don't fit in...oh, and if I feel athletic, I'll hook up the mid-mount mower and mow the lawn...the 855 did NOT have a drive over mower deck with self hooking pto setup...

Here are some prices for you...
TractorHouse.com | JOHN DEERE 855 For Sale - 21 Listings - Page 1.

You want the MFWD version...

 

[grnspot110]

So I'm hearing you say $10K is probably reasonable (at least in your estimation)?

Doesn't seem out of line with the loader if all things are in good condition (including tires)!

 

[Snojetter]

Well, my wife and I drove up to Fargo to take a look at the tractor last Thursday. It really is a beauty. I couldn't see any reason not to buy it...so I did. My wife approved! It gets delivered sometime this week. I'm really looking forward to parking it in the shop! I'm amazed at how clean it is. Yeah, the dealer gave it a bath but there's no build-up of gunk that I could find. The axle and transmission castings are spotless with no rust. If it weren't for a few scuff marks on the operator platform, it almost looks like it came off the showroom floor.

 

[grnspot110]

CONGRATS!!!

 

[CADplans]

Congrats on getting the 855!! :thumbsup:

I gave one to my daughter a couple years ago,, it has been perfect.

They use an old Woods RM59 to mow with,,

My SIL bought a container to keep it in.

The loader is about perfect for that tractor.

 

[Snojetter]

Thanks, Lowell & CADplans. Counting down the days...I can see myself having some black dirt or rock delivered now that I have a way to move and spread it around!

CADplans - the seat on my tractor has a small rip in pretty much the exact same spot as the one in the photo you posted...must be susceptible to a pliers or other tool carried on the belt?

 

[CADplans]

CADplans - the seat on my tractor has a small rip in pretty much the exact same spot as the one in the photo you posted...must be susceptible to a pliers or other tool carried on the belt?

The seat came that way,, I do not know how it happened,,,

 

[Rara Avis]

The 855 is still the cadillac of the old JD CUTs...

 

[Snojetter]

Anybody have any knowledge about the front axles chewing up the differential gears? Is that common? Is it a result of abuse (overloading the axle or loader) or is it due to the way an owner operates the tractor?

 

[Rara Avis]

Anybody have any knowledge about the front axles chewing up the differential gears? Is that common? Is it a result of abuse (overloading the axle or loader) or is it due to the way an owner operates the tractor?

Not that I am aware of...The operator's manual states NOT to engage the MFWD when on hard surfaces...the other possibility is have the INCORRECT SIZED front tires relative to the rears...
2WD Standard tires (ag): Front: 4.00x15. Rear: 9.5x16
4WD Standard tires (ag): Front: 6-12. Rear: 9.5x16
Lawn/turf front: 23x8.50-12
Lawn/turf rear: 33x12.50-15

Operator abuse will break anything...

 

[TractorGuy]

Thanks, Lowell & CADplans. Counting down the days...I can see myself having some black dirt or rock delivered now that I have a way to move and spread it around!

CADplans - the seat on my tractor has a small rip in pretty much the exact same spot as the one in the photo you posted...must be susceptible to a pliers or other tool carried on the belt?

The replacement seat wasn't that bad a few years ago. $132 I think. Get the black! They sell it in black or yellow but the yellow mildews something terrible at my house.

 

[CADplans]

The 855 is still the cadillac of the old JD CUTs...

Our 855 is proving that they are tough tractors.
I gave the one I purchased to my daughter,, her husband never had driven a tractor before.
Well,, he found out how much fun the 855 is,, and he took over the job of mowing 3.5 acres.
One section is so rough,, he wears a mouth-guard to protect his teeth from the rough ride.
He likes to go fast.

The NEXT tractor they own,,, will be the one that THEY buy,,,:laughing:

 

[Snojetter]

Tractor was delivered today! Was a busy day with non-tractor related activities so was only able to look at it parked in the shop. Sure looked good in there!

 

[DavesTractor]

Not that I am aware of...The operator's manual states NOT to engage the MFWD when on hard surfaces...the other possibility is have the INCORRECT SIZED front tires relative to the rears...
2WD Standard tires (ag): Front: 4.00x15. Rear: 9.5x16
4WD Standard tires (ag): Front: 6-12. Rear: 9.5x16
Lawn/turf front: 23x8.50-12
Lawn/turf rear: 33x12.50-15

Operator abuse will break anything...

Let me side track this for a moment, and hopefully offer some info for 855 owners. My son has one, and it's a good little tractor.

For those of you with an 855 and wanting to switch over the R4 tires, it seems there was no option from the factory. Correct me if I am wrong. If you have turfs, you can switch the fronts to the exact same size R4 because there is a 23x8.50-12 R4. For the rears, there is no 33" R4 tire for a 15" rim. But a 12x16.5 R4, which is a super common size, is 33" tall. And it isn't real hard to find a 10"ish wide 16.5" diameter rear rim that fits right on the JD hub. I had couple of Mahindra 16.5 rims that fit the Mitsu built Mahindra tractors. I painted them yellow, put on a set of 12x16.5 tires and he put the little R4s on the fronts and he was good to go.

Seems like guys are always wanting to switch tires and this gives an option that keeps the ratios correct and isn't terribly expensive. OK, back to the subject at hand, thanks for letting me divert.

To contribute to the thread, I will say that we have seen some of the little JD tractors break ring and pinions, but we have seen many more decades old that are in perfect working condition. Just consider the physics of what you are doing. Backing up a steep creek bank with a bucket full of gravel with your rear tires nearly in the air will break a ring and pinion. Putting your bucket under a stump and lifting until your back tires are loose and then pushing forward is another good way to break a R&P. The idea is that if you put a big load on the axle to the extent that the tires cannot spin, then either the HST bypasses, the engine dies, the stump moves or something breaks. Not many other outcomes. So while these 855 front axles may not be super robust, a careful operator will go a lifetime and not break one.

 

[bigtiller]

To contribute to the thread, I will say that we have seen some of the little JD tractors break ring and pinions, but we have seen many more decades old that are in perfect working condition. Just consider the physics of what you are doing. Backing up a steep creek bank with a bucket full of gravel with your rear tires nearly in the air will break a ring and pinion. Putting your bucket under a stump and lifting until your back tires are loose and then pushing forward is another good way to break a R&P. The idea is that if you put a big load on the axle to the extent that the tires cannot spin, then either the HST bypasses, the engine dies, the stump moves or something breaks. Not many other outcomes. So while these 855 front axles may not be super robust, a careful operator will go a lifetime and not break one.

Thanks for the example. I have been telling guys here for a while that Front-Wheel-Assist (FWA) is not 4-wheel-drive. And that they should treat the front axle as a secondary helper, not a primary workhorse.

 

[Snojetter]

I suppose I should add a couple photos to prove this transaction actually occurred. I've added one hour to clock moving some rocks and dirt as well as giving my little daughter a ride. This thing is the ideal size for my small property!

My wife seems to be pleased with it, too. Though I'm sure she's happy that I am happy.



P.S. That's my father-in-law in the background, and even he approves!