LOOKING TO BUY 855

WOODYTREE · Jun 2, 2002

HI GUYS
I'AM LOOKING TO BUY AT A AUCTION A 1988 JD 855 WITH A FEL. THE TRACTOR HAS 620 HRS. 4WD AND TURF TIRES.
ITS BEEN OUT SIDE MOST OF ITS LIFE. THE PAINT IS POOR!!
BUT THE REST OF THE MACHINE IS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD BE A GOOD PRICE TO PAY FOR THIS TRACTOR????? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP..
WOODY

tdenny · Jun 4, 2002

Woody Tree,

See my response to your last question about the 955. If you are able to purchase an 855 or a 955 I think you'll find yourself very happy with your decision. I've already put about 30 hours on mine.

Ledgemere Farm · Jun 4, 2002

Hopefully, you can get it cheap. Personally, I steer clear of tractors that were neglected. If the machine stayed outside, it's a good indication that the previous owner didn't take as good care of it as he could have.

Mark_in_NH · Jun 4, 2002

<font color=red>I steer clear of tractors that were neglected. If the machine stayed outside, it's a good indication that the previous owner didn't take as good care of it as he could have.</font color=red>

Not everybody who owns a tractor is Blessed with a nice garage to park it in. That doesn't mean we don't take care of our equipment.
If the tractor Looks good, Sounds good and pass's the inspection of a qualified mechanic, then it may well be worth taking a chance on.
A little faded paint and a weathered appearance doesn't make it a bad tractor or a tractor who had a neglectful owner.

JC4HD · Jun 4, 2002

ahmen Mark!

RoyJackson · Jun 4, 2002

"If the machine stayed outside, it's a good indication that the previous owner didn't take as good care of it as he could have."

The tractor dealers around here (2 Deere and 2 Kubota) leave the new and used machines (including implements) outside 24/7.
Most of the farmers park their tractors under some sort of cover (equipment buildings, normally with no doors).
I don't think faded paint and dings would put me off. After all, these ain't Harleys, Porsches and Ferraris we're talking about.
The unit in discussion is being auctioned, so one doesn't know any of the history or usage, of course. If it's an estate sale, I wouldn't be especially worried (more then for any other used vehicle). If it's a commercial unit being auctioned, I'd be a bit more leery. Of course, with any auction, it's caveat emptor. Also, know exactly what your maximum bid will be and stick with it. I've only been to a few auctions, but I've seen the "frenzy" come into play...where something gets sold for more then one would pay for it new!
I do garage the 670 I've got...because I've a garage. Sure wouldn't worry about it too much if I didn't though. Reckon I'd be worried more about theft then paint fading.

Ledgemere Farm · Jun 5, 2002

First of all, I didn't mean to insult anyone (bad part about e-mail is that sometimes you sound more harsh when you write than if you were face-to-face). However, having grown up on a dairy farm I have attended numerous auctions and seen alot of tractors. If you ask me about a tractor that I haven't seen and say it looks like it's spent it's entire life outside, I wouldn't buy it unless it was below book. I don't care about the faded paint, it's the seat, steering wheel, guages and things like that which get destroyed by the elements. You would be surprised at how much water finds it's way into things like transmissions, rear-ends and hydraulic systems. That just my $0.02.