Older John Deere 950... hold or sell? Buy 2004 790?

rpeck · Jan 18, 2021

I have one of the very early John Deere 950's with a third party loader on it. I think it was built in 1979, it's two wheel drive, it has about 900 hours on it.
It has some minor flaws... will overheat after a couple of hours of hard use, otherwise cosmetic issues.
I only use it about 30 hours a year, mostly to mow a couple of acres under the trees and to keep my long driveway semi shipshape.

Two questions for this group:
1) What's a tractor like this worth if I decide to sell?
2) What's the group input on whether it's worth selling and upgrading to a 2004 790? I have the opportunity to buy a 790 with about 300 hours, good condition, Loader, tiller, ripper, brushhog, post hole digger for $15k.

Thoughts?
Thanks in advance.
Ron in Portland

arrow · Jan 18, 2021

I've had both the 750 and 950 bought in 1985. I sold the 950 a few years later thinking it just a bit big. Both were 4wd units. I should have done it the other way around.

In my estimation, it is time to sell the 950. Parts are almost non-existent and it's 2wd.
Depending on condition, I'd say 2-3K for a sale price.

2004 790 for 15K is ridiculous amount of money in imo.
But I feel you need to modernize at any rate