Relative value of each Deere Series

[radman1]

Radman, that was my thinking originally. Because I was looking to save some cash, I was going to by a used/older unit the 55 series.

But, I'm seeing that the savings between that and the newer series tractors in not that much and I conceivably get a new model.

That is what doesn't make sense and is the nature of my original post.

Most tractors in good condition will basically hit a price point where they don't get much cheaper over time because the new ones just keep going higher. Techological advancements in tractors are relatively small with new models but the price still climbs for new. You should however see differences in prices between used models with similar capabilities. Dealers tend to demand the top prices. If you are looking at dealer prices, the prices may not be that different. My partner had a JD 955 with FEL, 2 buckets, MMM and 200 hours on the tractor that he sold for $9000 in extremely good condition. I thought about buying it but didn't have a need. A dealer had the same tractor (one bucket) with 300 hours for $14,000 in an ad! I didn't see the dealer's tractor but I doubt it was any nicer. Keep looking around for private sales or auctions. Most auctions will run higher than private sales IMHO but not always.

 

[755inNY]

Staying on the 855 hydro for the moment though... I know there is no standard rule here, but all things being equal, would a late model 855 be as desireable as a 4100/4200 or a 4110 or 4115?

All things being equal (hours, condition, etc.) a late model 855 could be as desirable as the later models. In fact, it could be more desirable and that may be a factor in the pricing being as close as it is between the series. The x55 series had a long production run and they have a great reputation. They were designed at a time when, in my opinion, JD put more money into engineering. The newer models you mention have had shorter produciton runs and had some early problems.

Jeff

 

[4runner]

radman,
I had been looking at dealer prices on machine finder and iron search. So you are correct that in the dealer's business area, a CUT with a loader in reasonable condition has a minimum value/ street price.

I did look in a tractor blue book and see that the trade in/retail values (Tractor only) progress as one would expect.

1992 855 $4060/$7980
1993 855 $4500/$8700
1994 855 $4740/$9030
1995 855 $5120/$9600
1996 855 $5350/$9880
1997 855 $5950/$10540
1998 855 $6390/$10880
1999 4200 $6690/$10970
2000 4200 $7150/$11340
2001 4200 $7800/$11340
2002 4200 $8330/$12050
2003 4200 $8860/$12590
2003 4115 $8330/$11820

I'll just keep on the look out for a good deal on an x55 series.

 

[Engine_Tech]

The "55-Series" compacts were built by Deere also. The earliest ones in Wisconsin and the laster ones on Georgia. To me, the 55's were more "super lawn & garden tractor" than compact tractor. Although extremely rugged and reliable, they really are not as beefy as the 4000-series that replaced them. That said, you won't go wrong with any of them. All the JD's were good tractors.

What's interesting to me is the little (and short lived) 655 of that era. It was truely the first modern-era "sub compact" tractor. Just 10-years ahead of it's time....

 

[755inNY]

The "55-Series" compacts were built by Deere also. The earliest ones in Wisconsin and the laster ones on Georgia. To me, the 55's were more "super lawn & garden tractor" than compact tractor. Although extremely rugged and reliable, they really are not as beefy as the 4000-series that replaced them. That said, you won't go wrong with any of them. All the JD's were good tractors.

What's interesting to me is the little (and short lived) 655 of that era. It was truely the first modern-era "sub compact" tractor. Just 10-years ahead of it's time....

Engine_Tech,

What is your definition of "beefy"? I owned a 755 and looked at the 4010 and 4115. These were about the same weight and size as 755 and 855. They appeared to have similar looking (from a mass standpoint) frame and axles housings. JD did have a 455 (I think that is the correct model) that was in the same size category as a large garden tractor. It had the same 20hp diesel as the 755 but much less weight and limited 3PH.

Jeff

 

[hemiguy]

4runner,
Was wondering if you decided on anything.
I used to own a 755 and now I own a new 2520 (basically the new version of 855 with more HP). The 2520 is about the same weight as a 855, definitely has good power, and works well for me. But..., here and there a little less steel and a little more plastic. Stamped flat steel ROPS mounting system vs all formed and welded on the 755. And a big one to me is the 55's had planetary rear drives (only found on big Ag tractors now) while all the small compacts now have spur gear drives. I'm an engineer for a fortune 500 company and realize EVERYBODY is taking cost out of their products to stay competitive. Sometimes its good engineering, sometimes not. If you find a real nice 855 I don't think you can do wrong but I'm sure there are may happy 4XXX owners too. The main thing is to find out its history and whether its been well taken care of and get the best price for whatever it is.

As for the poor little 655 I think Deere gave it an identity complex. It was probably as good as the rest of the 55's but probably for WAY less money you could get a 332 L&G tractor with the same engine(16 HP), same size deck (50"), just no MFWD. Even the huge 430 L&G with 20HP and 60" deck was probably cheaper. Kubota really figured out the sub-compact marketing situation though!

 

[4runner]

Hemi,
Your timing is interesting. I'm still in the hunt. Last week I looked at a 755 (didn't run it though). It was an older '87 or '88. It was in ok shape, but not great.

Tomorrow I'm looking at another 755, this one is a later model. We'll see how that goes.

I would really like an 855, but in truth, I think a 755 would suit me fine for now. I'm just a future growth kind of guy... If I get a larger piece of property, then I may want a bigger tractor. I just like the few extra ponies that the 855 has, without a big increase in size...

Bob

 

[kude]

I still have my 1993 755. I decided not to trade it in because it is smaller than my cab 3520 and can get under trees. I have never had problems with it other than tires and battery. It was a little underpowered for my 54 rotary tiller. For lawn mowing, FEL work and Rotary cutting it is good. I never sheared a shear bolt on the rotary cutter with the 755. It takes less than a few minutes with the 3520. I can now match the right power with the tool.

 

[4runner]

I went to look at another 755 yesterday. It was a nice unit, I got the chance to drive it around and use the loader moving snow. A couple of observations that I'd like some feedback on...

Cycle times for the loader were about the following with engine at about 75% throttle:
4.5 seconds to raise, 4 seconds to lower.
Bucket times (with loader raised) were about 5 seconds to dump, and 3 seconds to raise/curl back.
It seems a little slow, is this typical?

The tires were turf... they didn't know if they are were loaded...I don't want to get into a debate about tires, tire chains, R4s/R1s in snow, etc, but how do turf tires on a 4wd tractor do on snow and ice? My garden tractor with turfs and weights did not good on my sloped driveway until I got chains... And even with chains, I have to be careful... I'd be mighty embarrassed if a new 4wd tractor had to be towed up the driveway!

Anyway, there was another buyer for the tractor, and I was not sold on it yet, so I think this one has passed me by....

 

[dfkrug]

I have had several of the 955s, an excellent tractor. My understanding
is that the x55s had all-Yanmar parts, and their replacements, the
4x00s had Yanmar engines, but other components came from numerous
other sources. There were some integration issues, resulting in numerous
recalls and reliability problems. I heard about this from my local JD parts
guy, as well as from a local rental yard that bought a dozen or so 4300s,
as replacements for the 955. The x55s are quite small, compared to
similar hp x50s, x70s, 4x00s, and 4x10s. Indeed my 955 weighs only
1970lb naked, yet shares same engine with the 4300 and 4310, which
weigh nearly 1000 lb more. The x55s were deluxe tractors....my 955
listed at $18K new.