Buying Advice Used JD 110 vs everything else

[DavesTractor]

Okay guys, I'm gonna try to buy one now. Whats a reasonable price? I've seen the advertised for a long time in the $25-$30k range, but they dont seem to move very quickly.

If you can find a low hour machine with a 4-N-1 and a backhoe with the hydraulics front and rear (most came with the hydraulics is my observation) for $25k you should buy it. That would be a very fair deal. Dealers will probably be closer to $27-$29k for such a machine.

Back in 2008-2010 when contractors were folding daily, we saw some in the $21-$22k range an bought every one we could. Those deals are gone now that there is a perception of a healthy economy.

They go quicker on dealer's lots as a dealer can easily finance a used tractor. It is more difficult to do that through a private party, although it can be done.

Best of luck on your search.

 

[Slackdaddy]

I built my own house on 20 Acre (only 3 acre flat and level).
I bought a used Case 580E 4wd backhoe for 7500.00, used it for 3 years building the house etc.
I then sold it for 10,000.00 (now I did put about 2500.00 in tires and misc in it).
I could have NEVER built that house without that machine, it was used every day while building.
Buy it, use it, sell it.

Slack

 

[paulfun9]

I built my own house on 20 Acre (only 3 acre flat and level).
I bought a used Case 580E 4wd backhoe for 7500.00, used it for 3 years building the house etc.
I then sold it for 10,000.00 (now I did put about 2500.00 in tires and misc in it).
I could have NEVER built that house without that machine, it was used every day while building.
Buy it, use it, sell it.

Slack

this is the way to do it ! Not every one will make a sale for more than they paid but in most cases you don't loose much. For me My first back hoe cost me 300.00 loss between buying and selling it with absolutely nothing but fuel and some engine oil during the 2 years I owned it. Couldn't even rent a machine like it for a weekend for 300 so its win win in my eyes if you can find a decent machine for a decent price!

 

[ultrarunner]

I had my Dozer 17 years and sold it for 2k less than I had into it and used the money to buy my Deere 110 tlb.

110 has been a good machine... only had one problem and it turned out to be a $50 part to fix... and I breathed a sigh of relief.

I have front aux hydraulics... not aux rear :-(

It is at the outer limit of what I can tow... anything bigger would just be too big.

 

[AKfish]

4.5 acres... Rocks and 16% slopes... Any tractor will likely take some abuse working your place! I've been changing our place from trees and shrubs for the past 10 years now and I'm at a point where i can go huntin' and fishin' again!

Thought I'd sell my 110, too.

Think I'll sell my other tractors first... now.

Almost 1,500 hours and no major failures. Leaking diverter valve and the shop that fixed that messed up a hyd selenoid in the process. That's been it. Some seals. But, shop time is $106/hr so, it all adds up!

If you've spent any time working equipment; abused and poorly maintained equipment can be reasonably easy to figure out.

That said, if you can find a 1-2 owner machine that's where I'd focus. And either the 110 or the commercial Kubotas. They're tough and will give you great service.

Lastly, but ONE of the most important considerations - your local dealer - no matter what you buy.. They need to be both capable and reliable.

AKfish

 

[moparrob]

Awesome guys!

 

[ultrarunner]

moparrob... I found my 110 in Hayward California... it was owned by a small family contracting firm that was switching to mini excavators and skidsteers...

The operator that used the 110 had retired and the new new guys found the 110 to cumbersome to work in some of the tight spaces required for commercial work...

I had given up and then one day on a fluke, I found it...

 

[DocDryden]

This looks like a nice one. You can sell off the attachments you don't need. The ad is in two different craigslist, not sure why.

John Deere 110


2006 John Deere 110

 

[AKfish]

Looks like a good, low-hour machine. Be interested to know how the tractor was used to only have 700+ hours over approx. 9 years.

Very useful set of attachments, too. If I was working a new piece of property with rocks, I'd keep everything 'cept maybe that 16" bucket. I've got a 20" and it's too big for rock work. The 12" and 24" have most things covered that makes the 16" "loose change".

I sold my 4n1 bucket. Now have a HD root grapple and HD bucket with edge. Personally, I found the 4n1 to be awkward and less efficient than a grapple and a separate bucket.

Tractor deserves a real look over..

Best of luck with whatever you buy.

AKfish

 

[moparrob]

Dang. Ad is down now, but that drive wouldnt be too bad for me. What was the asking price?

 

[DocDryden]

I think it was $34000. or $36000

 

[ultrarunner]

Dang. Ad is down now, but that drive wouldnt be too bad for me. What was the asking price?

It was over 30k

Mine in Hayward was less... no 4 in 1 or thumb... so cost less.

Did get 3 buckets for the hoe and pallet forks.

 

[DocDryden]

Dang. Ad is down now, but that drive wouldnt be too bad for me. What was the asking price?

It had 4 in 1 loader bucket , 3 point hitch with top n tilt, 3 buckets for the backhoe, a set of forks and a thumb

 

[ME83]

I have had my 110 for 6 years now with 800 hrs on it, it was 5 years old when I bought it with 210 hrs on it. I bought it from a guy who had a personal business and used it around his house. Business got busy so it saw little use. I am in the same boat, I have a personal business that is getting busier and a new baby so my time to work outside is limited. When I go over the numbers of me doing projects or working in my business it is the same or cheaper to hire projects out.

The only issue I had with the 110 is the loader soft hydraulic lines rubbed and one blew a hole. The repair kit re-routed the hoses so newer models won't have the same issue. Otherwise it is a very nice machine. It would be really nice to have a mini ex for the extra reach and manuverability, a skid steer for a stronger loader, and a tractor is necessary for the three point hitch attachments, but I don't have that extra $60k laying around (and that is for decent used machines). I currently own 5.5 acres with horses and still find the 110 a great size, not too big at all.

If the 110 had a nice heated cab and 10 more HP it would be perfect. Once my clearing, digging, and grading projects are done I would like to sell it for a cabbed Deere 4520 or newer series and rent a mini ex when needed.

 

[AKfish]

You know.. I've been having those same thoughts about my 110 for several years now... cab, 10-15 more Hp @pto, etc, etc.

So, I bought a JD4720 cab with 400CX loader this past year. Very nice, comfortable and capable machine. But... and this is a BIG but - it won't hold a clod to workin' the dirt like the 110!!

Not even close...

So, better get ALL your heavy ground projects done before you sell the 110 and sit in the seat of that cab, 4520!

AKfish

 

[TSO]

You know.. I've been having those same thoughts about my 110 for several years now... cab, 10-15 more Hp @pto, etc, etc.

So, I bought a JD4720 cab with 400CX loader this past year. Very nice, comfortable and capable machine. But... and this is a BIG but - it won't hold a clod to workin' the dirt like the 110!!

Not even close...

So, better get ALL your heavy ground projects done before you sell the 110 and sit in the seat of that cab, 4520!

AKfish

What are the aspects of the 110 that you found to be that much stronger than the 4720? Obviously you can leave the BH part out... Was the loader THAT much better? I think they are "about" the same machine overall, aren't they?

 

[AKfish]

What are the aspects of the 110 that you found to be that much stronger than the 4720? Obviously you can leave the BH part out... Was the loader THAT much better? I think they are "about" the same machine overall, aren't they?

The two loaders are pretty much "spot on" on paper... But in use - the bouncy, flouncy 400CX won't hold a straight line when you're shaving that top inch or two of packed dirt. And sod, well you better get ready to take a number of added "stabs" at it to get the same results as the 110.

The 110 loader is a solid, fixed loader built into the frame of the machine. The 400CX is a quick-attach loader. You can "dig" with the 110. You have you really work the 4720 to get it to dig. 'Course it also helps that the 110 loader is 600+ lbs heavier, too.

The hydraulics on the 110 make the hydraulics on the 4720 seem cludgey and sloowww. Way faster response and more precise as a result. Here again the flow is darn near twice the gpm and the pressure is about 800 psi higher with the triple pump setup on the 110.

And the visibility and ergonomics of the 110 are much better than the cab models 4720. You can SEE what the heck you're doing! It's more guess and "intuition" with the 4720.

That said, I've tried to use the 110 on my HD disc harrow and my HD gear-drive rototiller, too. And, there's not much comparison between 33hp vs 56hp except to say... There are clearly some things you should NOT do with lower Hp tractors!

AKfish

 

[TSO]

The two loaders are pretty much "spot on" on paper... But in use - the bouncy, flouncy 400CX won't hold a straight line when you're shaving that top inch or two of packed dirt. And sod, well you better get ready to take a number of added "stabs" at it to get the same results as the 110.

The 110 loader is a solid, fixed loader built into the frame of the machine. The 400CX is a quick-attach loader. You can "dig" with the 110. You have you really work the 4720 to get it to dig. 'Course it also helps that the 110 loader is 600+ lbs heavier, too.

The hydraulics on the 110 make the hydraulics on the 4720 seem cludgey and sloowww. Way faster response and more precise as a result. Here again the flow is darn near twice the gpm and the pressure is about 800 psi higher with the triple pump setup on the 110.

And the visibility and ergonomics of the 110 are much better than the cab models 4720. You can SEE what the heck you're doing! It's more guess and "intuition" with the 4720.

That said, I've tried to use the 110 on my HD disc harrow and my HD gear-drive rototiller, too. And, there's not much comparison between 33hp vs 56hp except to say... There are clearly some things you should NOT do with lower Hp tractors!

AKfish

Thanks for that. The 110 is one of the machines that I'm interested in as my landscape company evolves. Specifically, for the size and weight, it appears to be very robust. How do you feel about the BH?

My Massey is an excellent "middle" machine right now ... Of course, it's also my "only" machine since I'm not sure which direction I'm heading. A 60-80 HP tracked skid steer is on my list for land clearing and more intensive grading work, but I'd also like a small BH for little stuff. I've been wondering if a little SCUT TLB would have enough strength if/when needed.

But that 110 looks to have a nice "middle" BH that's both strong and also relatively compact. Your thoughts?

 

[jenkinsph]

The two loaders are pretty much "spot on" on paper... But in use - the bouncy, flouncy 400CX won't hold a straight line when you're shaving that top inch or two of packed dirt. And sod, well you better get ready to take a number of added "stabs" at it to get the same results as the 110.

The 110 loader is a solid, fixed loader built into the frame of the machine. The 400CX is a quick-attach loader. You can "dig" with the 110. You have you really work the 4720 to get it to dig. 'Course it also helps that the 110 loader is 600+ lbs heavier, too.

The hydraulics on the 110 make the hydraulics on the 4720 seem cludgey and sloowww. Way faster response and more precise as a result. Here again the flow is darn near twice the gpm and the pressure is about 800 psi higher with the triple pump setup on the 110.

And the visibility and ergonomics of the 110 are much better than the cab models 4720. You can SEE what the heck you're doing! It's more guess and "intuition" with the 4720.

That said, I've tried to use the 110 on my HD disc harrow and my HD gear-drive rototiller, too. And, there's not much comparison between 33hp vs 56hp except to say... There are clearly some things you should NOT do with lower Hp tractors!

AKfish

I agree with Larry on all of the above. The 110 is very great for tlb use and is a good stand by tractor with the 3ph. The 4520 is better for pto work and other jobs requiring more hp.
Cabs in both cases were a good decision imo.

 

[DavesTractor]

The loader on a SCUT, CUT or a utility farm tractor is designed to load material, scoop up piles, etc. It really is not designed to dig, at least not at any decent duty cycle. If you look at a Bobcat skid steer, you will see when the loader is all the way down (digging position), the lower arms are actually against the body of the Bobcat. If you look at a JD210 and observe the angles and the way the hydraulic rams attach, you can also see how it can dig all day long. On the JD110, it's pretty stout, but I've seen enough busted bell housings to think most of the digging should be done with the backhoe, with the loader relegated to loading and relatively light digging work. I've never seen anyone bust a bell housing, I've just seen the results. It makes me wonder if they were truly abusing the unit or if more likely the bolts worked loose over time allowing dynamic loads on the bolts. I guess I am saying that a good operator that maintains his JD110 well and isn't stupid may be able to do more digging with the front bucket than I suspect.