Just saw this for sale, (craigslist, but at a local business) John Deere 955 with loader, 1998 model. Turf tires. 4x4 Hydrostatic. 33HP Yanmar 3 cyl Diesel. 486 Hours.

So, almost 20 years old. Garage kept. Tractor looks barely used at all. Owner was unavailable for more details and price quote when I looked at it.

Biggest question for me is, how dependable these are and would you trust the ~20 yr old hydrostatic drive to be GTG? What's it worth?

link to ad with photos:
https://nashville.craigslist.o...ctor/6326246332.html

Thoughts?
Thanks
TD

I'd be on that like s tick on a Basset Hound.

I have that exact tractor. Configured a bit different, but the same tractor. Mine is a few years older. A great tractor. I love mine. Only down side is that certain things are no longer supported any more. I don't think you will get it for less tban $10k

I would expect the hydrostatic drive to be good as long as the seals are good and not dry rotted, the machine has only 486 hours. The yanmar engine is an excellent engine but wear parts are expensive in comparison, like $45-60 for an oil filter as I think they're reverse threads and can only get them from yanmar. it's going to be all based on condition, just check it over thoroughly. See if there are any maintenance logs so you can make sure it wasn't forgotten about and not run for 5 years.

No, You can get all the filters from JD for basically what you would pay for similar Kubota parts. The oil filter is like $10 or so. Air filter parts are kind of spendy. But a buddy has a newer Kubota and we compared the cost of msintenace parts and they were with in a few dollars

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
No, You can get all the filters from JD for basically what you would pay for similar Kubota parts. The oil filter is like $10 or so. Air filter parts are kind of spendy. But a buddy has a newer Kubota and we compared the cost of msintenace parts and they were with in a few dollars

I deal with those engines in generators (marine). The filters from yanmar or Kohler are those prices....perhaps deere made a remote mount or a mount that takes their filter, because I know the 3 cylinder yanmar filters I deal with are a yanmar specific part, or kohler rebranded yanmar and expensive (fuel, oil, air etc). On the yachts the air filters go a long long time though as they're in a clean environment.

I just looked and the john deere oil filter, fuel filter, etc. are totally different than the factory yanmar Japanese stuff......for example, the fuel filter on a kohler generator is a yanmar spin on.

Anyways we usually get 10,000 hours on the engines running 1800 rpms all of the time in a generator.

All i know is those parts are available at your factory JD dealer. Are pretty affordable to kubota and work great.

It has been a great little diesel engine and the 955 is a good and pwerful small 4wd tractor.

To the op. I would loomking at the value of used kubota's to determine a fair price for it.

If it's priced right, jump on it. It will not last the weekend.

He didn't post the price so that's a red flag.
Almost 100% post the price on craigslist.

Did you contact him?

quote:

Originally posted by cparktd:
He didn't post the price so that's a red flag.
Almost 100% post the price on craigslist.

I don't waste my time with folks that are too embarassed to put the price in the ad.


They know they are asking too much.

Shoot seller an email and ask price. Nothing to lose. JD 955 is a dandy small tractor and to have that few hours it was someones hobby and usually well kept. Beware of scams.

Moneys tight and cash is king under 10k is good... try for 7500

I have a gear drive 770, of same vintage and have had no issues. Take a look on Tractor Suuply for comparative pricing. Impressive that the foot plate still has paint on it.

I stopped and looked at the tractor Friday. I have been looking for one.

Some old guy came out and he didn't know the price or any other details.
He said the guy selling the tractor was unavailable until Monday, so I didn't attempt any other contact.

It's in front of a family business that used to be a paving and excavating company. They have assorted stuff out front for sale most of the time, I'm thinking consignments. They had a rough JD tractor a while back and have a backhoe a skid steer and a 1962 Mack Road tractor now as well.

The sign now reads Pipe and Supply. Like drainage culverts and such.

There is always been something out for sale for a few years, way too much to just be selling off their own stuff I think. The turnover is pretty slow.

I'll go by tomorrow...


Thanks everyone.

Best of luck to you with this. If it is right for you, I hope you get a great deal.

It's basically a Yanmar/Mitsubishi.
See if it has the Yanmar 3TN84RJ engine.
As the 955 is 33hp.

If you decide you are interested and want a market price for comparison go to ironappraiser.com and enter the tractor's features. It will cost you $15.

quote:

Originally posted by ScreamingCockatoo:

See if it has the Yanmar 3TN84RJ engine.

According to the spec sheet on Tractordata.com it does. Is that a good thing? Should there be a plate on the engine or tractor with that on it?

quote:

Originally posted by Tejas421:
If you decide you are interested and want a market price for comparison go to ironappraiser.com and enter the tractor's features. It will cost you $15.

I may do just that if he shoots a price that seems high. I see the specs say 18k to 19k New depending on some options I guess.

I found a few others that sold or are for sale around the country and they ranged from $8500 to $1200. The $1200 one was almost the same condition and low hours... but it also included a belly mower.

I'm thinking now I'd do 10K with a full tank o diesel and free delivery to my house... Hope that not to far off.

quote:

Originally posted by cparktd:

quote:

Originally posted by ScreamingCockatoo:

See if it has the Yanmar 3TN84RJ engine.

According to the spec sheet on Tractordata.com it does. Is that a good thing? Should there be a plate on the engine or tractor with that on it?

Then it is a Yanmar. JD bought Mitsubishis also.
Tractordata is mostly correct.