950 vs 970 vs 1070

[dnw64]

I am considering a 30-40hp tractor and most of the ones I'm coming up with that seem to fit my needs/budget (around $10k) are Green. Here are three I've found that seem worth consideration:

1980 JD-950, $9500 - about 1500 hours. Appears to be repainted (what is that hiding, and/or does that matter?)
198 John Deere 95 tractor loader - farm & garden - by owner - sale

1993 JD-970, $13,000 - 600 hours, includes a 503 rotary cutter, which I need anyways (older, lighter duty but if it's functional it will be fine for my needs). Rust on edge of rear rim(s) - CaCl problems, or just normal?
John Deere Tractor - farm & garden - by owner - sale

199? JD-1070, $10,500 - over 2000 hrs (and meter broken). Turf tires (advantage for mowing, disadvantage in the woods).
John Deere 1 4x4 tractor 1,5 - farm & garden - by owner - sale

Primary use would be mowing about 8 acres, occasional loader use, maintaining logging roads on about 30 acres for recreational use. May consider adding a backhoe at some point. Would probably use for clearing snow for just the first winter (I will be using my GC2300 cab/front snowblower) starting next year.

Any significant differences (tranny, PTO, engine) that I should be aware of?

TIA!

 

[chriswheeler]

I've owned both. The 950 has square cut gears, need to stop and shift, not the 970 shift on the fly and down shift. I read that the 1070 is a 970 that has the same engine with a turbo. I know I like the 970 much better than the 950, better operator platform, easier to get on and off of. The 4 cyl engine of the 970 runs and starts faster than the 3 cyl 950, also seams much easier in cold weather to start. In my opinion it seams that it is harder to stick the 970 than the 950, 970 seams to have better traction to the ground. I bought the TLB version, glad I was able to buy with the JD 8A frame mount backhoe, sure got good use out of it so far, easy on and off. Well worth the extra cash to buy as a unit that's matched. Both are well suited to 6' implements. I'm selling off my place due to health reasons, and selling the tractor. Tractor comes with a 6' blade, 6' rake, 7' compaction roll, 5' Howard tiller, 5' brush cutter, potato plow, and a 3point trailer hitch. I've been offered 20K twice already, still I'm not quite ready to sell. Want to use it to help with the move. Loader is a JD80 with a 6' bucket and the backhoe JD 8A with a 12' ditch bucket. Local selling prices are all over the place, but regardless of that well above what you have found.
Chris

 

[dnw64]

Good info, thanks Chris.

 

[chriswheeler]

A web site that I find helpful is Tractordata.com. You can look up almost any model and brand, get the specs that matter.
Chris

 

[100 td]

Adding a backhoe is always generally expensive, if you want one, try to buy something with one.

 

[dnw64]

A web site that I find helpful is Tractordata.com. You can look up almost any model and brand, get the specs that matter.
Chris

I have discovered that site and find it very helpful. However it doesn't tell me some of the things you did, such as ease of starting and user-friendliness of platform, and often specs are missing or contradictory.

 

[dnw64]

Adding a backhoe is always generally expensive, if you want one, try to buy something with one.

Good point. I have seen several non-brand specific backhoes available (such as Woods) and while the prices tend to be reasonable I suppose there are likely hidden costs such as probably subframe modification and even the rear remotes needed to operate it. Will consider that more strongly.

I may just forego the backhoe idea unless exactly the right thing comes up, as my son-in-law does have a Bobcat excavator; but I hate to bother him for it as he seems to be always busy (he has a small excavation company he operates in his "spare" time).

 

[chriswheeler]

My thinking ran almost the same when I bought my tractor with the 8A subframe mounted backhoe. The dealer wanted almost $4000 more for this rig because of that backhoe setup. When you priced a aftermarket and the power beyond setup, it ended up costing much more to add on to a used tractor after a purchase. I think the smart money went to a factory setup that was already done and matched to the tractor and not hanging off the 3 point. In service over the last few years, it's more than paid for itself in service.

 

[jd110]

As mentioned, the 970 and 1070 have synchronized transmissions. Another plus is the 70 series had power steering as standard equipment. The 950 may have power steering but it would be dealer installed. If it does not already have it, the kit is no longer available. One advantage of the 950 is it has a wet sleeved engine and the 70 series are non sleeved engines. Both are good tractors.