Price Check 970 pros/cons + price

[gthag]

I'm a 1st time tractor buyer who drove tractors alot on the farm as a kid. I'm looking for a tractor to use on 40 acre farm to bush hog and chores as needed.

A local dealer has a 2002 970 with 54 hours use, no attachments for $7500. Dealer states it was a trade in to change to a 4WD and runs well.

Pricing websites I've visited suggest this is a good price. Any thoughts for a newbie with this deal? What other questions should I ask? Thanks

 

[SteveH_CT]

Sounds like you know more about the price than I do - I am curious about how well you think this tractor would do what you want it to do - on your land and soil type? I'm sure for many things 4wd can be a blessing, but if you can do with 2wd it sounds like a reasonable deal.

 

[yellowsocks93]

GThag,

There were never any 2002 970s ever built, I have a 1992 at home. The last year for the 70 series Deeres was 1998. It is probably a 2wd 990. I have a 990 at home same as the 1070 minus the trans, and it is great. We also had a 1070 a couple years back also a great machine. Price sounds good for being a newer tractor without MFWD.

 

[zuiko]

It sounds like a good deal if it is in good condition, whether it is a 970 or a 990. It would be nice to have a loader (I assume this doesn't have one), but you could always add a new one for a bit over $3k and still have a pretty inexpensive tractor.

 

[johnbilt]

Hi

I have a 990 4WD and have been very happy with it. The 40hp engine has plenty of torque. I find that the 4WD is a neccesity for me. It makes all the difference when scooping heavy rock and dirt for loader work. I tend to spin in place and dig a hole in 2WD when scooping. Perhaps more ballast at the rear could compensate for a 2WD tractor.

The price looks right. Depending on your application, the 2WD may fill the ticket. I suspect the bush hog mounted at the rear would work work excellent.

John