Comments on a 755

[unimog_jason]

Hello Everyone,

I've been looking for a compact tractor in the 20 hp range with a loader and MMM and found one that is in my price range.

I've uploaded the pictures the seller sent to me to my website and if there are any 755 experts out there who would like to pick this machine apart please feel free.

Here is the link to the pictures, below each picture is a link that will take you to the very large picture.

http://images.unimog.ca/tractor/jd755/

I can't inspect the tractor myself since it's a little too far away, but I know a guy near the seller who is willing to look at the tractor for me. If there is a list of things to look at and test for please let me know so that I can pass it along.

The machine details are:

1999 755
60" MMM
1080 hours
Hydro transmission

One thing I did notice around this machine is that it has the 52 loader where as all the others 755's I've looked at had a 70. Does anyone know the difference between the two loaders?

Thanks in advance,

Jason

 

[drkmstr]

First, you have two different tread types on the front tires. that needs to be fixed because different treads do change the outside diameter of the tire as a whole.

The deck looks like it could be in need of some work. hard to say without running it and wiggling the blades for bad bearings.

i believe the 52 loader is a lighter duty loader than the 70.

 

[plowrup]

For 1000 Hours it's kinda rough (I've seen a lot worse though, but I really wonder if it's a 1000 hour machine)-I have an '95 870 in Stock that has 850 Hours that looks like new compared to that)-I wonder why the left side Tires are so much more worn that the right?

I believe the 52 Loader was the to predecessor to the 70/70A-one of the differences was the way the Loader mounted to the Tractor-I wonder if the Maintenance has been kept up? (Loader Pins and Bushings, Filters, Oil, etc., although there does seem to be Grease stains around the Pins)-

Is this the configuration you are looking for? You might consider having an Oil Sample taken and analyzed-obviously, pull the Air Filters and have a look at them-check the Hydro Oil-is it clean? Look at the Hydro Filter-has it ever been changed? The Hydro's should stop the machine quickly when you let off the Pedal-make sure the turning Brakes work-check the Loader Pins and Bushings for wear. I see some wetness on the front Axle that doesn't appear to be normal-I wonder if the Loader has been loaded too heavy a lot-if I ever saw a problem on the 55 SEries it wa the front Axle (although not that common-) good luck, I hope it's reasonably priced-

 

[unimog_jason]

Thanks guys.

I saw the mismatched tires, I assume someone tore up a tire and just put the cheapest tire they could find on it. If I were to buy this tractor I'd either find a matching front or replace both of them.

I saw the grease around the pins, so I think that's a good sign and I couldn't see any oil stains around the bottom of the main cylinders. Thanks for the tips on the transmission, I'll make a point of telling my guy to check for that. Out of all the things that could go wrong with the tractor the transmission is the last thing I want to deal with.

Is there anyway to check the front axle? If you lift the front end off the ground with the loader would you be able to feel any movement if it was loose?

The price is very reasonable in my mind, so long as the wear and tear is cosmetic and not as a result of abuse.

Anyone care to comment on 755 vs. 4100? I have my eye on a 4100 as well, but it doesn't have a MMM and appears to have been used for snow removal and therefore has some rusty patches.

Jason

 

[plowrup]

Thanks guys.

Is there anyway to check the front axle? If you lift the front end off the ground with the loader would you be able to feel any movement if it was loose?

Anyone care to comment on 755 vs. 4100? I have my eye on a 4100 as well, but it doesn't have a MMM and appears to have been used for snow removal and therefore has some rusty patches.

Jason

Yes,

You can lift the front axle off of the ground and check for pin wear, and with continuous Loader usage that could show some wear, but whatever problems I've seen has been to do with the axle themselves (although somehow this seems to be regional)-

I would take a 755 over a 4100 any day (kinda apples to oranges)-

 

[unimog_jason]

I would take a 755 over a 4100 any day (kinda apples to oranges)-

In your mind what makes the 755 a better machine? Simpler to maintain? Less expensive to maintain?

I've read everything I could find here about the 755 and 4100 and the consensus seems to be that the 7/8/955 are very well build durable machines for it's size and I also only read good things about the 4100 but they don't seem to be as common.

Jason

 

[hemiguy]

Jason

First off, welcome to TBN. I recently sold my '91 755 and bought a new 2520. I've never seen a 4100 up close, but I will say that that the 755 and its big brothers were very rugged for their size and they were all produced for over 10 years while I believe the 4100 was only made for a couple of years.

In my case, I purchased my 755 used with 2200 hrs and sold with about 2500 on it. It was getting low on compression in the middle cylinder and showing blowby. If I was considering an older tractor again, especially a rough looking one like that, I'd have the compression checked. I didn't know the whole maintenance history on it BUT found out the older ones like mine only had a single stage air cleaner, which made "dusting" the engine more of a risk.

In your case your problem is that they stopped making them in 1998, so it can't be a '99. Based on the condition and the 52 loader I'd say its much older. My '91 had a 70 loader which totally replaced the 52 maybe in the late 80s I'll bet you're actually looking at a 1988. I would insist on the seller providing the tractor and engine serial numbers to you so you can check. Also ask if the hour meter is stuck or actually still working and if he is the original owner. Personally, I would pass on that one and find one closer and/or in better condition.

 

[Yourkie]

I agree that the 755 is a solidly made and reliable tractor. For whatever it's worth I purchased my 755 new in 1989 and in 18 years it has never left me hanging. Only 756 hrs on it with 60" MMM and 70 loader with 54" bucket. I maintain it religiously including changing OLF every 50 hrs, R&R coolant and hydraulic fluid/fltr every several years. Besides about 3-4 batteries I've had a hydraulic connector loader fitting go bad 10 years ago, and just replaced the tailpipe. Bought a factory service manual which is nice to have reasonably on eBay.

I now have a 3720 which will have a 72" mmm and a BH come spring. The 755was a perfect tractor for mowing and trimming as it has individual brakes, power, and was relatively compact and manuverable. It was as maneuverable as my JD165 so I cut the entire yard with the 755.

BTW I may be selling my 755 once I'm sure that the 3720 mows satisfactorily. That will probably be in the spring. I had the mower deck on my 755 blasted and epoxied sprayed two years ago and it looks almost new. I'm in PA.

 

[dfkrug]

I've read everything I could find here about the 755 and 4100 and the consensus seems to be that the 7/8/955 are very well build durable machines for it's size and I also only read good things about the 4100 but they don't seem to be as common.

My understanding is that the 755/855/955 were all-Yanmar made units and
very reliable. When the 4100/4200/4300 series came out, they used Yanmar
engines and some other parts sourced from Yanmar, but other components
were manufactured by other companies around the world. There were
some serious reliability problems.

I have owned and rebuilt 4 955s. I used two of them myself for several
years. I bought them from a rental company, who replaced them with
5 or 6 new 4300s. All of the 4300s had problems and JD replaced them.
Rental use is tough on tractors anyway.

As for the weaknesses in the x55s, I would say the front grille is crap:
hard to keep attached and makes battery access hard. Fiberglass
hood is easy to damage. Electric and mechanical safety interlocks give
touble. Otherwise a great series. Small frame, high hp.

 

[unimog_jason]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I really appreciate it.

Good point on the serial number, I'll see if I can get that but it makes sense if the loader was built in the late '80s you would have to assume the tractor was as well.

Thanks for the info on the 4100s too, it definitely says something if a tractor was produced for more then 10 years and never changed much during that time, I think I'll pass on the 4100 I've been watching.

I've added all your points to my check list.

Jason