jd 870 vs 770

[landman]

I have a choice of either an 870 with 350 hrs or a 770 with 62 hrs, both have loaders a 70 loader and a 440 loader, turf tires on 770 r1 on 870 870 has rear hydrolics plumbed. both are the same price 12.5k Is this alot of $ for these older models with a few hours? im leaning towards the 870 but have not heard much about the specs of this unit, larger tractor, bigger loader, obvious.

 

[irwin]

I have a choice of either an 870 with 350 hrs or a 770 with 62 hrs, both have loaders a 70 loader and a 440 loader, turf tires on 770 r1 on 870 870 has rear hydrolics plumbed. both are the same price 12.5k Is this alot of $ for these older models with a few hours? im leaning towards the 870 but have not heard much about the specs of this unit, larger tractor, bigger loader, obvious.

Hello landman: check around, you'll find 12.5k is about right for the 870, but seems high for the 770...
JOHN DEERE 870 For Sale at TractorHouse.com

JOHN DEERE 770 For Sale at TractorHouse.com

 

[RoyJackson]

The 870 is a much larger frame tractor then the 770.

A good comparison would be the Deere 790 (which is identical to the 770 except for the engine, tires and a few other odds and ends; and did replace the 770) and 990 (which replaced the 870/970 series tractors). Both the 790 and 990 are slightly larger and more powerful then the tractors they replaced.

The 770 has a 4 speed collar shift tranny with two ranges (8 gears fwd, 2 reverse), the 870 has a 3 speed trany with 3 ranges which comes to 9 speeds fwd, 3 reverse.

The 770 has 24 Engine HP with 20 at the PTO, the 870 has 28 engine HP with 25 at the PTO.

The 870 (bone stock) weighs about 600 lbs more then a bone stock 770.

The 870 has considerably more lifting capacity with both the loader and 3PH.

So, both nice machines and are very similar except for size and power. If in good shape, I'd go for the 870 in a heartbeat. But make sure it fits your needs. If you're buying to finish mow and maybe a little brush cutting, the 770 might be a better fit.

As an example, I had a 670 (770's little brother...same tractor with smaller tires and engine) which fit my 2.5 acres quite well. I wanted more power for a chipper and some field mowing I was doing, so I bought a 790.
Well, never bought the chipper and I'm not doing near as much field mowing as I did last year.
The better fit on my property was the 670.

If you have 5 acres or less and don't expect to use the loader for heavy work (real farmer type stuff), go for the 770. If more then 5 or 6 acres or you have a working farmette, you might prefer the 870.
So, a little more information about your intended uses would help, if you want advice on TBN.

As far as price...those MFWD 770's really hold their prices. But for $12500, you could buy a 790 (I did, for exactly that price). The 870 is maybe a little high..maybe not (depends on your location).

AKFish has a 970. I'm sure he'll share his experiences too.

 

[klm]

This is a "no brainer", the 870 is a winner. I had one and loved it.

 

[AKfish]

Roy laid out the considerations pretty directly. Depending upon what current uses you have for a tractor and how much ground you have to work with will help determine which tractor might be the better fit.

As well, whatever future needs or developments that might be on the horizon - might also have a bearing on which tractor would be the better decision.

That said, Roy also indicated (as did Irwin) that the 770 is priced too high and there's more bargaining room to be made on that deal.

The 870 is a more capable machine that will allow you to operate larger implements (mowers, cutters and ground engagement implements,i.e. disk harrow, box blade and scraper blade) and having the Power Beyond circuit enables you to use the 8A-8B backhoe attachment.

In addition, you can plumb into the hydraulic power available at the Power Beyond circuit to use a Top n Tilt configuration at the rear of the tractor or extend a 3rd SCV to use a grapple on the FEL (front end loader).

So... depending upon where you are right now (landwise, chorewise) and where you're going (landwise, chorewise)... and if you can/cannot get the price negotiated down on the 770... 'cause right now as things stand on a dollar to dollar comparison and tractor capabilities --- well, it's a pretty straightforward decision.

AKfish

 

[landman]

I dipped in for the 870 and got the price down to 11,700 told the dealer I would also purchase from them a woods rb84 blade $599 and a set of chains $325. The tires were alrady loaded. So Im very happy! Moved a bunch of cement patio pavers with ease, will be using the loader today for crushed rock, it will be nice to not double dip in for the pickup, as compared to the other tractor I owned. Very impressed with the turning radias, sharp turns, effortless clutch. Will report more when ive got some hours on it. Im smiling, the smell of diesel exhaust in the air. Hey can I get a down swept exhuast for this? In case I forget the coffee can for the stack.

 

[irwin]

I dipped in for the 870 and got the price down to 11,700 told the dealer I would also purchase from them a woods rb84 blade $599 and a set of chains $325. The tires were alrady loaded. So Im very happy! Moved a bunch of cement patio pavers with ease, will be using the loader today for crushed rock, it will be nice to not double dip in for the pickup, as compared to the other tractor I owned. Very impressed with the turning radias, sharp turns, effortless clutch. Will report more when ive got some hours on it. Im smiling, the smell of diesel exhaust in the air. Hey can I get a down swept exhuast for this? In case I forget the coffee can for the stack.

Good for you!
My 770 is a great little land owners helper, can't imagine doing any real land taming without that mechanical help. When I bought mine money was a big reason for not going bigger. Though I could use more power, it gets the job done, just takes longer. I'm not in any real hurry anyway, don't really want to get it all done too quickly, then I'd run out of weekly uses for it. Thankfully I still have lots of trees to dig up,and haul, trails to make, and maintain, rocks to move. Oh yes, a great little stress reliever.
You made the right choice, now post some pictures of those projects.

 

[landman]

Ive got about 40 hours on the 870 and its a tank! Was not sure if I would like "gear" tractor, but have found it easy to use, FEL is great, got a 68 inch blower for the snow and that works great! have not needed the tire chains, havent been in the woods much this winter, we got alot of snow early. Ready to do the 400 hr maintainance soon, all fluids and filters etc, Im gonna try to do it myself to save some cash. Winter starting is no problem!! Gonna try modding the back blade to angle hydro so i can get the crown in the road, the pre set angles are way too steep! wish me luck

 

[dirtworksequip]

landman< I just sold a JD870 with 2080 hours that I owned for over 12 years. They are good dependable machines that will give you years of service.

Sincerely, Dirt