JD diesel life

[JonT]

How many hours before a JD diesel needs rebuilding?
I.e., would you but a JD 970 with 2000 hours on it?
I figure that's like 110000 miles on a truck and for a diesel, that would be OK. I figure I'll never put another 2000 hrs on it.

 

[Bird]

JonT, this topic has come up before, and naturally it depends on whether it was properly maintained, but it seems that most compact tractors have not had enough hours put on them for anyone to come up with a definitive answer. My farmer neighbors tell me, that on the big tractors, they figure the engine should be due a rebuild somewhere between 7 and 10 thousand hours.

Bird

 

[doctordeere]

Jon, it depends on the maintenance performed on the tractor. As an example, I have an older 2155 in the shop right now that has over 7000 hours on the clock. The tractor has (had) a multitude of leaks, a bad PTO clutch, bad internal htdraulic pump, etc., but the engine is in remarkable condition. The golf course that owns it had no problem at all with an estimate of $3k+, and they intend to keep the tractor for at least another three years. We routinely see tractors with over 3500, 4500, or more hours still going strong. It isn't the hourmeter alone that determines the lifespan.

"Doc"