JD f935 mower a good deal?

[Miriam from Montana]

Hi,
I am looking at an older JD f935 diesel mower with a 6'deck (they say). Seller doesn't know what year it is, has had it a long time. He has changed the oil, filters, annually, not much else. I don't really need a deck that big, and I want to haul a utility cart with tools, field rock, compost, etc. My Kioti is just too big for this job. He is asking $2,300. Seems high, but there is very little for sale used around here, mostly box store junk. I looked at a new Husqvarna GT with a 20h Kawasaki for $3,600 at the dealer. It is cheaply made, lots of plastic, just was not impressed. Probably a good machine compared to other new equipment.

I will be mowing rough areas, need to be able to set the deck high. Seller has no clue about how high it goes. I would actually like to put a smaller deck on it, sell the big one. Anyone know how many blades this has or how high it can be set?

The engine is a Yanmar, 3TKA72OJ.

Any feedback on this is appreciated! I am going to look at it tomorrow evening.
Miriam

 

[zzvyb6]

I have one. It takes a LOT of abuse. 22 hp. A 72" deck saves time and fuel. The 935 designation means it has 2 saddle diesel tanks instead of one. Most show with only a single hydraulic circuit (for raising the cutting deck). But, there are actually TWO hydraulic circuits provided. All you need to use the 2nd one is a lever and some hoses and connectors. I got a 47' front snowblower for it, but now use a plow instead. This machine goes very fast, has a cruise control throttle lock and has only 1 flaw in my opinion: There is a mechanical valve used to switch between fuel tanks, yet the electric gauge is on a rocker switch. So, you can feel comfortable with the amount of fuel you have, but if the gauge switch is set to the 'other' tank, you are going to run out. Restarting in can take patience. Bleeed the injectors while it cranks and wait it out.

I bought a gearbox that mounts on the mower deck that gives me a standard 540 pto stub shaft. From this I run a pto generator when the lights go out or I need 120/240 out in the field (as in welder).

The battery is big enough to start a car or truck. Winter starting is just as good as Summer if the glow plugs are good. Most parts for mower and tractor are on ebay.

You price is pretty good. A 'newer' one around here can go for twice your price.

 

[Miriam from Montana]

Thanks for the reply. The generator idea seems very worth while. The power goes out here regularly in the winter with blowdowns.

I appreciate the feedback on price. There is nothing to compare to here, only a few for sale in the region. There is a JD dealer here, and some neighborhood folks that are deep into the brand.

What do you think about putting a smaller deck on it? I don't actually have any lawn, will be field mowing the edges, mowing standing dead cover crops. Nothing too thick. I am more interested in getting into the corners, maneuvering in planted areas with the utility cart. I have been snowplowing with the Kioti bucket the last few winters, so a blower is sounding good too.
Thanks, Miriam

 

[zzvyb6]

Thanks for the reply. The generator idea seems very worth while. The power goes out here regularly in the winter with blowdowns.

I appreciate the feedback on price. There is nothing to compare to here, only a few for sale in the region. There is a JD dealer here, and some neighborhood folks that are deep into the brand.

What do you think about putting a smaller deck on it? I don't actually have any lawn, will be field mowing the edges, mowing standing dead cover crops. Nothing too thick. I am more interested in getting into the corners, maneuvering in planted areas with the utility cart. I have been snowplowing with the Kioti bucket the last few winters, so a blower is sounding good too.
Thanks, Miriam

Well you will have to FIND a smaller deck first, swapping it out is very easy. There are actually other options if you can find the implements. My deck is side discharge, so going fast thru a hay field that's not been cut for several seasons will create quite a windrow. You can set the deck height easily by changing the spacers on the gauge wheels and the drop arm hangers.

There is also a rear discharge deck that I have seen on mowers for sale here in Michigan. The might be aftermarket because they are not all (JD) yellow. I believe I have seen a flail mower attachment for the 935 (BTW: there is an 1145 model that is newer and 4wd) The 1145 attachments fit the 935. If you need a rotary broom, that's an option, too.

I'd try out the 72" deck raised up to cut your field before trading it for a 60. You can always undercut a row to feed it only 1/2 the path if it gets bogged down. When cutting very high grass, weeds, ant hills, dog toys and tree branches, be sure to keep you eye on the radiator screen. **** flies around and will be sucked into the radiator shroud, so be on the look out. And, for turning all that dead plant matter into cat litter, I use the Gator mulching blades. They don't do a great job on a nice and tidy city lawn, but will tear up leaves, tree branches, tree nuts, pop bottles, dead animals, live animals, old newspapers, and horse poop. They do NOT like discarded baler twine strings.

 

[pmsmechanic]

One tough trouble free machine! The 22 hp can easily handle the 3 blade 72" deck.

 

[zzvyb6]

I found the full ad for this machine on your local Craigslist. Wizz-bang seat, aftermarket front tires, and the support frame for the Material Collection System. No deck covers (I recommend getting them (ebay) to keep the belt from getting frayed by trash. The deck is SHAFT drive. Hydraulically raised. The deck lift valve has a float position so it will ride with the terrain. It will have a foot operated, electric differential lock on it, too.

I put a trailer hitch ball on mine. (There is a bracket for it on the steering cylinder guard). I see 2 handles for the hydraulic circuits there, too. No ROPS bar. PITA around low hanging trees.

 

[Miriam from Montana]

I went to look at the j935. Beautiful old mini tank. one puff of black smoke on startup, then ran strong and smooth, cut well despite the blades having never been sharpened in 5 years.. He has covers for the deck, took them off because dirt built up under them. I agreed to buy it, he agreed to deliver Friday. This machine is exactly what I need. I am afraid I fell in love with it on sight. Makes the tinny, plastic laden new machines look so bad. I guess I am just old school.

Then he texted me that he discovered a hydraulic leak at the rear output shaft. The shaft had a bit of play in it, reservoir unusually low. He is tearing it down to see if it is the bearing or if the pump itself needs replacing. The dealership quoted him close to $3,000 for the pump! Is that real? I am looking online for other options, in case it is a faulty pump. The seller is a mechanic at the airport here, so I am trusting he can handle this. He is being very honest about the problem, could have sold it as is without mentioning it.

Thanks for all the support on this!
Miriam

 

[TractorGuy]

Sounds like a straight shooter. Hope he gets it fixed and you are able to get it. I think you will love it.

I bought a F725 project mower last year. I probably should have walked away but it was something I always wanted and they just don't come up for sale. It included one running mower with a bad deck and a parts mower with a bad deck. The guy told me he had a good deck somewhere to go with it so I paid him and loaded the running mower. When I returned to get the parts mower and "GOOD" deck the deck he had was off a zero turn or something. I ended up having to cut all the hanger and gearbox mounts off the old deck and weld them onto the good deck to make it work. Heights were a little different so I had to use spacers on the blade spindles but I got it going. It is an AWESOME mower. I hate some of the stuff on the 725 like plastic foot rests and fenders that break but the mower itself is great to use. I think I have about $1200 in mine but I worked on it for two or three weeks to make it usable.