John Deere 855 belly mower lift

[WJ Goodman]

Thanks. Before I replace draft arms and lift straps, I am going to try my ideas to swap or replace the struts that connect the rear of the deck to the mid-point lift arms. But this link will be useful identifying what I need. I've seen this before but was never sure it was the right one. I see blades, belts, spindles and anything else that might be needed. I just can't order anything from here. Any attempt requires me to specify a dealer and then states orders are no longer possible and redirects to shop.deere.com to start over, where the deck can't be identified. I might have better luck with each part number though. This should at least help identify the parts I am after.

 

[WinterDeere]

I wasn't suggesting you replace anything, but figured these diagrams would help you identify and arrange the parts you already have, or possibly determine if anything is missing.

Yes, it's normal that you can't order off that version of the parts catalog, as I posted from the older/obsolete site. The new parts catalog site isn't nearly as good, so probably based on everyone hating their new site, they keep the old one online. It means that most end up using the old one to find the part numbers they need, then switch to the new one to order parts.

I think the old site just emailed the dealer, asking them to enter the parts order for you, into Deere's system. I think the new catalog was created to automate the process, now you are creating the order yourself, but the way you have to browse for parts was made much less convenient in the new system.

Old catalog:

https://partscatalog.deere.com

Your tractor, in old catalog:

https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/navigation/equipment/22053

New catalog:

Shop.Deere.com

CoreMedia Experience Details Page

shop.deere.com

The new catalog is probably great if you want to order hats, t-shirts, and beer coozies. But I find it frustrating and nearly useless for actual tractor parts.

 

[WJ Goodman]

Also, when I reference a part number from the old site, the new site says it doesn't fit my 855 so am back to wondering if it is the right part after all. I just found a FB group specific to that series and they have a lot of recent posts so hoping to have some luck there. We'll see.

I do appreciate your help. It's certainly not something you need to do, so long after you've moved on from that situation but taking the time to share your experience and insight has been very helpful. I am slowly getting a feel for what I am up against and we all love a good challenge in our advanced years

 

[gstrom99]

Hi. I have an 855 (love it) and also the 60" mid mower deck. The deck has been off and in a shed since I bought a green zero turn mower a few years ago. I also have the mower Operator's Manual you need. It has a part #OM-M91324 if you can find one. I don't have a scanner, so I took these pics of the pages for the wheels/leveling. I hope you can read them. Let me know if you need clarification. As I said, I don't use the mower any longer, but I can maybe help some...

 

[WJ Goodman]

Thank you. But it seems they only cover front-to-back levelling and not side-to-side, which I what I am after. Perhaps, that is simply because it is assumed you simply adjust the connector struts running from the back of the deck to the lift arms, which is my plan for today. We'll see but thanks again.

 

[gstrom99]

Page 14 has that covered. Sorry, I posted two dups and not this page. You loosen the lock nut and turn the yoke on the lift link.

 

[WJ Goodman]

THANK YOU!!! That is exactly what my plan is. Except the links installed now cannot be adjusted (turned) because the previous owner welded them into a solid link. If swapping them side-to-side doesn't resolve the "lean", I can easily replace those links to make them adjustable again. Thanks again!!

Would you be interested in selling that manual? No biggie if not but I'd be willing...

 

[gstrom99]

You're very welcome. I'm not selling my manual, until the tractor/mower goes (like never...), but I did find several on eBay:

JOHN DEERE 50",60",72" MOWERS OPERATORS MANUAL 55 SERIES OM-M91324 | eBay

This an original John Deere operators manual. I also have many other John Deere manuals listed.

www.ebay.com

I wonder why that link got welded. Stripped? Weird.

 

[WJ Goodman]

Yeah, I also noticed the front supports (that adjust the front-to-back angles) were also welded, but not as big a deal since it is level enough for me and only using this mower for our 9 acre hay field. Like you, I purchased a zero-turn to handle the bulk of my everyday mowing that I care more about.

No worries about the manual. There's really not much to it - it's just a mowing deck (no rocket science needed) and I was on the correct path already for this problem. But correctly identifying the parts when needed is crucial so I'll likely pick one up eventually.

Thanks again!

 

[WJ Goodman]

Good afternoon. I hope your summer went well. I am now dealing with a radiator issue (finding one) but had to look up your previous reply about the hour meter functionality from last spring...

The reason being, I think mine IS actually recording the hours. The tach needle is still mostly missing but it now shows 845 hours and was 838 when I brought it home in March. It's been used very sparingly and never for very long, so with the calculations you cited above, 7 hours of use in the past 6 or 7 months seems quite possible so thanks for that.

Back to my radiator quest...

 

[WinterDeere]

Deere doesn't still offer a radiator for that tractor? Surprising.

There must be thousands of 855's in bone yards scattered across this country, so finding one second-hand should be an option, if not available new.

I remember when every town had a radiator repair shop. Now they're specialty places for custom hot rods, only.

 

[WJ Goodman]

They do but I'm not forking out $1300. In my quest, I am learning Yanmar uses that engine and radiator set in a number of JD and Yanmar and other brands and models. But when you look up those other brands and models, they all steer you to a newer aluminum upgrade that doesn't appear anything like the original. The connecting ports are located differently. All of the related body/frame pieces that are welded to the radiator frame are missing. The pass-thru holes underneath are also missing but are needed to pass the wiring and fuel lines to the front. Priced under $300, it is reasonable but not willing to take that chance that it might not work or fit properly.

I located a radiator shop in West Plains (about an hour away) so will try to get it in there. The guy never answers his phone so tomorrow will run over there and hope that he is around. We need to do some shopping anyway and also that's where the closest JD dealer is so will swing in there and load up on a thermostat, filters, belts, hoses and anything else I can replace while I have it disassembled.

If that doesn't materialize into anything, I'll just add more JB Weld, do what I can, reinstall it and hope for the best. I'll be able to dig in deeper this winter but for now, I need to get it working and I could live with a slow leak for the time being. I do believe that now that air can get through there (with the cleaned out screen), it won't be running as hot and boiling away what it has like was occurring before.

 

[WinterDeere]

Ouch... $1300 isn't a terrible deal for antique NOS, but still... ouch!

I may have already mentioned this, but the rising cost of parts for models so many years out of production, is one of the big reasons I finally sold my 855. It was a great little tractor, and I had little concern about JD continuing to make parts available, but the cost of the parts seemed to go up more with each year out of production.

It makes sense, it costs a lot more to make and inventory a dwindling number of parts for machines that have been out of production for 30 years. Everyone will have a different threshold for when it makes sense to trade the high cost of a newer machine for the high cost of maintaining an old one.

I'm dealing with the same on my 2007 mower now. They still have all the parts, either in stock or shipped in 48 hours, but cost on some parts have doubled since that mower went out of production.