I recently purchased 7 acres of land and am desperately in need of a tractor to help maintain the property and finish some county mandated dirt work. This will be my first tractor so I could use some suggestions. I am have been looking for a good deal on a used tractor for about a year and found something that interests me. My local dealership has a 1983 JD 950 4x4 w/ 4 new tires, a new seat, loader, power steering and 1400 hours on the meter. They are asking $7900 for it. They advertised it to me as a 1988 but after closer inspection and research of the VIN it came up as a 1982-1983. I think I will offer them less based on the year descrepancy but what do you guys think? Is this a good deal? Also, does anyone have an opinion on this machine? I will use it pretty heavily for the first year but after that, basic maintenence (driveway grading, brush hog, etc.) will be the norm. Thanks for helping out a new guy!
New member needs suggestions
- Thread starter seattlehd
- Start date
- Views: 2234
jenkinsph
Super Star Member
I think I would keep shopping, the most I would give would be 6500 though. The early 950 tractors have the transmission type pto which isn't desireable to me. You would be better off to get a tractor with the independent pto or at the very least a live pto. If you have much work to do you will wan't something a little larger around 40 to 60 hp. Starting out I recomend getting a tractor that will handle 6 ft equipment ( boxblade, rear blade, brushhog and landplane) which is a very popular size.
Steve
Steve
Thank you for the responses! I think I made a rookie mistake and did not put my actual question in the subject line so no one is reading my post. Is there a way to edit the title of a thread? Also, I think it is important for anyone responding to know that I live east of Seattle near Microsoft which will unfortunately increase the price. Does anyone else have an opinion regarding $7900 for this tractor? My deposit only holds it until tomorrow night. Thanks again!
CHDinCT
Veteran Member
Have you checked asking prices here?
This link should bring up current JD 950 listings. If not, you can go to JD listings and scroll down by model number to the link for JD 950 listings.
JOHN DEERE 950, Used JOHN DEERE 950, JOHN DEERE 950 For Sale At TractorHouse.com
This link should bring up current JD 950 listings. If not, you can go to JD listings and scroll down by model number to the link for JD 950 listings.
JOHN DEERE 950, Used JOHN DEERE 950, JOHN DEERE 950 For Sale At TractorHouse.com
sandman2234
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2005
- Messages
- 6,727
- Location
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Tractor
- JD2555 and a few Allis Chalmers and now one Kubota
Seven acres and a long driveway are most likely going to take more time than your figuring if you think the tractor is going to be sitting around much after the first year. Did you figure on any snow work along with those other chores? My tractor is twice as big and my property half that size and my tractor doesn't get to sit much, and there isn't any snow here!
David from jax
David from jax
You're probabaly right about not sitting that much but I don't think snow will be much of a factor. As much as the news loves to show pictures of snow in the Northwest it really is a rare event. We might get 2 inches of snow a few times a year at my elevation and my truck does well in it. What would you say takes the most time with your larger tractor? I'm trying to get a feel for what I might struggle with if I buy a 950.
Aaron from Seattle
Aaron from Seattle
jenkinsph
Super Star Member
With a 950 you are likely to struggle with the transmission and shifting for one thing. Just my opinion but you would be better served with a new tractor and warranty. A good base tractor with hydro would be the 4105 or similar one with independent pto and 300CX loader about $25,000 list. Understand that after operating a tractor for some time most people tend to upgrade. Try to circumvent this expensive problem and by the right tractor the first time. I now have a 4520 cab tractor I am well pleased with and would be a good choice for you too but it is about $40,000 list.
Steve
WH401
Platinum Member
I know your looking at the 950, but if you have the resources and don't mind buying new, than I would take a look at either of the E series tractors (3032E and 3038E). There the best bang for your buck when looking for a compact tractor as they come standard with a hydro transmission, they don't have all the fancy trim of the 3x20 series tractors, and the loader is a fixed mount model as opposed to the removable models of the 3x20 series. I don't think you'll need a tractor bigger than a 3k series, but a 4k wouldn't hurt. I have a 3320 on 10 acres and it's a suitable size.
sandman2234
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2005
- Messages
- 6,727
- Location
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Tractor
- JD2555 and a few Allis Chalmers and now one Kubota
Most of my tractor chores are things I do that require me to work, and I use the tractor to make my work easier. Anything from dragging something around with a chain to boxblading the road for my sister inlaw to mowing up at the church. The amount you do with the tractor is only limited by your imagination and your pocketbook to buy more attachments with. My 13 hp Ford 1100 gave me almost as much help, but it just took it longer to do the same chore. The larger tractor (JD2555) does it faster, but I just ask more out of it. Things such as unloading some tables a while back, that weighed more than the little Ford tractor, so I wouldn't have asked it to do that, but the little tractor was easier to haul to other locations, so it got a lot more outside work(that pay'ed money). There are pro's and con's to every tractor. The key is getting one you can live with, and doesn't require you to spend 24 hours a day to keep up with the necessary chores.
David from jax
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