"Old School" JD's... (eg, JD750, etc)

[drgrant]

Are these a decent buy if you can find one in good shape? (eg, in terms of
long term reliability, etc... ? ) How are the FEL's that are typically seen
on them? (JD 70A) etc. Are the hydraulics useable, or are they slower
than what one would find on a 2520, etc.

-Mike

 

[Gizmo2]

Check some of my earlier posts. I had a 650 with FEL and BH great tractor.

 

[ScottAR]

We bought a nearly new 1050 in 1987.... No issues besides maintence items and a couple sets of brakes. Great tractor, very reliable.

As to hydraulics,... The only thing I have to compare it to is my Case 580D
which is a 7ton construction backhoe and... well there is no comparison, I can bury the 1050 in output. BUT, I have swamped a laborer with a shovel on the 1050; so everything is relative.

 

[jaybrad]

In the late 80s, my dad had a 750 (gear) and I had a 755 (HST). He used his around the farm for some plowing, rototilling, and digging. I used mine for mowing a 4 acre lawn, some loader work, and clearing my driveway (rear mount snow blowers).

When I got mine, I started out to buy a 750 because I had been so impressed with what my dad was able to do with his, but the dealer convinced me that for my purposes, the HST would be the better choice - and he was right.

I never did any comparison tests on loader speed, but they worked well for us.

I eventually sold my 755 when I moved, and my dad traded up to an 855 which he still has and uses regularly. IMHO, that line of JD tractors were among the best.

Jay

 

[Gizmo2]

IMHO, that line of JD tractors were among the best.

I'll second that.

 

[Whitey]

Finding a unit in really good shape maybe your toughest challenge! I own a 92 - 94 JD 770 with a 70 FEL and a 7 BH. Just turned 1500 hours last Saturday. I bought a used machine for three reasons......price, first buy and simplicity. Price because it was half of what a similar unit was new, first buy because I had no idea what I could expect from a actual performance ability compared to the written version, and overall operational / repairable simplicity compared to the computer driven machines today. Good and bad points to them all. Overall I did real well for my first buy. I am pleased with the tractor however I had to do some old age repairs / replacements that you would not have to do on a new machine. The only draw back is if you do not like what you have bought it may be difficult to get rid of since it is older. Yes there are followers of certain machines but the used market is full of newer used machines that can be had at a reasonable price. Size your machine carefully and take your time there are a lot of used machines available and the internet is your best friend on finding one. As far as performance comes compared to a new machine you would have to look deep into the specifications, the newer FELs and BHs have more power these days than their older counterparts.

JD 770 / 70 FEL / 7BH - 425 AWS / 54" MMM / 54" FMP

 

[unit40]

What is considered 'old school' and why?? Is my '94 1070 old school? And is the 750 a Yanmar built machine?

 

[Robert_in_NY]

What is considered 'old school' and why?? Is my '94 1070 old school? And is the 750 a Yanmar built machine?

When I first saw Old School JD's I was thinking something towards the John Deere letter series or even the 20 and 30 series 2 cylinder tractors. A tractor from the 80's doesn't seem to qualify as old school to me and I am only 30. But it is safe to say the 750 has "old school" looks compared to modern tractors now.

 

[drgrant]

I realize I should have been a bit clearer with my thread title... after I posted itI was thinking... "oh crap, some guy's gonna think I'm talking about a Model A!" etc.

I guess I meant old school in terms of CUTs. I'm sure JD produced/branded
CUTs before this time, but I don't really see a lot of JD CUTs older than the
750s, etc. I saw a ton of these things years ago and still see a lot of them
in use or for sale (and many at a reasonable price) hence the interest. Thanks for the responses.

-Mike

 

[jd110]

You are correct that the 50 series are old school as far as CUT's are concerned. The 850 and 950 were the first compact models JD introduced. 1978 I believe. The 650 and 750 followed shortly afterward and the 1050 was last. (1250 and 1450 were about the same time, but they are a little large to be considered CUT's) And yes, the 50 series were all built by yanmar for John Deere. All great tractors. Have seen a few with over 10,000 hours and still going strong.