Reconditioned 855

Anonymous Poster · Apr 12, 2003

While out checking my local dealer for a new 2210, the owner mentioned that he has a used 855 available. He is asking $10,500 for the tractor with FEL and ~1000 hours on it. The machine has been somewhat reconditioned, paint, hoses, etc. The tractor was owned by a local park district, so there was no "personal responsibility" on the maintenance. They are willing to throw in a free 72" MMM also, but it needs a few hundred dollars in rebuilding, new bearings, blades, belts & paint (ok, so I get the mower shell for free /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif) For my 15 acres of flat horse property, this sounds like a fairly nice price, especially considering it is privately owned, and I will not pay sales tax on it. Any comments regarding taking the 855 instead of a 2210?

I also have to say that tractorbynet.com is awesome!

RoyJackson · Apr 12, 2003

A friend of mine has an 855...had it since '86 or '87. Very capable machine and probably better suited for your acreage then the 2210. Saw my first 2210 (in the steel) yesterday. Nice machine, I suppose, but it's be a bit small for you, I think. I'm assuming you're going to mow all 15 acres.
If I recall correctly, the 855 uses a 70A loader.

As far as the MMM...well, I'd tell 'em to keep it if it needs all that work. With open fields, you might prefer 3 point mower anyway. With the 855, you can use a 60" rotary cutter easliy and a 72" cutter if it's fairly light brush or grasses.

The only thing I don't care for on the x55 series machines is the placement of the headlamps. They're mounted on the fenders just outboard or the operator station. Kind of low, I think, and the masts or the FEL blocks out quite a bit of the light

Anonymous Poster · Apr 12, 2003

OK, I can accept that the MMM would be a lot of work. I would still prefer to stick with a MMM over a RMM, I will be primarily mowing the 4 acres around the house and buildings. The other 11 acres is in hay crop for the horses, and will be worked by a local farmer for me. BUT, next year I plan on investigation harvesting the hay ourselves, and the larger 855, might be just the right size.

Back to sticking with the MMM on the 855, does anyone know the model of the mower? I can look for a working used one, instead of the one the dealer has to offer.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 12, 2003

Well.....after checking around the forums here on TBN, I am beginning to think that I will skip the MMM and go for a RFM. Can anyone give a recommendation on a RFM? I am looking at Woods, Land Pride and a couple of others I have seen mentioned.

rockyridgefarm · Apr 12, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The other 11 acres is in hay crop for the horses, and will be worked by a local farmer for me. BUT, next year I plan on investigation harvesting the hay ourselves )</font>

You can but a WHOLE LOT of hay for what it'd cost to set up for ot yourself.

RoyJackson · Apr 12, 2003

"Can anyone give a recommendation on a RFM?"

For a Finishing Mower, I like Befco. Had a 60" Befco RFM for two years now. Replaced the belt once (mower was used...bought it when I bought the 670), sharpened the blades once. Now, I tried going into a little heavier brush...not a good idea to use a finishing mower as a rotary cutter. Didn't do such a good job trying to cut anything heavier then lawn grass.
As far as cutters, I borrow a 48" Deere cutter from a friend of mine. It's a nice unit, but I will most likely buy a King Kutter (if I buy new) or whatever I can get a decent price on if I buy used.

If you go for the 855, you can use a 72" finishing mower...probably a 60" cutter.

OkieG · Apr 12, 2003

Is the 855 a mfwd (mechanical front wheel drive, ie 4wd) tractor? Even with fairly flat land I would be disinclined to choose a 2wd tractor. Your will certainly run into some rough stuff from time to time, where the 4wd will save the day.

If the 855 has mfwd and is in good shape, I believe you will be more pleased with it's size compared to a smaller tractor.

My diesel pick-up has an hour meter on it. My rough calculations equate 1000 hours of tractor time to about 25,000 miles on a road vehicle. It's a rough calculation, but I have a better feel for useage looking at road miles vs. engine hours. So, a 1000 hour tractor should have lots of life left.

Also, many of us dedicated small tractor users only put on 100 hours +/- or so a year...just to give you an idea of how fast hours might accumulate. With your acreage, useage might be higher.

OkieG

tdenny · Apr 14, 2003

DaveNay,

I'm another one of the 855 TBN'ers out here. I currently run a 60" RFM on mine as the MMM didn't come with it (I bought it used). I would consider refurbishing the MMM if I were you. RFM's are much cheaper MMM's but now that I have used my RFM (which cuts really well) I wish that I had the MMM to get around a little easier. With the loader on (I rarely ever take it off) and the RFM on the back this tractor is pretty long making maneuverability an issue. Strictly my opinion - I won't be getting a MMM but in hindsight......

As far as the tractor goes I'd jump on it. I paid a bit more for mine (less hours and other attachments) but I'm very happy with mine. I have only 5 acres but I've never had any need for more power yet. Guess I'm just not trying hard enough. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif You won't be disappointed the 855 is a good machine.

Roy - yes the 855 does have the 70A loader on it.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 14, 2003

Dave,

I just bought a 855 this past Saturday with 306 hours on it. Mine came with a King Kutter 5' Finish mower. In the short amount of time I have had the machine, I like it alot.

I mow 4 acres. It increased my mowing time drastically. I get about a foot away from my trees and after I am done, I just come back with the riding mower the get the left overs.

I paid $8,000 for mine and $300 more for a Grader box, Grader blade and post hole digger. Good Luck on your choice.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 19, 2003

Thanks for all the advice guys! I just got back into town, and I will probably make the purchase of the 855 on Monday. I am thinking that due to budget, I will probably go with the MMM, instead of buying an RMM. I can't wait to get ahold of my first tractor! The loader is going to get a good daily workout caring for the horses! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif USAF, where did you get a post hole digger, and other attachments for $300??? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I certainly need a PHD, but I have only been seing them at ~$500 minimum. Did you buy it used?