JI Case 885 Question(s)

[Stoneman44]

Hello, this is my first post @ Yesterday's Tractors.

I've located a JI Case/David Brown 885 Diesel that I am looking to possibly buy. I am somewhat familiar with the Case/Brown tractors as my father-in-law has a DB 990 Selectamatic. My questions are, will the 885 operate, function and have nearly the same features/options as the 990? What should I look for when inspecting this tractor? Are there any known "bugs" to the 885? This tractor has less than 2900 hrs on it with nearly 90% tread on the tires. From the pictures, I can see some missing paint, dents and dings but nothing out of the ordinary for a 35-45 yr old machine. The asking price is $3,950. Fair price? Any other info I haven't included would be much appreciated.

At present, it's between this tractor and a Massey-Ferguson 135. I'd like to know some pros-cons for both tractors. No bashing, just honest opinions from some people who know these tractors better than I.

Thank you!

 

[Case Nutty 1660]

we sold lots of 885's great on fuel and a very nice tractor, yes the 990 and 885 operates pretty much the same, you have two speed pto, part are available, sounds like a great deal to me, nothing against the MF but I would take the 885 any day

 

[crwilson]

We had a 990 when we farmed 4000 acres in the Mississippi Delta. It had more guts for it's size than any other tractor I've driven. I had my laser rig on it and surveyed forty thousand acres of rice levees with it, ran water furrows, pulled a 1000 gallon 40 ft. boom spray rig with it and tandom 32 foot cotton trailers to the gin, cut stalks and many other jobs. It along with a 4600 Ford with cab and air were our two utility tractors. The 990 either pulled what you put behind it or dug a hole. It never quit pulling. It was a good tractor. If I had the choice, I would choose the 885 just from my experience with the 990.

 

[Stoneman44]

Here's a photo of the old gal.

crwilson, I love the 990 we have although I don't get to use it. My brother-in-law hijacked it after my father-in-law passed away. We never did nearly as much with ours as you did with yours but that info is good to know. My FIL always told me when he bought the DB, the man that owned it had a field full of greens and reds, but the farmhand that actually used the tractors told my FIL that he was buying the best tractor on that farm.

 

[RGMartin]

The 990 has a little more weight, you will notice the difference when you pull things that are too big for it. Most noticeable will be pulling a baler and wagon with 150 bales on it up a steeeeeeeep hay field.

The 885 is more nimble, it will make turns that have you wondering how it didn't run itself over.

Good little tractor.

 

[centash]

Probably one of the best tractors made by DB, a bit more power and weight than a 135, but the MF would be easier and cheaper to get parts/ repairs. Can't go wrong with either.

Ben

 

[MJ in the UK]

Iff it is any help I sold a lot of its predecessor the DB880 and took many MF 35s and 135s in part exchange. This was when I was a salesman at a DB dealer in the late 1960s here in the UK. mj

 

[Jim in Sask]

I don't think you could go wrong with that DB - from the picture and your description of hours, condition and price it looks like a good value. I've had nothing but good luck with mine for over thirty years. The MF's are good little tractors, too.