John Deere 850 any good?

[garyk810]

hello was wondering if anyone could give me some pros and cons about this little tractor 850 diesel 2wd thx Gary

 

[Dan in North Houston]

I've had one for over 12 years. Bought it with about 600 hours on it and it now has about 750. Only maintenace has been batteries, alternator, water pump, and the decompression cable. You will have to work it real hard to burn a whole tank of fuel in a day. The hardest work it does is running a 5' JD LX-5 brush hog, and that's about all it can stand in heavy brush. It does not have power steering but it does not need it. I understand that parts for an overhaul or clutches are expensive, but I've not had any problems. It's been a great small tractor.

 

[CLTX]

Dan, what part of North Houston are you in? I'm in The Woodlands, just about a mile north of Spring Creek(the Harris/Montgomery County line).

 

[Dan in North Houston]

I'm in The Woodlands, ranch is near Anderson.

 

[Dan in North Houston]

One thing I forgot. There is a serial number break. Early models (like mine) don't have a two stage clutch. I think the late models also have a screw on hydraulic filter, whereas mine is a metal screen inside the rear housing. There are probably some other differences but that is all I recall right now. Options included power steering, two SCV outlets, and FWD.

 

[RobMD]

Depends on what you want to use it for. It has live hydraulics, it's a reliable Yanmar diesel. Of course, you can't abuse it and use it like a bulldozer. Loaders are pointless on these, particularly if they don't have power steering.

I'd consider it a good garden tractor or oversized lawn tractor.

Sometimes starter solenoids click on these no matter what you do with them. You can buy a Starting circuit relay kit which will put a full 12v on the solenoid.

 

[Mathias NY]

My dad has had one for about 10 years now. It does well, but has some limitations, as others have mentioned.

If I remember correctly the early models were 2wd and single stage clutch. Later models were 4wd and 2 stage clutch. If it doesn't already have remote hydraulics or power steering, they will be costly to add. I think the remote kit was around $1500 before Deere discontinued it.

For general field work or mowing it does fine. A 5' bushhog or 6' finish mower won't really challenge the engine. A 5' snowblower is workable, but tough on a single stage clutch. With loaded tires it pulled a 1-16" 3pt plow easily in heavy soil.

Good luck.

 

[Gundoctor New Haven, VT]

These have been a good little tractor. They were made by Yanmar in Japan for JD and parts are becoming a problem. My dealer told me last year that most part would have to come from salvage yards. Some yards go to Japan and ship tractor over in ship containers for the used parts.

Right now I would not take one if you gave it to me.

 

[Shamblin]

(quoted from post at 11:48:51 02/10/11) hello was wondering if anyone could give me some pros and cons about this little tractor 850 diesel 2wd thx Gary

Depends upon what you want to use it for. Mine was a later model, live hydraulics, 4WD, with loader and loaded tires. Loader is great for moving manure, snow, rocks. I also have a grader blade and york rake I use on the rear. Had it since it was new off the lot, only have 700 hours on it. general maintenance. No problems at all.