JD 8850 tractor

[reg]

I understand this tractor has an 8 cylinder motor.Does this motor stand up? What kind of things should a person be looking out for if you are considering buying one? Is this an odd motor that JD dicontinued? What is the scoop on it?

[ivarson]

Reg; I'm not an expert on the JD 8850 but I did a lot of inquiring on this model a little while back when shopping for 4WD. Your right, the engine is a V8 of 955 cu. in. displacement, with a factory rating of 375hp(engine) and 303hp pto. Several John Deere mechanics told me that this particular engine will/can spin the main bearings if the oil is not changed regulary. A JD dealer confirmed this and added it is an extremely expensive motor to fix and a bottom end job could easily go $10000. He said its not a bad engine, if you keep the oil changes regular.If your browsing through the used tractor ads you notice '...with new bottom end..' for a lot of the 8850 ads. Hope this helps.

[lohner]

to me tractors are dependable rebuildable powertrains with mounted cabs i understand the 8850 can be just that with an 855 cummins repower

[lohner]

to me tractors are dependable rebuildable powertrains with mounted cabs i understand the 8850 can be just that with an 855 cummins repower