"Purchased this machine with a loader off the lot, new. I've kept up on preventative maintenance. I have had to replace one hydraulic line and one steering component. Great for manure handling and snow removal. It does have calcium in the tires which helps. I also use it to grade and move snow on my driveway. (1,000 ft)"

"Used for 2 years on golf course and just purchased, runs well but would like to a hydraulics as will be using to put in crops."

"I bought this tractor used it came with the front end loader, 5 ft. JD finish mower, and a 5 ft. blade. I had to overhaul engine in 12/2007 because it got water in one of the cylinders and bent a rod. But after $1,400 in parts it's running like a new one. I'd love to have one of those new JD's but this ole tractor will probably be with me for the rest of my days. Which I hope is a long way off."

"I just purchased a John Deere 850 with loader to replace my old Ford 1600. I had the Ford nearly 30 years, it did everything I asked it to do. Finally the engine died. Due to difficulty getting parts and cost of repair I decided to upgrade. It was sad to see the "old girl" go but I am looking forward to having an easier time working in the woods and fields with the new J.D. The four wheel drive and power steering are a big improvement over the manual steering and two wheel drive on the Ford. The J.D. seems to have more than enough power and traction to meet my needs. I am sure I have made a good choice."

"Got the tractor used. Others if the same vintage and model tend to be in better shape and cost more. So, I got what I payed for. :) The tractor seems to have had limited care with the previous owner. Most everything is all original. The tires are the original Firestones. They are in poor shape. The starter died in the first month. Upped the starter from a 1.4Kw to the 2.0Kw type. Hoping this will alleviate cranking it so much and long. The tractor over heats. Going to flush the cooling system. When the cap was off, it smelled so bad like a car sitting in a scrap yard for years before prying the cap off. The fuel lines leaked, so the tractor would start run for 100 feet and then die. Replaced the fuel lines and it runs until the tank runs low. Happy it's a diesel. Has a "live" PTO and the draft works. The Hi-lo is a plus."

"The best piece of equipment I have ever owned. Twice a year, it is pressure washed and waxed and always kept under a shelter. The biggest thing I use it for I cutting my 3 1/2 acre yard with a 6' grooming mower. In the 26 years I have owned it, I've only had to put on new brakes (one time), and new seals in the lift. My tractor has a John Deere top, power steering and turf tires."

"I noticed some are reviewing the 4 wheel drive 855. Mine is a 850 2 wheel drive. It does all that I have ever tried to even pulling a baler when the big tractor was down. Not bad bad for a 3cyl. 25 hp class unit."

"For my farm and life the 850 was a great buy. I only wish I had bought two."

"Used it about 3 weeks now, and for the money, found it to be well worth the slightly higher used cost. Looked for over 4 months at used tractors that had been "refurbished" using nothing but spray cans of paint---very disappointing. JD dealer got this one in trade only a couple of hours before I showed up. Well kept, very strong, clean and quiet for a "Yanmar" diesel. Pulls a big disc with no problems except the turf tires which want to spin. May change to AG tires later on. "

"I have owned and used this JD 850 since Jan, 2001. It had 612 hrs when I purchased it. Now has 4031. It has been a good machine. I use it mostly for mowing (approx 300 hrs a year) I also use it on disc, blade and misc. I mow with a 7 ft rear mount mower and it does quite well. After these hrs it will use about 1.5 quarts between oil changes (100 hrs). I am thinking about trading it for a JD332o cab tractor."