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Should I buy a JD 555G

Aspo

Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2020
Messages
11
Location
British Columbia
Hey, I am looking at buying a JD 555g with backhoe attachment. I have fence lines to clear, a driveway to fix and ditch, some waterlines to dig and some tree clearing. A good portion of my property is on grade. I don't have any experience with track loaders. I can only afford one piece of equipment right now. Is this a good choice? Do they have enough down pressure to push in fence posts? Thanks to all those who reply.
 

CM1995

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Jan 21, 2007
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13,250
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Alabama
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Running what I brung and taking what I win
Welcome to the Forums Aspo!

I'm a track loader proponent but unfortunately I have no experience with 555's just the larger Cat rear engine machines. Do you have a specific machine you are looking at or just asking in general.

There are other members on the Forum that have the experience maybe they will chime in.
 

petepilot

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2018
Messages
2,167
Location
central shenandoah valley va,
Welcome to the Forums Aspo!

I'm a track loader proponent but unfortunately I have no experience with 555's just the larger Cat rear engine machines. Do you have a specific machine you are looking at or just asking in general.

There are other members on the Forum that have the experience maybe they will chime in.
what year mdl are you looking at and how big are the fence posts
 

Welder Dave

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Oct 11, 2014
Messages
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Location
Canada
I think the G's are decent machines but never ran one. I read a lot that the original 555 machines were very expensive to fix if you had transmission problems. I think the G's came with a choice of power shift or direct drive. The loader should push in fence posts unless you have rocks or big tree roots. The backhoe is very handy to have but should be taken off if you're doing lots of loader work. Biggest thing to check other than if everything works is the condition of the undercarriage. It could cost over 10K to replace if worn out. Would be best to have someone experienced check it out for you. Local JD dealer might have more info.
 

Aspo

Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2020
Messages
11
Location
British Columbia
Welcome to the Forums Aspo!

I'm a track loader proponent but unfortunately I have no experience with 555's just the larger Cat rear engine machines. Do you have a specific machine you are looking at or just asking in general.

There are other members on the Forum that have the experience maybe they will chime in.
I think the G's are decent machines but never ran one. I read a lot that the original 555 machines were very expensive to fix if you had transmission problems. I think the G's came with a choice of power shift or direct drive. The loader should push in fence posts unless you have rocks or big tree roots. The backhoe is very handy to have but should be taken off if you're doing lots of loader work. Biggest thing to check other than if everything works is the condition of the undercarriage. It could cost over 10K to replace if worn out. Would be best to have someone experienced check it out for you. Local JD dealer might have more info.
Thanks for the input. It's much appreciated. The undercarriage is new on the machine I'm looking at. It's a 1998 with 3900 hrs.
 

CM1995

Administrator
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Jan 21, 2007
Messages
13,250
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
View attachment 214196this is the unit i'm considering

I agree with Pete, there should be no reason that hoe wouldn't push a 4" post unless you have rocky soils then it will just break the posts.

Do you have a closer pic of the UC? Hard to tell from this pic but it doesn't look new.
 

mg2361

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Jul 5, 2016
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5,060
Location
Pennsylvania
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Equipment Mechanic
Welcome to HEF Aspo;)!

"G" model machines (both the direct drive and torque converter machines) have been very reliable overall in my experience. First thing I would recommend however is to do a complete transmission service (take note of the oil condition upon draining, milky, etc) including inspecting/cleaning the suction screen. If that screen is clean then your golden.
 

DMiller

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Feb 21, 2010
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Hermann, Missouri
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Cheap "old" Geezer
About the only pieces I have seen as weak are the brake adjusters. Have known of several that were worry free for years just general servicing and as noted above OK to have the hoe on when needed remove when used as a general loader, should be able to find the counterweights to add to the rear if feels toe heavy when loading. 4/1 buckets are available all over for these and make them quite a general good use machine.
 

Aspo

Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2020
Messages
11
Location
British Columbia
Welcome to HEF Aspo;)!

"G" model machines (both the direct drive and torque converter machines) have been very reliable overall in my experience. First thing I would recommend however is to do a complete transmission service (take note of the oil condition upon draining, milky, etc) including inspecting/cleaning the suction screen. If that screen is clean then your golden.
Thanks mg. I'll make sure to have a look.
 

Aspo

Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2020
Messages
11
Location
British Columbia
About the only pieces I have seen as weak are the brake adjusters. Have known of several that were worry free for years just general servicing and as noted above OK to have the hoe on when needed remove when used as a general loader, should be able to find the counterweights to add to the rear if feels toe heavy when loading. 4/1 buckets are available all over for these and make them quite a general good use machine.
Hey DMiller, Thanks. I looked online for some 4 in 1 buckets but ain't having any luck. It doesn't help that I'm horrible with computers. It took me forever to figure out how to post a thread! I'm up in Northern British Columbia so it's a bit tougher to find things locally. Any suggestions for good places to look?
 

sawmilleng

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2009
Messages
219
Location
Central Kootenays, Canada
Try kijiji in BC and Alberta. You may not get a lot of hits on people selling a single bucket but you should find some of the bigger outfits who have tons of used equipment in their yards that might have what you are looking for.

Also, there is a publisher in BC called "the supply post" who have a website listing a bunch of suppliers with new/used equipment where you might find some leads.

Jon.
 

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
12,260
Location
Canada
That looks like a nice machine except it appears to have been painted and/or doesn't have original decals. 3900 hours sounds about right for undercarriage replacement but who knows if the hour meter is correct. Does the seller have the receipts for the undercarriage? Hoe uses swing cylinders which is very desirable. I found the machine you're looking at but the asking price almost seems too low for only 3900 hours compared to other 555G's for sale. Premium condition should have original decals in my opinion. I think the guy selling it dabbles in used machines (track loaders) and I've talked to him before. Could be a good machine but would pay to have someone experienced check it over really good. Looks like it could be missing some parts for the return-to-dig function. Again premium condition shouldn't be missing anything.

I have 931B with a backhoe that is slightly smaller. The front loader will push 4" posts in like they aren't there. I had to put some 6" posts in for gate posts and there were some roots on one. I had the post pushed down about a foot and it lifted the front of the machine. I lifted the bucket about 2" and gave the post a couple bumps and it went down. I could have put the stabilizers or hoe on the ground but didn't want to mess up the driveway. I bumped it at the back of the bucket on the skid shoe close to the pin and only lifted it slightly. I have 4 in 1 bucket so it's like a 1300lb hammer. I know on a backhoe if you bang the bucket you can bend the stick cylinder so that's why I only lifted it a couple inches. It pushed the post about 4" with each bump. The other post pushed right in.

For some things a 4 in 1 is nice but for others is more of a hinderance. If you're clearing any heavy brush and tree's you don't want a 4 in 1. Branches go everywhere and will wreak havoc on all the hyd. lines no matter how careful you try to be. A 4 in 1 doesn't fill as easy or dig as good as a standard bucket. They are nice for fence posts though because if you need to pull one out because of a rock or it's crooked, you can clamp on it lightly and out it comes. Works on smaller stumps and for picking up rocks too.
 
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