• Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!

Looking at a 955k

Ind150

Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2025
Messages
5
Location
Indiana
Hey guys, so I've been looking for an older track loader to help me clean field fence lines and some woods on my property. I found a 955k that I think is in pretty good condition for a nice price. I was wondering if anyone could help me with info on it. Seller says the S/N is 85j8214. Thank for your help guys.
 

Nige

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2011
Messages
34,917
Location
G..G..G..Granville.........!! Fetch your cloth.
Seller says the S/N is 85j8214
You should double-check the Serial number with the seller. Ask him to confirm with a photo if possible.
The 85J-prefix 955K model changed to a 955L from Serial Number 85J4672.

The more usual situation is sellers trying to make out their machine to be a newer model (decals are easy to replace) than it actually is, not older.....
 

Ind150

Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2025
Messages
5
Location
Indiana
See that's what I was thinking too from looking at different stuff you've posted on serial numbers. I'll send them a message and double check.
 

Ind150

Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2025
Messages
5
Location
Indiana
You should double-check the Serial number with the seller. Ask him to confirm with a photo if possible.
The 85J-prefix 955K model changed to a 955L from Serial Number 85J4672.

The more usual situation is sellers trying to make out their machine to be a newer model (decals are easy to replace) than it actually is, not older.....
Here's the picture they just sent me. Looks like it's actually 85j3814
 

Attachments

  • received_1826864954732806.jpeg
    received_1826864954732806.jpeg
    407 KB · Views: 17

Nige

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2011
Messages
34,917
Location
G..G..G..Granville.........!! Fetch your cloth.
Here's the picture they just sent me. Looks like it's actually 85j3814
I agree, and that makes it an early 955K (S/N under 4671) with a D330C engine.
The 955L was introduced from 4672 and at various points up to S/N 6246 various improvements were made but the engine remained a D330C.
From 6247-Up the 955L was fitted with a 3304 engine.

If you want opinions regarding the condition of the machine then posting some photos of it might help.
 

Ind150

Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2025
Messages
5
Location
Indiana
I agree, and that makes it an early 955K (S/N under 4671) with a D330C engine.
The 955L was introduced from 4672 and at various points up to S/N 6246 various improvements were made but the engine remained a D330C.
From 6247-Up the 955L was fitted with a 3304 engine.

If you want opinions regarding the condition of the machine then posting some photos of it might help.
Never hurts to get the opinion of others that know more about them here's the pictures o have and a link to a video of it. https://streamable.com/j0bgry?src=player-page-share
They're asking 8500, but I'm sure I can get them to come down alittle on it.
 

Attachments

  • received_512496368080163.jpeg
    received_512496368080163.jpeg
    784.3 KB · Views: 45
  • received_1128622568492252.jpeg
    received_1128622568492252.jpeg
    1.2 MB · Views: 45
  • received_980625460650639.jpeg
    received_980625460650639.jpeg
    1.4 MB · Views: 45
  • received_1516846739165193.jpeg
    received_1516846739165193.jpeg
    925.1 KB · Views: 45

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
15,981
Location
Canada
Doesn't look too bad overall but the biggest concern is the undercarriage. Looks like new sprocket segments were put on worn chains in the last pic. The rollers appear to be hitting the pin bosses. New undercarriage would cost more than the asking price of the loader. If everything worked good and the engine didn't smoke or have a lot of blowby maybe??? it would be worth doing the undercarriage or at least looking for better used undercarriage. Would also be good to have a ROPS.
 

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
14,965
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
The biggest concern for that machine is no ROPS regardless of it's mechanical condition. That loader is a death trap without one.

Had a great uncle die when his JD 350 loader flipped over while he was working on his farm.

If they don't have a ROPS or you can't find one for that machine do not buy it.
 

tctractors

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2007
Messages
2,477
Location
Worc U.K.
The Tracks look to be in strong condition and are SALT chains (the best) the Final Drive is showing a sweat mark but it could have been stood some time, I would be very happy to buy the Shovel for the $$$ asked, they don't take long to pay back that sort of spend out, it looks handy enough for the task you want it for, plus all the jobs you never thought about tackling, plenty of life in the Undercart.
 

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
15,981
Location
Canada
Around tree's definitely need a ROPS. I guess it depends on how many hours of use you think you'll need it. Would think there would be a used ROPS kicking around in a used equipment or salvage yard.
 

tctractors

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2007
Messages
2,477
Location
Worc U.K.
You could always build a ROPS frame on the Farm if it makes you feel happy, it's easy to over build it to the strength you think your life might be worth, or run it as it stands it's not a deal breaker in my mind.
 

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
15,981
Location
Canada
A ROPS could be built provided the builder was competent enough at welding. Having a welder doesn't automatically make a person qualified to build something like a ROPS.
 

DB2

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2015
Messages
1,041
Location
Winnipeg MB Canada
Securing it properly to the machine is the problem

As I stated the early one’s didn’t necessarily have the mounting brackets attached

Just my two cents
 

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
14,965
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
The machine in the pic is an L according to Nige. Not an early model.
 

Nige

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2011
Messages
34,917
Location
G..G..G..Granville.........!! Fetch your cloth.
The machine in the pic is an L according to Nige. Not an early model.
Sorry but that's not correct. See Posts #4 & 5.
Originally in the OP a Serial Number of 85J8214 was mentioned which would have made it quite a late L with a 3304 engine, not a K as per the seller. Question: Why would a seller want to make a machine appear older than it actually is.?

When a photo of the S/N plate was supplied by the seller the number actually turned out to be 85J3814, making it a K with a D330C engine and the decals are correct.
 

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
14,965
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
Oops. Just read the first post where OP posted S/N is 85j8214
 
Last edited:

skyking1

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2020
Messages
8,788
Location
washington
You could always build a ROPS frame on the Farm if it makes you feel happy, it's easy to over build it to the strength you think your life might be worth, or run it as it stands it's not a deal breaker in my mind.
If one is truly getting personal with trees and brush, a ROPS and 3 screens are very handy indeed. you can bull your way about a bit more.
 

tctractors

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2007
Messages
2,477
Location
Worc U.K.
If one is truly getting personal with trees and brush, a ROPS and 3 screens are very handy indeed. you can bull your way about a bit more.
I think I covered all points with the Life might be worth bit, a lot of Farmers are fairly able with a Welder and know what a Barn looks like, the ROPS is like a Barn but smaller, it was not law to have a ROPS at that point in time but might very well be chosen by the owner, myself I cannot stand the things but do get the reason to having them, as for a Farm made frame it will be better than nothing although it will lack an Approval Plate.
 
Top