The John Deere 855 is a classic compact tractor from the 55 Series. It’s powered by a 24‑hp Yanmar engine and has good lifting capacity. It handles mowing, moving materials, and daily farm jobs with ease. Produced from 1986 to 1998, it’s long been a favorite among users because it’s tough and durable. After years of use, though, key parts will naturally wear out or get old. To keep your 855 running well, it’s important to know John Deere 855 specs. Understanding these specs helps you know how your machine performs and makes sure you buy the right parts that fit correctly.
Overview of the John Deere 855
The John Deere 855 is manufactured by John Deere at two plants in the United States: Horicon and Augusta. Its size and power are between small garden tractors and large agricultural tractors, so it is very suitable for industrial owners, small farmers and people who do garden maintenance.
In the final years before the shutdown, the tractor cost about $16,000 new. It wasn’t cheap at the time. But it is durable and versatile, which is why it is popular. Also, John Deere has a derivative model —John Deere 856. This version is primarily used for grass maintenance work such as lawn mowing.
Features
- Compact and practical: The John Deere 855 is part of the 55 Compact Series. It’s small but very versatile. It works great for farming, moving materials, mowing, and landscaping.
- Reliable power: It has a Yanmar 3TN75RJ diesel engine with about 24 hp. It’s strong and dependable for daily work.
- Hydrostatic transmission: This tractor uses a hydrostatic transmission. No shifting gears. You just use the foot pedals to go forward and reverse. It’s easy and smooth to operate.
- Good lifting power: The rear hitch can lift up to 1005 lbs (later models). So you can use lots of different attachments with it.
- Small and maneuverable: The 855 is narrow. It works well in tight spaces like barns, orchards, and yards.
Key Specifications
- Engine:3-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel engine. Displacement 60.7 ci, compression ratio 17.8:1. This engine is known for being fuel-efficient and durable.
- Transmission: Sundstrand hydrostatic transmission. Smooth speed control. Some models have cruise control for easier long work.
- Hydraulic system: Open-center hydraulic system, 5.6 gpm flow. It powers loaders and other attachments smoothly.
- Tires: You can choose ag tires, turf tires, or industrial tires for different ground conditions.
- Safety: It comes with a Roll-Gard ROPS for rollover protection. Many owners add a cab for weather protection.
John Deere 855 Tractor Specifications
Engine Detail
| Engine Model | Yanmar 3TN75RJ |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Cylinders | 3-cylinder, inline |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 60.7 ci (1.0 L) |
| Bore/Stroke | 2.95×2.95 inches (75 x 75 mm) |
| Power | 24 hp (17.9 kW) |
| Fuel System | Direct injection |
| Air Cleaner | Dry element |
| Pre-heating | Air heater |
| Compression Ratio | 17.8:1 |
| Rated RPM | 3200 |
| Operating RPM | 1400-3425 |
| Starter Volts | 12 |
| Coolant Capacity | 4 qts (3.8 L) |
Note: During its production run, the fuel tank and battery locations were swapped, which coincided with a switch from an electric to a mechanical fuel pump.
Transmission
| Transmission Manufacturer | Sundstrand Series 17 |
|---|---|
| Type | Hydrostatic |
| Gears | Infinite forward and reverse (2-range) |
| Control | Two right-side foot pedals |
| Features | Standard cruise control |
| Oil Capacity | 18 qts (17.0 L) |
| Oil Type | Hy-Gard Low-Viscosity |
Power Take-Off (PTO)
| PTO Horsepower | 19 hp (14.2 kW) |
|---|---|
| Rear PTO | Independent |
| Rear PTO Type | 540 (1.375 shaft) |
| Rear PTO Engine RPM | 540 @ 3200 |
| Mid PTO | Independent |
| Mid PTO Type | 2100 |
| Mid PTO Engine RPM | 2100 @ 3200 |
Hydraulics
| Type | Open center |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 4.5 gal (17.0 L) |
| Pressure | 2050 psi (141.3 bar) |
| Rear Valves | 2 (Optional) |
| Mid Valves | 2 (Optional) |
| Total Flow | 5.6 gpm (21.2 lpm) |
Tractor Hitch
| Rear Hitch Type | Category I |
|---|---|
| Control | Position control |
| Rear Lift (at 24″/610mm) | Early Models: 785 lbs (356 kg) Late Models: 1005 lbs (455 kg) |
Chassis, Brakes & Steering
| Drive | Two- or four-wheel drive (MFWD) |
|---|---|
| Differential Lock | Mechanical rear |
| Steering | Power steering |
| Brakes | Differential hydraulic wet disc brakes |
| ROPS | Two-post Roll-Gard ROPS. Optional canopy, high ROPS, and weather enclosure were available. |
Electrical
| Ground | Negative |
|---|---|
| Charging System | Alternator |
| Charging Amps | 40 |
| Battery CCA | 475 |
| Battery Volts | 12 |
Capacity
| Fuel | 6.6 gal (25.0 L) |
|---|---|
| Hydraulic system | 4.5 gal (17.0 L) |
| Front axle | 2.25 qts (2.1 L) |
Tires
| 2WD Standard (Ag) | Front: 4.00×15; Rear: 9.5×16 |
|---|---|
| 4WD Standard (Ag) | Front: 6-12; Rear: 9.5×16 |
| Lawn/Turf Front | 23×8.50-12 |
| Lawn/Turf Rear | 33×12.50-15 |
Dimensions
| Wheelbase | 64 inches (162 cm) |
|---|---|
| Length | 95.9 inches (243 cm)
110.3 inches with 3-point hitch (280 cm) |
| Width | 42.6 to 51.3 inches (108 to 130 cm) |
| Height (Hood) | 52.3 inches (132 cm) |
| Height (ROPS) | 75.6 inches (192 cm) |
| Weight (2WD) | 1790 lbs (811 kg) |
| Weight (4WD) | 1870 lbs (848 kg) |
| Clearance (Drawbar, 2WD) | 12.68 inches (32 cm) |
| Clearance (Drawbar, 4WD) | 9.9 inches (25 cm) |
Attachments Overview
The JD 855’s versatility is amplified by its compatibility with a wide range of attachments:
| Mower Decks | 60″ (Model 2734M) and 72″ (Model 2733M) mid-mount decks. |
|---|---|
| Blades | 54″ front-mount blades (Models 2780M and 380). |
| Loaders | John Deere 52 and 70A front-end loaders. |
| Backhoe | John Deere 7 Backhoe. |
Source: https://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/2/2/223-ford-8n.html
Common JD 855 Problems
Some common issues with the John Deere 855 include:
- 4×4 System Failure: A lot of owners have issues with the 4-wheel drive not working. This is usually caused by a worn front driveshaft, or worse, damaged gears inside the front axle. You can check it by seeing if the driveshaft turns when you put it in 4WD.
- Engine Won’t Shut Off: Some people find the engine keeps running even after turning the key off. This is almost always the fuel shut-off solenoid on the injection pump. It just needs to be adjusted or replaced.
855 Serial Number Location
You can find the serial number plate on the rear of the John Deere 855, located below the PTO shaft.
Related John Deere 855 Tractor Parts
Conclusion
The John Deere 855 is a very useful compact tractor. If you want to keep it running well, make sure the parts you buy match the model and specs.
FridayParts offers quality replacement parts for the John Deere 855. They fit well and can replace the old parts directly. Not sure which part you need? Just contact our team. We’re happy to help and get your tractor back to work.
