JD 8000 rt v Challenger 765

[Henry B]

I know this has probably been asked before, how do these two compare in the field. The John Deere will always be the best to drive, but does it put it's power to the ground and turn at the end under load as well as the Challenger or is there nothing in it ?

 

[Pingu]

Personally from my experience no. JD always sit back on rear idler when on real heavy draft no matter what weight is on front as can’t properly ballast the track frame like a challenger! I’ve had more experience with bigger ones (MT865+) but no twin tracks are great when turning wouldn’t say much in it. When trialling a 775 with full track frame weights and 16 idler weights pulled level at all times and turned best I’ve seen from a twin track level and without to much scuffing. But speed and operator have more to do with it!

 

[Lincsman]

Case row track will put the power down, as the tracks have no option but both be flat on the floor whatever else is going on.

 

[Henry B]

Case row track will put the power down, as the tracks have no option but both be flat on the floor whatever else is going on.

I can see what you mean. Do you have one?

 

[slim shiny]

I like the look of these but have heard bad reports of the back end oil cooking or prop snaps whichever comes first and with no suspension they're not great on the road

 

[slim shiny]

I had a 8345rt and as said it always seemed to be sat on its back rollers,
Very nice to drive with better draft control than the challenger, but I would not have a Ivt, personally I'd look at the the E23, a demo 8370rt I had it in and it was a awesome.

 

[slim shiny]

Or in the words of Harry Hill "there's only one way to solve this"

 

[Henry B]

I had a 8345rt and as said it always seemed to be sat on its back rollers,
Very nice to drive with better draft control than the challenger, but I would not have a Ivt, personally I'd look at the the E23, a demo 8370rt I had it in and it was a awesome.

When you say it always sat on it's back rollers, have you compared to a Challenger in the field, and did the 8370 you tried sit on it's back rollers?

 

[slim shiny]

The 8370 I had on the drill so it wasn't really pulling, the 8345 always seemed that it needed more weight upfront, it also seemed to nod a lot on the road.

 

[Lincsman]

I can see what you mean. Do you have one?

Sort of, Stocks tracks, same principle just 15 years old now and on 3rd tractor.

 

[Henry B]

The 8370 I had on the drill so it wasn't really pulling, the 8345 always seemed that it needed more weight upfront, it also seemed to nod a lot on the road.

Did your 8345 have side weights as well as front weights?

 

[slim shiny]

It had front idler weights and JD pack front weight. Not seen a JD with track weights like the challengers have tbh

 

[Henry B]

The

It had front idler weights and JD pack front weight. Not seen a JD with track weights like the challengers have tbh

The one I have looked at has extra weights at the side of the engine at the back of the Radiator, quite a few of the ones I have seen have them fitted.

 

[John]

Personally from my experience no. JD always sit back on rear idler when on real heavy draft no matter what weight is on front as can’t properly ballast the track frame like a challenger! I’ve had more experience with bigger ones (MT865+) but no twin tracks are great when turning wouldn’t say much in it. When trialling a 775 with full track frame weights and 16 idler weights pulled level at all times and turned best I’ve seen from a twin track level and without to much scuffing. But speed and operator have more to do with it!

Funny but my experience is the total opposite. Had a 765c the hardest thing to pull was the twin leg mole. It never really happened. First off we tried a 800 front weight pack but that didn't really help, so brought more idlers 16 total which was better. It always sat back when pulling hard then it would go off track and start to spin trying to get back on line. Changed it for a 8370rt which has a longer track and seems to sit level and wether being cvt it controls the power a lot more and so seems to pull the mole almost effortlessly. As for turning on the ends no real difference I find.

 

[John]

I have the extra weights on the side of engine 8x50kg only use them when moleing. I take front weight off to when drilling and cutli pressing just leave front idlers on

 

[Henry B]

I have the extra weights on the side of engine 8x50kg only use them when moleing. I take front weight off to when drilling and cutli pressing just leave front idlers on

Do you have 25 or 30 inch tracks?

 

[John]

30"

 

[Brisel]

Case row track will put the power down, as the tracks have no option but both be flat on the floor whatever else is going on.

The track gangs will stand on the rear idlers when under full torque. Quadtracs are the same.

 

[nick...]

That sort of defeats the object of low ground pressure.must be ok with trailed stuff though
Nick...

 

[warksfarmer]

Used a 8345rt for 2 years and it wasn’t a bad tractor generally although ended up with gearbox issues so it went. It without doubt never sat level when pulling and was always nose happy irrelevant of weight package in front of the cab. But it was a good tractor and a nice place for the operator.

Challenger wise we ran a 865c and 75e at various times. Both absolutely shocking on the road especially the 865c as there was very little control, clutch wise so pre-empting junctions became an art. Some people refused to drive it on the road it was that bad. At least with the 75 there was more clutch control.

We had an extended demo of a 765d and it pulled incredibly well but lacked refinement when compared to the 8345rt. And at the time the reputation of the ‘d’ series wasn’t great.

Think of a Challenger as a tank and the 8345rt as a tractor with some tracks fitted to the side. If buying for reliability then it’s Challenger every time but if buying from an operators point of view it’s JD.

Although saying that I wouldn’t get either due to fuel use but instead get a late Xerion 3800. Awesome machine with traction that exceeds the JD 8000rt and 700 series challengers. The xerion is extremely economical and has been to date the best tractor we’ve ever used.

As for the Magnums - on paper it’s the best solution and compromise but my god do they sound rough gearbox wise. I know of one in Cambs that wrecked the gearbox after 850 hours and it just sounded horrible when turning and even worse on roadwork.