John Deere 650 Tractor Review & Specs

It was manufactured by Yanmerfor John Deere in Japan between 1981 to 1989. This tractor brand has graced the lawn of homeowners since then and is still widely used today. The 650 tractor is a fuel-efficient, rugged machine that’ll keep your garden fresh and clean.

A tractor can help you keep weeds out of your garden, help you spread fertilizer, help you till hard dirt for planting, or help you maintain that perfect front yard landscape. A tractor is a dependable tool that reduces the time and effort spent maintaining your garden while giving you greater returns.

It is a relatively small tractor, ideal for small to medium size work—anything from tilling to clearing a small portion. Because of John Deere 650 tractor’s efficiency, a lot of homeowners are using it and would like to use it. If you’re among those looking to jump on the 650 train, here’s an unbiased review and specs of this tractor.

John Deere 650 Specs

Modeljohn deere 650
TypeCompact Utility tractor
ManufacturerYanmar
JOHN DEERE 650 POWER:
Engine (gross)17 hp
12.7 kW
PTO (claimed)14.5 hp
10.8 kW
JOHN DEERE 650 ENGINE:
ModelYanmar 0.9L 2-cyl diesel
Fuel tank6.2 gal
23.5 L
MECHANICAL:
Chassis4x2 2WD
4x4 MFWD 4WD
Steeringmanual
power*
Brakesdifferential mechanical dry, internal expanding shoe
Transmission8-speed gear
POER TAKE-OFF (PTO):
Rear PTOtransmission
Clutchover-running
Rear RPM540
Front PTOindependent*
John Deere 650 attachments60" mid-mount mower deck
snowblower
blade
front-end loader
JOHN DEERE 650 ATTACHMENTS:
60" mid-mount mower deck
Snowblower
Blade
Front-end loader
JOHN DEERE 650 TIRES:
Standard tiresFront: 5.00-12. Rear: 9.5-16
Lawn/turf front23/8.5-12
Lawn/turf rear31/15.5-15
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase56.1 inches
Length107.5 inches
Width43.2 inches

The JD 650 is a medium-sized tractor with a length of 107.5 in, a width of 42.9 in, and a height of 77.2 in. I know the numbers might be a little confusing, but this is a medium-sized tractor.

Its wheelbase is 55.9 in while the weight of the 2WD variant is 694 kg, and the 4WD is 745 kg. It has a fuel tank capacity of 23.5 L and a battery capacity of 12 V, which is decent enough to power it. The 650 model sports an open cabin design, which means more breathing room.

John Deere 650 Tractor Review & Specs

The John Deere Brand

John Deere is an American company that makes construction, agricultural, and other heavy machines, including the John Deere 650 tractor. Founded in 1837 and passed down to visionary leaders across generations. It is a family-owned business, and this has helped it stay true to its core values of efficiency and reliability over the years.

Engine

The engine is the focal point of any machine. It dictates the capabilities and limitations of the machine. That is why we’ll be looking at the John Deere 650 engine first.

The 650 engine is a Yanmer2T80,two-cylinder diesel-powered engine. This engine is packed with an oil and coolant capacity of 2.5 L and 3.8 L, respectively. While a power of 12.7 kW keeps the machine working at an optimum, the 6.2-gallon tank makes sure you have enough space to pack diesel.

john deere 650 review

Transmission

The transmission is the system that transfers the torque that has been created by the engine to the wheels for it to move when needed. So you see, the transmission is also essential.

So, what type of transmission does the 650 tractor have? Simple, a gear shift-type with dry disk clutch. It comes in both manual or power steering options. If you’re worried about the breaks, they are differential mechanical dry and an internal expanding shoe. It has 8 forward gears with a speed of 16.6 kph and 2 reverse gears of 5.0 kph. The transmission oil capacity is 13.2 L.

Tires

Having the best tractor with bad tires is sad because you’ll not get to enjoy your tractor. Tractor tires are entirely different from other vehicle tires because of the terrain it enters and the kind of work it does. What type of tires does the John Deere 650 brand have?

It comes with two front tires with Ag: 5-12, 6-12, and lawn: 23/8.5-12. The rear tires, however, come with Ag: 9.5-16 and lawn: 31/15.5-15.

john deere 650 specifications

Attachments

John Deere 650 tractors have three power take-off shafts; front, middle, and rear PTO. The front PTO is independent with an electromagnetic clutch option, while the rear PTO is transmission type with an overrunning clutch and speed of 540 rpm. These PTO allow for ultimate attachment flexibility.

Some attachments include a rake, four-way blades, loader, rototiller, and many more. These attachments allow you to use your tractor for more than one thing. It can be used to till the ground for planting, can be used to plant your seeds, can be used to remove weeds, and also harvest when it is time.

Cost of John Deere 650 Tractor

Now to an important aspect, price. With the cost of maintaining a lawn or farm rising, you must look for the best deals in terms of price and value. Is the JD 650 a good deal?

The price of a decently used 650 tractor ranges from $4,000 to $8,000 depending on its state and your bargaining power. Because the 650 variant is rugged and efficient several years after production, people are still using and enjoying it.

Cost of John Deere 650 Tractor

Pros and Cons of John Deere 650

Pros:

I know you must have been saying enough of the technical jargon. All those numbers can be frustrating, I know. You want to know its advantages, right? Let’s get to it.

  • Fuel efficiency: The 650 is very fuel-efficient, with its 23 L tank holding enough fuel. Its engine can utilize the fuel most efficiently. You’ll save a good amount of fuel.
  • Exceptional power: As I stated earlier, the 650 is not a very big tractor. So, it is normal for it to have lesser power. The 650, however, has outstanding power for its size. This power will help you get your work done faster and more efficiently.
  • Easy to operate and maintain: A lot of people shy away from using tractors because of the complexities involved in using them. From the actual usage to maintenance, this tractor is relatively easy to handle.
  • 3 point hitch and PTOs: The various attachments points make this tractor an attractive option as it is effortless to use different attachments on it.
  • Size: Because of its size, it can operate in tight spaces helping you reach even the tightest of corners in your garden.

Cons:

Every machine has its disadvantages – no matter how good it may seem, and the JD 650 is no different. Here are some drawbacks.

  • Small cockpit:Tiny sitting area makes it very uncomfortable for bigger/taller operators.
  • Difficult handling: Even though its size makes it an attractive option to use in tight spaces, its handling, not so much. The manual steering is quite challenging to operate, especially in stop and go situations.
  • Front loader problem: You might find it difficult to attach the front loader while also noticing reduced traction in the 2WD models when you have a filled loader.

Verdict

You’ve seen its specifications, advantages, drawbacks, and general review of John Deere 650 tractor. Now, should you go for it or not?

Judging from its price, efficiency, and reliability, I’ll say this is a worthwhile investment to make to ensure you don’t break your back while working in your garden.

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About Jennifer Igra

Growing up in Brooklyn, New York City known for it’s green gardens. Jennifer, a 30 year old gardener and green living fanatic started Igra World to share her gardening journey and increase gardening awareness among masses. Follow Igra World to improve your gardening skills.

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