In the 900 series, JD's European combine harvester lineup expanded to include larger harvesters than before. The first hydraulically driven model was the 985 Hydro/4. The parallel model to the 965, the 968 Hydro, was not introduced in Finland. Advanced features of the model series included the Cross-Shaker, a "rake machine" that mixes straw mass on the concaves, a rotary engine air intake, and optional hydraulic adjustment of the straw walker length and the Revermatic system, which allowed for direction changes by pressing the clutch pedal deeper than usual using two clutches. The cab was also available as an option from the start. There were 10 daily lubrication points.

The engines of the 960 and 970 models in the 1975 machines were 5.9 liters, previously they had been 5.4 liters. For 1976, these models were replaced by the 965 and 975, which featured, among other improvements, larger sieves and more powerful engines. In 1977, a 12-degree tilt for hillside harvesting was added as an option to the 965, making it one of the first combines to have this feature.

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