Justify the Buy

[Anonymous Poster]

I have been looking for a compact deere for longer than I care too have. I have for the most part ruled out a used unit because I don't feel the price difference is worth the hours and lack of warranty. My dilemma is deciding between a 790 MFWD, 70 loader and 60" mid mount deck for 16K and a 4300 HST MFWD, 430 loader, and a 72" mid mount deck for 21200. This purchase will landscape 2 acres, tend a modest garden and begin a 3 acre tree farm. I plan on this purchase to last, which both units would. I would like all the toys of the 4300, but I'm having trouble justifying the 5K difference. Considering the larger deck, HST, more loader capacity, and possibly a better resale of the HST, would this offset the 5 K??????

 

[Bird]

In my opinion, Yes; but of course that would also depend on how much money I had at the time./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

 

[markcg2000]

IMHO, the differance is worth it, but the question is can you afford it?

I've got the 790 and 60" belly mower, but no FEL /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif. I think the value of the 790 is outstanding, and the differance could easily be put towards things like a box-blade, landscape rake, rotary cutter, etc. If you buy them at the same time, you may be able to finance it all together. One thing to bear in mind with the larger deck is maneuverability... will the wider deck limit your ability to get around those trees? That doesn't apply too much with the FEL because everyone says those come off really easily.

It'll have to work out to your own personal preferance between the two machines balanced by your checkbook's abilities /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif.

<font color=green>mark</font color=green>

 

[cowboydoc]

Bozi,
If you only plan on doing the place that you just mentioned and don't have plans for anything else I would think the 790 would be a good choice. If you even think that you would be doing more work, ie more acres, bigger projects, etc. go with the 4300. The other nice thing is that if you get the 790 it's always easier to trade up than to trade down. One of my friends has the 790 with all the toys on 10 acres and he loves it. He says it's all the tractor he'll ever need. He mows most of the ten acres, and takes care of four horses with it and does his landscaping, etc. around his place. He likes the 790 over my 4600 because he said that he can get it more place than mine and it's handier.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Your right, that feeling that I'm buying more tractor than I need (4300) is always in the back of my mind. But I have looked at the smaller compacts, and I have convinced myself that for the money, "BIGGER" is better. I guess the only thing that is keeping me from laying $$ down on the 790 is the non-sync trans. How much of an inconvience is it? Everyone's insight is greatly appreciated - My wife just walks away from me when I start talking tractor. Can't imagine why.

 

[cowboydoc]

Bozi,
Now that is a different story about the sync tranny. I think they're great! With a tractor without it you have to come to a complete stop before you can shift. With the sync tranny it's just like driving a standard transmission, no gear grinding and alot faster. If you get the 4300 also the power reverser is a real work saver. Just a flip of the lever and you're going forward and backward with no clutch at all and without having to stop. So if you're thinking convenience of use and you believe bigger is better and can afford it get the 4300. On the other hand you won't complain you wish you would have gotten the 4300 and you definitely will have all the power you need for your place. The bottom line too is that the 4300 is definitely worth the extra 5k over the 790 it's just do you need it?

 

[RobS]

Bozi, I too went throught he 790/4300 debate. I've got 10 acres mostly clear and flat. I went with the 790 due to cost. If money were no object I would have gotten the 4300 in a heartbeat for the increased hydraulic capacity. I would someday like to add a backhoe and they are fluid hogs. I must say I am more than satisfied with my 790 and like Mark said I ended up with money for implements which make any tractor more useful. If I happen across a bunch of money someday, I'll likely upgrade. In the meantime I'm very happy /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Thomas]

Bozi,
Think in years to come as well far as comfort..your dealer..history of the tractor which you may pick,than decide if that 5K worth the price.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Bozi]

I have been thinking about the future and the comfort of the machine for the years to come. I currently have a JD garden tractor that has meet my needs on our previous lot for the past twelve years. We now have a larger lot, and the old JD doesn't have the ability to keep up with it. Several of our neighbors have compacts (all orange and blue), all are over 27hp and no one wishes thay had a smaller tractor. The 20 - 25 hp compacts are sweet machines, but for the money, I feel that 30hp tractors give more in size and abilty for the (relatively) small difference in price. My dealer is great and I feel very comfortable with his advice. But the choice of the 790 or the 4300 is mine. If the 790 was a sync-trans rather than a collar-shift, it would probably be in my garage.

 

[GaryK]

I at times wish I had a little bit bigger tractor butI was dictated by the room in the yard. I have a lot of trees. When I get to the back lot and am using the FEL, that's when I wish i had gone bigger, but the 4100 fits my needs the best, I can get around the yard with the belly mower, yet pull a boxblade or bush hog with no problem. Get the size you are comfortable with. Besides, most JD dealers or at least the few I know of will give you back all your $ in a trade.