John Deere 790 - A Good Deal?

[dirt ditch]

Until last weekend I had never thought about gear vs hydro fuel consumption. I was clearing snow off my dad's driveway when his neighbor came over and we started talking tractors. He had owned a geared compact JD tractor that was destroyed in a tornado 2 years ago. He replaced it with a Hydro compact JD of the same HP. He said running a rotary cutter or rototiller, he could get 12 hours of hard work out of the geared tractor on a tank of fuel, but only 8 hours on the same amount of fuel with the hydro.

 

[Mech]

Until last weekend I had never thought about gear vs hydro fuel consumption. I was clearing snow off my dad's driveway when his neighbor came over and we started talking tractors. He had owned a geared compact JD tractor that was destroyed in a tornado 2 years ago. He replaced it with a Hydro compact JD of the same HP. He said running a rotary cutter or rototiller, he could get 12 hours of hard work out of the geared tractor on a tank of fuel, but only 8 hours on the same amount of fuel with the hydro.

I know my 790 is almost unbelievably economical. I致e never actually measured it but I know if uses significantly less than a gallon per hour when working hard. I think it has a 5 gallon tank and even though I致e worked it for 4 hours at a time I致e never used close to a ｽ tank of fuel. And I work it hard. When I'm grading I need to run it at over 2200 RPM to pull with all the weight I have on my BB. Has anyone with a 790 done an accurate measurement of the fuel it uses?

 

[10boomer]

Thanks DCox.....

When you shift do you have to come to a complete stop? I've seen other posts that indicate this may be necessary.

 

[Mech]

Thanks DCox.....

When you shift do you have to come to a complete stop? I've seen other posts that indicate this may be necessary.

For me not always but I never know if I do or not. If you want to be sure not to grind gears you need to stop.

 

[jenkinsph]

Compact tractors and fuel economy,

The fuel usage for these tractors is so little I don't know why anyone would be concerned, it is the cheapest part of owning and operating.





Steve

 

[GreenWannabe]

10B,

For effective loader use, the 2520/2720 needs 800lbs hanging on the 3PH.

Do a search for "2520" and see how this has been a great performer for it's owners...the 2720 is the same everything but 2 more HP.

Deere's recommendations a couple of years ago was 772 pounds on the 3ph plus either loaded rear tires or three wheel weights on each rear wheel. You might ask your dealer to check in the sales manual for your loader; that's where the info was published.

 

[kennyd]

Deere's recommendations a couple of years ago was 772 pounds on the 3ph plus either loaded rear tires or three wheel weights on each rear wheel. You might ask your dealer to check in the sales manual for your loader; that's where the info was published.

Yeah, that sounds about right. I really just want to emphasize that you need A LOT of weight to make the tractor work better. The OP said:

when I tested at the JD dealer (they had a nice pile of sand and gravel to play with) the 2720 lost traction well before the bucket was full (actually about half full)....even in 4wd. Not sure how much weight on it, although there was a small implement on the 3-point.

I do not think the tractor was ballasted properly, and that's why the results where less than steller at the dealer

 

[dmp437]

The price for a new 3320 scared me a bit (since only 36 month 0 interest is available) so am looking at the used market.

If you liked everything about the 3320 except the price then I would consider a used 4310 or 4410. The eHydro was the most popular version of that line and I see quite a few of them with low hours for a reasonable price.
There's also a chance that I'm slightly biased. I do know that for loader work the eHydro is hard to beat.

 

[10boomer]

I think you guys are right that the tractor did not have enough ballast....would definately account for the fact that it lost traction when only 1/2 a bucket full....guess it was not a fair example of what it can do. I've asked the dealer to add some weight (heavier 3pt implement, ballast weights, etc) so I can test again.

For the 4310/4410 - is that similar to the 3320? I will start looking at the used market for those as well as the others on my list. I'm out in the Austin area and used tractors go VERY quickly....but will keep my eyes open. The JD790 I asked about is a private sale and the guy hasn't advertised yet (so I have a little bit of time to decide on it....

Thanks for all your good suggestions....please "keep'em coming....."

 

[kennyd]

For the 4310/4410 - is that similar to the 3320?

They are equivalent to the 3320/3520 series. EXCELLENT machines. Search my friend

 

[DWCox]

Thanks DCox.....

When you shift do you have to come to a complete stop? I've seen other posts that indicate this may be necessary.

Yep, I always come to a stop otherwise there will be grinding. You can get away with moving shifts--just like we did in the old days--but there is definite wear going on.

 

[10boomer]

Hi all,

I'm now leaning back towards the 2720 (mainly because I cannot seem to find a used 4310 in my neck of the woods).

I've seen a couple replies that indicate a 61" bucket works just fine. I guess the standard loader bucket is 49"?

Any thoughts on the difference? Thanks......

 

[kennyd]

Hi all,

I'm now leaning back towards the 2720 (mainly because I cannot seem to find a used 4310 in my neck of the woods).

I've seen a couple replies that indicate a 61" bucket works just fine. I guess the standard loader bucket is 49"?

Any thoughts on the difference? Thanks......

There is not really a "standard bucket", they all will fit all the loaders. The are what's called JDQA (John Deere Quick Attach) Get the 61" and you will be a happy camper.

 

[10boomer]

Good deal...thanks!

 

[Hunter41mag]

Hi,

I was in the same delema back in 2004-2005. Price of used equipment was only a few thousand less than new. I knew whatever I bought that I was going to hang onto it and then give it to one of my sons. So I ended up buying a new JD4310 Hydro with 300cx loader, 48 backhoe, 60" 7 Iron mower deck and box blade. I finianced throgh Deere (0%) interest and was well worth it. With used equipment you do not know how it was maintained or abused. Also you will have the warranty with new equipment. With todays economy I am sure the dealers and Deere have all sorts of incentives and finiancing.
So if it is something that you are going to hang onto for a long time than I would by a new Deere Hydro with the attachments that byou need. if you only want it for a few projects over the next few years and then are going to get ride of it than buy used.

Don

 

[10boomer]

Thank you Hunter.... I'll not give it to my kids (all grown and gone....and really city folk and not interested in country living....)....but I do plan to keep it a while.

Really depends on how many projects I come up with after I get my current list completed I suspect, I will be able to come up with a few more.....

In truth, it's not like I have 30 or 40 acres to deal with...just a few that I need to maintain.

Hate to "waste" $5k (price difference between the 2720 and 3320) but also do not want to buy something a "little bit too small". From the postings, it looks like many think the 2720 would be just fine and the extra $5k is better spent on something else. For the 790, I think I'm convinced that the hydro is how I want to go....

Still looking for a used 4310 but nothing for sale in my area...so I guess a new JD is on the horizon....

 

[prosperity]

Just food for thought - you could save another $2K by going with the 2520 - same exact machine with 2 less HP.

In 2 years now with the 2520, I've never had any thoughts about more HP - it will loose traction way before I have any power loss.

 

[10boomer]

Hi all,

I wanted to thank each and every one of you for your insights and suggestions.

I wanted to let you know that after a LOT of consideration, I decided to go with a new JD 3320. I ordered it this morning and should take delivery in a few weeks.

got the following:

JD3320
i-Match
300CX Loader w/hooks welded along the top of the bucket
Frontier BB20 Box Blade
Bush Hog 5' shredder

Complete package approx. $23.7k

I know this is WAY more tractor than I need for my "tiny" (compared to most of you) property....but I thought that it might give me much more flexibility if I need to add a BH, Auger, etc. at a later date. Also thought it might provide a bit better resell (as if that would ever happen

I played with both the 2520 and 2720 and just didn't feel comfortable that they would be able to handle some of the larger projects that I envision (moving rocks from a creek bed to other parts of the property, moving gravel, etc). They may very well have been able to do everything I needed (I guess I was expecting too much compared to the larger machines) but I didn't want to find out the hard way. The 3320 was only $4k more than the 2720.....and I'm sure I would have blown that somewhere else and not had a shiny new green machine to show for it.

As a side note, I tried out a Kubota Grand L 3240 (it was just about apples to apples with the 3320). It was a close competition for me.....

I really liked it and it had a few "extras" that I really liked (such as the auto throttle, single pedal HST, all metal hood, and really "beefy" loader). They also have better financing right now.... but......they were a bit more expensive, didn't have / recommend something similar to i-match (which will REALLY help my wife if she needs to change an attachment) and the dealer really didn't have much knowledge of the JD (or other tractor) products to make comparisons with the Kubota....
So Green I am!

Boomer..............