790 Opinions

[prosperity]

I find myself in a bit of a dilemma....

I've had my 2210 w/210 loader & 62C deck for about 4 years now, and has been a great machine in all aspects.

As my business is slowly growing, I added a 727A zero turn for mowing - what a machine!
Now I am getting into some more landscaping, and looking to possibly trade the 2210 for a larger machine which would be mostly for loader and landscape rake work, plus some bush hog work.

The size of the 790 is just right, and seems like a very capable tractor. If money was not a problem though, I would probably go with a 2320/2520, but trying to keep the price down.

I guess my main hangup with the 790 is being a gear tractor - I am so used to the hydro! For the rear implement work this of course in not an issue. But, what about doing loader work? It seems it would really be a pain doing a lot of shuttling with a gear tractor, and also worry about wearing the clutch when inching and doing fine work.

Those of you who use a gear tractor for loader work - is this an issue for you?

 

[kennyd]

I think only you can answer this question, for me though-I would not want a gear machine for loader work, but that's my opinion!

Can you rent a machine for a while to help you make that decision? would you be selling/trading the 2210 to get the 790?

 

[prosperity]

Yes - the 2210 would be traded in.

I could make the 2210 work, but the small wheels/tires, and limited 3-point hitch are the main reason for looking to up-size. Plus, the larger loader.

 

[RoyJackson]

I find myself in a bit of a dilemma....


As my business is slowly growing, I added a 727A zero turn for mowing - what a machine!
Now I am getting into some more landscaping, and looking to possibly trade the 2210 for a larger machine which would be mostly for loader and landscape rake work, plus some bush hog work.

The size of the 790 is just right, and seems like a very capable tractor. If money was not a problem though, I would probably go with a 2320/2520, but trying to keep the price down.

I guess my main hangup with the 790 is being a gear tractor - I am so used to the hydro! For the rear implement work this of course in not an issue. But, what about doing loader work? It seems it would really be a pain doing a lot of shuttling with a gear tractor, and also worry about wearing the clutch when inching and doing fine work.

Those of you who use a gear tractor for loader work - is this an issue for you?

For me, gear isn't an issue at all. But I'm a residential owner who isn't in that big a hurry.
For a guy not making a buck using his tractor (I'd guess 90% of TBNer's), the speed difference between gear and hydro is negligible, especially once one gets the technique down pat.

However, it sounds like you're going to use the machine commercially where time does count and there may be more then one operator. In that case, I think you'd be better off with the hydro or a Power-Reverser transmission. Neither of these transmissions are available on the 790.

For brush cutting and raking, the 790 would do fine. The loader work, with all the gear changing, would be the limiting task.

Although I prefer gears, if I'm reading your requirements correctly, I don't think the 790 is the machine you want. I think you'd be better off with a used 4310 if money is an issue.

There you go...my humble opinion.

 

[JerryG]

If you have others that use the tractor there is good chance that they will wear the clutch faster than you would like. Like Roy said you would be better off with a hydro or a power reverser (PowerShuttle) if others are operating this tractor. The Power Reverser / PowerShuttle clutch will wear like iron and you don't have to use the clutch peddle to change directions. If you did buy a PR / PS, you would also get fluid brakes which would last longer and work much better. The only problem would be that the price would be higher on a tractor with these two options. I am sure that price is one of the main reasons that you are looking at the 790?

 

[prosperity]

Thanks for all the input so for folks!

As of now, I would be the only one running this machine.
And, I agree, a used 4310 would be nice - I looked at one my dealer had last year, but was still quite expensive - wanted $18K for one with a 72" MMM a new loader. And, I was not impressed with the power the 4310 had - seemed to struggle on any hills in high range.

So, yes, a larger tractor with a power reverser would be ideal, but I need to keep the phisical size of the tractor down - main uses would be new lawn installations.

And, a 2520 would be ideal, but gets pretty pricey....

Thinking more about it, the type of loader work I would be doing mostly is spreading top soil on new lawn areas, shuttling mulch from a pile to flower beds, and spreading gravel on driveways. I think with these applications, using a gear tractor would be OK. It's not like I will be loading trucks all day with it.

I can see how I am starting to talk myself into this......

And this note - stopped by my dealer today to get more of a feel for the 790. And, wouldn't you know it, there sits a 790 w/300 loader, Frontier rake, and IMatch. This is how I would likely order this machine if I was buying - here it turns out this machines is used - with 12 hours!
I have to wait for a price quote until Tuesday - very curious to see what the price is, and what they are going to give me for my 2210.
I have a differential figure in my mind, and if they meet that, I will go with it. I will be able to deal with the gear tractor with no problem if the price is right.

Why is it the exact tractor setup is sitting right there on the lot - and used with only 12 hours......?

 

[AKfish]

Tractor Karma... the tractor gods are watching.

I don't mean to talk you out of anything -- you know how the tractor best fits your current needs.

But, if you stay on track with the way your business is growing; $2-3K spent right now for a eHydro model will seem like a very good investment.

I've got a gear tractor with a snychro-tranny so shifting between reverse to forward and vice versa can be done without stopping. As well, I can shift to a higher gear while moving. So, using the tractor for loader work, etc. is a fairly quick operation.

The biggest issue I have with my tractor is close quarters, inching along work. Like cleaning out the barn or edging up to the trailer or doing blade work along the fence-line, etc. (And my wife won't use the tractor around the buildings..)

I have rented several different machines over the years with Hydro trannies (Orange and Green) and my neighbors have a 4320 and a 2520 with eHydros that they'll let me "work" with.

I know what my next tractor will have... My $0.02

AKfish

 

[RoyJackson]

Why is it the exact tractor setup is sitting right there on the lot - and used with only 12 hours......?

Ask your dealer... The tractor may have been a demo unit, or a yard machine (moving equipment around the dealer's lot).

My machine had 24 hours on the meter when I bought it. The previous owner basically let it set for almost a year. It was to be a small "chore" tractor at a farm, if I recall correctly. I guess he didn't have many chores for it. I do know he traded for a bigger tractor...990, I think.

That 790 will need ballast on the back to be any good...make sure a ballast box is part of the deal. You'll want a toothbar too, but unless the dealer gives your a really good deal, aftermarket is probably cheaper.
A Landscape rake won't be heavy enough and the bush hog will be too unwieldy for good ballast.

There has been a number of posts concerning the 4310's "lack" of power going upslope. Well, high range is basically what they used to call a "road gear" on old tractors. It's great for moving the tractor from one location to another, but it's not really a working gear.

790 is a great machine...but I still don't think it's optimal for your work.

 

[prosperity]

Thanks for you your input AKfish and Roy - and I am hearing what you are saying.

If money weren't an issue....let me explain a little further.

I've had a little mowing/landscaping business "on the side" for ~10 years now - mostly residential and commercial lawn mowing. Plus, I have 3 acres of finish mowing, and 500' of gravel drive of my own to maintain.
Started with a 214, then a 332, and then the 2210. Recently, with life's crossroads, I find myself into this full time now - and with a plan of course. The addition of the Z-Trak has helped big time with the mowing part. It took me a long time to kind of get talked into the Z, but now that I have it and run it - it is the only way to make money mowing commercially - wow is that thing fast!
Part of growing my business, is branching out and offering other services. These other services - lawn installations, landscaping, etc., are kind of coming at me without looking for them - goes with the territory of this business. I need and want to take on these jobs for sure. Yes, I can, and have so far, used the 2210 to make it work and take on these jobs. But, with my way of doing these things, is being efficient as possible - right tool for the job and all.
But, after obtaining the Z, plus setting up my trailer to be efficient (proper trimmer racks etc), I've come to the point where I am trying to keep some capitol for running the business, and to keep me going during the slow times (winter coming is always on my mind).

Ok - with that said....
A 2520, or even into the 30 series, would be the right choice.
And, of course, buying a used machine (in the 4310 range) would be the right thing to do also. I asked for opinions here, and you guys have given those opinions I asked for, and you guys are right - I am listening. But, I need to strike a balance for now - until my business takes off more - to the next stage.
To be honest, right now I can afford a $3K-$4K hit at most - just can't go more than that for now. I am actually hoping that the 790 I spoke of, with the trade of my 2210, will be in that range. If not, I will continue with what I have for now.
In the past, my dealer has always been very good to me with my trades - I pretty much have traded up every 2 years, and they have almost given me my original cost on my trade. But...a big Deere dealership did a force buyout of my local dealer last month - and the sales manager that I have dealt with for all these years, left with this buyout. I have no idea how this quote is going to come out.
So, again, I agree with both of you - that I should go with a hydro or shuttle unit - just can't swing that right now. Like I said before - if they come within my price expectations, I will go with the 790 for now, and make some money with it. If my business takes off to the next level (hopefully), I can then upgrade again to that 20 or 30 series.
Also, I am depending on that high trade in value I am used to - otherwise I would look for a 3-4 year old 20/30 series - don't have the cash to go that route right now.

Thanks so much for your input guys - I am listening!

 

[em14]

I'm not sure a gear tractor is such a bad thing but I do think a non sycno trans does hamper quick shifts. I have not had a problem with my 790 and shifting forward to rev. or vise versa ... but it would go a lot quicker some days if the trans was a syncro ... but all in all it's not that bad. I would suggest that you borrow or rent one and give it a try as suggested above. My $.02!
Leo