Anxiously awaiting a new 990 (long post, sorry...)

[BGL990]

Hi, I've been lurking for quite a while and I must say that TBN has become my favorite web site by far!

Before I get to the real reason for my post, here's a bit about me:

I'm 35 and live near Edmonton, Alberta Canada (the frozen far north to most of you /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif). Although I only moved to the country 3 years ago, I have alway considered myself a country person. I have driven tractors and operated old fashioned farm machinery on my grandparent's farm as far back as I can remember. Between my parents and I, we currently have a Farmall M with front mount post pounder, a Case DC4, and a Ford 9N with FEL and rear blade. We also have 2 horses and the laziest cat in the universe.

I bought the 9N when I moved to the acreage because I knew I would need/want the FEL and blade for landscaping and snow removal. It has served well, but it, shall we say, a bit past it's prime. It is also simply too small and light for some of the stuff I've wanted to do and the other two tractors don't have loaders or 3 point hitches.

Enter the 990. Perfect size and power for me, and cheap compared to my next choice, the 4510. The collar shift didn't scare me away at all since that is all I've ever driven. I ordered mine on March 20 and it is supposed to arrive around June 7 (not easy waiting that long ...)

I've been reading with great interest the recent posts about the new style 990. Since mine had to be ordered, I assume it will be the new style. That worries me a little bit /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I can live with an underhood exhaust (although I much prefer the vertical stack) and I will accept the less comfy seat, but I have to wonder what other corners did John Deere cut? I have visions of cheaper, weaker front axles, less durable clutch, plastic where there should be metal, etc. Someone tell me it is going to be OK /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anyway, it's done and whether new or old style, what I get will darn sure be a step up from my 60 year old 9N! When it arrives, I promise to post lots of pics. I also plan to build lots of attachments for it and you'll get pics of those too. My bio indicates welding and machining as two of my hobbies - actually I've spent WAY too much money on those two. I've got a MIG welder, TIG welder, plasma cutter, Oxy-Acetylene tanks, 36" metal lathe, milling machine, metal bandsaw, cutoff saw, and even a few screwdrivers tucked away somewhere!

I plan to eventually build: palette forks, shrub removal bucket, rear blade (I have a very heavy duty 7 foot blade that just needs a 3pt mount built for it), subsoiler/trencher, and probably a bunch of other stuff I haven't thought of yet.

Well, thanks for listening to my rambling. Any more info (and PICTURES hint, hint) on the new style 990 would be most appreciated.

Brad.

 

[BWa]

Congra's on your purchase of a 990 , I wish you the best of luck .I have the ol' version and very happy with it .
Bill G.

 

[DPic105]

Well, I have a brand new 990. I have been the one that has complained about the new seat suspension, but its really NOT that bad. I had a 790 and got rid of it after aboutr a year because it was under-powered for what I do., and just always felt small and tippy. The 990 doesn't have that feel at all, it feels very stable, and seems to do everything better. I think that alot of that is just because its mass is so mnuch more.
Compared to the 790, and last years 990 models, the major differences are the exhaust, which as I have written in other posts, is fine, actually less to worry wbout when your in the woods, and the seat. The plastic parts are the same as last years, and the switches are all the same. The new 790, however, has diferent switches all together. I'm wondering if JD is using whatever parts are in its pipline, and then switching to the new style as the parts run out??
All that I can say is that the 990 is a hell of a machine for the money. I've used other brands, and dollar for dollar, I thinkn the 990 is the best choice.

PS I'm not partial to green and yellow, my first choice would have been red!

 

[_RaT_]

I agree about the exhaust, I much prefer it out of the way.

 

[BGL990]

Thanks guys. Nice to know nothing too important has been changed.

Everyone here at TBN likes picture, so here are a few.

This is one of my 9N ...

 

[BGL990]

Another of the 9N ...

 

[BGL990]

Our Case DC4 ...

 

[BGL990]

... which we had working spreading manure and old bedding straw from the horses a few weeks ago.

 

[yellowsocks93]

You should love your new 990. I love mine! You will be glad you did not get the plastic 4510 since you seem to be concerned with the plastic issue.

 

[thebigc]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Compared to the 790, and last years 990 models, the major differences are the exhaust, which as I have written in other posts, is fine, actually less to worry wbout when your in the woods, and the seat. The plastic parts are the same as last years, and the switches are all the same. The new 790, however, has diferent switches all together. I'm wondering if JD is using whatever parts are in its pipline, and then switching to the new style as the parts run out??)</font>

I'd wondered the same thing when the 770/970 line came out a few years ago. Was JD using up its existing 755/870 etc. parts supply and hit on something?!?

I bought a 4100 in 6/98 when they were fairly new in my area and don't regret it but I've got the sheet metal fenders and hood and all the attendant nicks and dings and wish I had plastic or ABS or whatever the other 41xx units have!! Also, for close quarters, you can't beat the under-hood exhaust.