Deere 990 vs 5103 vs 4120

[gizmo]

I have had my 990 for about 2.5 years and it has performed very well. I will admit that the hydraulics need more oomph, but I think I can remedy that with a couple adjusments. I have pushed it to the point that I have felt somewhat guilty about abusing it, but so far no ill effects.

I bought mine after owning a 850 for six years and I have never been on a 3xxx or 4xxx tractor, so I have nothing to compare.

 

[timb]

Best thing to do is find a dealer with as much of the range you're interested in as possible and look them over, kick the tires, drive them around as much as possible. When I was looking, I (briefly) considered a 5000 series - but parking one next to 4710 I could quickly see it was more tractor than I needed. Likewise - when I drove a 4000-Ten midsize (if I recall a 4310) and a 4610 back to back I felt there was a big difference in engine smoothness between the 3-cyl and 4-cyl yanmar series that were used in the 4000-Tens. Your problem might be finding a 990 on a lot. Around here you trip over 790's but I don't think I ever saw a 990 in stock at any of the local dealers.

 

[rdln]

The perceived size difference between the 4000's and 990 comes from the seat height being higher on the 4000's to make the flat platform possible. this raises all of the ergonomics up also and rops.

I dont know what happened with advertised 3pt lift capacities @24" behind ends it was always around 2000# on 970 and 1070's.

 

[KB9UDE]

Thanks everyone again for the info. If any other people have pics of JD 990 please share them in your post!!
John

 

[BGL990]

HERE are some pictures of my 990 from when it was delivered.

I've had it for 2 years now, and I really like it. Solid, reliable as a rock and very easy to operate (especially compared to the 50 year old iron I was used to driving before the 990!). I'm into electronics and computers by trade, but I'm not a fan of them being on a tractor, and I don't care much one way or the other about hydro transmissions, so the 990 is perfect for me. A little more loader capacity would sometimes be nice, but if I had it I'd probably just get myself into trouble, so ....

 

[BGL990]

HERE are some pictures of my 990 from when it was delivered.

I've had it for 2 years now, and I really like it. Solid, reliable as a rock and very easy to operate (especially compared to the 50 year old iron I was used to driving before the 990!). I'm into electronics and computers by trade, but I'm not a fan of them being on a tractor, and I don't care much one way or the other about hydro transmissions, so the 990 is perfect for me. A little more loader capacity would sometimes be nice, but if I had it I'd probably just get myself into trouble, so ....

 

[jcmseven]

If you want a simple and reliable machine and you live on pretty flat ground, a 990 would make a nice choice. I have owned both a 4520 and 2 3720's and they each have advantages. I would say the 4000 series JD's will do most of what any of us would need. They have excellent hydraulics and are really easy to use. I do not like the gear drive for my personal use as I have a lot of very steep hills here and the fine tuning that one can do with the hydro is a real benefit. The 3720 is a lot smaller machine, but that has its advantages, as it can fit places the others will not go. It also has a lot of power for a machine its size. The 5000 series you mentioned is also a basic machine. It would have advantages and disadvantages similar to the 990. It would also be a bear to haul if you needed to take it many places. That is one reason I went back with the 3720 as it is a lot easier to transport.

John M

 

[jcmseven]

If you want a simple and reliable machine and you live on pretty flat ground, a 990 would make a nice choice. I have owned both a 4520 and 2 3720's and they each have advantages. I would say the 4000 series JD's will do most of what any of us would need. They have excellent hydraulics and are really easy to use. I do not like the gear drive for my personal use as I have a lot of very steep hills here and the fine tuning that one can do with the hydro is a real benefit. The 3720 is a lot smaller machine, but that has its advantages, as it can fit places the others will not go. It also has a lot of power for a machine its size. The 5000 series you mentioned is also a basic machine. It would have advantages and disadvantages similar to the 990. It would also be a bear to haul if you needed to take it many places. That is one reason I went back with the 3720 as it is a lot easier to transport.

John M

 

[yellowsocks93]

I for one like my 990 as it does everything I need it to from wood chipping to mowing to snow removal in the winter. You could bail hay with it if you really wanted to. I use the 5320 for spraying and heavy tilling. If you know how to use a gear shift you'll have no problem using this transmission. I wish it were a synro but it still shifts well. Here is a pic of me mowing last year. Sorry it's not a close up but it's the best I have. Any questions on the 990 ask away!

 

[yellowsocks93]

I for one like my 990 as it does everything I need it to from wood chipping to mowing to snow removal in the winter. You could bail hay with it if you really wanted to. I use the 5320 for spraying and heavy tilling. If you know how to use a gear shift you'll have no problem using this transmission. I wish it were a synro but it still shifts well. Here is a pic of me mowing last year. Sorry it's not a close up but it's the best I have. Any questions on the 990 ask away!