difference between a 4310 and 990?

Monroe40 · Apr 28, 2004

Dave,

In addition to the other comments, I went 4 wheel drive and I'm glad I did. I've moved quite a bit of dirt (by my standards, say over a hundred loads the last two weekends) and the 4WD helped get fuller bucket loads and pulled me through a few times I might have had to jockey around otherwise.

Also, the PTO on the 990 is independant. You just need to get used to the two stage clutch -- which I've found to be no big deal over the approx 4 hours of mowing I've done so far. I push the clutch and I stop but the mower keeps going. Push the clutch ALL the way down and now the PTO stops.

I, too, find the foot throttle pretty useless. I always use the hand throttle. As a person 5'-10 and 150#(ish) I didn't find the 790's operator station too objectionable. And the 990 is no problem for me.

Dave

johnbilt · Apr 28, 2004

Oh Yeah ! 4WD is an absolute. I forgot to mention it because I never look at anything without it.

Thanks Monroe40

John

yellowsocks93 · Apr 29, 2004

I too love my 990 and the motor leak seemed to stop itself now. But anyway I had the 4300 and now a 990 and the 990 is a great basic tractor. The dual stage clutch I find not to be a problem compared to the independent on the 4310. The 990 is planetary final drive where as the 4310 is spur gear. Planetary is a little more durable. Both are pretty good machines just if you want a hydro or not. I am partial to the 990 but the 4300 was a comfortable machine with the optional armrests on the seat. Also the 990 is a 4 cyl. compared to the 3 cyl of the 4310. Way more torque at a lower RPM.

_RaT_ · Apr 29, 2004

I thought the 990 came with a black seat and the 4310 came with a yellow seat. Can anyone get that verified? That in itself should make it clear which way to go. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

rockyridgefarm · Apr 29, 2004

JoelT · Apr 29, 2004

Sorry for the mis-info on the 990 PTO setup. I was told the 790 and 990 were essentially the same but for horsepower and frame. I wanted preferably an independant clutch but a split clutch was OK too. I was pointedly told the 990 had neither which pretty much ruled it out, and I had only tried out the 790. As someone else experienced, it seemed the dealer was maneuvering the 990 out of the mix. Don't know why. For me possibly it might have been because I didn't care about the extra horsepower.

Joel

zuiko · Apr 29, 2004

I am very pleased with my 990 also, especially in the cost. A 4710 would be preferable but would have cost me a _LOT_ more money. I wouldn't trade for a 4310 myself. I use the foot throttle all the time, I have no problem with it. It's a little sensitive but no big deal once you get used to it. The only time I use the hand throttle is if I want to keep the PTO at 540 like for cutting.

As for why it was never mentioned, the dealers don't seem to push the 990 at all. You can find 790s on most dealer's lots but I never saw a 990 until I ordered mine and it came in.