Even More 990 Vs 4000 Series Questions!

GreenMtnMan · Aug 13, 2003

Not trying to be argumentative, but after pricing a clutch and install vs. a hydro pump and install you should ask how often they replace clutches vs. how often they replace hydro pumps. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Sorry you don't like your loader and hoe. What problems have you had with them?

rjp444us · Aug 13, 2003

The power is the first problem the loader should pick.the back of the tractor with no weight or impliment on and a full bucket it won't. It should also lift the tractor off the ground when moveing the loader pucket down in the ground it won't. Now to the hoe I broke that the first week I had the dealer boost the pressure due to my complaints of no power and it bent the bucket ram and the list goes on. I have not had problems with it since last November thank the tractor gods. There is one thing I dont like about the E-Hydro you have to have the throttle wound up at all times I like having the foot throttle.I wluld love to have a shuttle shift

JN4310 · Aug 13, 2003

I'll second what Rat says. I have a 4310 with the PowrReverser transmission, which I love for loader work, but it is realy inconvenient for mowing. Don't have enough time on it yet to know about clutch life, but if I ever buy another tractor it will be HST. The gear ranges (12 speed) just aren't spread correctly for most mowing, and the HST ability to instantly change speed is well worth the $1000 price difference. If you're set on gear transmissions, though, I can tell you the PowrReverser trans is a huge improvement over the older non-snycro's.

johnbilt · Aug 14, 2003

Thank you everyone for the information and strong opinions! I didn't intend to spark such a debate over the trans selection, but hey, this is what healthy discussion is all about.

I would say that everyone seems content with the model they chose and the John Deere line appears to be a quality product.

I have checked out all of the models and test drove the standard and a hydro model. I believe they are both excellent machines.

The dealer told me that the hydraulic pressure was boosted on the hydro models (2500psi) in order to supply the additional load to the transmission. He indicated that the lower pressure on the 90 series (2250 psi or so) is roughly equivalent for the loader perfomance. I am disappointed that the larger 460 loader is not fitted to the 990, as it is in the same HP power range and frame size as the 4510 or 4610.

I appreciate the manual trans guys kicking in support at the end. I tend to lean this way as well. I really enjoyed running around on the 990; It's a brawny machine. However, I have no argument that the hydro provides the maximum production and control.

Luckily I am only in this for the fun, and I can take my time playing around. I've Jeeped for 20 years and I still love my manual T18 tranny and 4:56 lockers. WaHoo !

I'll have to sleep on this info a few nights to sort out my choice.

Have a great week !!

_RaT_ · Aug 14, 2003

"The dealer told me that the hydraulic pressure was boosted on the hydro models (2500psi) in order to supply the additional load to the transmission. "

Actually, you either misunderstood or he is misinformed. The pressure relief on the hydraulics, those that use the pump to operate the loader, 3 pt etc. are entirely isolated from that of the hydrostatic drive pump and simply share oil from the same reservoir. The pressures of the two are entirely independent of each other. The higher operating pressure for the hydraulics will always generate more force then the lower pressure for a given ram size. Rarely do the general manuals state what the operating pressure for the HST transmissions are. The 990 should serve you well, it's a decent, well powered tractor that should have received the 460 loader, but then the 790 should have received at least the 430. I guess its what helps make them the more affordable class.

_RaT_ · Aug 14, 2003

"I own a 790 and I would put it up aginst a hydro any day doing loader work it is all in what you get used to."

Thats pretty funny! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I have a HST and rarely no, never have the engine wound up. It's typical range is about 1700 to 1800 RPM for loader work and about 2300 for mowing, even at that, I am well below PTO speed.

P.S. My neighbors 790 with its tiny loader can pick up the front of his tractor with little difficulty. The loader I think is a model 70, a really whimpy loader in my opinion for that tractor.