How is the John Deere 990?

[ArtVandelay]

I am thinking about getting a John Deere 990 MFWD tractor. Would it be a good tractor for a 6ft bush hog? I will probably be getting a FEL also. I have heard that the 990 is a really good no-frills tractor. Since I will be mowing 9 acres of grass that can get up to 6 feet high, I really don't want to go with anything less than 35 PTO hp. Would R4 tires be the best way to go to reduce tires rutts as much as possible, but still keep traction? Also, should I get the tires loaded or not?

Thanks.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I am thinking about getting a John Deere 990 MFWD tractor. Would it be a good tractor for a 6ft bush hog? I will probably be getting a FEL also. I have heard that the 990 is a really good no-frills tractor. Since I will be mowing 9 acres of grass that can get up to 6 feet high, I really don't want to go with anything less than 35 PTO hp. Would R4 tires be the best way to go to reduce tires rutts as much as possible, but still keep traction? Also, should I get the tires loaded or not?

Thanks.

The 990 is a VERY capable, very dependable tractor. Their advantage is their relative simplicity.

A 6' cutter in 6' tall grass will be a test. I'd ask a 990 owner for a better answer on that one.

R-4's will do less damage to turf than R-1's. They do so at the expense of a little traction. They make up the difference with longer life. With a loader, R-4's won't wear as quick.

If you plan on getting a loader, I'd DEFINATELY fill the tires. The ONLY way I'd have a tractor without filled tires is if ALL you'll be doing is mowing.

 

[Mr Grizz]

I realy like my 990 . I had a 790 before this one. which was very nice but the power on the 990 is much better

The pallet of logs weight 1790 lbs

 

[Keith_B]

I'd definitely fill the tires on a 990. When I tried one out it would slide on the gravel just coming to a stop without loaded tires.

 

[Champy]

The only way I'm giving up my JD990 is when they "pry it from my cold dead hands" ..............

> Simple to operate; > Tons of power; > Nimble; > Versatile; > Great $$ to HP ratio; blah blah blah.....

I currenty run an LX5 because I need to trim between the rows of trees, however in the high stuff clearing new fields, it never hesitates even in the saplings etc... even though I run the PTO slightly below the recommended 2600 RPMs for 540. I would guess a 6' would not be any problem for you (my dealer tried to get me to buy one but I needed clearance for the tree farm). I did not load the rears but opted for wheel weights on my R4's instead (weights don't leak). Only down side I have found so far is the top speed is only about 12-13 mph - which could be faster when moving down the road between fields, but I manage ok.

 

[ArtVandelay]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

I actually prefer industrial tires over ag simply because of their ruggedness. Industrial tires have more plies of rubber and the sidewalls take more abuse. They are easier on turf and seem only slightly less aggressive when more traction is needed.

 

[Nuru]

Cool Pics Mr Grizz.

 

[MuttonPower]

The 990 is a mans tractor. 4 cyl yanmar, massive chassis and wheel combo, It's one of my favorite tractors and sell them for a living. I take one home once in a while too

 

[nosliw]

the 990 is, in my opinion, the perfect tractor.

i have one, and i love it. i mowed 20 acres this weekend (man my kidneys hurt!) and i only burned a third a tank of fuel.

super strong, super reliable, no bullcrap TRACTOR

 

[jcmseven]

Art,

Are you still looking also at the 4000 series, and the 3720 as well?? The 990 is a fine tractor, but a bit different animal to those two machines.

John M

 

[ArtVandelay]

Art,

Are you still looking also at the 4000 series, and the 3720 as well?? The 990 is a fine tractor, but a bit different animal to those two machines.

John M

I'm not sure which one to get. One thing I have decided for sure, I want at least 35 PTO hp and a 6' rotary cutter. And it has to be a John Deere tractor, but I am not sure if I should buy new or used.

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

if you are a no frills person, you can't go wrong with the 990. They are rugged and durable.

 

[AKfish]

The 990 is a solid machine that will give you many year's of good service. 6' grass would be a real test... even with a 4720 and a MX-6!

(But why would you let it go that long before mowing...?)

Griz --- that's real impressive! Do you have weights and loaded tires? That culti-rake on the back doesn't look too heavy.

If you don't have to have the "creature comforts" of the larger, turbo-3000 models or the 4000 models then maybe the 990 is an easy decision for ya'.

If the wife or kids might be using the tractor in the future or if you are workin' in tight quarters with the mower or the FEL the eHydro option might be worth checkin' out.

See if the dealer will let you use one or more of those models and see how they might work on your place and with other's in your family.

Akfish

 

[Grizz]

The 990 is a solid machine

Griz --- that's real impressive! Do you have weights and loaded tires? That culti-rake on the back doesn't look too heavy.

Akfish

No weights or loaded tires just a culti-rake on the back

 

[jcmseven]

One other thing I really like about the 990 is its inherantly low center of gravity. The way the machine is built, it carries its weight lower--and has a wider stance--than does the 3000 series, and is comparable to the 4000 series. This is really important, as if one is operating on any degree of hill, one would want that additional stability.

John M

 

[farmlegend]

No complaints yet on my 990. Took delivery last August; shopped it vs. the 4120, dealers wanted about $5 grand more for the 4120 tranny than what I paid for the the most comparably equipped 990.

Here it is, along with my dirty, just-used JD673 rotary tiller.

 

[maltpj]

I think the 990 is a FINE tractor! I looked long and hard when I was tractor shopping and the 990 was top on my list. The day I went to the Deere Dealer to buy one they offered me such a good deal on a 5105..... well.... I took it!

 

[mike5.56]

I went to the JD dealer day before yesterday to look for a 990 and the dealer didn't have one. He tried to talk me into a 5105 as well, but I don't want a turbo enhanced motor. I'm thinking that the 990 is the tractor for me, cause I've only heard good things about it, and it's simple. Now if I could only find one to test drive.

BTW maltpj, do those hydraulic lines ever get tangled up? They look mighty low to me.

 

[mike5.56]

My bad. The 5105 IS normally aspirated; the 5103 is the one with the turbocharger, and that's what was offered.