Is the 790 out dated?

Farmwithjunk · Nov 4, 2005

Just out of curiousity, what sort of price range are we talking for a 790? A 990? They look like a good solid little "no frills" tractor. Instead of being "out-dated", I'd say they're slightly ahead of their time. With all the high tech gadgetry on some of todays tractors, I'd guess there's a good market for SIMPLE.

ruglad03835 · Nov 4, 2005

I am taking delivery on a 790 tomorrow with a 300 loader. Cost $15,300. I am happy with the stick and clutch transmission. I'm not sure of the lift expectancy of a slip and slide tranny on a tractor.

Rick

Farmwithjunk · Nov 4, 2005

I'm interested in just the tractor, WITHOUT a loader. I'd rather have the 990, but am curious as to the price of each model. (Would like the 4WD option though)

RobS · Nov 4, 2005

Sssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

Don't tell my trusty little 790 that it's outdated, it might be offended. Then I'd have to tell the dirt it moves that it's outdated. And the snow. And the rocks. I guess the grass it cuts is outdated, otherwise it wouldn't need to be cut. Same with various landscape debris I plan on picking up with it this weekend. Very outdated stuff. Well, maybe it is OK that the tractor is outdated after all. It seems half the work it does so well is outdated too /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

flwiii · Nov 4, 2005

The 790 is as stated a good simple tractor. I seriously looked at it before I bought my 2305. I didn't go with it as it was too difficult for me to get on and off of (that tranny hump and stick). The knees don't work as well as they used to since knee surgery. I needed the flat platform. A lot can be said for the older technology. I would still rather have a nice LS6 Chevelle, or Mach I from the 70's over most autos produced today.

deerefan · Nov 4, 2005

I looked at the 790, 990 and 5103 for my place. The 790 was ruled out immediately b/c it was simply not enough tracotr for the amount of land (42 acres). The 990 and 5103 were the same price (12.5K), so like any smart man I went with more power. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I told my wife that when my old 8N, which I use for small jobs, dies and goes to tractor heaven, I WILL purchase either the 790 or 990. I like them b/c they are simple to use, pretty cheap to fix, parts are readily availabe and i have no second thoughts about letting my wife use them. I definitely live by the keep it simple principle.

unreconstructed · Nov 4, 2005

I did the same as Deerefan. I looked mighty hard at the 990 but went with 5203 (would have done the 5103 but the 5203 was on the lot and my trigger finger was in place). Seems like more tractor for about the same bucks. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

ccsial · Nov 5, 2005

( A well-placed rumor has it that a 790 variant will be folded into the 3000 series line, with a number like 3203. It will be a 790 but with hydro and NO mid-mount mower option. Figure 30 hp, hydro and a loader for about the price of a 2210 (~$12K). ) 

This would compete with the Kubota L3400/2800 series. I would have loved a 990 except for only three reverse speeds. I want more than that for snow blowing. I definitely did not want a tractor with all the electronic junk on it, so I ended up with an L3400HST. A 990 hydro would be wonderful, if they could restrain themselves from all the high tech. crap. I'd trade my 1910 tomorrow for one.

EquipmentJunkie · Nov 5, 2005

I just returned from a few days on the road, away from my computer. When I saw the topic and the number of posts, I was concerned. I was expecting to see a lot of gun smoke and the Deere 790 to be shot full of holes.

I am glad to see all this collective wisdom about simple tractors. There is beauty in simplicity.

Electronic stuff is nice when it works. But have you tried to start and operate a newer skid steer loader recently? Safety interlocks, parking brake switches, keypad access codes, etc. That stuff may be fine in 2005, but add ten years of dirt, rain, vibration and general abuse...then what?

Two weeks ago, I ran a 2005 Bobcat and a 1987 Case skid steer back-to-back. Wow, old and simple was refreshing.

Keep it simple.

BluRidgDav · Nov 13, 2005

Where are JD 790's built (not assembled), USA or Japan?
Is power-steering only available on the 2WD version?
The MFWD version must be tough-to-turn!?

Thanx, Dave.