JD 790 implements

803wideglide85 · May 30, 2011

I 've owned a Massey 240 since '96 that was purchased new. We use it primarily to shuttle boat trailors at our Mercury dealership. It has a quick attatch front loader w/ bucket and forks; and later we bought a Woods backhoe for occassional use around the house. This machine has been a bulldog; but bringing it back and forth to use it at home has worn me out. So, thinking something smaller would be enough to keep at home, recently bought a used JD790 4wd.-non hydro
Not knowing any better, I now notice the linch pin diameters are smaller on the JD 3pt. Before I spend any more $ on the JD, might someone with more experience tell me if I'm wasting time getting a loader for it? I've already surmised that the hoe is too big (even though it has it's own pump).
I have wooded property and a long gravel drive to maintain. Fallen trees to deal with,etc. The little JD is a very nice little tractor..........but does it have enough "***" to handle these chores? I also assume I've unknowingly purchased a different "catagory" 3 pt. Does this mean 3 pt implements won't be compatable with the Massey/JD?
So glad I found this site, now somebody gets to explain to me how foolish I may have been ;buying the JD....
Thanks for any insight.

Muhammad · May 30, 2011

Welcome to TBN.

RoyJackson · May 30, 2011

Welcome to TBN!

Your 790 is a Category 1 tractor. The pins on the 3PH are 3/4 at the top link, the lower link pins are 7/8ths.
I'm wondering if your Massey is a Category 2 tractor (larger pins sizes).
So, any standard Category 1 implement should fit. However, that doesn't mean a backhoe built for another tractor will fit. Backhoes, to the best of my knowledge, are designed for specific tractor models.
Your Massey weighs in at close to 5000 lbs. The 790 is half that...probably not a good idea to use the backhoe bought for the Massey.
The 790 is a great tractor...I owned one for about 6 years. But only you can decide if it's a good fit for your needs. Maybe a bit more description of your property would help (acreage, length of drive).
I've no doubt the 790 can do the jobs...but it might take more time then a larger tractor.

803wideglide85 · May 30, 2011

Thank you!

dcyrilc · May 30, 2011

Is the 790 big enough to use to move the trailers around? Maybe switch their duties?

803wideglide85 · May 30, 2011

dcyrilc said:
Is the 790 big enough to use to move the trailers around? Maybe switch their duties?

That's a great thought, we tried it; and although it can pull pretty good, the tongue weights of some of the boats/trailors upends the JD (as we need to use the 3pt. with a drawbar for efficiency).....already have 200lbs weight on the front, wheelbase is so short, it can get a bit hairy.

dcyrilc · May 30, 2011

803wideglide85 said:
That's a great thought, we tried it; and although it can pull pretty good, the tongue weights of some of the boats/trailors upends the JD (as we need to use the 3pt. with a drawbar for efficiency).....already have 200lbs weight on the front, wheelbase is so short, it can get a bit hairy.

You could try a little more weight on the front. I can't imagine that you can be very far from what would be needed since trailer tongues shouldn't be more than 800#. Unless, of course, you're dealing with a fith wheel... then it's a whole different animal.

Just looked at a few pix of the 790 and it looks like the nose is about double the distance from the center of the rear axle as what the 3PT pins are. For a cheap test, try throwing 3-4 60# bags of concrete on top of the front weights and see if it solves the tip issue. You'll still have less weight on the front axle than a loader bucket full of dirt.

803wideglide85 · May 31, 2011

Thanks Cyril;
We'll give it a shot. I wish the 800lb tongue weight was adhered to.......but I'm dealing with some pretty silly customers here! You wouldn't share the highways with these folks if you had any idea of the condition/set up of the rigs they pull at 70mph! Half of them have spindles ready to burn off, and they just keep pouring the grease to them..LOL!
So I'm trying not to be like them with the tractor equipment, would prefer to do it safe and correct. Thanks again for the ideas!
Ben

Briana03 · May 31, 2011

Hello & WELCOME to TractorByNet.com!

I have moved your thread to the John Deere Owning/Operating Forum. You'll get a better response there.

foggy1111 · May 31, 2011

From the sound of things, you are working with some pretty heavy boats. I would think the 790 could handle the tounge weight with a little ballasting.....but I wonder about an 8000 lb boat pulling the 2000 lb tractor into the lake??......especilly if you have a steep boat launch.