JD 790

wvhillbilly · Jan 10, 2004

To anyone who can help me out here. I have a question about the JD790 3-point hitch capacity. Does anyone know why this tractor has such a puny little lift capacity of 815 pounds?? I am in the market to buy a compact tractor this upcoming fall and thought I wanted the 790 until I started looking around comparable tractors...Which have lift capacities well over 1500 pounds. Is there any advantage to a tractor that will lift so little?? Do they limit it due lighter weight causing a weight/balance issue (a C.Y.A deal) or is the unit only physically capable of 815pounds?? This let me to look at other tractors like the Kubota L3000 and MF 1433. This in turn led me back to the JD 4310. The 4310 is really appealing to me for a couple of reasons: A dealer 5 minutes down the road is always a plus. To look at the axles and such, the 4310 just looks a lot beefier than the 790. And I like the fact that the 4310 originates here in the good ole' USA. (With the exception of the Yanmar engine which I am pleased with) Well what do ya'll think.
Hillbilly (Dave)

rockyridgefarm · Jan 10, 2004

I think some have beefed it up to get better kift. Involves adding shims to the hydraulics.

But I LOVE my 4310. It's pretty amazing. So if you like it, I'd encourage you to check it out.

JDgreen227 · Jan 11, 2004

While shopping I compared the 790 and 4210---checked the specs on lift capacity and asked my salesguy why the 790 had such a low 3 point lift capacity, he told me it's mainly becuz the 790 has a shorter WB and less weight. A CYA deal, in my opinion. I also wanted a hydro and the 4210 operator platform was much more comfortable than the crowded one on the 790. I also wondered if the 790 was going to remain in production much longer, knowing the 4000-TEN series was going to be continued for many years was a factor in my choice.

But I won't tell you how to spend your money, there are many other TBN members who will do that. Oh, yes, there is another reason I wanted a mid size JD--made in USA--BUY AMERICAN.

RoyJackson · Jan 11, 2004

"why the 790 had such a low 3 point lift capacity, he told me it's mainly becuz the 790 has a shorter WB and less weight."

Although that's a good point about the 790's limitations, I don't think you'll find too many implements that weigh >800 lbs. and have HP requirements that fall within the output of the 790.
My 670 has right about the same lift limits as the 790. The heaviest implement I own is the 60" rotary cutter which goes just over 600 lbs.

JDgreen227 · Jan 11, 2004

Well said, since all my implements weigh under 300 lbs. I did not even consider that. DUH...

Magruder · Jan 11, 2004

I have had my 790 for 10 months - lots of tph implements e.g. snowblower, mixer, box blade, etc. I am very happy w/ it and have had no problem. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

yellowsocks93 · Jan 11, 2004

You would still be able to buy parts for it even if it was discontinued. I bought a 990 in preparation that the design was getting too old as it was first introduced in 1989 and thought they might discontinue it due to poor sales. I really like the 70 and 90 series and they will always be one of my favorite JDs ever.

wvhillbilly · Jan 11, 2004

Thank you all who responded to my question so quickly. I guess I never thought about the implement weight. Good point. I guess I will have to look at the 790 again as a consideration. Although I was by the JD dealership today looking at the units parked outside and that 4310 looked almost as sweet as a 20 year-old holding a lollipop /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I also like the semi-flat operator platform. I am planning on getting the sync-shift. I guess I consider myself more of a "gear jammer" and that is as close as I will get with the 4000 ten series.

Henry · Jan 11, 2004

I've owned my JD 790 now for about 3 years and have no serious complaints. It takes care of my 11 acres just fine. The only thing I've noticed, since I'm sort of a hefty guy, is that getting on/off is a little tight. Guess I gotta keep the low-carb thing going a little bit longer /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Joe1 · Jan 11, 2004

I've had my 1998 770 for about 8 months. This is my first tractor, so my knowledge is limited. Even though it's 5 years old, with under 300 hrs, it's still like new. The limited 3 pt lift capacity initially was my concern also. However, it handles everything very well. I love this rugged "little" tractor. If anything happened to it, I'd probably replace it with a 790.

Just for your information, 1998 was the last year for the 770 which was replaced by the 790. If you're concerned about how many years it will be available, you might look up it's sales stats since 1999. Someone here on the forum must have a link to that information.

The only thing you might use that might tax it would be a 3 pt fork lift with a pallet full of tile or stone. However, any implement it can drive it can carry.

My issue has only been like Henry's, getting off it. My feet sometimes have trouble around the shift lever. I get on fine, just getting off when I'm tired is sometimes harder.

I guess that makes me half clumsy. I shouldn't be on it anyway when I'm tired.

Overall bang for your buck, the 790 is an outstanding buy.

Here in the wine country of the Central Coast of California, vineyards lease tractors for a season and put about 40 - 60 hrs on them. They lease from all three major manufactureres (Deere, N.H. and Kubota; not much MF representation here on the coast) and they always lease the 790 4 X 4 from John Deere. They could get anything they want, but they get the 790. I will add here, however, that they do not use the 3 pt hitch very much, but mostly tow loaded 4 wheel farm trailers. At the end of each season, the dealers may have 50 - 80 of the 790's for sale, and they ALWAYS sell every one.

It's reliable, does the job of towing trailers loaded with grapes and other tasks and is easy to operate.

If the ergonomics are right, and the lift limitation isn't an issue, you could spend a whole lot more and not get that much more tractor.

Try them all and good luck.