JD790 loader

RobS · Oct 12, 2001

John, unless you specifically need a narrower bucket, I'd go for the 60" to cover your tires. I've got the 70 loader with 60" bucket on my 790 and it's a mean, green digging machine /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Chris_VA · Oct 13, 2001

My 2 cents is to get the wider bucket. I'd think you would at least want the bucket a few inches wider than the machine. Can't think of any reasons to get the narrow bucket if the machine will handle the larger one, which yours would.

Chris

4400HST, Canopy, 72" Deck, 516 Cutter, 420 Loader, 6' Blade, Homemade Sprayer, Boom Blade

1958 JD 620 Restored

John Weaver · Oct 14, 2001

I called the dealer. The 54 inch bucket is $35. extra and the 60 inch is $55. extra. Since cost is not an issue, I think I will get one bigger than the standard 4 foot bucket. The rear wheels are 5 foot. My only concern is that I assume with a smaller bucket I could do a better job pushing into a pile of material. Of course, this could just be my newbe thinking. Better to make the right decision now when the cost to upsize is cheep. John.

John Weaver · Oct 18, 2001

I did it. Ordered a # 70 loader with 54 inch bucket and bucket level indicator. I ordered an operators manual for the loader before I pruchased. The manual talks about 700+ lbs. of weight on 3ph, weights on rear wheels and loaded tires. Is all this necessary? For the guys with 790's, how much weight do you use and where do you put it? John

HalseyGreen · Oct 19, 2001

To expand on my above post - when I first got my JD790 (like to call it that because everyone thinks that I have one of the big hoes, and to be its my big hoe, better than a shovel) I had no weight on the back, and no tooth bar, really had trouble digging, wheels would spin very easily when trying to dig. Could only skim off the dirt in thin layers. Got a tooth bar and it helped the digging, but the wheels would spin easily. Purchased a Bush Hog 5' box blade, about 490 pounds, added it to the 3 point, really made a difference. Also found I needed weight for keeping the rear wheels on the ground with a bucket of wet dirt or manure. Later purchased a Bush Hog 7' scraper blade, tried it, found it to bulky hanging out back, but it did about as good as the box blade. Purchased a Worksaver Fork attachment this summer, found the box blade was not enough when lifting at full capacity of the loader, so I loaded my rear wheels (R4's) with 5 gallons of methanol and 28 gallons of water each, giving me about 260 pounds in each tire. This is great, sorry I didn't load at the start - able to dig with out the box blade, and with the blade this thing really hugs the ground and will cut more than it can move. So my recommendation is load your rear tires, then look at implements with weight that will also be of some use to you.

By the way it only cost me $14 for the tool at NAPA (adapts garden hose to valve stem) and $40 for the methanol to load my rear tires. Cheaper than any implement.

John Weaver · Nov 4, 2001

The dealer finally got my new loader installed and delivered it yesterday. It was here when I got home from out of town. Played (worked) all day today. Now I know why everyone with a FEL says they could not do without it. BTW I know in the last 73 posts I have asked many more questions than I have answered. Thanks to all you guys for the information. I still consider myself a newby. John.

RobS · Nov 5, 2001

Way to go John. Yes, I bet you're loving that loader. I've been a bit tractor-deprived lately (busy) but I did use my FEL to take the fifth-wheel hitch out of my truck yesterday. Didn't take long, but I was all smiles for those few minutes /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif