Buying Advice John Deere 790 4X4 advice
- Thread starter mitchdb
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RoyJackson
Rest in Peace
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2001
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- 23,144
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- Bethel, Vermont
- Tractor
- John Deere 4052R Cab,, Deere 855D UTV, Z920A Zero Turn Mower and assorted implements
The field in the first picture would be readily maintained by a cutter. Still a lot of acreage for a 5' cutter though. Well, it sure would keep you busy on weekends!
The first time you cut, you'll want to go pretty slow (2nd or 3rd Low Range). You don't know what's under that brush. I had some nasty surprises (stumps, mostly...6" to 8" high). One of those almost rolled that 670 of mine.
Still, with that amount of land...my opinion is that you'd want a bigger tractor. Don't get me wrong, the 790 is my favorite Deere (My 670 is a lower HP predecessor..same frame, different engine). I just think it's too small for maintaining 30 acres.
The first time you cut, you'll want to go pretty slow (2nd or 3rd Low Range). You don't know what's under that brush. I had some nasty surprises (stumps, mostly...6" to 8" high). One of those almost rolled that 670 of mine.
Still, with that amount of land...my opinion is that you'd want a bigger tractor. Don't get me wrong, the 790 is my favorite Deere (My 670 is a lower HP predecessor..same frame, different engine). I just think it's too small for maintaining 30 acres.
The 990 is not much more. Once I got quotes on both of them I was set on the 990. Much better loader and 3ph capacities in addition to the extra HP. No mid PTO available (though maybe it can be done), but that doesnt matter to me since I'm not gonna put a mid mount mower on it. If I get a mower it will be a 3ph one. Good luck.
yellowsocks93
Veteran Member
I have had both tractors and the 990 is a lot more powerful but it is larger. The 790 has 27 hp and the 990 had 40. The 990 has 35 pto hp and I believe the 790 has around 25. They changed the 790 since I had mine. The 990 has better hydraulics but both machines have a collar shif transmission and dual stage clutch. They look identical. Both are good machines so I would test drive both to see what you need. The 990 will run about 16 grand fully loaded not including implements. That would be MSRP so your price may vary. Good luck!
rdam
Gold Member
Check with Whiskey (Dave). I think he has gotten one of the best recent deals on a 790.
JDgreen227
Super Member
mitchdb,
First thing that popped into my head when I read your post was "does he have a tow vehicle that will pull this outfit", but it appears you do. Second thing, are the 3 point implements all JD or a good brand like Woods, Frontier, etc? Not to knock the less expensive brands like KK, etc. but there is quite a price difference between implements. If they are a good quality the price you quote is seems reasonable.
A few points, while the 790 is one of the best entry level tractors to be found, I have read posts in this forum that stated the engine displacement had been reduced from the original 91 ci. Second, be sure the driving position of the tractor is comfortable for you, I sat on one while shopping and felt somewhat cramped, for me it was awkward to use some of the controls. Third, if the trailer has no spare tire, try to have one included in the deal. They are usually at least $90 extra for a bias ply, more for a radial ply spare.
Fourth, if you do buy the package deal, be sure you have insurance coverage for the tractor ITSELF before you pull it off the lot. Good luck, wish I had found a deal like this.
First thing that popped into my head when I read your post was "does he have a tow vehicle that will pull this outfit", but it appears you do. Second thing, are the 3 point implements all JD or a good brand like Woods, Frontier, etc? Not to knock the less expensive brands like KK, etc. but there is quite a price difference between implements. If they are a good quality the price you quote is seems reasonable.
A few points, while the 790 is one of the best entry level tractors to be found, I have read posts in this forum that stated the engine displacement had been reduced from the original 91 ci. Second, be sure the driving position of the tractor is comfortable for you, I sat on one while shopping and felt somewhat cramped, for me it was awkward to use some of the controls. Third, if the trailer has no spare tire, try to have one included in the deal. They are usually at least $90 extra for a bias ply, more for a radial ply spare.
Fourth, if you do buy the package deal, be sure you have insurance coverage for the tractor ITSELF before you pull it off the lot. Good luck, wish I had found a deal like this.
Joe1
Platinum Member
The Rotary cutter is a rough cut cutter designed for your type of fields. They are sometimes known as bush hogs, but that's a brand name also of a rotary cutter, kind of like kleenex is to tissues.
The 790 is around 2,200 lbs, the 990, is around 3,000 lbs. Add operator, FEL and a rotary cutter in the rear, "loaded tires" and you're at about 3,800 for the 790 and 4,600 for the 990. I would have the tires filed with liquid by the dealer as it will help stabilize the tractor and will also give some extra traction.
The weight factor is important, because cuttng a lawn with a 2 to 2 1/4 ton tractor might not be realistic. Besides, you'll want industrial or ag tires on the 790/990 for the traction in the fields. They have more traction than turf tires and will hold up better under field work.
Either tractor will run out of traction before it runs out of power regardless of the tires, so I would go for the R-4 industrials as a good compromise.
You might want the 790/990 for the rough work and then get a Zero Clearance mower or a lawn tractor or garden tractor equiped with turf tires in the future for the a finished lawn.
I run a 4' rotary cutter with a 20 pto hp 770 and probably could handle a 5' without trouble as could the 790. I've mowed thru weeds over the top of the stack and had to knock them down with the FEL so I could see where I was going. Cutter still chopped them off without much strain on the tractor. You could handle at least a 6' or larger rotary cutter and a larger box blade and get more work done faster.
You can go with smaller tractors such as the Kubota BX series or the JD 2210, but I believe they are too light for what you want to do. They will also do what the 790/990 can do, but at a much slower rate. I'd stick with the larger tractor.
Either tractor is an excellent one. Make certain you have adequate hold downs for the tractor/trailer combination and the dealer spends a few hours with you explaining everything.
Lots of luck. This is a great forum, and you'll get a lot of good advice from well meaning fellows that were novices themselves as I feel I still am.
The 790 is around 2,200 lbs, the 990, is around 3,000 lbs. Add operator, FEL and a rotary cutter in the rear, "loaded tires" and you're at about 3,800 for the 790 and 4,600 for the 990. I would have the tires filed with liquid by the dealer as it will help stabilize the tractor and will also give some extra traction.
The weight factor is important, because cuttng a lawn with a 2 to 2 1/4 ton tractor might not be realistic. Besides, you'll want industrial or ag tires on the 790/990 for the traction in the fields. They have more traction than turf tires and will hold up better under field work.
Either tractor will run out of traction before it runs out of power regardless of the tires, so I would go for the R-4 industrials as a good compromise.
You might want the 790/990 for the rough work and then get a Zero Clearance mower or a lawn tractor or garden tractor equiped with turf tires in the future for the a finished lawn.
I run a 4' rotary cutter with a 20 pto hp 770 and probably could handle a 5' without trouble as could the 790. I've mowed thru weeds over the top of the stack and had to knock them down with the FEL so I could see where I was going. Cutter still chopped them off without much strain on the tractor. You could handle at least a 6' or larger rotary cutter and a larger box blade and get more work done faster.
You can go with smaller tractors such as the Kubota BX series or the JD 2210, but I believe they are too light for what you want to do. They will also do what the 790/990 can do, but at a much slower rate. I'd stick with the larger tractor.
Either tractor is an excellent one. Make certain you have adequate hold downs for the tractor/trailer combination and the dealer spends a few hours with you explaining everything.
Lots of luck. This is a great forum, and you'll get a lot of good advice from well meaning fellows that were novices themselves as I feel I still am.