My thoughts on the 990 after 7 months, 50 hours

   / My thoughts on the 990 after 7 months, 50 hours #11  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The Throttle:
Several people have said that the 990’s foot throttle is very sensitive, and I guess it is.)</font>

Brad,

Nice post. Very informative.
The easiest way I've found to operate the foot throttle is to put the outside edge of your foot on the floor board and roll the inside of your foot onto the throttle as needed. Having the outside of the foot rested will keep the throttle action smooth.
For the foot throttle, I
 
   / My thoughts on the 990 after 7 months, 50 hours #12  
My 970's foot throttle is the same way. I guess I'm just used to driving it for so long. I'm sure our 990's will last just as long as the 970 has for us. We have no plans to sell it soon as it is such a great tractor.
 
   / My thoughts on the 990 after 7 months, 50 hours #13  
Excellent review! Seeing as the only "real" tractor I have is the one built by my grandfather, it has no brakes and I have to use the clutch to stop it. This worked well for him for many years. On "professional" built machines with gears, do you have to push the clutch when braking or can you just use the brakes to control speed or stop? Sorry for such a lainbrained question.
 
   / My thoughts on the 990 after 7 months, 50 hours #14  
<font color="green"> Nice post. Very informative.
The easiest way I've found to operate the foot throttle is to put the outside edge of your foot on the floor board and roll the inside of your foot onto the throttle as needed. Having the outside of the foot rested will keep the throttle action smooth.
For the foot throttle, I </font>

Did something go wrong with your post? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
   / My thoughts on the 990 after 7 months, 50 hours #15  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 1. Stop on a hill with 4 wheel braking )</font>
When I have mine in 4WD and stop, I have 4 wheel braking.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 2. Inch the tractor with the hydro pedal from ground level )</font>
OK, you got me there.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 3. Change directions while mowing , blowing , loading faster and safer. )</font>
Sorry, I have a shuttle shift. I can flick that lever with my pinky finger and change directions.

Don't get me wrong, I don't hate HST's or anything. I just get tired of being told what can't be done with a gear tractor. I have had a hydro tractor before. When it came time to buy a brand spanking new tractor, I didn't even consider one. I bought a 32hp Deere and knew how much I wanted to spend. I could have went with a smaller, lower HP hydro or had a bigger gear. I opted for bigger gear. I have driven at least a hundred different tractors in my 35 years on this planet. You may have as much experience with tractors under your belt as well. Most of the time though, the anti gear sentiments come from the new first time tractor buyers that don't know their rockshaft from their PTO. One day I may have unlimited funds and get a much bigger tractor, and then I may get a hydro.
 
   / My thoughts on the 990 after 7 months, 50 hours #16  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Did something go wrong with your post? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif )</font>

I don't think so. Sometimes when I start writing, I think of a better way to word it so I start again. I think I just forgot to delete my "working notes". Sorry.
 
   / My thoughts on the 990 after 7 months, 50 hours #17  
Very good summary of the 990 , as an owner of a 990 myself I agree with you on all points , I went a bit different in that I opted for wheel weights to take some of the bounce out of the ride and to get traction . I think the FEL issue is common for all machines at some point you will alway find a job that you wish you had more lift , no matter what machine you have ,JMHO ... As to lifting the backend during FEL work I home built a rear weight box ,,,, /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif but failed to add in the idea of a hitch ....so now I am thinking of making a new weight box and correct this over sight .... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
BILL G.
A very happy 990 owner
 
   / My thoughts on the 990 after 7 months, 50 hours #18  
OK I waited a few days to allow all the gear heads to respond to my post so now I will offer a rebuttal. Stopping and starting on a hill is safer with the hydro because you don't have to do three things at once if something goes wrong, lift off the throttle push in the clutch , and apply the brake. With a Hydro you simply lift off the pedal and you stop. in an emergency this is much more reliable. I had a friend killed trying to use the clutch to stop going up a hill, his foot slipped off the clutch and over the tractor went. This was in the days before 4wd and rops were common.
If I want to inch my machine from the ground I know how to do it without putting myself or anyone else in harms way my 955 will only inch at a snails pace without someone on the seat. I've seen more people hurt slipping while mounting the tractor.
Loader, snowblower, grading work is faster because you don't have to take your hand off the loader lever to shift gears and it is safer because the hydro pedal acts like a deadman switch, pull your foot off and you stop.
My wife does feel much more comfortable on the hydro because its a lot easier for her to drive, she's not a rookie with a clutch either as she used to road race with a stick shift and spent plenty of time on her Harley.
OK the gear tractor is less money but around here the Hydro returns most of that difference at trade-in time.
I'm not trying to put down anybody that made the choice to go with a gear setup, good for them they bought what they wanted and that's their choice, it's just everytime someone asks about gear verus hydro I'm tired of it being touted as a challenge to our manhood to go hydro. My grandparents had an outhouse but I perfer indoor plumbing even if it makes me look like a sissy. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
   / My thoughts on the 990 after 7 months, 50 hours #19  
"Stopping and starting on a hill is safer with the hydro because you don't have to do three things "

Boy, do I have a couple greats jokes I could use as a response!

However, although I find it no problem clutching, I do plan my trips upslope and downslope to reduce or eliminate any clutching.

The longer slopes on my property are, at worst, moderate. The steeper sections are very short.

However, I do know if I let the 790 freewheel, it's most likely I'm just going to be along for the ride...doubtful if I'd get it back in gear. So, I go down in a gear that is low enough I won't need to do any clutching. Same thing applies going up slope. The only controls I want to use are the steering and the hand throttle.

So, if a hydro can hold on a slope with 100% confidence...it probably is a bit safer. I doubt if I'd ever trust it though...I'll stick with neutral and the parking brake.

As far as loader or other work...time difference is minuscule, once you get the rhythm. Of course, I can't say I'm in a big hurry when I work!

As far as trade-in value...well, as a percentage of original price, I think you find the depreciation quite similar.
However, I do think a used Hydro would sell faster then a used gear...simply because we gear heads are in the minority.

Still wouldn't pay the extra money for one though....
 
   / My thoughts on the 990 after 7 months, 50 hours #20  
<font color="blue">As far as loader or other work...time difference is minuscule, once you get the rhythm. </font>
I had to laugh when I read that because it reminded me of something that I think is ironic. Any time you are driving on the highway, how many times have you been pasted by someone driving to fast and unsafely. Then several miles later, you catch up to them at a stop sign or a stop light. It is not always how fast you go that makes getting the job done the quickest.
Another thing, no matter what kind of equipment someone has, some never learn how to use it correctly and/or efficiently.
 

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