New JD 790 Owner

[ktctest6]

Well I finally got a tractor! Been looking for awhile and found a super clean JD 790 with 150 hours with JD 70 FEL and box blade. Runs like a dream! No, runs like a Deere! Guess you can tell I'm excited! I have used the FEL to move and spread a load of one inch rocks for a road base. Didn't do too bad with the loader but the box blade is a real mystery. Is there a book or manual that gives a beginner some basic instruction on how to use a box blade? Or does the education come through the school of hard rocks?

I'm really happy with the tractor and hope to be a good contributor to this discussion group!

 

[Thomas]

Welcome to TBN and congrats on your new JD790.

Far as getting good w/the box blade..I would keep practicing..hands on..and before you know it you won't be looking back.
Hope your able to get some seat time this weekend /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[RobS]

Welcome to Tractordom! I've got a 790 w/ 70 as well and I still smile every time I get on it. Is yours four wheel drive? Which tires?

Box blading is an art. I've had success by adjusting the top link: shorter link will tip the box forward and give you a more aggressive cut, lengthen it and it will tip the box back for a more smoothing operation. I've also put my lower links in the "lateral float" position. That lets the box blade tip side to side a bit independant of the tractor. Lets it follow the ground countours without gouging. Of course, if you are intentionally changing the pitch of the ground you'll want to fix the links.

Nothing like practice to make you a pro though, so get out there and play (I mean work) /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[markcg2000]

I love my 790, and I'm sure you will, too! I just got my box-blade at the end of last summer. I only did a few places that had to have the ground (dirt) leveled, so I don't know what to say about trying rocks. Robs is right about the tilt - and so is Thomas about the practice /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

 

[Steelfan]

Congrats on the 790. I was pretty close to buying one of them, but found a used NH TC21D with low hrs. Good Luck with your new toy. Kent

 

[John Weaver]

Congrats on the new 790. I have had one for a little over a year now. Just bought the 70 FEL. It is a great set-up. Enjoy. PS the guys here are full of knowledge. You can learn a lot from them. John.

 

[neilw]

Congratulations on the new buy. I think you will be happy with the 790. I have been. Being a newmember like yourself I have found an amazing pool of knowledge here at TBN.

I have little tractor knowledege to add except these two items.

One
Watch for battery acid leaks. Here in TBN you will find several threads concerning acid leakage from the 790s original batteries.

My 790 was purchased new Oct 2001 and I checked the battery compartment weekly. The Sunday before Presidents Day I completed my weekly check. Low and behold an acid leak.

The JD dealer was out within a few hours of my call on Presidents Day and had the tractor back with a new battery, sheet metal and paint in two days.

A new sealed battery from Optima with an acid pad has been ordered. The new JD battery is going to replace my boats 4 year old starting battery.

Two
If you break the plastic wing nut holding your primary air filter in place it is 7/16"-20. Mine broke and the dealer gave me a new one. But when the warranty period ends I'm sure I'll be buying the part for +$8.00.

Being both proactive and cheap. Mostly cheap. I set out on a mission to ensure I never had to fork over that $8.00.

I know your probibly thinking what I originally thought. That a 7/16"-20 wing nut is a $0.75 hardware store item. And no you will not find a 7/16" -20 wing nut in a hardware store. Additionally a properly sized wing nut or just a 7/16" -20 nut does not have belled end to center the filter in the opening.

However, I've been told that 7/16"-20 is a common wheel lug size and the wheel lug has that needed belled end.

May you have many safe and happy tractoring hours.

 

[markcg2000]

I'd forgotten about the battery. I haven't had any leaks - but I haven't inspected that closely either. I will. What I did do was replace the positive cable to the battery. The one that comes on the tractor has a surprisingly cheap, thin-walled construction. Mine rotted out in about a year. I just replaced it with a really good one from the auto parts store. You definately want to keep an eye on that. All I could think of was that it was a dang good thing it broke early on a beautiful Saturday, rather than at 5 am one morning when I needed to use the snow blower!

 

[HalseyGreen]

Congradulation on the purchase, I have a 790 also, 143 hours, with FEL, Box and scraper blades, forks and TNT. You will really love the 790, only problem I have had is with the already posted positive battery cable corrision, dealer has provided replacement twice, next time, it gets the heavy automotive cable end. While using the FEL, you will find the rear quite light without the box blade on the 3 PT. I finally loaded my tires with methanol and water and the extra 560 pounds really make a difference in stability. If you have any questions, give the board a yell, we're here to help.

 

[ktctest6]

I can't believe it! You all were right on!! Last night I got on the tractor to back it off the trailer and the starter just clicked. I had done about 2 hours of work over the weekend with no problems. I checked the battery and had 14.2 volts. I twisted the cable clamps to be sure they were tight and the positive battery cable just broke off right at the clamp! I looked closely at the wire and there could not have been more than a few strands that were not corroded through. Re-terminated the cable with a new connector and she started right up. By the way - naturally we had a "blue norther" blow through Texas yesterday so I was frozen by the time I got the tractor parked in the shed.

I can't believe you guys basically told me what was going to happen before it did!

Is there anything else ya'll can tell me now - before it happens?