Thinking about a 790 4WD need feedback

Joe1 · Mar 14, 2004

I've got a 770, which came between the 670 and the 790. I find the foot/leg spacing a little cramped getting off, but if I leave it in first, it's not a problem. These are true industrial strength basic tractors that are heavilly built with quality materials, attention to detail in fit and finish, and a tried and true, bulletproof Yanmar engine and drive line. I think the FEL and 3 pt capacity is well suited to the tractor. With a 54" (7 cu ft. FEL bucket) full and in the air, you wouldn't want much more weight. Some competiting models might have a higher weight capacity for the FEL, but the 770/790 are well balanced as is. I carried 72 ten+ lb concrete roof tile on a pallet on a 3 pt fork, and it handled it just fine. NONE of my impletments are that heavy.

The 790 and 990 provide a lot of bang for the buck if you can live without the hydrostatic and don't mind the verticle stack.

Joe

Mark_D · Mar 15, 2004

How do you like your #7 backhoe? How's the power on it? Is it well constructed? What size bucket do you have? Does it run off of the tractor hydraulics or have a PTO pump? Thanks.

RobS · Mar 15, 2004

How do you like your #7 backhoe?

Absolutely love it!

 How's the power on it? 

Like the rest of the 790, it's adequate. Well suited for the tractor. Plenty of curl force, stick and boom will relieve under load and the swing tends to relieve at a relatively low load. I'm sure this is all designed to protect the hoe which is fine with me. Our soil is sandy and the thing just digs away. I've seen guys on large machines use the swing to move dirt piles around and you won't do that on this hoe.

 Is it well constructed? 

It's typical JD design and construction. All seems well thought out and well made. The controls are logical and easy to get used to.

 What size bucket do you have? 

16". It has three teeth and will rip through anything we've got around here. I used it last summer to rip a trench for some edging (not very deep). It was dry and hard but no problems. The bucket isn't very deep but it's well suited to the machine.

 Does it run off of the tractor hydraulics or have a PTO pump? 

It runs off the tractor hydraulics via Power Beyond. Speed is fine for me, probably slow for a pro trying to make money at it.

The thing I like the best about it is the attachment. It's rock solid on the tractor yet literally takes five minutes to attach/detach. You won't dig many basements with it but it will outdig an Armstrong Shovel by a mile /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

glalonde · Mar 15, 2004

Scmac,
See the attached picture.

I have used my 790 with the loader (no toothbar) to dig a trench of 20" deep X 7' wide X 50' long, for my interlocking pavers project. I have used a hand shovel to finish the edge as this was my first few hours with the tractor (no experience before).
The way I used it was by trying to shave off 1" to 2" at a time. Not being used to it, sometimes the bucket would bite deeper but it went easier at the end. I'm sure having a toothbar would have helped much more.

_RaT_ · Mar 15, 2004

Thats also where a box scraper can do a great job. I'll pull off what I need and ramp it onto a pile. Eventually I have to move the pile as it gets to big or spread it if it's at a spot where that can be done. Sometimes I use just the loader, sometimes just the boxscraper and sometimes both. Great job glalonde.

rdam · Mar 15, 2004

I would take a long hard look at the Kubota L2800 and the New Holland TC30 before you decide. Especially with the NH TC30, you get a lot more bang for the buck. PTO HP, 3PH lift capacity, 9F/3R gears with a hydro option and a flat deck.

I know Yellow and Green is hypnotizing /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif....Just shop around before you decide.