What am I missing out on if I buy a 990
- Thread starter WIshane
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rockyridgefarm
Elite Member
There are a number of things that may not seem obvious between the 'deluxe' and 'basic' models. Which is better for you, is your call, but it nice to consider.
Plastic. At first, most folks think this is cheap. But I use mine in the woods and can assure you that it is amazing. My tractor would look like a shinny can if it had metal hood and fenders.
Transmission choices. Either the Reverser or HST is a huge improvement over a gut bustin' collar shift.
Isolated Operator Station. Less fatigue since the entire operator station is insulated from the drivetrain vibrations.
LoadMatch. Like getting a significant boost in Hp, without adding weight, bulk, fuel consumption, or expense.
Ergonomic control placement.
More loader, backhoe options.
Turbocharger.
Choice. The 4x20 AND 3x20's (in the woods a 3720 might be a strong option...)
Improved seat.
But the 990 is a good machine. No one who knows them would suggest that the Yanmar engine is anything but fantastic. And I don't see any change in Deere's relationship with them.
YMMV-SYDFD
Plastic. At first, most folks think this is cheap. But I use mine in the woods and can assure you that it is amazing. My tractor would look like a shinny can if it had metal hood and fenders.
Transmission choices. Either the Reverser or HST is a huge improvement over a gut bustin' collar shift.
Isolated Operator Station. Less fatigue since the entire operator station is insulated from the drivetrain vibrations.
LoadMatch. Like getting a significant boost in Hp, without adding weight, bulk, fuel consumption, or expense.
Ergonomic control placement.
More loader, backhoe options.
Turbocharger.
Choice. The 4x20 AND 3x20's (in the woods a 3720 might be a strong option...)
Improved seat.
But the 990 is a good machine. No one who knows them would suggest that the Yanmar engine is anything but fantastic. And I don't see any change in Deere's relationship with them.
YMMV-SYDFD
rockyridgefarm
Elite Member
You wil get amazing performance in a small package. Especially nice ion smalll spaces. The biggest issue would be in handling bales. It can be done, but takes a bit more thinking.
jcseven can give some great input, having owned the large and mid chassis machines.
But I think the 3720 is worth every penny difference over the 990.
But YMMV!
The 3000-20 series wont give you any more hydraulic power than the 990. They all use 300 series loaders. You have to move up to the 4000-20 series to get the 400 series loders which have lots more height and weight capacity. Concerning the price difference for the 4120, I would suggest getting the best price for each from several dealers. While the difference in list price may be $6000, no one actually pays list or even close to it. The difference in actual price when I bought my 4120 last October was exactly $3150 (powerrev 4120). I have to assume it is cheaper to ship the US manufactured 4000 series which may explain the smaller difference in actual versus list prices.
NoMo
Gold Member
You can compare the specs of the tractors at Deere's website. Doing so will show that there are more advantages to the 3x20s than just bells & whistles.
The 990 was the first tractor I ever drove in my life and it was all that I thought I'd want or need. But the ergonomics and maneuverability of the 3520 changed my mind.
The 990 was the first tractor I ever drove in my life and it was all that I thought I'd want or need. But the ergonomics and maneuverability of the 3520 changed my mind.
jcmseven
Veteran Member
I appreciate Mike's kind words. I have owned a 4310, two 3720's and a 4520. I can say each has its place, as would a 990. The big question will ultimately surround your budget. If you want a powerful, simple tractor that will last a long time but is really basic, a 990 is for you. The performance and comfort of the 3720 and 4000 series machines is in a different league entirely. Of all the tractors I have owned, the 4520 was my favorite overall. It was big, stable and had a nice loader. Even though I loved the 4520 I think the 3720 is a better choice all-around for most of us in the compact market. It has tremendous power, much more than most of us have seen before, is small enough to manuver and access tight places, but large enough to lift heavy things with the loader and pull heavy implements. To me, it is about the perfect size. My neighbor has a 4320, and he works it to death. I have used his machine some, and although it lacks the pep of my previous 4520 or my current 3720, it is a really nice machine and still has quite a lot of power. I am a big supporter of the ehydro tranny and I think I would favor that if looking in these lines. My advice is to price a 4120, 4320 and 3720 with hydro and see how they compare to the 990 in price. If the prices are close, go with the 3000 or 4000 machine. Either would do the job. Spending extra money now, if possible, would not likely be regretted later. Also, resale value and market is important. You might keep whichever tractor you get forever, or you might not. I tend to use and trade often, and a 990 has to be marketed to just the right person, who wants a simple no frills machine and one who would not mind the collar shift. The 3000 and 4000 machines appeal to almost everyone. They drive like cars, are built like tanks and would last about two days for sale most places if you ever found your needs changing, so I think in general they are a better equipment investment.
John M
John M
Keoke
Gold Member
JCMSEVEN, concerning the collar shift trans on the 990.
Just what exactly is a "collar shift" transmission?
I have a 970 (same tractor with slightly less hsp) and it has a "synchromesh" transmission. I can go from fwd to reverse without stopping tractor and with no grinding of gears.
Did they take the synchromesh (970 & 1070) away from the 990 all together?
Or is "collar shift" just another term for a "synchromesh" transmission?
Or is a "collar shift" tranny same as a synchro without the blocking (brass) rings used to match input and output speeds before mesh?
Most old tractors without synchro transmissions used what was called
a "sliding gear" transmission.
Again, does anyone know what a "collar shift" transmission means on the 990?
cheers,
Just what exactly is a "collar shift" transmission?
I have a 970 (same tractor with slightly less hsp) and it has a "synchromesh" transmission. I can go from fwd to reverse without stopping tractor and with no grinding of gears.
Did they take the synchromesh (970 & 1070) away from the 990 all together?
Or is "collar shift" just another term for a "synchromesh" transmission?
Or is a "collar shift" tranny same as a synchro without the blocking (brass) rings used to match input and output speeds before mesh?
Most old tractors without synchro transmissions used what was called
a "sliding gear" transmission.
Again, does anyone know what a "collar shift" transmission means on the 990?
cheers,
Keoke
Gold Member
dgl24087 said:
DGL, what you are saying does make strong sense.
Sooo, does that mean that even though the 970 & 1070 could be had with a synchromesh (sliding collar with brass syncho rings) trans, the 990's simply don't have this feature as a choice?
If this is correct, then Deere has gone backwards here.
Someone mentioned earlier that one way of getting people to buy up the line is to take something AWAY from the lower cost tractor.
Is this what happened with the 990 manual transmission?
cheers,
therebarely
Bronze Member
Well here is my take. You do have to stop to shift from forward to reverse, which takes applying the brake pedal. It seems seamless to me, with only a rare gear grinding. I like to use the brake to stop the tractor, it helps keep me in the seat without my face hitting the steering wheel. By past experiences in a panic or high stress situation with hydrostatic pedals or levers, you always seem to end up in big trouble. To me a collar shift is like operating a manual shift car. Push in the clutch and hit the brake to stop.
