Price Check Yet another JD790 pricing thread...

karlwest · Sep 10, 2007

Hi All,

I'm making the rounds, looking for thoughts from the seasoned tractor buyers out there on a reasonable price for a used ('on rent') 4wd JD790 w/300 loader, ballast weights, and R4 tires.

I've only got 7 acres of totally flat farmland, an intensive combination of berries, fruit trees, and a little pasture/vegies/corn. Around 75% of the work is simple brushhogging & tilling, but since it is in Oregon (west of the Cascades) we get lots of rain and the tractor will be on muddy ground much of the time. That, plus a little loader work to clear brush and tree prunings, and the 4wd model seems necessary. I've already got a KRC 60 brushhog (5' width) and a LandPride RTA15-50 tiller (in theory, listed as 17-35hp PTO HP recommended. It is around 42 wide) that we've used with our tired old '58 International tractor. A JD 790 seems to be the tractor to get.

So far, my research doesn't turn up many used JD 790s in the PNW area for comparison, so I'm focusing on JD dealers on the I-5 corridor in OR & WA. The dealer closest to me (and who includes delivery to my farm in the quote) has a JD790, 4wd, w/300 loader + ballast weights, & R4 tires, 175 hours, still w/2-year warranty, for $14000. The tractor has been 'on rent' and supposedly these hours are 'low-stress' work at a nursery pulling a cart around.

As a comparison, another dealer further up I-5 quotes a price for a brand-new JD 790, also 4wd w/300 loader & R4 tires, at $14,900. Other research on used JD790s generally seem to indicate the $14000 price for 175 hours might be just a bit high? However, research on this board confirms that there is quite a bit of variability in prices across regions....so some of the really good prices I see on used 790s elsewhere maybe aren't going to hold much weight in bargaining here in the Pacific Northwest.

Hopefully, I still have a little room to bargain though: In addition to the tractor, I need to acquire a spreader for fertilizer & crimson clover seeding, and would be nice to have a brush fork for the loader to assist w/brush removal. I was thinking I might see if the local dealer would be willing to include a used spreader & brush fork in the deal for the same $14,000.

Does that seem logical to you experienced tractor folks? Or is $14000 a pretty good deal to start with?

Thanks in advance,

-->Karl

Mickey_Fx · Sep 10, 2007

Where you located Karl?

Think it was last yr Lenon Implement in Woodburn had several of these. Don't recall what extra's these came with. Seem to recall the asking price was about $11k.

Since these are basically green Yanmars, have you given any thought to a gray market Yanmar? Think you can find a low hrs model of around 30 hp with a new FEL for about $10k. One of these will likely have more features than you'll find on the JD 790. Based on your locale, I'd check with Ernie of Ernie's Imports. He is also a Mahindra dealer and recently he had one model that is close to a 790 and it came with a FEL and price was under $12k. Just some thoughts.

karlwest · Sep 10, 2007

Mickey_Fx said:
Where you located Karl?

Think it was last yr Lenon Implement in Woodburn had several of these. Don't recall what extra's these came with. Seem to recall the asking price was about $11k.

Since these are basically green Yanmars, have you given any thought to a gray market Yanmar? Think you can find a low hrs model of around 30 hp with a new FEL for about $10k. One of these will likely have more features than you'll find on the JD 790. Based on your locale, I'd check with Ernie of Ernie's Imports. He is also a Mahindra dealer and recently he had one model that is close to a 790 and it came with a FEL and price was under $12k. Just some thoughts.

Springfield Oregon, *just* outside the urban growth boundary. (but not by much these days!

I had looked at gray market Yanmars briefly, but my older brother (who is much more detail-oriented then me) nixxed them becuase he didn't think our ability to get things fixed in the event of breakdowns would be anywhere near as good as with JDs given a warranty and dealership.

Other makes - Mahindra et al - still a little leery of them, although I can't say Ihave any experience or horror stories to back up said leeriness. I guess I'm just worried about breakdowns, and how hard it is (or isn't) to get a tractor serviced quickly...I'll give some calls to Ernie's, however...see what I might be missing.

RoyJackson · Sep 10, 2007

I think the 790 would be a good machine for your tasks.

I definitely agree with your brother...Yanmar will not support grey market machines, so you'd be beholden to a dealer that may or may not be around in a year. It would also depend if you can do mechanical work.

I think the price on the used machine is about right...the price on the new machine is darn good! The one thing I would definitely check out on the used 790 is the clutch. Some folks are really good with them, others just can't seem to keep their foot off them (riding the clutch is tough on them).

I don't think R-4's would be the best option for tires. I think you'd be better off with R-1 Agricultural...especially with that mud.

Good luck!

madpogue · Sep 10, 2007

^^^^ +1 on the R1s. And if the existing R4s are in good shape, since R1s are cheaper (right?) overall, they might just swap out the R4s for a set of new R1s.

Between those two prices, I'd either offer something less for the used one, or go for new. On the used one, does that mean there are two years remaining on the warranty? Can you get them to specify in writing that the warranty will also cover the clutch (thinking about what Roy said)?

RoyJackson · Sep 10, 2007

Oh yeah, Karlwest...I meant to ask in my first post...what is the tractor in your avatar?

karlwest · Sep 10, 2007

Makes sense on the R1 comments, I'll see about doing that....according to the salesman, even though it was 'on rent' he says JD will still consider it to be 'new'. That is to say, the warranty will be 2 years and in my name, so getting a check initially on the clutch shouldn't be any kind of hassle and subsequent work...for 2 years anyway...will be fully backed by the Dealership/JD. If I am understanding correctly anyway.

I'm going to be swinging by the dealership in a day or two to kick the tires, test it out, and generally see what sort of dealing can be done. It sounds like the price is OK, but I think I'll still see if I can convince them to throw in a used spreader....really need one, and if they have a few used ones laying around would think it would be a good deal of the both of us.

Oh, the tractor in my avatar is the old workhorse International Farmall. 1958, 330 Utility model. Its done great service for us over the years, but (though the engine is reasonably reliable) the PTO is mostly shot, rust appearing in a few places, instruments mostly shot, no brakes to speak of. We mostly use it now just for pulling carts around and moving irrigation stuff and firewood.

RoyJackson · Sep 10, 2007

karlwest said:
Oh, the tractor in my avatar is the old workhorse International Farmall. 1958, 330 Utility model. Its done great service for us over the years, but (though the engine is reasonably reliable) the PTO is mostly shot, rust appearing in a few places, instruments mostly shot, no brakes to speak of. We mostly use it now just for pulling carts around and moving irrigation stuff and firewood.

Yeah...maybe she's gettin' old...but she's still mighty pretty with those fender skirts!

karlwest · Sep 10, 2007

RoyJackson said:
Yeah...maybe she's gettin' old...but she's still mighty pretty with those fender skirts!

Heh, I must admit I am pretty sentimental about it. I learned to drive it at, what, 7 or 8? (with dad, of course!) I don't plan on letting it turn into a pile of rust after getting a JD: I'll still put in some maint now and then to keep it running. Its put in too many long hours in the hot sun and pouring rain to just drive it back to the back fence line and leave it sit!

karlwest · Sep 11, 2007

Well, I stopped by the one dealership and they are pretty much firm at $14000 for the JD790 w/175 hours on it. Wouldn't even throw in a used spreader they had at $200 into the deal, so I guess they don't have any problem selling at that price.

I'm taking stock a little: even though 175 hours probably isn't a lot of use, if the difference is only $900 between it and a brand new one, well....I'm going to see what (if any) wiggle room is present on the new ones other dealers quoted at $14900. And, check out some of the other brands w/stable dealerships w/tractors comparable to a JD790.

So in the tractor market today I guess $14000 isn't considered a lot of money, but to me its a LOT and even if its only symbolic, I expect someone who is willing to DEAL a little. I know, thats probably naive in todays market...I'm just a little fish.