790 John Deere is it big enough?

[Alpatts]

I found a 790, 30 hp, 03 model 4x4 with a 419 loader and 483 hours on it. They are asking $10,000 firm. No implements. I was wondering if it sounds like a good deal. If I do buy it, I need it to unload and move around hay bales. Will it handle round bales off the front or only the back? I`ve read alot on the 790 and it sounds like it might be the tractor for me, especially if it can unload those round bales. Tired of rolling them by hand. Would like to hear from someone who knows, thanks for reading.

 

[LD1]

It depends on the size of the bales. My first instinct says no don't do it. But it all depends on the size of the bales and how often you plan on doing it.

If they are only 6-700lbs and werent going to be doing it that often it will do it but you'll wear everything out faster. If you are talking 12-1500 lb bales then i wouldn't even budge. You would nee to look to a utility sized tractor in the 50-60 hp range as a minium.

 

[JDeerekid]

I agree with LD1. It depends on the size of the bales and how often you are doing it. The biggest issue is the weight of the tractor. The tractor alone only weighs 2000lbs plus the weight of the loader so I would say max 3000lbs without extra weights.
On the rear with enough front end weight I dont think it would be a problem. Moving them with the loader might me another story.

 

[Alpatts]

Yeah, hey yall watch this. I see what you mean. I would only be unloading them and maybe when I put them out I could handle with the pto. I sure like this tractor and it hits my budget. I need to mow about six acres with it and move a little dirt around. Does the price seem right?

 

[kebo]

Not sure of the lift capacity of the 419 loader but the Model 70 loader on mine is rated for 815lbs. However, I *think* the 419 has more lifting capacity, like around 1000lbs or so, but could be wrong. How much do the bales you plan to lift weigh? There is a poster on here who uses a 790 to move round bales and he's posted some pictures doing it.

Btw, if you buy that 790, there is a thread on this forum about increasing the lift capacity on the 790 front end loaders. It's a pretty simple thing to do, I did mine and the increase in lifting capacity should be around 200lbs or so. Also, that does seem to be a pretty good price for that tractor. My 790 is a 2001 model with the 70 loader, and 383 hrs (at time of purchase). I paid $9700 for it last year. Good luck!

 

[Alpatts]

I think the hay bales are 900 to 1000 pounds. If anything I could use the pulling power to drag them off the trailer. Anything would be better than by hand. Then I could handle them off the rear. The things we do for our horses. I`ve been rolling them by hand for a year now. My wife says she will help, but she always seems to not be available when one needs to be rolled in. lol. I appreciate all the help and if it works out that I get to buy the 790, I will look into increasing that lift.

 

[foggy1111]

I have a 2001 790 with a 70 loader and it had 300 hours on it when I bought it last fall. I paid right at 10,000 for it. I put in the shim kit to boost the lift capacity as Kebo has suggested...the instructions are posted at the John Deere threads. I think the loader and 3 point lifts 25% more with the shims installed.....but I think its going to be touch and go with bales of that size. But I too have seen pictures of another guy with a 790 carrying big bales with his 790.

If you can lift them with the loader....your going to need some rear ballast for sure. I put fluid in the rear tires and carry a box blade (with a few suitcase weights) on the back and seem to have all the ballast needed that way.

Good luck if you buy it....they are a good workhorse for the size.

 

[GreenWannabe]

The 419 loader operator's manual is available for viewing online on John Deere's website. It has the tractor ballasting requirements for the 790 (filled rear wheels plus 280 lbs. on the 3-point hitch) and lift capacities. You will need a spear on the front in place of the bucket to maximize your lifting capabilities, but I think you will find it lacking for 1000 lb. bales. Good luck.

 

[koerbdog77]

I found a 790, 30 hp, 03 model 4x4 with a 419 loader and 483 hours on it. They are asking $10,000 firm. No implements. I was wondering if it sounds like a good deal. If I do buy it, I need it to unload and move around hay bales. Will it handle round bales off the front or only the back? I`ve read alot on the 790 and it sounds like it might be the tractor for me, especially if it can unload those round bales. Tired of rolling them by hand. Would like to hear from someone who knows, thanks for reading.

I have a 2002 790 with a model 70 loader, it seems real tippy on even mild slopes. Does anyone else have a similar problem and, if so, is there a remedy.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I have no idea what the John Deere is capable of. What I do know is that my Mahindra 3215 is rated to lift 1410lbs at the pivot pins and the loader manual says to not lift any hay bales over 500lbs, and that is with using a bale spear. My guess is that the 790 loader will not do it, not safely anyway.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Barely Smokin']

I've got a 790 with the hydraulic shims added. I've never tried to lift a round bale with it before but it strikes me as right on the hairy edge of what the tractor can lift. And there's probably a big difference in weight between wet/dry bales, etc. I'd probably get one off a trailer or move it around, but I'd be scared of stability issues. The 790 doesn't have the widest track I've ever seen. I'd be inclined to go after a larger tractor.

Also, consider the total height you'd need to lift the bottom of the bale to get it on/off a trailer, especially if the ground's not level. No chance of stacking them two high on a trailer, IMHO.

 

[tomh]

I have a 790. It is a small tractor with a big heart. Most of the time it suprises me in a good way but there are days I am frustrated, always when I am asking way too much to begin with. It has a small wheel base and is tippy. There is always danger when pushing the envelope. We are all quick to preach safety but we must all break are own rules from time-to-time. Just like anything proceed with caution.

I have carried round bales with the 3pt on my tractor. I have not shimmed it...yet. The bales were 5 ft dry grass bales. I would guess in the ball park of 800-900lbs. I have not done it with my loader but do plan on it. For that I will put the shims in. I have seen pictures of it on here. I figure a simple lift and set on flat ground within reason at my discrepancy. Safe...debatable.

All-in-all a good little tractor with traction usually the first to go.

 

[tomh]

I have baled with several different rigs all the way up to a JD336.

I pull a 2 btm plow in 3pt connection and trailer type. I have pulled a 10ft disc but I get better performance with anything smaller. I do way more with it than most poeple would say is possible. I am sure I am wearing it down quicker than most but it is a tractor for use not collection.

Some more pics anyway....

 

[AndyMA]

The instructions that came with my ford loader on a 2120 was that the rear balast needed to equal the amount being lifted by the loader. I suspect this holds true for most loaders. The manual said to count the weight of the rear tire load plus 1.5 times the 3 pt hitch weight (to account for it's location) and that need to equal or exceed the weight to be lifted. I'll also say that with a small tractor like the 790 be very careful about a front wheel dropping into even a small depression when carrying a heavy front end load. It will pivot on the dropped tire and go over very quickly. Don't ask how I know.

Andy

 

[AndyMA]

Another point. I also have a New Holland TN75 with over 3000 lift capacity. It is kinda spooky taking the top round bails off a trailer stacked 2 1/2 high.

Andy

 

[poundingmill]

I move 4x4 round bales with a quick attach bale spear on my loader. The bales weigh about 500 pounds and I don't move them far. The tractor handles these bales fine, but I'd be afraid to try to move a heavier bale with the front end loader.
I really like my JD 3005 which is the 790 re-numbered. I have a 300 loader on the tractor and I think the lift capacity is about 790 pounds.

 

[dirt ditch]

Here is how my 790 is ballasted by using the Compact Utility Tractor Ballast Calculator spread sheet that can be downloaded from the JD website. You will need Microsoft excel or OpenOffice.org Calc to open and use it.

John Deere Compact Utility Tractor Ballast Calculator

 

[Mech]

I have a 2002 790 with a model 70 loader, it seems real tippy on even mild slopes. Does anyone else have a similar problem and, if so, is there a remedy.

I filled my rear tires and it is no much better.

 

[JoeinTX]

Al, sounds like you really like the tractor already and are hoping it can do what you want.


That tractor sounds like it is on the risky edge of handling round bales safely to me. If you knew the weight and make-up of the bales (wet vs. dry, what type of grass or hay) and knew it would be consistent and would never change during its usage and knew they were less than 600-700lbs consistently then, yeah, you could get away with it. Throw any variables or unknowns into that equation and I'm out.


If it were me, I would find something a mark or two bigger and heavier so that I could confidently work with those bales and have more margin for error when doing so.

 

[burnetma]

I couldn't agree more! One little dip in the ground and that little tractor is going where ever the bale wants to take it. I would be looking at a JD 1070 as a bare minimum!

My brother in-law used a really nice JD 750 for one year moving round bales. Fortunately nobody got hurt but it put the tractor in an early grave.