790 HP Reduction By John Deere

Golfgar4 · Oct 1, 2003

Rob,

I've looked at both, along with many other colors. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

When I first started researching, I was pretty well convinced that a 30 hp would do the job. But as I became more informed, and evaluated what my needs will be, I've come to the conclusion that the smallest I should consider is 35 hp, but more likely 40 hp. Even though I'll be getting this after I retire, I'm going to be using the machine in pretty much a commercial application. I could be using it one day to mow a 10 acre field, and the next day I might find myself cutting new trails in a wooded area, and the next day I might be having to move loads of dirt, and the next ........

Well, you get the idea. It's my general impression that anything 30 hp and under are generally considered estate or hobby farm type machines, and anything 35 hp and over are generally considered more commercial or industrial.

I wouldn't mind a 30 hp machine, because the smaller size certainly has it's advantages. I'm just worried that they won't hold up to 25 - 40 hours of varied kinds of work per week.

Does that sound logical?

RobS · Oct 1, 2003

Does that sound logical? 

Yeah, that sounds perfectly logical but once again I'm overcome with envy... You're planning on 25-40 hours of tractor time a week while I'll still be sitting at my desk counting the years until my retirement /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I know, I know... it will all go by so fast. Just doesn't seem like it right now /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Golfgar4 · Oct 1, 2003

( You're planning on 25-40 hours of tractor time a week while I'll still be sitting at my desk counting the years until my retirement )

Well...........

Look at this way then - You'll probably still be enjoying seat time when I'm filling MY hole in the ground! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

yellowsocks93 · Oct 1, 2003

The 990 does have a mid PTO option which is field installed. It uses the exact same mid PTO kit as the 970/1070. The reason I did not get this is because I did not want to tear my whole tractor apart. I bet your dealer could research into the mid PTO option for you. I highly recommend the 990 because of all the torque it has. I can use the 272 RFM at about 2300 RPM and the engine is not bogged down at all.

Golfgar4 · Oct 1, 2003

( The 990 does have a mid PTO option which is field installed. )

That's nice to hear! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I know that when I checked through the JD Configure and Price feature on the web site, a mid pto isn't listed as an option like it is for the 790.

That makes this tractor a bit more attractive.

Thanks again! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

smilingreen · Oct 1, 2003

Garry,
I will respond to the 790 as being an estate tractor. I use my 790 (30 hp model) every day in our commercial landscape business. You talk about a work horse!!! I have had the machine for a little over 2 years now and it has done everything I could ever expect out of it and even more.
The machine can move 16 Cu. Yards of topsoil in about 20 minutes. It handles my 60" tiller perfectly. It handles my 513 bush hog in tough Tennessee brush, rock and hills. It has moved a lot of 3000 pound+ slabs of rock. (notice I said moved, not lifted!!) It plows snow for 48 hours straight in 10 deg. and below weather. It turns on a dime and I can get the tractor in tight places that I could not get a larger model into. It lifts the front of my JD ZTR 757 mowers up so I can maintain the decks. I used it to lift people up to assemble my arch building. It has pulled up many bushes and small trees. It has cut many ditches in hard Tennessee clay & rock. It has put in many a lawn with the FEL, box blade and landscape rake. It has moved many baskets of river rock and skid loads of lava rock for large landscape jobs. It has skided many trees out woods. We use it to anchor our tree cutting lines so the tree doesn't fall the wrong way. We have lifted and hauled large tree trunks onto our 1 ton flat bed withit. We have moved 100's of tons of firewood with it. And, it has moved mountains of mulch in tight places in commercial landscape that a wheel barrow would normally be used.......Whew!! Ok, you get the point. I would call the 790 a great commercial workhorse. I have almost 500 hours on it and have only had problems with the battery. Would I buy another one for commercial use? Absolutely, would not hesitate to buy another one. Great machine, good price and very dependable.

F350Lawman · Oct 1, 2003

As Whiskey said we were among the first to realize the change...after the fact. I almost blew a gasket......but I calmed down and realized it IS A GREAT TRACTOR!

The lift cpacities are still the same and the tractor runs out of weight and or traction long before HP so I really didn't lose anything. The new motor is slighly smaller and down 3 HP but it pulls a 5,000lb loaded manure trailer fine, turns the manure pile and swings a 5' rotary cutter through anything.

That is all I need. I have 11 acres and 6 horses and it suits my needs fine. I can't wait for the snow!

For the record: The new motor is 3TNE82 @ 27/24 HP and the old was 3TNE84 @ 30/25 HP

smilingreen · Oct 1, 2003

Hey lawman, I will swap my # 70 loader for your 419 loader. I could really use the fork option!!!

F350Lawman · Oct 2, 2003

I think the first one I looked at the local dealer had the 70 loader. I ended up buying from another dealer and it had the 419. I likle the newer (green) bucket on the 419 vs. the black one the 70 had. It jsut look a lillte stouter

I wasn't aware of the forks being an issue. I don't think I would get them but I would like to make some pallet forks for the rear for moving bags of feed etc.

Sounds like you have gotten plenty of use out of yours, it's good to hear. Makes me even more sure I made a good choice

Scott

smilingreen · Oct 2, 2003

I talked to my dealer about 3 weeks ago. He told me the only draw back to the 419 was its lifting capacity was about 100 pounds less than the 70 loader. But, on the bright side, you have about 12" more max. dumping height than the #70 and you have the quik disconnect bucket on yours, which allows you to attach a set of lifting forks directly to the plate. If I wanted to do this to the #70, I would have to pull all the pins off the bucket, fabricate a plate for the forks to sit on and re-attach it to the arms and cylinders. I believe your bucket holds more in volume than mine does, also. Does yours have chain hooks installed in the bucket? The one at the dealer did.
So, if I wanted a 419 loader, I would have to sell the #70 outright. My dealer won't take it in trade, because he said he could not sell it, being the 419 is out now. Not that there is anything wrong with my #70.
If someone might be interested in a used #70 FEL, we might arrange selling it so I could upgrade.