790 Opinions

[prosperity]

I guess the first question is, are you happy with your 2210? Does it accomplish the tasks you're interested in doing? If so, then why trade?

That said, I think you'll like the 790. Learning to operate gears takes about...5 minutes and, unless you're doing a lot of loader work, you won't miss hydro. Getting good with the 2-stage clutch will take a little longer.

How are you going to mow those 4.5 acres now? Are you planning on getting an RFM?

Yes, I have been happy with my 2210, but have outgrown it's capabilities.

Around the homestead, doing rotary cutter work on the unimproved areas of my property, the small wheels and little ground clearance has hampered me a bit. Also, I could really use the larger loader and lift capabilities, and the larger wheels/tires will definitely help me be more stable on the uneven ground.

Then, with my business growing, I am finding more ground engagement type work where the 2210 would be too small. Jobs like new lawn installs where a tiller and rake would mostly be used. I am also getting more brush hog work going into rough areas where again the larger wheels and clearance are almost a must.

As far as learning the gears, I was brought up on a small farm, and have been on older gear tractors since I was a kid. Yes, I realize that the gear tractor will hamper my speed a bit doing loader work, but most of the loader work I will be doing is smoothing out areas of loose dirt, and spreading gravel. It's not like I would be loading trucks all day with it.

As for finish mowing, I have my nice new 727A zero turn w/54" 7 Iron deck which makes quick work of any finished lawn for sure.

I have a very nice 4' Bush Hog Squealer cutter which I would keep and use for the time being on the 790 - trade that up to a 5' in the future.

So, it pretty much comes down to...that either way I would need to buy a rake and tiller right now to do the jobs I have coming up. My first purchase was going to be the rake and iMatch for the 2210 (that's when I saw the 790). To buy a rake and Imatch would be around ~$800 right now. But here is the 790, including the rake and iMatch on it already. So if I take that $3500 for the 790, and subtract $800, I am now at $2700 to step up to the 790. Plus, I would be able to put larger 3 point implements on it in the future. And again, the larger wheels and loader are a big thing for me.

I certainly appreciate your input Roy, along with everyone else. I do tend to get those "green eyes" when looking at things like this, and you have brought me back to earth a couple times in making me look at the reality of what I am thinking of doing.

 

[RoyJackson]

Then enjoy your new tractor!

 

[prosperity]

Yeah - looks like I am talking myself right into it...

Another question if you will..
I need to figure out the total weight for trailering....

I found the weight of the tractor to be ~2100 pounds...?
About how much would the 300 loader w/bucket weight?
And how about the ind tires that are loaded?

 

[RoyJackson]

Yeah - looks like I am talking myself right into it...

Another question if you will..
I need to figure out the total weight for trailering....

I found the weight of the tractor to be ~2100 pounds...?
About how much would the 300 loader w/bucket weight?
And how about the ind tires that are loaded?

I can't give you exact weights, but I can tell you the bucket alone is a couple to 300 pounds. I drop my bucket off sometimes and it's not easy to push around.
Your dealer can probably be your best source of info for this since he'll have the shipping weight of the loader and can calculate the weight of the loaded tires.

 

[BobT_770]

Weight won't be an issue, length will. Suffice it say if you transport it with loader and rake you'll need a 16-foot trailer. Most of these (like mine) are 2-axle 7000 lb gross and are (like mine) 6'6" between fenders. If the rake needs to be angled its going to take up even more trailer space. Good luck!