790 questions yet again .

[PhilG]

First of all . .thanks for all of the input to my 2WD question . .got another. .

Since my primary task is mowing. I assumed the turf tires were the way to go. Is there a better compromise for traction that will not tear up the grounds when I mow? I am not sure what R1s or other tire references are. ANy pics of the tire options?

I got quotes for 2WD power steering . but will price 4WD option as well . .just dont know if I can afford it as I am not financing the tractor package. If I go with 2WD power steering and the 419 . .please, nobody point and laugh!!

Phil

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

I am not familiar with the 419, is it a rotary mower or a finish mower? 2WD and turf tires are fine for mowing, tilling, grading, etc. Nobody will point and laugh. People may point and be jealous though!

 

[ipwanab]

I have had R1 type tires and (now) R4 type. I am starting to think that the R1 type actually do less damage in my situation than the R4's. The R4's have more contact with the ground at any given time and kind of mash down the grass rather than tiptoe through it like R1's.My neighbor has 4400 with R1's and a lot of weights and to my eyes he leaves less of a track when cutting than I do on my 790. When my tires do lose traction they do a lot of damage in wet spots, where his seems to just claw through leaving bar marks but not slicked over mud. I haven't had turf tires except on a garden tractor and they were notorious for spinning.Also note that my neiighbor and I have driven long distances (5 miles +) several times over the road to mow other properties, and his R1's show no more wear than my R4's. I know if I had the chance to redo my decision it would be to get R1 type tires.

 

[RoyJackson]

I've used bar turfs, but I don't think they're available in the tire sizes used on the 790's.
My 790 has industrial tires on it. I like these for field mowing...more puncture resistant the turfs.
I mow (finish mowng) in 2WD. I do not mow if the lawn is wet...I know I'd end up with ruts or bare spots then.
Turfs will work fine for mowing...but when you add that 419 Loader without MFWD, you might have problems. Again, it depends on what you're going to use that loader for. Loose stuff, like a pile of mulch, shouldn't give you any problems. Anything else, like dried pile of clumpy dirt, will result in you setting there spinning the rear wheels. You could add chains to increase traction. Or, as one of the other posts mentioned, try Ag tires.

You really need to set down and decide what you want the tractor to do...be as specific as possible.

I think the 790 is a great tractor...more then I need for most tasks I do, but I wanted the PTO HP for a chipper (my next purchase).

You may also want to re-evaluate your budget. I paid $12500 for the 790 (MFWD and 419 Loader). For what you need, you might be better off looking at an older 790 or 770 series with a loader and MFWD.

 

[JATO_RaT]

I think Roy really nailed it. Avoid mowing with wet ground. I to tend to only mow in 2WD mostly because a tractor turns better in 2WD when you consider the front/rear track and how those front tires tend to dig in in 4WD. There are times I temporarily put it in 4WD when backing up, uphill or at tiimes going uphill when the ground was wet, but I pop it out as soon as I can. I am quite familiar with the 790 and it is a good basic tractor.