990 vs 3720

[dcwilliams29id]

I am looking at purchasing one of these 2 tractors. I own 28 acres, and have about 18 acres of pasture to clip. They both have the same horsepower ratings, and I am unsure which to buy. The 990 is definately cheaper, and appears to be a little more robust. I am a little concerned with all of the electronics on the 3720 - I want a tractor that will last, and not be replacing expensive electronics. Also how do the Hydrostat transmissions hold up compared to the collar shift? I intend to get a FEL for it, a LX6 cutter, and possibly a backhoe.

Thanks,

Chris Williams

 

[RoyJackson]

This should be an easy choice...simple or more "luxuries".

Personally, I like simple...

 

[dcwilliams29id]

One other consideration is that I would like to be able to pull a small baler with it (mini round baler or small square), and the ground clearance is a few inches better on the 990 than the 3720. I just want a good tractor that is solid, strong, and will last 50 years when well maintained. does anyone own a 990, and what do you think of it? I couldn't find any reviews on the site about it.

 

[brandon07]

I own one and have for about 4-5 months and I love it. I really didn't want all the electronic's just a simple tractor with about 40hp. It does everything I want it to do, I am currently still collecting equipment. When I bought it we got a mx5 rotary cutter a frontier disc and a FEL. I have since aquired a grappler for the FEL and now ordering a rear blade. I have 120 acres mostly pine's and about a 3 acre clear and just had about 15 acre's chopped and fixing to start pushing stumps with a bull dozier and then I will have a nice little field to plant and plow with my 990. I just hit 55hr's and I am bringing it home as soon as I get something else out of the yard to service it. Haven't had any problems out of it and I have enjoyed every hour I have been on it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[brandon07]

Oh and btw this is one of the better reviews I have found
990 Review

 

[gizmo]

Here's my 990.

This has been one tough, hard working machine. My only other tractor experience was a JD850. The only thing I would change is the loader capacity. Now that the 300 is offered it should be a little stronger than the 430.

 

[brandon07]

Yeah I have the 300cx and I love it

 

[ruglad03835]

I bought the 990's little brother a 790 and love it. I also owned a 1050 and liked that machine also. I kind of kicked myself for selling it but oh well. I personally like the stick and clutch transmission. Call it the KISS principal. The 790 also fit my budget. I have 5 acres 1/2 of it is lawn the other 1/2 is woodlot. My primary use will be for light landscaping, logging and snow removal. I have a 300 loader and am in the process of adding a 7' Fisher blade for snow removal. The only other thing I'm going to get is a rotary mower and an I-Match. That ballast box is a bugger to hook up full! I have run lots of tractors in my life from Poppin Johnnies to 120 Hp Deeres with all the bells and whistles and feel that the Advantage series tractors have plenty of bang for the buck.

 

[stevejd990]

I bought a 990 about 15 months ago after selling my 790. The only reason I sold the 790 was because of the lift capacity of the FEL. The 990 has been an exceptional tractor for me. The only problem I've had v.s. the 790 has been fuel gelling in winter. Every summer I seem to purchase more fuel than I can use, then come winter here in Alaska, I still have a full tank, and the temp has dipped down to -18 by the end of Nov. The 790's fuel tank is under the hood....great idea. The 990 is under and behind the seat. I'm not sure where the tank is on the 3720.

I like the idea that the 300 CX loader is a bit more robust. I have the 430.....should have waited.

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[ruglad03835]

Have you tried adding kerosene and conditioner to your fuel?

 

[BloomingtonMike]

I would seriously look at the load match option of the 20 series tractors. Espically if you are wanting to pull a bailer. Would the 4120 be a better option for you compared to a 990?

There is a video on the JD site showing a 4120 out pulling an L5130 (more HP) with loadmatch turned on.

 

[dcwilliams29id]

I think I like the simplicity of the 990. Does anyone know if a foldable ROPS bar is available for the 990? I don't know if it would fit in my garage with the ROPS attached. Most of my land is pretty flat, and I don't think that the tractor would be strained pulling an older 14T square baler, or other small baler. The 4000 twenty series are a large tractor, I think If I was going to jump up to that, I would just get the 5105 tractor.

Chris

 

[BloomingtonMike]

5105 is very nice.

Do you want 4WD? Loosk like the 4WD and DSCV are options on the 990 as well. Will you use a loader on it?

 

[gizmo]

A folding ROPS is not available. As a result, I built the pole barn partially shown in the picture above. I needed to get the tractor equipment out of the shop anyway.

 

[BloomingtonMike]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( A folding ROPS is not available. As a result, I built the pole barn partially shown in the picture above. I needed to get the tractor equipment out of the shop anyway. )</font>

What kind of shop do you have - woodworking by chance??

 

[gizmo]

Why yes it is. Here is a link to our family web site follow the "Mike's Workshop" links. http://danacarlin.home.comcast.net