Deere 990 vs 5103 vs 4120

[KB9UDE]

Greetings to all!! I would like to know how a 990 compares in size to a new 4020 series?? Is it closer to a 4000 or 3000 size?? I would also like to know opinions on 990 vs 5103. John

 

[timb]

If I recall correctly, the 990 has a slightly shorter wheelbase but is otherwise nearly identical in chassis to the 4000 series. There may even be shared parts between them, I'm not sure - but a check on the parts diagrams and numbers on JDParts would reveal that.

The Stoneham's site used to have links to some great detailed spec documents (more than you could ever find in the typical Deere brochure) but that seems to have either moved or disappeared. I do remember comparing things like the axle weight rating - and the 990 and 4000's were within a few pounds of each other.

The 3000's are considerably smaller/lighter duty and the 5103 goes the other way, noticably bigger/heavier.

 

[browns40]

Hi KB,

Have you been to look at all the models?

The 990 is a little closer to the 3X20's on overall dimensions & hydraulics, and the 3720/low end of the 4X20 line-up for hp/PTO ratings. A larger cat. 1 (3pt.) tractor.

It is a basic tractor that is in-between those models. 990 & 5103 arguably offer best bang for the buck with JD, but limit creature comforts you'll have available.

5103 takes you out of CUT and into small utility tractor... it is a different class of machine (small cat. 2).

Comparing them is tough because they each represent a different segment of the tractor market (uses, maneuverability, comfort). All are quality products.

Got to deere.com and check out the specs for each; use their selection tool & plug in the uses & transmission you're looking for and it will steer you toward which tractor fits.

 

[mdely1]

If you find the 990 to be the right size tractor, you won't be disappointed with it. I love mine and it has faithfully done all I have asked to do cleaning up my 10a of brush and downed pines.

 

[CWP37]

I'm pretty sure the frame size on the 990 is very close to the 3x20s because they use the same loaders. I'm leaning away from the 990 because I will need to move round bales around and I've heard that it's tough to do with the 990.

I've been making this same comparison for months now and still haven't bought. Can't decide if I need a bigger tractor for possible haying or a smaller tractor to mow around trees. There's no perfect choice. Well, a 4720 would be perfect, but it's out of my price range.

I'd go drive all 3 and see if the "creature comforts" of the 4120 are worth the extra money. I still haven't done that, so I'm no help there, yet.

 

[Cargun]

I've looked at all 3 of these tractors, as well as the 3x20 series. I eliminated the 5103 early because I want FWD for digging with the loader. It is a larger, heavier, more powerful tractor than the other 3. The 5103 and 990 are spartan, with the 3x20 and 4x20's having all the bells and whistles. Having grown up on old tractors, the 5103 and 990 feel like tractors to me... the 3x20 and 4x20 have too much plastic.

So I've shopped the 3720, 990, and 4120. They all have the same horse power, but I assume the turbo engine of the 4120 and 3720 will have more "real" power than the 990. The 4120 and 3720 are pretty close in price, with the advantage going to the 4120 with a Power Reverser, which I prefer to the hyrostatic. I also like the larger chassis on the 4120, but it's still small enough to be maneuverable. The hydraulic system of the 4120 is a big step up from the 3720, especially when you compare the 400cx loader to the 300cx. Since loader specs are the main item I'm looking for in a tractor, if I get a 300cx loader I'd prefer to save the money and get a 990.

 

[dcwilliams29id]

I also own a 990 tractor and love it. It has the same PTO horsepower rating as the 3720, but weighs about 275lbs more unbalasted, and is overall a larger tractor than the 3000 series. The 990 will handle a 6ft MX cutter with a loader attached, I would not put one on the 3000 series. 990 has a planetary final drive - 3000 series has spur gear. If you are looking to hay, the 3000's just don't have the clearance needed... the 990 has decent clearance if you are looking to bale, and run a 14T or a more modern 328 baler. I move small 4ft rounds with mine - 800 to 1100 lbs. the 990 is a 4cyl and the 3000 series is a 3cyl machine. In my opinion you pay a lot for "creature comforts" on the 3000 and the 4000 series machines. I don't need cruise control for my tractor ;P, or motion match (it's old fashioned counterpart is called a throttle lever). The power reverser is a nice feature if you are going to do a lot of loader work. Overall I have a 28acre farm, what the cows don't eat, I mow or bale and the 990 does everything I ask it to. If you wanted a bigger more suitable haying machine, or more weight and power go with the 5103 (or 05 series for 4x4) unless you like paying a lot for electronic gizmos on your farm tractor. With the 03 series you get MUCH more tractor for your money). I must admin though I like the air-ride seats on the 20 series /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[timb]

Dug out some old spec sheets I've gathered over time. Bear in mind Deere documentation is notoriously badly proof read, but these are the most consistent numbers I came up with. The 990 falls somewhere in size between the 3000 and 4000 series - sometimes closer to one or the other depending on which spec/dimension you're looking at. The biggest limiter is the hydraulic system - flow and pressure - that affects everything related to it. When the "Ten" series was around, the 990 was closer to splitting the difference between the old large frame and mid-sized 4000 tens. The 3000-Twenties have narrowed that size gap some. Obviously the Twenties have far more bells and whistles.

Many here have opined that Deere limits the 990 to the 'mid-size' loaders to provide differentiation from the large frame compacts. The front and rear axles are always listed the same capacity (near enough) to the large frame that it seems you could have put a 460/400X series loader on the 990.

3000-Ten / 3000-Twenty / 990 / 4000-Ten / 4000-Twenty

Wheelbase in - 68/68/68.9/71.5/71.5
Overall Length in - 117/120.2/123/128.2/128.2
Maximum Front Axle Load lbs - 3748/3194/5513/4960/3524
Maximum Rear Axle Load lbs - 4409/4405/5292/5292/5286
Drawbar Max Vertical Load lbs - 881/?/825/1100/1100?

Engine Cyl 3/3/4/4/4
Engine Disp. Liters 1.33-1.6/1.5-1.6/2.0/2.0-2.2/2.4
3 pt. lift (24" back) lbs - 2200/2200/1573/2500/2500

Std Front Tires (R1) - 7-16/7-14/8-16/8-16/8-16
Std Rear Tires (R1) - 12.4-24/11.2-24/14.9-24/13.6-28/13.6-28
Front Wheel Tread - 45-53.5/45-53.5/53.6/55.0/55.0
Turning Radius (w/o brakes) ft - 8.9/9.2/9.2/10.4/10.4
Hydraulic Flow - Total gpm- 13.9/13.9/13.0/15.9/17.0
Hydraulic Pressure psi - 2500/2500/2262/2500/2500

 

[KB9UDE]

Thanks guys for all the info. I am thinking of getting a 990 MFWD. Keep the info coming!! I love it here.

John

 

[KB9UDE]

IF YOU SET A 990 NEXT TO A 4000 SERIES, HOW MUCH PHYSICAL SIZE DIFFERENCE IS THERE???