Is 790 obsolete?

farm23 · Mar 14, 2006

I stopped by my local JD dealer to look at a 790. He did not have one and told me he had been told they were not available. If JD has discontinued the 790 I wonder what will replace it? JD still has 790 on their web site.

gordon21 · Mar 14, 2006

I just bought one a month ago in Rutherfordton NC from Morrow Enterprises. He said he had 3 on the lot when I first contacted him. Excellent service and price. I know most of you will not belive this, but I have never actually been to the dealership. I live in Florida and bought a tractor for use in North Carolina over the phone. On the scheduled delivery day, the driver arrived exactly on time with my complete package ordered and two free hats. My vacant land was about 30 minutes away and the delivery was free. I have yet to meet the salesman or visit the shop. The 790 was more powerful than I expected. We scraped down 175' of roadbed on the moutainside and put in crushed gravel. We also did some minor tree stump removal. Total hours on the 790 now is 6.4 That's a lot of work accomplished for under 7 hours running time. Keep in mind that I had to learn how to use the FEL and box scrape in that 6.4 hours also. 300' more road to go and then to excavate for the house!!

New 790 4WD
FEL w/HD bucket and tooth bar
5' extra heavy duty box scrape
Floating tine pallet forks with JD quick attach brackets
I-match quick hitch
3 suitcase weights
FEL indicator rod
Filled tires, and a box with an oil filter, 6 qts oil, etc

Total package $16,200 delivered

Turkflyer · Mar 14, 2006

I know Deere is working on another model down the road, but it's not here yet. The dealer must have just been talking about availability. The 790/990 are great tractors, and will be for years to come.

uptaker73 · Mar 14, 2006

I have to say the 790 is a real workhorse for its size. I know they are changing it. I just hope they dont mess up. Hey Farm23 if you dont mind me asking which dealer did you talk to. I also live in western NC And have always seen them at my local dealer.

rockyridgefarm · Mar 14, 2006

Does no one else think the 3203 might be the sign of where the 790 is headed?

1savoy · Mar 14, 2006

I saw the new 3203 at Lakeland in Avon, NY yesterday. Looked pretty nice.

ruglad03835 · Mar 14, 2006

I was at a service clinic last week and got to spend one on one time with a mechanic and a brand new 790. They are a great little no frills workhorse.

farm23 · Mar 15, 2006

Uptaker the dealer was Weaver in W. Jefferson NC. I have now gone to a Kubota dealer and he will sell a L3400 which has more power than the 790 for 11,500 vs 11,900 for the 790.

farm23 · Mar 15, 2006

Uptaker I should have said the L3400 was a L3400DT 4WD with gear transmission which is the same as the 790. The 790 is a nice CUT and I hope it will not be changed but all manufacturers seem to believe they need to change to keep us wanting the latest.

canoetrpr · Mar 15, 2006

I quite like nice simple machines. The 790 is great value for the money.

The only gizmo I really wanted in the tractor was HST. If it were not for the lack an HST option, the 790 might have won it for me over my Kubota L3400HST. The lack of HST will unfortunately turn a lot of new tractor owners away. JD could have just added HST to the 790 instead of introducing the 3203 and it would have been good competition against the Kubota L3400HST.

My car has tons of gizmos - GPS, AC, Antilock brakes, VST etc. I figured I REALLY didn't need the electronic extras in a tractor.

pruntyc · Mar 15, 2006

You are right, I would have really rather have bought the 790, but I bought the 4110 because of the HST. Don't get me wrong, I have used gear tractors for many years. But for my use the HST is much better. You have better control of speed, when you need to, and also stopping and changing directions, as needed.

rockyridgefarm · Mar 15, 2006

The 3203 is all mechanical. It just is styled more like the 'fancy' machines.

Of course, everyone is welcome to non electronic machines. but there sure doesn't seem to be widespread (any) problems with the electronics, either...

canoetrpr · Mar 15, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Of course, everyone is welcome to non electronic machines. but there sure doesn't seem to be widespread (any) problems with the electronics, either... )</font>

Hey - I'm not suggesting that at all. I'm a electrical/computer engineer after all. I hope every one buys more electronic stuff

In my own experience, while those things are a nice to have, they would be more a luxury for me than necessary - given that my machine will be getting no more than a couple hours per week. I can justify the extra cost in my car more because I drive more than I use the tractor (unfortunately

I do know from the electronics in my cars that if you do happen to be the one unlucky guy who happens to have an electronic problem of sorts - it can be really really painful and expensive getting it diagnosed and fixed.

Buck · Mar 15, 2006

I don't like anything but simplicity as I age. My 2002 GMC pickup has all the bells and whistles and it drives me nuts when something goes wrong.

I have 80K on it and I want 200K on it. I would be very happy with manual windows, no OnStar, no CD etc.

My 790 is my dream, simple to maintain, simple to understand, always works -- just plain reliable.

rockyridgefarm · Mar 16, 2006

Yeah, I wasn't too worried. I just thought it should be stated that the electronics on Deere's aren't having widespread failures.

And, not trying to sell you on them, but the electronics are actually a big help to me as a weekend user. Motion match makes me a lot more effective an operater. But to each his own!

I am actually very excited by the 3203. I think it is great to see them build quality no-frills machines.

Joe1 · Mar 20, 2006

When the 790 came out, it didn't make it's predecessor the 770 obsolete. They both can do the same work they always have.

If a reliable, cheap to build, cheap to operate and easy to maintain tractor is obsolete simply because something else comes along, then I guess it is.

Just being facetious. The 790 is a traditional looking, great little tractor.

rockyridgefarm · Mar 20, 2006

When compared to itself, that is an excellent description. And to an owner choosing to keep or trade, it describes things well.

But, to a new buyer obsolete has more to do with perceived value. When a buyer considers the 790, they usually are considering value very strongly. How does it compare to offerings from what Deere's competitors have? The playing field is pretty deep down there, as no frills traditional designs is where any brand will seek to start out and earn a reputation. When a friend of mine was shopping for a budget tractor, it was hard to see that the 790 was a contender when also looking at offerings from New Holland and Kubota, let alone considering MontanaKiotiBransonMahindraCub. (all of which are fine machines) The 790 is a great machine, and someone who owns one is likely to be very pleased with it as long as it meets there needs. But that doesn't mean that new buyers will consider it a strong value.