JD 790 owners

[Axe Man]

Looking to buy my first tractor and have been gathering info on TBN for a while now. 90% of the time will be spent pulling processed firewood out of the bush ( hilly / wet ground especially in the spring ) the rest of the time will be used for snow blowing.
Was all set to get a Kioti CK 2510 this spring but yesterday I saw a 2005 JD 790 for sale by a Kubota dealer. Basic tractor. gear drive, no FEL ( would be nice but not an absolute necessity ) and a 6 month old JD 64" snow blower.
Tractor has 700 hours on it and was owned by a mechanic.......looks like it has been kept inside.
Deal includes changing of all fluids and filters and delivery ( 2 hours each way ) Had been sitting in the yard for a few weeks and this morning it started up no problem when it was 10 F outside....Bottom line price for them was $ 8800.
With Industrial tires will this JD do what I want or should I still plan on going new? Decent price? Thanks in advance.

 

[Hiltz]

Check Tractorhouse.com for prices. Is this a 4 wheel drive? Makes a big difference on price and performance. Ive had my 790 for about 12 years. It is a great little machine.

 

[Axe Man]

Yeah......4 wheel drive.

 

[grnspot110]

I bought my '04 790 w/ 300 loader & 5' Woods finish mower(less than 400 hours) four years ago. Gave $11,500, R4 tires, in very good condition. Have never regretted the purchase! I had priced JD & a couple of aftermarket loaders before I found this one, all were similar price.

I was replacing my 1958 JD 520. ~~ Lowell

 

[HarryN]

Biggest mistake I EVER made buying my first tractor was not getting a front end loader. What an idiot!

 

[dirt ditch]

I bought my 790 new 6 years ago and have a little under 300 hours on it now. It's been a great tractor with no problems at all. Looking at the specs for the CK2510 they are comparably able to do the same work. You have to decide if you want to save money on a used tractor with the bonus of a snow blower or spent more on a new tractor with no hours, a warranty then buy a snow blower. Guess it's all about the money.

 

[sixdogs]

Price is subjective so you'll have to search Tractor House or Fastline for retail prices. Tractors without a loader do get whacked in price because the cost to add one to an older model can be more than a current model.

The 790 is one of the finest small gear tractors around, in my opinion and is a useful addition to other tractors or perfectly suitable for a one tractor family. Other guys will say you MUST have HST trans but you can do without. I mean, I want to be rich and handsome but did OK otherwise.

I have a 790TLB and it is the most universally used piece of equipment I have. I can get into most any corner and turn around or scoop out trash or dig a hole with room to spare. No problem. These tractors will be around forever and maybe become the 8N equivalent of the future.

 

[lutt]

I'm not a 790 owner, but a 4200 owner who also hauls firewood out of our back 40, I would absolutely not have a tractor if I was cutting firewood with out a loader. You can haul quite a few split rounds out with your loader, forks also some thing I use a lot, specially when bucking! It really don't end, since it's your first, trying to help. I have a hydro, but gear drive would not been a deal breaker for me. This little JD compacts are tough and highly versatile. Six dogs gave some good words above. If you look around, there Is yammer engines in about every small commercial pieces of equipment made, tough and reliable! LUTT

 

[thatguy]

What sort of snow blower are you going to be using? Rear or front? IIRC - The 790 doesnt have a standard mid pto to power a front blower..

 

[sixdogs]

What sort of snow blower are you going to be using? Rear or front? IIRC - The 790 doesnt have a standard mid pto to power a front blower..

If it doesn't have a mid-pto, know that there is a serial number break with one half considered the early model for PTO purposes and one considered the newer model. You can look on the JD parts site to find that SN break or maybe someone knows. The early PTO unit was obsolete when I looked last year but you could occasionally find one on EBAY. I recall the newer version was still a good parts number and I think a $450 or so price but don't quote me on that.