JD 790 wheel and tire questions

[GoDawgs790]

First off, been lurking a long time, finally joined! Thanks for having me!

I have acquired a 2003 JD 790 4x4 with 70 series FEL. The tractor currently has turf tires and I am looking to replace with something that has a bit more traction and durability in wooded areas. Most of the work this tractor will see will be food plot/ land work on some hunting property in central GA. Planted pines, and lots of clay.

The turf tires on the tractor lose traction when pulling a disk or box blade. They are in good shape so I am hoping to resell or trade them off but I am running into dead ends on where to start with wheel replacement options and what tires R4's, R1's? Also sizing? I was hoping someone here could provide me with some pictures or sizes they have on a similar 790 or have some resources to buy a wheel/ tire package.

On a side note, this unit has just under 1000 hours. Any general knowledge you can provide me on things to keep an eye on or things that should require special attention on this tractor would be great! The only thing currently wrong with the unit is the Tach seems to be sprung around and the brakes have a "squeal" to them that I need to look into.

 

[beenthere]

Suggest you go for R1's for ground engaging..bur R4's are good for holding up when poking around in the woods..

But new (different) rims likely will have to be added to your search to match whatever tire you go with.

I'd seriously consider just getting chains for your turfs for when traction is needed. Cheaper route and won't lose the advantages of your turfs.

:welcome: to TBN

 

[Spindifferent]

You may know all of this already:

The Operator's Manual will have standard tire sizes:

OMLVU1544_B4

and you can find other standard tire sizes here:

TractorData.com John Deere 79 tractor dimensions information

R1 will give you the most traction. If you will be doing lots of ground-engaging tasks like tilling, discing, and subsoiling, the R1 tires will help, but the most limiting factor on these tasks is tractor weight. You need lots of weight to pull equipment through the ground; esp. clay soil. For non ground-engaging tasks, R4 tires work really well for rotary cutting, using the loader, etc. R4 tires can certainly be used for ground-engaging tasks, as can R1 tires for non ground-engaging tasks.

Perhaps if you described in more detail the types of tasks you plan on with the 790, we can give you more definitive suggestions.

And lastly, welcome to TBN!

 

[GoDawgs790]

Thank you for the owners manual, that will be a huge help. I did not receive one with this unit.

I mostly plan to pull a 66" disc harrow, brush hog, and a seeder. Keeping my eye open for a used rototiller. Light grading and loader work just to maintain roads and camp. Total area of planted dirt is less than 10 acres.

Can the R1's be weighted? At this point, I'm really just trying to find wheels at a decent price for either and more than likely will be the deciding factor which tire I end up with. Either one has to be an improvement over the turfs, right?

 

[beenthere]

From what I often hear from owners with turf's, they do quite well for traction.
Must be you have found out different for your disc harrow, brush hog, and seeder.

The brake squeal may just be rust and dust in the brake drums, and need cleaning. But an inspection will tell you that, and if you need new brake shoes.

 

[Spindifferent]

I mostly plan to pull a 66" disc harrow, brush hog, and a seeder. Keeping my eye open for a used rototiller. Light grading and loader work just to maintain roads and camp. Total area of planted dirt is less than 10 acres.
Can the R1's be weighted? At this point, I'm really just trying to find wheels at a decent price for either and more than likely will be the deciding factor which tire I end up with. Either one has to be an improvement over the turfs, right?

With those tasks, I'd lean toward R4 tires, but R1 tires would certainly work. It will likely just depend on what you can find to purchase in terms of the actual wheels. It is my understanding that any type of tire can be filled for weight. I have R4 tires on my JD 3520, and they work fine for similar tasks. They are not filled, and I can run out of traction before I run out of horsepower when doing deeper subsoiling or deeper chisel plowing. Most of the tractor hours are spent with the rotary cutter, and this task is low on traction requirements.

You may want to give the folks at Miller tire a call to see if they have both wheels and tires. As an example, here are the rear tractor wheels they sell:

Wheels by Type - Rear Tractor Wheels - Page 1 - m. e. MILLER tire

I have no experience with them.

Good luck, and keep us posted on what you eventually work out.