JD 790
jklmnugent
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 10 La Mesa, CA |
2003-07-18 59785
Just took delivery of my 50th birthday present to myself- a JD 790 with 419 loader and L4 mower. Purchased rear hydraulics as well thinking of use with a box scraper.
Mowed about an two acres yesterday of undulating field and had to constantly adjust mower height. As this is my first tractor, actually first time aboard a tractor I was a bit apprehensive about "mower sounds" as small rocks were picked up-hope I haven't ruined my new mower. Felt a bit guilty.
Any words of advice regarding getting started with field work would be appreciated. All I have is a new John Deere hat, a manual and a few acres faced with complete ignorance.
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JD 790
Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4299 Southwest MiddleTennessee Pics |
2003-09-15 63955
Wow! Don't remember seeing this one. Anyhow, sorry it got by without a reply. First off belated welcome to the board. Secondly, congratulations on a fine new tractor. Nice choice! ;-) I would imagine that by now you have close to 50 hours on this machine if not more. If you have not already done the 50 service; get your filters, oil, spare belts, etc. so you will have them on hand when the time comes. Doing the service is not hard at all and allows you to get a first hand look at any potential maintenance issues (hopefully none) and save a few bucks at the same time. The 50 hour service is the most important service and should be done on time with no short cuts. If you don't already have one; now is a great time to get a torque wrench so you can check/verify torques on wheels and other specified critical areas shown in the owner's manual. You may also want to buy some diesel fuel conditioner (although not required, is a good maintenance practice). Other things you may want to think about are front and rear facing work lights. I recently installed them on mine and it was a great improvement. On your mower, it is a good idea to grease the spindles each or at least every other use. I give mine a few pumps of grease each use. Although not a problem on all compacts John Deeres; it is a good idea to check the battery compartment after each use to ensure no battery acid has bubbled out of the battery and been drawn into the radiator. Mine does this so I keep a close eye on it. Aside from that, wear the John Deere hat with pride and enjoy! ....
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JD 790
Jim Nugent
Join Date: Posts: 1 |
2003-09-20 64412
Thanks for the reply Chief. Five hours only to date on tractor as a "recreational user" decribes me best. Have considered fuel additives due to length of time fuel stands in tank. Will fill tank for first time before next use and will include an additive I think. Will watch the battery situation and keep up with routine maintanence items.
JN ....
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JD 790
TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley |
2003-09-20 64423
I don't know if you're in a cold area so maybe cold weather stuff is irrelevant. Buy here's some anyway. Use additive that contains anti-gel--especially since you use little fuel and may have summer blend fuel in the middle of winter. For infrequent use, keeping the battery up with a 1A trickle charger and keeping the fuel tank topped up to reduce condensation helps. Anything that goes in to a diesel should be diesel rated including coolant. Starter fluid shouldn't be needed and shouldn't be used.
For cold starts, diesels aren't cranked like gas engines. If it doesn't fire right up it's not going to and more pre-heat is needed. Cranking them just puts fuel into the oil. It helps to crack the throttle about half for starts in cold weather. There's a bunch more stuff that might be helpful. Block heaters are useful.
....
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JD 790
Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4299 Southwest MiddleTennessee Pics |
2003-09-20 64431
Ether is a mortal sin. Do not use it period. On old and worn engines, sometimes there is little choice. If you must, try WD-40 with the air cleaner element out first. Tom is right, you should never have to use it on your 790. The intake heater grid should do the trick in really cold starts. ....
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JD 790
JAZAK5
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 276 coxsackie,ny |
2003-09-25 64870
NO ETHER !!!!!!!! I'VE USED MY INTAKE HEATER AT -30 WITH NO BLOCK OR WATER HEATER. GOOD FUEL IS A MUST!!!! ....
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JD 790
TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley |
2003-09-26 64887
It's curious that some old farm tractors had factory systems for putting ether into the engine and now you don't use it under any circumstances. These diesels have come a long way. ....
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