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My 770 which is an old style 790 has proved to be an amazing machine. It has 4WD with turf tires, unloaded. With ag tires, it would be quite a bit more impressive in slick conditions. As it is, once the tire treads get filled with dirt, you might get into trouble. The Def lock has been my salvation a number of times.

The 770/790 is, in my mind good old fashioned tractor technology. But there are a few drawbacks. I hate the transmission. It is junk! It works, but that's about it. It is a real art, to establish clash-free gear changes while on the move although that was never the intention. At high engine RPM it takes a while after reducing RPM, to change gears. This is a pain, when blowing snow or cutting grass. Worst of all, the machine has only two reverse gears. When doing PTO work, one range is too fast and the other too slow! I don't think I'm being too fussy here, with this complaint and it's my biggest by far.

The 770 and 790 as was said, is a bit light in the 3PH, but I have put it through some tough slugging and it performed. Hydraulic quality has been excellent.

The upswept exhaust and non-folding ROPS have been somewhat of a nuisance. And getting on and off, isn't as easy as some open platform tractors.

I am considering getting rid of this machine, only because I want a JD 110, and just don't want too many machines sitting around. And yet, I admire this 770 enough, to make me apprehensive. I am becoming more and more afraid of high tech offerings, particulary electronic, that can be expensive to repair, and worse, maybe never work right to begin with. The 770 did fail once, when a fuse that I didn't know existed failed without explanation in the module that senses operator presence and PTO engagement. This shut off the fuel solenoid and left the tractor sitting dead. I was amused, when a friends brand new NH skid steer died the same week, also because of a fuse, again with no explanation.

Back to the JD, the JD 770/790 is also an attractive machine, unlike some of the Kubota's 1970's East Blok type styling. Of course this is highly subjective, but on the other hand, I am not a "what I have is best" type of person, and hope I have given my true impressions of this machine.

I guess as a final thought. If somebody has a lot of gear changing to do, especially in conjunction with PTO work, then I would suggest a hydro. Gear changing between 1st and reverse isn't too bad, and although I don't have a loader, I figure this might not work too badly.

Those are my impressions, and I hope they help any one considering buying this machine.

Tom

790 deere
John Deere Tractors
Replies 24 Post by Night Hawk

Several other impressions of my Diesel Mule. We have had some rather (record breaking) temperatures and I should get out and see if the mule starts, but on the other hand, hesitate to torture the machine unnecessarily.

The machine seems to have all kinds of tricks up its sleeve for difficult conditions, low range, limited slip FWD, def lock and 4WD, but all these things don't seem to help much in deep snow. One ad. I saw for "black water" or something like that, tires which are higher and more like skinny tractor ag tires. That might be the trick, but after having hummed and hawed for ever before finally forking out the money, I couldn't get myself to spend more and discard the original tires.

A trip in maybe a foot of snow, some couple of miles, had the drive belt smoking, to the point that you could smell the belt. Since this, I have used low range and have not had this happen again.

A prolonged drive to our dump, some five or so miles away, did make me wish that the machine was faster. Also, a gear drive would be nicer (I think) such as on some commercial utility vehicles. On the other hand, I am hardly a safety nut, by a long stretch, but I do question the safety, or lack thereof of higher speeds on such vehicles. Especially a consideration if children may use the machine.

Sure do love my Mule
Utility Vehicles UTV/ATV
Replies 19 Post by Night Hawk

Thanks for the input. The 110 does come with a standard skid steer quick attach system, but I am still skeptical. Theres only 40 or so engine hp to start with and I can't imagine squeezing that hp down those skinny aux hyd lines down the loader arms. Not to mention running it through the electro-hyraulic valve on the joy stick. And what about heat build up on hyd snow blowers? One dealer says it's possible, but have not done it. I would want to see it before I believe it. Also, it's one thing cleaning a couple of inches off a side walk and another clearing a deeply drifted long driveway and snow plow residue at the road. Does anyone have any thoughts on the 110 at all. I had a demo in the summer and although I love the machine, felt that it was only a 4600 with a slightly heavier yellow skin.

Thanks

Tom

Pull Type 3PH Snow Blowers
Operating and Attachments
Replies 9 Post by night hawk