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New to me JD 790E LC; questions

wrwtexan

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2011
Messages
558
Location
Cooper, Texas
Occupation
Indy Farm Wrench, heavy land clearing, rancher
I just signed the check today to purchase a 1994 John Deere 790E LC excavator. It has 3600 actual hours on it (meter works!) and is in good condition for being a 22 year old machine. Part of the package is a curved bottom trenching bucket with new rock bits. Its first project is to clear 100 acres of timber and replace big drain pipe in a flood retention dam. I have been running a borrowed Cat 315 which is too small and loose as a goose so a good tight machine is going to be a real treat. My plan after that is using it for land clearing and pond digging/cleanout along with my D6C and some sub work if it comes up. As of now it doesn't have a thumb and no auxiliary valve for a hydraulic but I haven't figured out how to use the one on the Cat as it is a pinned thumb and was in the way for tearing brushpiles apart.
The questions I have are; 1) are there any problems to watch for on this model machine, and 2) what kind of hourly rate should I charge for a machine of this size? Trackhoes are a rarity around here and I think I can tap into a niche market with timber clearing and relatively (30') long reach pond cleanout.
I have been performing custom older tractor and farm repair for the past 2 1/2 years and am excited about doing something other than just wrenching and dealing with the constant ****** of repair calls. I know machine operation comes with its own problems but with a service truck already outfitted, field repairs aren't a big problem other than the no pay downtime.
It is to be delivered early next week and I'll post pics soon after I receive it.
 

br1474

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2010
Messages
106
Location
Georgia
Occupation
SVC. TECH
i cannot say for hourly rate but the 790elc was comin for arm cylinder rod guide bushing failure.
 

Andrew_D

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2012
Messages
298
Location
Newdale, Manitoba, Canada
We have a 790E LC here on the farm as well. 1997 year with about 10,000 hrs on it. Good machine so far. Can't really help you on a rate as we don't do much for custom work.

Andrew
 

wrwtexan

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2011
Messages
558
Location
Cooper, Texas
Occupation
Indy Farm Wrench, heavy land clearing, rancher
Machine was delivered today and other than some cosmetic damage to the backend, it seems like a nice machine for its age. It was a city of Garland Tx machine in their storm water department and wasn't used very much as it didn't have to earn its keep as a contractor machine has to do and with so few hours, it has a long life ahead of it. Thanks for the replies so far.
 
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