David Brown 990 Questions

mooboy · Apr 30, 2011

Considering buying a David Brown 990 tractor with loader. Price is right, but tractor has a few problems. With clutch pedal depressed, PTO grinds when lever is put into position. Is this normal? Also rear lift does not work but loader does. This tells me hydraulic pump is working but lift is the problem. Can anyone advise me if this tractor is worth $3,000?

RGMartin · Apr 30, 2011

(quoted from post at 09:09:27 04/30/11) Considering buying a David Brown 990 tractor with loader. Price is right, but tractor has a few problems. With clutch pedal depressed, PTO grinds when lever is put into position. Is this normal? Also rear lift does not work but loader does. This tells me hydraulic pump is working but lift is the problem. Can anyone advise me if this tractor is worth $3,000?

How many hours, and what year is it? What model and make is the loader? 990s were built over a very long period of time, lots of changes along the way. At $3000 it would need to be nice given it has issues.

When engaging the PTO, one quick grind and it drops right in(normal, as you have to mesh gears, one of which is spinning and one isn't), or prolonged grinding and fighting(clutch needs adjusted)?

The 3 point hitch issue shouldn't take much money to fix, just time. Probably a stuck valve in the valve chest assuming it is a Selectamatic. Change oil, hydraulic filter and clean the stuck valve.

Case Nutty 1660 · Apr 30, 2011

RG I just want to say thank you for sharing your vast DB knowlage with every one here you and many others help us enjoy and repair our beloved tractors and it is very much appeceated cnt tom

Pat T · Apr 30, 2011

Mooboy-

May want to get an I&T manual for the 990, they give a pretty good process to set the clutch linkages, if that does not cure the PTO grinding you can check the PTO clutch bellcranck arm clearance which is also outlined in the I&T book. This took care of the grinding on ours 25 years ago and has not reappeared.

Rear lift may not be running because of hydraulic valving set to run the hi-lift. Also detailed in both owners manual and I&T manual.

If tires & rims are good and mechanicals are sound $3000 is a good price. The 990 in my opinion was the best of the David Browns.

RGMartin · Apr 30, 2011

(quoted from post at 17:35:41 04/30/11)

Rear lift may not be running because of hydraulic valving set to run the hi-lift.

Good call I hadn't though about the 3-way valve. So used to folks having valve chest trouble and milky oil.

Bret4207 · Apr 30, 2011

I can;t give you a lot of specifics but the 990s aren't all that hard to work on. My PTO ground and I "fixed it". Then I went and read the book and corrected both the original grinding and my fix! Your price is decent for a bare tractor around here, with a working loader it's a real good price. Parts can be a bit of a bother to find, but if you put the word out here there are guys that will give you line on places to get parts.

mooboy · Apr 30, 2011

This is a 1971 model with a David Brown loader. This particular loader has single acting cylinders but it does have a dump cylinder. The tach does not work but shows about 5,600 hours. Rear tires are like new and front tires are decent. Power steering works and steering is tight. Oil in transmission is milky. So, is it worth $3,000?

RGMartin · May 1, 2011

If it is Nice and clean with straight sheet metal that is an OK price. The DB LH9 is OK as a loader, but not much for digging.

Does it have the bottle opener shaped Greek "D" on the hood decal? Orchid white sheet metal, chocolate undercarriage?

If the tires are new that is $1000 by themselves... 16.9-30?

mooboy · May 1, 2011

(quoted from post at 11:51:20 05/01/11) If it is Nice and clean with straight sheet metal that is an OK price. The DB LH9 is OK as a loader, but not much for digging.

Does it have the bottle opener shaped Greek "D" on the hood decal? Orchid white sheet metal, chocolate undercarriage?

If the tires are new that is $1000 by themselves... 16.9-30?

This one is white with brown undercarriage. Don't remember about the decal. With clutch fully depressed, is PTO supposed to stop?

RGMartin · May 1, 2011

(quoted from post at 19:54:24 05/01/11)
With clutch fully depressed, is PTO supposed to stop?

If there is a shaft/load on it it should stop. With nothing on the shaft it will turn.

PTO in gear, with the engine off, have someone push in the clutch, try to turn the PTO shaft by hand.

If you can turn it by hand you are OK

mooboy · May 4, 2011

(quoted from post at 17:29:22 05/01/11)

(quoted from post at 19:54:24 05/01/11)
With clutch fully depressed, is PTO supposed to stop?

Click to expand...

If there is a shaft/load on it it should stop. With nothing on the shaft it will turn.

PTO in gear, with the engine off, have someone push in the clutch, try to turn the PTO shaft by hand.

If you can turn it by hand you are OK

I did buy this tractor. The fender name plate says model 990A, S/N 826647, with engine model 449001, engine S/N 24565. Does this mean the tractor was made in 1971? To me the hood shape is boxy and does not match the contour of the instrument panel. Is this normal?

RGMartin · May 5, 2011

1971 by that serial #.

Do you have a picture?, it would help ID the sheet metal. But in any case, the hood should hug the dash.

mooboy · Jun 12, 2011

(quoted from post at 04:18:53 05/05/11) 1971 by that serial #.

Do you have a picture?, it would help ID the sheet metal. But in any case, the hood should hug the dash.

It is a slectamatic. Previous owner said someone turned knob and lift quit working. Can you help me make sure all levers/knobs are in correct position for lift to work? There is a three position switch, two knobs, and the Cessna valve. When the Cessna valve lever is in forward position the loader works good, that is why I think pump is working.

David Brown 990 Questions

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