Both machines are lgp models. Ritchie specs has j model as 99 hp, h model as 90 . Asked dealer about it, He said j model "could be setup as 99 hp depending on how it was ordered" anybody have insight on this? what does "could Be" mean exactly? How would you be able to find out? Thank you
the j has different settings in the ecm that could set up by the dealer which would change the parameters to allow for firefighting applications. it boosts the horsepower, changes the travel speed ratios, and adjusts steering proportioning power. the h could be changed in this way to some extent, however the j made it a simple change in settings.
The 650H LGP was rated at 90hp and the 650J LGP came at 99hp. bvfdfire is right, government agencies could get a J as a fireplow and the power was bumped to ~104hp from the factory. The machine had to be ordered as a fire fighting tractor from the factory to get the higher power, it can't be changed later. The newer 650K's come at 104hp stock. Everything else being equal, the J will have an extra roller which will make it a little easier to grade with.
The ecu programming could be bumped up from Deere but a dealer is unable to "turn" the engine up control wise without having a payload from Deere. Pressures could be turned up on pumps but if turned up too much pumps will wear out. A nice dealer would be able to look up factory option codes based on serial numbers. That would be best way to determine what you're looking at. If you can get serial numbers I may could look them up.