Bush hogging with the 4320 with eHydro

[Uncle Wayne]

I tried my new 4320 and MX6 out yesterday in my seedlings and was very pleased with the performance. Almost 18 acres of the 30 in my field are planted in hardwood seedlings.

The seedlings were planted in February of this year and vary in height from 12 inches to 24 inches high. All the ground cover was sprayed late last fall prior to the first frost to kill it. This supposedly gives the seedlings a head start this spring growing season. In a lot of places the grass is already taller than the seedlings so I have to be very careful mowing or I'll cut down my young trees.

I tried to line the edge of the FEL, lifted up to clear the trees of course, with the row I was mowing beside. The rows are between 10 and 12 feet on center with the space between the trees varying between 8 and 10 feet.

With the quick response of the power steering and eHydro transmission, I had no problem cutting right up beside the young trees. Saying this may jinx me today but I mowed for over an hour and didn't cut a single tree down.

I was very pleased with the turn-around radius and handling of the 4320 with the MX6 behind at the end of the row also. The eHydro allowed me very good control to reposition the tractor after turning and the cruise control feature is very nice too.

With the trees so short, it was a slow process. I left the tractor in low range at around 1700 rpms which gave me a ground speed of around 2 mph. After the trees gain some more height, I'll be able to speed up the process.

First trip to the field was a success.

Once again I appreciate all the help and advice several of you offered during the shopping process.

 

[sunnyside360]

You'll grow to like the 4320 more as you use it. I say this because I've had a dozen tractors over the years and I enjoy running 4320 ehydro more than any other. I've had a couple small problems but all were handled under JD warranty. I just sharpened the blades on the rotary cutter for the first time and what a world of difference it makes in cut quality, required rpm's, speed and power needed. Sharpening the blades is easy if you have an angle grinder because you can do it without removing the blades. Even new blades are not very sharp.
Best wishes with continued fun/satisfaction with your new tractor.

 

[jenkinsph]

Glad to hear it is working out for you Wayne.



Steve

 

[Uncle Wayne]

I've finally put 10 hours of mowing with the MX6 on the 4320 and have been very pleased with the performance and handling. I've been very pleased with the tractor's fuel efficiency also. Over that 10 hours I've only used 7.5 gallons of fuel. That's much better than my Ford 3000 did on gasolene.

I've kept the tractor in low range at about 1700 rpms while doing the mowing. The mowing is on a mixture of fescue and other grasses that have not been cut at all this growing season. The guy who usually cuts it for hay doesn't need it this year so I'm mowing it down. We've had so much rain that everyone has a bumper crop of hay and it will very cheap to buy this year and hard to sell if you have extra.

I'm doing the 10 hour checkover tomorrow and more mowing maybe this weekend. So far so good.

 

[jenkinsph]

Wayne,
You can see why I suggested trying out the 5 gallon cans for fueling now, not a big deal since your new tractor sips fuel.


Steve

 

[Uncle Wayne]

Wayne,
You can see why I suggested trying out the 5 gallon cans for fueling now, not a big deal since your new tractor sips fuel.


Steve

Finally made my first cut through all 18 acres and wanted to give an update on the fuel efficiency of the 4320. I have a little over 45 hours now on the tractor now, all of it bush hogging thick grass and weeds from 2 to 5 feet high in some places. I've used almost 40 gallons of fuel running the tractor at approximately 1700 RPMs.

Really love the eHydro transmission too. It's very easy to use to help maneuver around in the tight spaces between the trees. It is habit forming however. I've caught myself trying to find the reverse pedal in my truck!

 

[jenkinsph]

I am always amazed how much work I can do with a gallon of fuel. The fuel is the cheapest part.


Steve

 

[Johndeere3720]

I love ehydro when mowing. It does get useful when you want to change to different speeds.

 

[ddivinia]

Finally made my first cut through all 18 acres and wanted to give an update on the fuel efficiency of the 4320. I have a little over 45 hours now on the tractor now, all of it bush hogging thick grass and weeds from 2 to 5 feet high in some places. I've used almost 40 gallons of fuel running the tractor at approximately 1700 RPMs.

Really love the eHydro transmission too. It's very easy to use to help maneuver around in the tight spaces between the trees. It is habit forming however. I've caught myself trying to find the reverse pedal in my truck!

Are you running the PTO at 540 or does that one have ePTO?

D.

 

[Uncle Wayne]

Are you running the PTO at 540 or does that one have ePTO?

D.

540. The MX6 is perfect for the 4320, at least in my application.