XR 4150H review

[CenCalLS]

Well I finally got it. I had ordered my tractor a few weeks ago and the dealer delivered it yesterday. I have to say it is a little bigger than I had originally thought about getting! Last year I had looked at the XR 3135 and thought that was the dream machine with a suspension seat, good ergonomics and rear hydraulics. This year when I did the side by side comparison I really liked the heavier drivetrain components and lift capacities of the 4100 series. My primary use is a 1/4 mile DG driveway that has two hills that are 10-12%. The other use I have is in my almond orchard for firewood and brush clean up. I got the hydro trans. due to the ease of use for my kid especially with hills. I had the dealer install a top and tilt kit and run hydraulic lines from the rear to the front loader. He made a couple 18" whips that allow me to tap into either of the rear outlets. I ordered a HD grapple, forks, hydraulic auger and rear 3 pt forks from Titan. Hoping to get a Woodmax chipper for next fall. Any advise on hydraulic or mechanical feed would be appreciated...

I had a chance to take it out and get it a little dirty today. Overall impression is an 8 out of 10, even though it has 50 hp it still doesn't have the cubic inches to really have much umph. In 2nd range it stalled on a incline without being under load. I guess I will have to get used to running it at a higher RPM than the full sized tractors I'm used to or maybe I'll just be crawling along in low gear. I do like that in the disked orchard the large tires of the 4150 make for a smooth and stable ride unlike my last little tractor (JD 2210). That's all for now, I'll post a little more once I get a chance to try the auger and grapple.

 

[CenCalLS]

After reading a couple of other threads does anyone think this underwhelming power issue sounds like a issue with the EGR valve or something else????

 

[cford36]

What RPM were you at when you stalled it?

 

[CenCalLS]

I don't know exactly but 1800-2000 would be my guess. In 3rd the HST pedal is hard to push and it just bogs down.

 

[danisiri]

I have a XR4040H and it feels underpowered. I wonder if the HST saps a bit too much power.

 

[atomchaser]

I've found that the engine needs to be run at higher rpm than my previous tractor to really get it to perform. If you have the have the engine rpms cranked up it will go up a decent size hill in 2nd. Forget about 3rd gear for anything but level ground. Running at higher rpms will probably help with keeping the regens minimized as well. I've been pleased with my tractor so far but I only have 10 hours on it. Mostly doing grapple work and running a PTO chipper. One weak point is the driving and work lights. I added a couple led light bars and it made a big difference.

 

[danisiri]

I've found that the engine needs to be run at higher rpm than my previous tractor to really get it to perform. If you have the have the engine rpms cranked up it will go up a decent size hill in 2nd. Forget about 3rd gear for anything but level ground. Running at higher rpms will probably help with keeping the regens minimized as well. I've been pleased with my tractor so far but I only have 10 hours on it. Mostly doing grapple work and running a PTO chipper. One weak point is the driving and work lights. I added a couple led light bars and it made a big difference.

Yes, it must be run at least 1500 rpm to help with the regen. I tend to run it at 2000 all the time, higher when running the PTO, of course. My model regens ever four hours no matter what, lol. The newer ones wait until much longer, from what I was told by RCO.

 

[cford36]

My 3135 manual says not to do anything with the tractor below 1500 rpm. I typically have been using about 2000. I'm at 45 hours, still no regen. I am expecting it about the 50 hour mark.

 

[Btown]

I don't know exactly but 1800-2000 would be my guess. In 3rd the HST pedal is hard to push and it just bogs down.

The HST pedal is not a gas pedal that most are used to. I take it when you say 3rd is actually high range on the tractor HST. That range is to be used to drive on flat land at high speeds basically, like driving down a road. The more you push on the HST pedal the faster you go, but unlike a gas pedal it does not add more fuel. When a HST tractor starts to bog down you have to lift off the HST pedal to bring rpms back up and or at the same time give it more throttle to help. I think 1800 rpm is too low. Many HST machines need over 2000 rpms to work correctly and have the power. Some other tractor manufacturers have an auto throttle to help with this if it bogs down it will automatically give more fuel, LS does not offer this yet. Yes HST machines have less hp than gear tractors and use more fuel due to higher rpms, but if you are doing a lot of loader work back and forth there is no comparison. Hope this helps.

 

[CenCalLS]

Thank you all for your posts. I did find that 2000+ is the minimum rpm around my place due to the rolling hills. Next step is to try the Titan 3000 hydraulic auger. It is rated for higher flows, but Titan said it should work fine just at a slower RPM. Sounds like a Sunday project....

 

[CenCalLS]

The Titan 3000. The spec said it needed 15gpm flow but the technical guy I spoke with at Titan said it would have more torque with the larger motor and spin a little slower. Having hard and rocky soil thought that would be OK. The LS 4150 has just over 8gpm output and I ran it off my rear hydraulic line with the detent valve. I hooked it up today and it worked great! Yeah the RPM was a little slower than the skidsteer units I've rented but no complaints. Augered 4 12" holes in no time, quite the back saver. The only thing I noticed is that with the right side offset it racks the loader a little more than I'd like. I figure as long as I realize the potential I can keep it to a minimum and not over apply down pressure. Paid $1500 with auger and offset mount.

 

[mopardude318]

quick question from a newer operator, soon to be tractor owner... does a front/loader mounted auger have to be mounted with an offset? I realize this is done for visibility? Could someone center mount it instead? and maybe have a spotter, or dismount to verify?

could you also please post a picture as if you were sitting on your tractor, looking down at where the auger bit makes contact with the ground?

 

[CenCalLS]

quick question from a newer operator, soon to be tractor owner... does a front/loader mounted auger have to be mounted with an offset? I realize this is done for visibility? Could someone center mount it instead? and maybe have a spotter, or dismount to verify?

could you also please post a picture as if you were sitting on your tractor, looking down at where the auger bit makes contact with the ground?

Hey Mopar,
There are several styles of mounts available. The one I bought from Titan is a slide mount. It lets the auger adjust 40" left to right. I will get you a pic later in the week, but basically with the mount slid all the way to the right I can see the auger just inside my right tire. I guess you could operate it from standing beside the side of the tractor since you are really only using the loader control. I'm sure there may be a safety consideration or two to think of tho....