Buying Advice 1998 JD 4300

[bigairrod43]

Looking to purchase my first tractor here in GA to take care of 2400' of gravel driveway and bush hog 5-8 ac. on a 26 ac. home site. I have found a really nice 1 owner 1998 JD 4300 with 400 hours. Tractor is 2wd, hydrostatic trans., 5' loader430 model, 5' bush hog (Bush Hog brand), 5' disc harrow. Asking price $ 9500. The machine is really clean, owner has done a nice job of keeping it up with all records. I am looking for input on the 4300 and any pricing input. I am concerned about 2wd vs. 4wd but for the limited loader work and the additional money 3-4k for 4wd, that is hard to justify. It has the ag tires, is there a way to make the rear tires spread out, to widen the foot print or does the R4 tires do this? Also do the R4 tires require different rims or can you use the ag rims? Thanks for the help.

 

[Wolfy]

I know several people who have 4300's, they all like it, seems like a big seller. The R-4s and R-1s will not interchange rims. The best thing to do with a 2wd loader, is 1, get the tires loaded, 2, install wheel weights, 3, get a heavy 3pt counterweight. I know for $9,500, you could get a nice older 4wd tractor, but 2wd has it's place if the land tends to be dry, hard, and flat.

 

[bigairrod43]

Thanks so much for the reply. Central GA meets the dry, hard and flat part of your comment for the most part. Ended up getting the tractor today, headed out to pick it up this morning. Came in under 8k for the tractor and based upon conversations with local tractor guys, I think it will fill my needs for over 98% of what I am looking for. Otherwise I would have to spend another $ 4k-6k to get the 4wd and come up with something comparable.

Regarding the wheel weights, he has water/antifreeze in the rear wheel. I assume this is to try and accomplish the same. Would the wheel weights or the combination of the two help out quite a bit? I do have to grade a driveway that has a portion of it that slopes down with about an 800' foot run. Nothing too steep but a nice steady slope.

Thank you again for the reply. A friend recently bought a 2008 3320 with about 600 hr for nearly 16-18k and it the specs look very similar, the engines may even be the same with some updates.

 

[RoyJackson]

Regarding the wheel weights, he has water/antifreeze in the rear wheel. I assume this is to try and accomplish the same. Would the wheel weights or the combination of the two help out quite a bit? I do have to grade a driveway that has a portion of it that slopes down with about an 800' foot run. Nothing too steep but a nice steady slope.

Suggest you see how it does without the wheel weights. I don't think you'll need 'em. Anyway, you cn always add the weights at a later time, if you decide you do need them.
You might also want to consider chains to add traction...

 

[Wolfy]

Well, I have a 4wd Ford with loader. When I bought it, it had loaded tires. Even with that and a ballast box, the rear tires still lifted. I found the wheel weights ( was sure to check the owners manual, which said using both were okay) and mounted them, made a big difference. They can be expensive and hard to find though. As Roy said, try it and see. You will know. I have a 2wd backhoe, it does very well. Remember, 4wd is not required, it is desired.