3120 vs. 4300

dieselram · Jun 18, 2008

I have an opportunity to buy a '99 4300 TLB 430 loader and 48 hoe for 16,900with 860 hrs or a '05 3120 TLB 300cx, 447 hoe and 400 hrs for 18,200 and it also has Horst welding forks. Which way should I go? The 3120 had a bad hyd. leak that had to be fixed by splitting the tractor and the hood had a buch of screw holes in it that had to be repaired also, should I just avoid it- possible future trouble? I am really stuck here.

Whitey · Jun 19, 2008

I would buy the 4300....I personally think that this is the best unit of it's class that John Deere ever built. Especially with a 430 loader and a 48 BH. I have been looking for this type of unit for some time. If you don't buy it let me know where it is.

JD 770 / 70 FEL / 7 BH - 425 AWS / 54" MMM / 54" FMP

kennyd · Jun 19, 2008

I thought you mentioned in another thread that did not like the E-Hydro?

I personally like the 4300 series also-and the price seems reasonable.

Nuru · Jun 19, 2008

The 3120 does sound scary. How close are these units to you? The reason i ask is that in chambersburg, PA, there was a used 3120 in good shape with a 60" MMM available at Landmark equipment htere. Dunno if it still is.

Otherwise the 4300 sounds okay.

dieselram · Jun 19, 2008

Wow Whitey, you are close! I bought the 4300 and the dealer threw in a 61 HD and 73 inch buckets, touch up paint, all the three point parts and the complete set of filters for a full service. I had to buy the oil at a 10% discount so i was still less than 17K otd. You are right NURU, I don't like the "10" series pedal feel, nothing there and a big delay. Bought it just into NY at Zahm Matson JD Falconer.

dieselram · Jun 19, 2008

Oh yeah, the 3120 is in Iowa. Everything is fixed now but still.... 18,500 was the price and if anyone is interested I can give you the number. He also delivers. Just started waxing the 4300, shines up nice- i'll put up pics when I am done "primping", it looks horrible in the pic I posted compared to now!

Nuru · Jun 21, 2008

dieselram said:
Oh yeah, the 3120 is in Iowa. Everything is fixed now but still.... 18,500 was the price and if anyone is interested I can give you the number. He also delivers. Just started waxing the 4300, shines up nice- i'll put up pics when I am done "primping", it looks horrible in the pic I posted compared to now!

My 4310, had near instant response, but i have heard others indicatte that they experienced a delay. The 3520 does not have a delay.

Yeah we wanna see how that unit looks after you ""touched it up

dieselram · Jun 23, 2008

OK, here are some pics- not totally shined up but i am eager to share. Talked with the original owner and he said his son left the key on for nearly two weeks in the winter time while the battery tender was on it so it logged 250-300 extra hours on it that it never ran for! Great news! He said the tractor actually has under 600 hrs. The thing looks like it has 60 hrs on it! Well, here a a couple pics tell me what you think for a '99.

Whitey · Jun 23, 2008

Very nice I am green with envy.

dieselram · Jun 23, 2008

I have more pics! There is my neighbor Whitey!

Nuru · Jun 23, 2008

Good pics, the unit does look good.

Whitey · Jun 24, 2008

I will say it again.....the JD 4300 with the 430 FEL and 48 BH is the nicest unit that JD ever made in a compact. Not to fancy, dependable with lift and digging capacities that rival none. It is a shame that JD dose not bring back a unit like that and give the consumer (at least me) what they desire in a compact tractor. The newer units just have too much nonsense and electronics packed into them. I guess I will keep looking.

JD 770 / 70 FEL / 70 BH - 425 AWS / 54" MMM / 54" FMP

Lookin for a JD 4300 / 430 FEL / 48 BH - prefer shuttle shift

Nuru · Jun 25, 2008

I really liked the 4310, but I am gonna have fun getting used to the 3520. Yes it does have some extra electronics, even stuff I probabbly won't used very much, but, I gotta tell you, this machine is tight compared to my 4310 (which had low hours - under 90) and now that the faulty 3PT hydraulic valve has been replaced, I am gonn go to work this weekend.

Flatheadyoungin · Jun 26, 2008

look at that, nothing but a show tractor....where's the trailer for the queen!

looks like ya done did good......

was that rattle can touch up? i bought one quart of touch up for mine but haven't taken the time to go over it.......

that pond is sharp too, what are the details on it?

dieselram said:
OK, here are some pics- not totally shined up but i am eager to share. Talked with the original owner and he said his son left the key on for nearly two weeks in the winter time while the battery tender was on it so it logged 250-300 extra hours on it that it never ran for! Great news! He said the tractor actually has under 600 hrs. The thing looks like it has 60 hrs on it! Well, here a a couple pics tell me what you think for a '99.

dieselram · Jun 27, 2008

I will be a worker, pond has BIG bass. No rattle cans here- Used Valspar oil based enamel on the buckets. The tractor was not repainted, just the 61 and 73" buckets and the hoe bucket. I really am proud of how well it cleaned up. This thing was very well maintained from day one, one more coat of wax and I may get it dirty. I did use it to move my trailer though. I really don't want to get it dirty! Flat head, I know you did some gussying up your machine too, looks way better now! Its amazing how well we care for these things, then again they are very expensive toys-er work machines?

Flatheadyoungin · Jun 27, 2008

yeah, i can see a business not being able to keep something clean because they work it a lot but for the average home owner, like most of us on here, i can't see how people can justify big $$$ and then neglect and abuse things....that's just me, though....

shoot, like i posted over in another thread, i don't see how people can justify a $300 string trimmer or chainsaw and then leave it out in the weather, etc..

dieselram said:
I will be a worker, pond has BIG bass. No rattle cans here- Used Valspar oil based enamel on the buckets. The tractor was not repainted, just the 61 and 73" buckets and the hoe bucket. I really am proud of how well it cleaned up. This thing was very well maintained from day one, one more coat of wax and I may get it dirty. I did use it to move my trailer though. I really don't want to get it dirty! Flat head, I know you did some gussying up your machine too, looks way better now! Its amazing how well we care for these things, then again they are very expensive toys-er work machines?

dieselram · Jun 29, 2008

After checking the serial number on tractordata.com, turns out it is a 2000. Mine still has the hand e brake though.

Nuru · Aug 8, 2008

So Mr. dieselram, when are you going to pull the trigger on the 4000 series?

ddivinia · Aug 8, 2008

Nice rig - I wish I had a backhoe for my 4720...

D.

dieselram · Aug 9, 2008

I would like to maybe find a good 4500-4700 as opposed to the newer 20 series now. I love the way they look but all the wires........? Simple is better, but a turbocharged compact is cool too! I could keep my 48 and just buy the plates and PB for it. I don't think the 48 would work on the 4120. Those new tractors are so pretty and curvey! Tempting.