4100 with a 410 loader, need operating instructions

sandman2234 · Jul 14, 2007

I have a couple of larger tractors, standard gear type transmissions, no loaders or backhoes. I am fixing to borrow a 4100 JD from my neighbor to load a pile of dirt and use my 2555 JD to pull the trailer the three tenths mile each way. The trailer I built/modified has dumping capabilites so the 4100 will only be used to load it. The problem is I have never been on what appears to be a hydrostatic tractor with a loader. I asked the owner for some operating instructions and he just laughed, saying it was easy compared to those monsters I own. Twice I have asked and got the same reply both times.
So I am hoping someone might have some pictures of the controls on this thing and can give me some instructions on what needs to in what position to start it and operate it safely. I don't need a repeat of what almost happened when I went to unload my Ford 7710 from the Landow trailer, having never operated the boom mower.
Any help would be appreciated, I don't like to borrow it, but I have to move some dirt and soon!
Thanks,
David from jax

RoyJackson · Jul 14, 2007

I'm sure you will find it to be easy, but like anything, a bit of a learning curve.
I've never operated a 4100 and hope someone with one of those machines chimes in.
I have operated an 855 which is hydro. You'll have a range lever with two or three ranges plus neutral. It's been a while, but I think all the way forward is low ("L") range. Start there first.
You have one pedal (on the right side...normally where you'd find the brakes) for forward motion, one for reverse. They'll be marked F and R, or should be.
You'll want to keep the pedal (in either direction) just slightly pushed for maximum torque. Let off the pedal, you'll stop. More pressure, more speed but less torque.
Just try this in a level area until you get used to it...about 10 minutes for comfort. It sounds like you're smart enough to pick this up pretty quickly. I do expect you to make at least one mistake thinking the hydro pedal is the brake...your leg muscles have memory. I just hope you don't do it close to the trailer. If you have an old tire, tie it to the 4100 grill guard as a bumper.

Another thing...this little tractor will be tippier then you're used to. Keep that loader LOW, repeat LOW as you travel.
Please do use that seat belt and have the ROPS up and locked (if it is a foldable type).
Also, check the air pressure in all 4 tires. I suggest you get the fronts up to about 25 PSI, if that doesn't exceed what the tire sidewall has written on it.

Well, you're smart enough to ask how to operate this machine...frankly, your neighbor is a nice guy to lend you his tractor, but his response to your request for training was really freakin' stupid.
If I ever lent my 790 out (which I won't), the person I lent it to wouldn't have to ask...he'd get instruction before he was allowed to use it.

RalphVa · Jul 14, 2007

I've a 4010 with 410 loader, hydrostatic. It's the same as the 4100 except a couple hp less. Think the hydro is faster on the 4100, as it supposedly has a separate pump for the power steering, at least the 4110 does.

First thing: put something weighing 300-400# on the 3 ph. This is in addition to, hopefully, having the tires filled. If they aren't filled, you'll need maybe about 600# on the 3 ph. Dirt is heavy.

You start the 4100 by putting the range lever in gear. Then turn the ignition switch all the way to "start" for about 2 seconds. Then move the range lever to "N". The engine should start in about a 1/2 revolution. Release the key, of course.

Set the throttle to get at least about 2,500 rpm when working the loader, maybe even 2,800.

The right 2 pedals are for forward (near one on left) and reverse (far one on right). Put range lever in "L" for most loader work. Push on a pedal.

The joy stick that will be near your right hand works the loader. Forward lowers, back raises, left curls it up, right curls it down. If lifted a bit and curled down a lot, it'll go into a quick dump mode. Forward and slightly (think it's right), you'll feel a detent that puts the loader into "float" mode. This mode has been tricky to find for a lot of people, including me, when first using the loader. Just be bold and jam it forward when the loader is a foot or so off the ground, and it'll go right into the detent before first lifting the tractor's front wheels in "down" mode. You might try this at about 1,500 rpm to begin with, to not have the tractor so quickly rear up off its front wheels if you don't hit the detent.

In filling the bucket, you learn by doing. Basically, go forward with the bucket near or on the ground and near level and curl up slowly while moving forward slowly. Do it right, and you'll fill the bucket nicely.

Hopefully, the loader has a bucket level indicator on it. This will be a rod that rides inside a little tube, probably to the right side of the loader. When the rod is level with the top of the tube, the loader is level. If it is missing the level indicator, it's tougher knowing where the tip of the bucket is pointed.

Ralph

sandman2234 · Jul 15, 2007

First off, I want to thank you Ralph and Roy, I appreciate your help!
I went over just before dark and got the little tractor started. Battery is dead so I jumped it off. It turned out not to be a hydro. I must have misunderstood him. It was pretty straight forward, and everything was marked, so that helped. He did show me how to engage/disengage the parking brake which is the only thing I couldn't figure out right away. Blinking light on the dash meant something, so he just showed me. I didn't drive it to the pile of dirt, I took it over to the back of my property where the 2555 was sitting hooked to the dump trailer I have been building. I loaded it up, and pulled it to the neighborhood gas station for some fuel. Then I stopped back by the church and loaded up the trailer with some of the dirt that has been sitting there for 5 years waiting on me. Actually I only got the ok to move the last pile this past year, but that pile has been waiting for that long. I got the other two five years ago, which ended up being 65 truckloads of dirt (1400 cubic yards of dirt, $1200 delivered)
I like the joystick on the little tractor, hadn't used one of them. I am not sure if it had a bucket leveler on it, I just watched the bucket's side edge for a few minutes and figured out what looked level and went from there. A trailer load of dirt didn't even look like it had scratched the pile.
Your right about the neighbor being awfully nice to loan me his tractor. No doubt about it, and I plan on being extra careful with it. Not sure if I will move the whole pile of dirt with it, but at least enough to solve my immediate problem. When a man clears a lot uphill from you and starts building a house and the rain overflows the ditch he tore up, causing water to come into your house, it is time to do something. He said he will look into it Monday. I figure there is enough dirt on my property to build a dam to stop whatever he doesn't. We had this same discussion about 2 months ago when he came close to flooding my garage, so talking hasn't done much good. He said he would fix the problem then, but it didn't happen.
We have a nice neighborhood here, and I hope we can come to terms over this problem. I fixed the garage flooding problem and can stop the water from coming into my house (actually just the utility room, as the house is two blocks higher elevation) but a man shouldn't have to be out working in the rain to protect his property from another man's actions. Good neighbors are hard to find and I hope we can get this one to come around without any serious problems.
David from jax

sandman2234 · Jul 15, 2007

By the way, the wife mentioned that the little tractor with a loader was just what I needed...
Maybe I need to hurry up and get a job so I can take her up on that before she forgets she said it!
It was cute sitting on that 27' long trailer being pulled by my John Deere 2555 down the road with all the cars wizzing by.
David from jax