4120/4320/4520

Willie71 · May 29, 2008

I am getting ready to make a purchase of a used JD compact tractor - started last November looking at a 4500 just couldn't justify the price for what I needed it for - situation has since changed and am looking at a 4120 and a 4520 both appear to be specked out the same on the JD website - same weight/size/capacities/engine displacement... I assume the only difference is in the injectors to produce more HP/Torque - I will primarily use the tractor for loader work landscaping with occasional tiller/plow/disc in a garden - I am leaning towards the 4120 my experience is that a tractor will break traction before the engine will stall unless using pto heavily. Any input from 4x20 owners is appreciated. The used 4120 is listing about $3,000 less than the 4520 that has 200 more hours and no remaining warranty - both tractors are identically equipped. Thanks again for your help!

Cidertom · May 29, 2008

I have a 4520 for two years now. With 12/12 synch reverser,loaded R4, 400CX loader. I have pushed it fairly hard in the dirt moving dept. If I am on fairly good soil, I can get the tractor near stall, but you are correct that most of the time traction is lost prior to stall. I do some PTO/ hydraulic work and that influenced my descision some. The maint tech said the difference is injector, boost, and timing.

While the difference between adjacent units isn't much, the 10HP between the two you are looking at may be noticeable. With the loaded tires, I probably use the additional 10HP moving the extra weight. I have found the value of the loaded for FEL work. I picked up a culvert last year with loaded, the backhoe and still had to add 400 lb of lead bricks to the backhoe bucket to make it feel stable.

Any specific questions PM me.

gamble77 · May 30, 2008

Yeah...both are going to pull a 6ft mower and box blade fine...they are identical machines, if they were sitting next to each other without the decals you wouldn't be able to tell them apart. The 4520/4720 do have the larger turbo's on them. The Deere motors pull very strong and the 4120 is by far the best seller in that range (for us anyway). Good luck!

chetlenox · May 30, 2008

My 4520 has essentially always been traction limited for my usage. But I also only use wheel-weights and occasionally a 3-pt rear ballast (~700 lbs), I don't have loaded tires. The only times I typically lose traction are moving dirt (FEL into pile) and skidding bigger logs. I honestly can't say I've ever stalled the engine in 200 hours of use. So I personally would probably have purchased the 4120 if I didn't want the extra horsepower to run a square baler.

Chet.

rollbar · May 30, 2008

I have had a 4510 and now have a 4520. had it for 3 years and now about
350 hrs trouble free. It has plenty of power . I can tell alot of difference between the two tractors. If I were to buy another tractor it would be a
4520. I like the powereverser for fel use. for me the r-4 tires are worth the money, paid 24,000.00 for tractor.400x loader

Willie71 · May 31, 2008

Thanks for all the advice - my past experience is with a 1070 -4wd & 440 loader with long 4n1 - i was pleased with the power and abilities of this tractor - will the 4120 perform as well? I imagine this is a much better tractor and the reverser will be nice. Again thanks for your input.

jcmseven · May 31, 2008

Willie,

I can tell you there is very little difference between a 4120 and a 4520. Where you live in Wake County, you would notice about zero difference. Where I live (it is steep) one might note some difference, just not much. I am currently between tractors, as I sold my 3720 and am trying to decide what I want. I have been allowed to borrow some equipment from my local JD dealer. Last week I used a 4520 with PRT and this week a 4320 PRT. I have also used a 4120 hydro and have owned a 4520 hydro in the past. Honestly (I mean this--and I am picky and would notice these things) I noticed NO difference between the PRT tractors and VERY little between the 4120 and the 4520. This has led me to the conclusion it is not worth the additional money to go with the higher horsepower 4000 series machines in the Powetech engines over the 4120. The 4120 should be fine. This, however, does not hold true in the 3000 series machines, as there is a notable feel difference between the lower horse Yanmar's and the higher horse one's--but then we are also talking about turbo engines v. naturally-aspirated one's, a finding we do not see in the Power Tech engines. I think all the PowerTech engines feel stronger than do the Yanmar engines, even if they are not necessarily so on paper. I would get the 4120 and spend any money saved on either a Vanguard tax-advantage mutual fund or an additional attachment.

John M

Willie71 · Jun 1, 2008

Thanks for all the input - I decided to purchase a 4120 - tractor only 450hrs with JD top n tilt- will need to get the loader installed - I plan on the 400CX Heavy Duty Bucket and a set of Frontier Pallet forks - what price am I looking at - is this the right choice for this tractor or overkill?

Thanks in advance! W

Cidertom · Jun 3, 2008

If you are doing a lot of fork work the 400CX is a dream. If not, perhaps you should look at it closer. While the book "roll back" value is nearly the same, the effective roll back is not. When you pick up the traditional FEL the bucket tips back as it is raised. The CX does not so you have the same tilt as at the lowest position. Makes carrying a heaped bucket a tad difficult.

Otherwise, welcome to the 4x20 club.

jcmseven · Jun 4, 2008

I personally do not feel the 400cx offers that much more than the 400x. While I would not mind having either, you might wish to consider the 400x unless you are doing a good bit of palate work as suggested by Tom.I had the 400x with a 4n1 bucket on my 4520 and really liked it.

John M