4120/4320/4520

[Willie71]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[Engine66]

I agree on the 400cx...it can be a bit frustrating to carry a full load downhill without a true full rollback. However, the self leveling feature is nice at times too. Does anyone know if it can be disengaged? Seems to be mechanical with a cross bar that controls the bucket...not sure.

As far as the HP difference, yes, traction will be lost before achieving max HP...BUT what I notice is the HP on my 4720 makes going up hills with a loaded grapple in B range a piece of cake. With steep hills, extra HP is getting my work done much quicker. Was it worth the extra $$$...well, I would need a lot of seat time on both to compare. One thing for sure is my 38 HP orange tractor had trouble climbing a few of my hills in low range and my 4720 was pulling a boxblade up the same hill in B range without breaking a sweat...that was a sweet feeling...and worth the extra $$$. Have fun on your new JD!!!

 

[jcmseven]

Engine66,

You are right about the extra power. I will say though that the difference in actual "feel" among the 4000 series machines with the PowerTech engines is really negligible among the four models. I live in a really steep area with long slogs of 15-25% or steeper PAVED and 35%+ unpaved areas. I honestly could not tell any difference between the 4120 I have been using of late and my prior 4520 machine. Perhaps between a 4120 and a 4720, there might be a little difference, but I bet not too much. Now, the 3000 series machines are a different story. There is a tremendous difference between the 3120 or 3320 and the 3720, in part because the 3720 is turbocharged and produces much more torque. None of the Powertech engines have any deficiency in torque and this likely is why they all feel so powerful. Given the fact that one is not getting really a different engine, for me it would be tough to justify the additional cost, although admittedly it is appealing. The JD 4720 is a power monster compared with anything offered by the competition in a similar size machine.

John M

 

[Engine66]

Engine66,

You are right about the extra power. I will say though that the difference in actual "feel" among the 4000 series machines with the PowerTech engines is really negligible among the four models. I live in a really steep area with long slogs of 15-25% or steeper PAVED and 35%+ unpaved areas. I honestly could not tell any difference between the 4120 I have been using of late and my prior 4520 machine. Perhaps between a 4120 and a 4720, there might be a little difference, but I bet not too much. Now, the 3000 series machines are a different story. There is a tremendous difference between the 3120 or 3320 and the 3720, in part because the 3720 is turbocharged and produces much more torque. None of the Powertech engines have any deficiency in torque and this likely is why they all feel so powerful. Given the fact that one is not getting really a different engine, for me it would be tough to justify the additional cost, although admittedly it is appealing. The JD 4720 is a power monster compared with anything offered by the competition in a similar size machine.

John M

Thanks for the input John...I did not realize the negligible difference between 4x20s...maybe I should have tried each of them out first on my property to see how they faired. How did you end up with a 4120 after having a 4520?

 

[jcmseven]

I sold my 4520 a while back; I am currently between tractors and have been allowed to use a rental 4120 from my local dealer for projects until I get another tractor. They also have a 4320 and I have used it too. I do not own a 4120 but have spent about 20'ish hours of seat time on one.

John M

 

[wolc123]

I have a 4120 and my neighbor has a 4720. The only difference we notice is that mine is a lot more effective with the front loader, having loaded rear tires while his does not. On a light weight tractor, getting the power to the ground is usually a bigger issue than the hp of the engine. Many, like my nieghbor, learn this lesson the hard way. He spent at least $6000 more and cant move dirt as fast as I can, and both of our machines handle a 6 ft rotary mower equally well in most conditions. I also use less fuel doing most jobs.

 

[Engine66]

Thanks for the good news about the 6k extra I spent to a have a 4720 sticker on my hood.

Hey John...what tractor are you considering now? Going back to a 4x20 model or what?

 

[jcmseven]

I am still undecided. My needs really are currently for a smaller tractor, such as the new 2720 JD. My problem is that I can currently "get by" without a tractor and my wife and I are considering 37 acres of land, which currently the owner is asking too much for. I have made an offer but as of this moment we have not been able to meet on the price. If I were to get this land, I would again need a larger tractor, so thusly, I am waiting as long as possible to decide.

John M

 

[Engine66]

I am still undecided. My needs really are currently for a smaller tractor, such as the new 2720 JD. My problem is that I can currently "get by" without a tractor and my wife and I are considering 37 acres of land, which currently the owner is asking too much for. I have made an offer but as of this moment we have not been able to meet on the price. If I were to get this land, I would again need a larger tractor, so thusly, I am waiting as long as possible to decide.

John M

Well good luck on the land...and the tractor. I did see my dealer recently and I asked him about the 2720...he noted the increased ground clearance and PTO hp, but said it was still limited by the 200 series loader. But, IMHO, the 200cx loader is just fine...depends on how much loader you need vs pulling attachments, discing, rotary cutting etc. I personally like the idea of a 2720, but depending on how hard you use it, you may wish for more. From my experience on 50 acres in VT, there is no single tractor that will serve well in all my needs. Sometimes I need to move, pull, or, or push mountains and sometimes just need to mow the lawn or move a bucket of firewood to the front door. With steep hills, snow in winter, wet seasons, etc. I could find uses for all sizes of tractors. My dealer did say if he had to have just one tractor, it would be the 3x20 series. Have fun in your search...

 

[ddivinia]

I have had a 4720 for 3 years - it has been an excellent machine. If I had to do it over, I would get a 4120 with e-hyrdo. I have a 5525 and a 15' batwing for the big work. I was debating getting a larger mower (8-10') so I figured i would need the extra power.

Oh well, the tractors keep going up in price. A 4120 costs almost what my 4720 did 3 years ago.

D.