4210 or 4310?

[Anonymous Poster]

My Dad and I have been looking at a JD 4210 with e-hydro, 420 loader, and rear hydraulics for log splitter, etc. We'll mostly be using the tractor for around home chores, with some use in a woodlot grading roads, pulling logs, etc. As we get closer to purchasing, I'm looking for input as to whether the 4210 will provide sufficient power for these type of chores. Can anyone comment on the abilities of the 4210 relative to the other mid-chasis 4000ten series tractors? Specifically the 4310.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I have a 4200. Assuming the differences between the 4210 and 4310 are roughly the same as between the 4200 and 4300 I'd recommend the 4310 for a couple reasons.

First, I've never heard anyone ever say, "Gee, I wish I had less tractor with lower horsepower so I could do less" but I've sure heard (and said) the reverse.

Secondly, with the 42X0 your options for a loader and backhoe are limited to the 420 loader and 47 backhoe. With the 43X0 you can use those or the bigger 430 loader and 48 backhoe.

If you can afford the 4310 with 430 loader I'd sure recommend getting the larger machine. Good luck with whatever you decide. I hope this helps. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[tanuke01]

I agree with Gary. If you can get the 4310 or even the 4410 and 4 wheel drive is a must. It was optional on the 4300, std on the 4300-4400. I had a 4200 for a short time it is OK but low in power. I now have the 4300. Wish I had went with the 4400. The 430 loader is great, check the specs between the 420 and 430. The 430 has a lot more to offer. The 4410 is just a little HP, more sometime a little means a lot. Good luck.

DPR

 

[sleepyhollow]

Jea,

I went with the 4310 after hearing tanuke01's <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=buyjd&Number=55211&Search=true&Forum=All_Forums&Words=tanuke01&Match=Username&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=55056> frustrations </A> with the 4200. I needed the JD front mounted 59" snowblower and it seemed the 4200 was underpowered for the task.

When I sat down at looked at the implement specs and what you could put on a 4200/4210 vs. a 4300/4310, the choice became crystal clear for me. I ordered the 430 loader, 48 backhoe and 59" snowblower.

Had I gotten a 4200/4210, I would only have the option of the 47 backhoe, been stuck with the same snowthrower and less than adequate power and a lesser loader. I really didn't want to spend the extra $$$, but it gave me choice of implements I didn't have with the 4200/4210. Simply put, the 4300/4310 gives you better performance and more choice. From a performance/price curve, it is no wonder the 4300/4310 is the top selling model in the series.

These choices are always difficult and all too frequently dictated by one's available funds. In the end, I think you would be happier with more choice and performance. The 4200/4210 has the same "footprint" more or less as the 4300/4310, so if you have tight spaces the 4200/4210 isn't going to help any and the 4300/4310 isn't going to hurt.

One last thing, if you're like me you probably aren't considering resale value because this tractor is going to last a lifetime, but.... If you ever wanted to trade up or fell on bad times, the 4300/4310 with the better performance and greater popularity would in my opinion sell faster and for more.

Not to slight any 4200/4210 owners (I seriously considered one), but I think that model is chosen primarily on a price basis, when one would need/want a 4300/4310, but cannot afford it. Other than price, I can't think of too many compelling reasons to buy it.

I believe the opposite is true for the 4400/4410, that is a tractor that offers nothing more with regard to implement choices and adds 3 horsepower for another $1,800. If those extra horsepower are worth that much, then by all means, get them, but once again, that choice is not compelling for most people.

Well, that's my $0.02. There are plenty of other opinions out there and mine is just one of them. I hope this helps bring a little more perspective to your situation. Good luck,
Sleepyhollow

 

[TimSullivan]

It has been all said above. I faced the same decission 18 months ago and listen to the people here and bought the 4300 over the 4200. I have the 430 loader and it is the best machine for me. Yes there are times when I need that little extra HP but the 4300 with the 430 FEL is a very good fit. It sounds like you will be doing some of the same things I do and I know you will be happier with the 4310.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I too, was at the same crossroads early in my decision making. I went with the 4310 based on all the things Sleepy said above. This even included the fact that my father in law bought his 4WD 5420 the day before I bought mine. So, even though I knew I could use his more powerful machine if I needed it, I still went with the 4310 w/430 loader and ehydro because I wanted to run at least a 5' shredder(rotary mower). Even the 4310 has to work hard going up inclines while shredding. I've nearly stuck it numerous times due to the 15" of rain we had the last month. I'm so glad I got 4WD now and the FEL. Used FEL to help inchworm my way out of a ditch. Oh yea, being able to brake 1 rear wheel helped me get out of a major jam this past weekend. Nice JD/hydro situation that is tough to do on orange tractors. Sometimes I wish I had gotten Ag tires instead of R4's but I know when I mow our yard, R4's will not rut so bad. Spend the extra money, I know you won't regret it. And no, I'm not a JD salesman.

 

[JATO_RaT]

Curious about this major jam you got into. Just what did you do that required differential braking? Rat...

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Rat, I was mowing along the edge which naturally slopes towards the creek/ditch. The creek has about a 2 to 3 ft deep by 3 ft wide crevace running down the center of it. Well, since it had been raining so much, the tractor starts sliding down the incline. Even with 4WD and differential kicked in, the front end kept sliding down towards the crevace. I was already leaning maybe 15-20 degrees, I knew if the wheels fell in, I was going to be on my side. Unlocking the differential and locking the right wheel brake hard, the front end managed to climb it's way up the slope but it was hairy because the tractor was leaning even more for a moment. I'm glad I didn't have to take a picture yet to send in. Watch for slippery slopes with crevaces at the bottom. Wait til' everythings dry and traction is no problem!
Later....Kyle

 

[JATO_RaT]

Kyle, this is where the R1's are quite superior. I have R4's on my Kubota and R1's on my International. The difference in bite is enourmous. After you wear out your exisitng tires, check out the Michelin radial tractor tires. Their design is superior to most anything out there. That will take a long time though, especially on the rears. Rat...

 

[OkieG]

Rat,

I read your post with great interest. R4s are a very popular option on many of the new tractors sold now-a-days. I wanted some sort of traction tire when I bought my tractor a few years ago. It had R1s. I've not been disappointed, but have wondered how R4s compared traction-wise. To me, R4 tread doesn't look quite as aggressive as R1s, but R4s are on most construction equipment. I wondered if perhaps R4s had the edge in traction. I have never heard anyone experienced with both styles comment before.

OkieG