Price Check 4520 Price Quote

[HobbleCreek]

I think I am leaning towards getting the Kubota L5030, but I'm still looking hard at the JD 4520. I have the following price quote from my local dealer:

4520 w/ dual mid and single rear SCV: $25,109
400X Loader (w/ mounting, etc.): $4,101

Total: $29,210

Is this price in the right range? It is about $3K more than the Kubota L5030, but that's not the major consideration. I just have a better "feeling" about the Kubota. I don't know why, because I went into this thing fullying intending to buy Green (Grandpa had a JD and two MFs, and I thought I'd probably buy one of those brands). Anyway, if the price on the Deere is in the right range, it's really still in the running -- I just can't quite decide, so in addition to any input on the price I'd really appreciate any feedback on the comparison between these two models.

Thanks tons.

-- Grant

 

[jcmseven]

Grant,

I think that price is a bit high. The invoice on the tractor is about 22,000 as of two months ago, when I bought mine. You can figure off that to allow your dealer to make some money, and also get a good deal. The loader price seems fairly close to what I paid, though. The 4520 is a really nice tractor (and strong too). May I ask why you feel better about the Kubota? I concur, Kubota makes a nice tractor, but I think the mid and large frame JD compacts are tough to beat.

John M

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I remember almost a year ago my dealer quoted me the range on the 4X20 series. Quoted with R4's, hydro and FEL.
4120=$24,700
4720=$27,400

This is when they 1st came out and I don't know how much more it would be today. I'd say your dealer, because of locale, doesn't plan on dealing too much. Can you shop a bit further away? Do you have the means to trailer a new machine home?

 

[HobbleCreek]

Kyle,

I think you're right about my dealer. They are the exclusive Deere ag dealer for the whole state, and parts of Idaho. They have locations all up and down the I-15 corridor. I could trailer a tractor home if necessary, in fact I looked at a similar setup that was on the 'net, used with 100 hrs, for $25,900. I'm thinking, though, that I'd rather have new, deal with my local dealer, and not drive halfway across the country (it's in KY) for $3K.


Though I'd rather deal locally if possible, I'd have to look really hard at the 4720 if I could get it, with Loader, for $27,400 (and reasonably close). My dealer's quote on that machine w/ R4s and Dual mid and single rear SCV was $27,306 for the tractor, plus the same $4,101 for the loader.

I would definitely try to deal a bit with the dealer if it meant saving $4 grand.

-- Grant

 

[HobbleCreek]

John,

I was hoping you'd chime in on this because I noticed that you recently bought the 4520. It may be that I'm more comfortable with the Kubota dealer, who is giving me a more competitive price.

I do like the cruise control on the Kubota. It's a lever on the side that I can adjust with my hand as opposed to Deere' little switch on fender (unless I'm missing something there).

It may be that I have a little more confidence in Kubota's japanese built engine as opposed to Deere's India made machine. If nothing else, Kubota's factory has been making their engines for many years while Deere's move to India is relatively recent as I understand it.

A concern I have about Deere's eHydro is that when I use the product selector on their website, it automatically eliminates the eHydro tractors if I answer that the tractor will be used in hay production. Although that will not be my primary task, it is something I may do and I've had reports that the 5030 has been used successfully in that application.

I really hate making decisions like this, because it's so hard to do a real comparison. Maybe I'll go down to the two dealers today and see if they'll let me put a box scraper on them both and do a little work and see which one I like the best.

Thanks for responding.

-- Grant

 

[HobbleCreek]

John,

One other thing about the Kubota vs. Deere -- the Kubota has a Cat I/II 3PH. As near as I can tell, even the larger 4520 and 4720 have only a Cat I hitch. I don't know why that is, do you (or anyone else)?

As I've checked further, I see that I could get a Woods backhoe that will actually dig 10'6" but requires 50HP. I don't know if that's PTO or engine HP. If it's PTO, then that would move the 4720 up on my list.

-- Grant

 

[bam747]

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I do like the cruise control on the Kubota. It's a lever on the side that I can adjust with my hand as opposed to Deere' little switch on fender (unless I'm missing something there).
)</font>

The Deere cruise control works like a car. Set the speed with the eHydro foot peddle, then lock that speed by engaging the speed control switch.

As an option (approximately $90), you can add full automotive style cruise control with accelerate, decelerate, and resume functions. The resume function is particularly handy when you've made a temporary change in speed due to field conditions and then want to resume your previous speed.

 

[bam747]

I see by your profile that you are located in Utah. If you live at significant altitude, be aware that naturally aspirated motors will loose approximately 3%/1000' of elevation (a generally accepted rule of thumb for ALL naturally aspirated motors). Turbocharged motors do not.

At my 7500' altitude in Colorado, that means the rated 42.5 PTO HP of the 5030 will effectively be only 32.9 PTO HP whereas the rated 45 PTO HP of the 4520 will still be 45 HP.

If you look at it this way, the 35 PTO HP 4120 (also turbocharged) would actually give me more effective HP at my altitude than the 5030.

Something to consider if you live at altitude.

 

[HobbleCreek]

That's something I had not thought about. I am at a little under 6000 feet, though some of my work will be at a higher elevation.

 

[bam747]

So, at 6000 feet, the 4120 at a turbocharged 35 PTO HP is pretty much equivalent to the 5030 at its 18% de-rated 34.9 PTO HP. Since the 4120 will be about $3,400 less than a 4520 (based on retail base prices for eHydro machines from the JD online configurator), but equivalent in every other way, it does take away the 5030's price advantage if you maintain a true apples to apples comparison on HP ratings considering your altitude.

As more food for thought, taking altitude into consideration...

The Deere 3720 is also turbocharged and rated at 35 PTO HP. It is a smaller frame than the 4x20 series and has a smaller loader.

BTW, if you're requirements for PTO HP are the 42.5 HP stated for the 5030 at sea level, you'd have to buy a minimum of 50 naturally aspirated PTO HP for your 6000'.

 

[RogerH]

Note that the engines used on the 4000 Series are made in John Deere's Mexico plant. At this time, I think only the 5003 series use India made engines.

I too would wonder why the eHydro would disappear from the recommendation when haying comes into play. I think it would be an excellent tractor for haying as long as it had the weight to handle the haying attachments. The infinitely adjustable speed would seem to be great for most haying operations.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Roger is right. The engines are made by JD in their Mexico plant.
The smaller 3X20 series engines are Japanese Yanmars.

The 5003 series are the Indian imported JD's. These are brought here to offer folks a low buck version of a JD.

If you are looking at a bunch of hay production, depending on what type of baler you have, you might consider a bigger machine. If your just doing a relatively small amount, you can get by with the 4520 or 4720.

When you test drive, compare the 2 pedal design to the treadle. I prefer the 2 pedal.

 

[HobbleCreek]

OK, I just got back from our place. With a fresh survey of the work that needs to be done, I think I'm going to want all the horsepower I can squeeze out of a compact sized tractor.

The reason I want to stay in the compact size range is that there are some pretty tight spaces, especially along the side of the mountain. There is a lot of work to be done though, and I think some it's going to take some real juice. I really appreciate the thoughts about the important difference the turbo will make.

I'm now back leaning towards the 4750. The guy at the dealer today said he tought the 4750 could be fitted to handle the Category 2 implements. Do any of you have any knowledge about that? Maybe I'll post that question separately in the JD Owning/Operating forum.

Thanks again for all your help.

-- Grant

 

[HobbleCreek]

Thanks Kyle,

Do you know how long the engines have been made in that plant? Just wondering what kind of a track record they've established.

If I do any haying, it won't be an awful lot. I'm thinking my ground will be better put to use as pasture and me buying hay.

I think I'm with you on the treadle. I supposed you'd get used to whatever you have though.

-- Grant

 

[ddivinia]

I do not belive the 4520 is made in India - the 5x03 series is made in India.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

Have you considered a power reverser? I have a 4720 and a 5525. The 5525 is larger, but not that much bigger than the 4720. I really prefer HST, but I needed a larger tractor and the power reverser is pretty slick.

D.

 

[jcmseven]

Grant,

I do not know about Cat 2 implements with the big framed 4000 series machines. I can say that it is very unusual that a hydro tranny would not do small amounts of hay work. I see tractors frequently around this area that are much less machine than a 4000 series JD doing hay-related things, so I cannot imagine that the 4000 series would not. You pose a question that I asked a few months ago, that being how much difference is there between a 4520 and a 4720 tractor? The answer, based on my research and personal use is: very little. Realistically, 4-5 PTO HP when pulling an implement is not much, especially when you are looking at machines with 50+ HP. Also, the thing I think of would be torque. Both the 4520 and 4720 have torque galore. This would allow them to operate heavy implements well. With regard to engines, so far my 4520 has been great. I had a 3720, and while I continue to think Yanmar makes the best and most durable all-around diesel in the world, the John Deere PowerTech seems more powerful to me. Even with a larger machine and attachments, the 4520 will pull and climb better than my 3720 did (although it was plenty powerful). I believe JD engineered its branded engines to make lots of torque, and when compared with the Yanmar, they seem to make more. An example of this would be the 1600 WAM that has a Yanmar 4 cylinder turbo-diesel. It is rated at 64 HP (more than my 4520 at 53.5) but has 112 lbs feet of torque v. 120+ with the JD engine. I would not think twice about the JD engine, if you like the machines otherwise. It sounds like the 4520 you checked into had some issues, but consider that size when looking, and I would strongly look at the large frame JD line. I really think they would meet your needs. Or, as D says, look at the 5000 series. They are more pricey and larger, but the difference in price is not that great, and they are more "agricultural", which to you would mean more diversity in options.

John M

 

[HobbleCreek]

There are reasons the 5525 would be nice, but I think overall I will be happier with the 4720 or 4520. The smaller size is important to me, because of the location of the ditch I need to maintain (wrapping around the side of the mountain) and because of the other tasks for which I want to use this machine.

All of your comments and suggestions have been a big help. It has helped me to think about what features are most important to me. I really think that I will get more benefit out of the eHydro, the compact size, the HP and the torque of the 4720 than I would out of the cat II features of the L5030 or the JD 5525. Having gone through this process will, I think, make me happier when I finally make my decision -- which is now leaning towards the 4720 -- I think that additional few HP later will be worth a couple grand now.

As for the cat II implements, as I look around I think that they make a cat I implement for about everything I need -- include plows, discs, and whatever. Thanks again to all for your help and input.

BTW, after yesterday's trip to the canyon, my daughters (at least the two I took with me) are entheusiatic supporters of the tractor purchase. They told my wife, "You should see all the things he's going to be able to get done with a tractor!" Today in church I just kept thinking of the various projects and wondering how I'm going to prioritize them all. I've heard it said that to a man with a hammer, everything's a nail. I'm starting to think that to a man with a tractor, everything could stand a little improvement.

I can't wait to grade my road, level a parking spot for my RV, clean out the ditch, dry out the pasture, clean rocks of the dugway, and the other dugway, and grade that other road, and that other road, and level that pasture, and . . . /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif