4700's Big Brother

/ 4700's Big Brother #1  

turbotec

Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2001
Messages
33
Location
Williamsport, PA
Tractor
JD4700 HST
4700\'s Big Brother

I decided to get some help for my 4700 HST before I did some serious damage to it or me. I found this 1985 455D crawler loader locally. The prior owner was an airline pilot who only used it for 148 hours in the last 3 years.
 

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/ 4700's Big Brother #2  
Re: 4700\'s Big Brother

That crawler appears to be in great shape for being 16 years old. Looks like you found a winner.

rf33
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/ 4700's Big Brother #3  
Re: 4700\'s Big Brother

Very sweet looking unit.../w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

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/ 4700's Big Brother #4  
Re: 4700\'s Big Brother

What a find !!!!!!!! Lucky you.
 
/ 4700's Big Brother #5  
Re: 4700\'s Big Brother

You know? I need one of those./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

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/ 4700's Big Brother #6  
Re: 4700\'s Big Brother

Nice machine!

So what was the pilot doing with this machine... building runways? Hard for me to imagine a home use for such a machine, what will you do with it?

Peter
 
/ 4700's Big Brother
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Re: 4700\'s Big Brother

Peter,

The pilot used it on a farm here in PA. I was told he had some health problems which forced the sale of the machine.
I am excavating the site of our future home. I will take a pic today and post.
I am also clearing the lower portion of trees for a vineyard. The 4700 has done a great job so far, but it does have its limits.
Tony,
 
/ 4700's Big Brother
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Re: 4700\'s Big Brother

Peter,
Pics of fun attached.
Tony,
 

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/ 4700's Big Brother
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Re: 4700\'s Big Brother

Another pic
 

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/ 4700's Big Brother #11  
Re: 4700\'s Big Brother

Way cool !!!!

How much is one of those little puppies ?

Cheers

<font color=blue>Neil from OZ.</font color=blue>
 
/ 4700's Big Brother #12  
Re: 4700\'s Big Brother

Took the words out of my drooling mouth.

Bx2200-(Altered,-Crop).jpg

<font color=red>Winnipeg, Manitoba</font color=red>
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2001 BX2200 (50 hrs)
 
/ 4700's Big Brother #13  
Re: 4700\'s Big Brother

I would love to have one those for about a year, I can just imagine the damage I could do!! The attached pic shows the damage done with a backhoe in one day! (it took a week on my little JD 770 to make it ready for seed) the backhoe did most of the filling and leveling.

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/ 4700's Big Brother
  • Thread Starter
#14  
Re: 4700\'s Big Brother

Neil,
I paid $17,500 for the 455D with 3610 hours on the meter. The machine is in excellent shape.
Tony
 

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/ 4700's Big Brother #15  
Re: 4700\'s Big Brother

Oooh

Big $$

Better add that one to your profile !!

Cheers

<font color=blue>Neil from OZ.</font color=blue>
 
/ 4700's Big Brother #16  
Re: 4700\'s Big Brother

Tony,

Wow, that seems like a good deal. So how has the learning curve been? Are you comfortable doing major excavation work like this? I always thought getting a nice level foundation would be a bit tricky. That machine must be like a tank...

Peter
 
/ 4700's Big Brother
  • Thread Starter
#17  
Re: 4700\'s Big Brother

Peter,
I used to own a similar machine many years ago. Pedal steering vs lever steering takes a little getting used to. I have used the machine for 20 hours and I am comfortable with rough excavation. I intend to use the 4700 with the rear blade for finish grading. I may add a laser to make the finish grading more accurate.
Tony,
 
/ 4700's Big Brother #18  
Re: 4700\'s Big Brother

I noticed you mention "clearing trees for a vineyard." I'm curious to know how you use(d) your 4700 and "big brother" for this process---all minute details would be appreciated. I'm in a very similar situation: I have a couple of utility tractors and a Cat 931, I believe, at my disposal, and have about 5 acres of 1"-5" caliper trees that need to disappear before my vines can go in. Since this is a little-off-topic, if you'd prefer to resond off-list, I can be reached at jrdellaratta@hotmail.com.
 
/ 4700's Big Brother
  • Thread Starter
#19  
Re: 4700\'s Big Brother

I have the 4700 set up with a Brush Brute rake on the loader and the 48 backhoe. I ripped out brush, thorns, and small caliper trees by the roots using the brush brute. I pushed over the larger trees using the BB/loader or dug out the and felled the larger trees with the BH. I cleared about an acre on the side of a hill using this method, (too slow, too hard on the tractor, and too dangerous).
I dug and filled 3' deep by 3' wide trenches using the 48 backhoe. (loosened soil prior to planting of vine stock).
I set the 4" x 4" x 8' posts for the trellis system using a Danuser hydraulic post hole digger, (reverse feature is a must due to shale/clay soil here in PA).
I also set the 4" x 4" x 12' posts for the Benner deer fence which encloses the first section of the vinyard, (too many hungry White tailed Bambi types).
Next year, I will use the crawler loader clear the next section.
I am currently preparing the site of our future home using the 455D crawler loader to remove the top soil and excavate the foudation area. I will use 4700 with a 7' landpride rear blade for finish grading.
I hope this helps.
 

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/ 4700's Big Brother #20  
Re: 4700\'s Big Brother

Tony,

Sounds like a great project and I love all the toys you have. I have seen the Brush Brute discussed, but never talked to anyone who has used one. Are you happy with it? It seemed like a great idea with a pretty big price tag. I’ll bet now that you have the crawler it doesn’t see near as much use in the next section you clear.

MarkV
 

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