4720 Early/Current

[SDT]

I'm considering both new and used 4720s. Are there significant changes between the 2007 version and the 2012/2013 version?

I have heard that the earlier versions were rated at lower PTO HP but have not heard if/when this change was made.

SDT

 

[arlen4720]

2009 was when they upped the HP. The other changes thet comes to mind:
1) starting MY 2011, you can have up to 5 sets of rear remotes... 2 lever operated remotes, 1 electric SCV with button on joystick, and 2 SCV's controlled by joystick via a diverter.
2)Starting in 2009, they went to an electronically controlled throttle, so they added a great feature called eThrottle. When activated, it speeds the engine up as you press on the hydro pedal. Works good for loader work.
You can go on the Nebraska test website and see the tests from pre 2009 and post 2009 to compare power.

 

[SDT]

2009 was when they upped the HP. The other changes thet comes to mind:
1) starting MY 2011, you can have up to 5 sets of rear remotes... 2 lever operated remotes, 1 electric SCV with button on joystick, and 2 SCV's controlled by joystick via a diverter.
2)Starting in 2009, they went to an electronically controlled throttle, so they added a great feature called eThrottle. When activated, it speeds the engine up as you press on the hydro pedal. Works good for loader work.
You can go on the Nebraska test website and see the tests from pre 2009 and post 2009 to compare power.

Thanks for your informatation.

I find the current version in the NE tests but do not find the early version.

SDT

 

[Red Horse]

One other good change. I have an 07 and it had a cheesy cable controlled parking brake. With great difficutuy I installed the upgrade that replaced the cable with a rod. New ones have a direct heavy lever mechanism as dom the non cab tractors.

 

[arlen4720]

Here is a 2005 test. That's good info Red Horse. Can you think of any other differences? How many hours do you have on your machine, and how do you like it?

 

[Red Horse]

Here is a 2005 test. That's good info Red Horse. Can you think of any other differences? How many hours do you have on your machine, and how do you like it?

I have a bit over 500 hrs on it now. Had a little over 200 when I bought it. Replaced a 3320 that I bought new but it was open and I decided I was getting too old to freeze my butt off in the winter. I was going to get a Cuirtiss cab for the 3320 then got an unbelievable deal on this 4720. Great machine. Has a 400 X loader, ballasted R-4's and a concrete weight block I made that is about 550 lbs. I also use a 96" Land Pride power rake and it does a great job with that.

No regrets.

 

[Ramairfreak98ss]

We ordered and took delivery of a 2009 model in early nov 2008... waited until we got the serial #s for the 66hp one. i think the elec throttle is e-throttle or something like that. a button turns it on and then as you press the forward or reverse hydro pedal down further, rpms increase, it works good for snow work when you need to move fast in say high range "16mph" but don't need full throttle the whole time. If its grunt work, best left turned off.

I saw 2011 or 2012s, have a hand parking brake lever on left side of seat. Our 2009 has it above the key switch, its failed after 340hrs. Dealer after it was already out of warranty, charged us $475+ to install a new parking brake setup in its place, same knob type, but supposedly updated. The original was hard to dis-engage from day one. It got stuck one day and i had to pull the pins out to get the machine to move underneath at the linkage :/ .

 

[Ramairfreak98ss]

red horse, thats what i meant haha! Ours was upgraded to the cable with a rod, the 2011 or 2012 have a lever like a 25k+ gvw truck or large old machine would have.

 

[Red Horse]

Deere should have stepped up to plate and corrected that issue beyond terms of warranty-very bad original design.

 

[RedHawkRidge]

I bought a 4520 this fall. Had a 4700 that was 12 years old. Wish I could have kept the old horse instead of trading it in; it was a great tractor. I like the new unit, which has many new and improved features. But a couple of issues:
1. The rear R-4's were changed from 7.5-24 size to 6.9-24. Why? And the rims were downgraded from 8 position widths to 2; the new ones are simple deep-dishes that are too narrow in the default position and too wide in the rotated position.
2. the 4520 came with a rear hydraulic hookup that was not optional. I didn't need and didn't want. And the plumbing for it is really thrown on -- big pipes wrapping around the back of the tractor, big boxy module for the hydraulic bleed valve and filler cap. Of course I had to go out and buy an attachment to use the hydraulics -- a back blade. And that has its own issue -- you can't turn the blade around to push backward on snow, etc. Cheez...
3. The e-throttle, which makes the foot pedal work like an auto -- depress it more, the unit speeds up. Well, it's kinda nice, maybe handy for FEL work, but if you have to drive somewhere over moderately rough ground, you're in for a herky-jerky ride, because the throttle is overly touchy.
jim

 

[arlen4720]

I agree with the tire statement. I don't know why the 8 pos rims were discontinued for r4's. I think the 3rd electro hydraulic SCV is pretty handy, especially for a grapple. I didn't know that became standard equipment. I added the 3rd 4th and 5th to mine when I bought last year. What "filler cap" are you refering to?
I know what you mean about the sensitive throttle. The cruise control is good for that. I'm considering upgrading to the automotive stlye cruise, which would give you ACCEL/DECEL instead of just DECEL. At least you can turn the eThottle off.

 

[jenkinsph]

Arlen,
When I bought my 4520 in 2009 I bought a few add ons, rear wiper, rear work lights, upgraded cruise and a few other. The best bang for the buck was the $99 upgraded cruise. Really helps to be able to broadcast seed and fertilizer accurately.

 

[SDT]

I bought a 4520 this fall. Had a 4700 that was 12 years old. Wish I could have kept the old horse instead of trading it in; it was a great tractor. I like the new unit, which has many new and improved features. But a couple of issues:
1. The rear R-4's were changed from 7.5-24 size to 6.9-24. Why? And the rims were downgraded from 8 position widths to 2; the new ones are simple deep-dishes that are too narrow in the default position and too wide in the rotated position.
2. the 4520 came with a rear hydraulic hookup that was not optional. I didn't need and didn't want. And the plumbing for it is really thrown on -- big pipes wrapping around the back of the tractor, big boxy module for the hydraulic bleed valve and filler cap. Of course I had to go out and buy an attachment to use the hydraulics -- a back blade. And that has its own issue -- you can't turn the blade around to push backward on snow, etc. Cheez...
3. The e-throttle, which makes the foot pedal work like an auto -- depress it more, the unit speeds up. Well, it's kinda nice, maybe handy for FEL work, but if you have to drive somewhere over moderately rough ground, you're in for a herky-jerky ride, because the throttle is overly touchy.
jim

Rear tire selection is one reason that I did not buy a 4720. The fully adjustable 13.6 (4 ply) AG tires are too small for the HP and the non adjustable, one piece rims used with the R4s are unacceptable. No doubt the changes were maid to reduce costs.

Still, I might have bought one if the E PTO feature was offered on the ROPS tractdor. Cannot use a cab model for my work.

SDT