Comparison 870 vs 4410

[TTSKi]

Looking for opinions on two used John Deere tractors. Looking for the positives and negatives.

1st 1998 JD870 1800 hours gear tranny 440 FEL with a back hoe garaged always, turf tires , used to dig cemetery holes and mow lawns $12500


2nd 2004 JD 4410 hydro tranny 430FEL quick attach 600 hours left outside turf tires used on an estate to mow and move mulch $12500

Both machines were dealer serviced regularly


Both machines I have pluses and negatives:

neg- no ag tires, 870 the age, 870 the gear tranny- never run tractor
4410 no back hoe

Plus- 4410 low hrs, hydro, newer
870 - back hoe

I do like the idea of a back hoe - looks like adding one later used or new would be a pain and costly.

An input would help make my mind up, both priced the same.

Quick note on the use I will be doing: I own 2 plots of land in Fingerlakes region (rocky soil) of NY 10 acre with a house and a 20 acre plot that was an old potato farm years ago, some fields covered by golden rod, quick growing brush, trees less than 12inches wide.

Want to reclaim the fields and clean up woods- falling trees. Establish a small orchard maybe some small corn or pumpkin plots. remove snow from drive some times - not long, and trail road maintenance occasional stump removal

I would like to use: a brush mower, 2 bottom plow or disc or maybe a rototiller would be the best bet and box blade

 

[AKfish]

Welcome to TBN, TTSKi. There's a significant difference between the machines - IMO. The 4410 is a larger frame size tractor and of course, higher horsepower. The 430 loader on the 4410 has a greater load capacity, lift capacity than the 440 loader on the 870.

So, the 4410 will power larger pto implements versus the 870. In general, about another foot larger sized implements, attachments. Therefore, brush hog mowing, box blading, and discing - is gonna favor the 4410.

Stump removal will favor the 870 with the backhoe. Depending upon the number of actual trees and stumps you'll need to remove; the backhoe might be a real benefit. However, the JD 8A backhoe is not rugged enough to consistently root out stumps from large hardwoods and such without serious wear and tear.

I had a 8A hoe on my JD970 for 4 years of tree clearing and stump removal. It was very hard on the backhoe (and tractor) and it was evident to me - a steady diet of that kind of work - was gonna result in a very shortened life span for the backhoe and tractor!

I upgraded to a JD110TLB. For the largest trees - I rented a number of different excavators! :thumbsup:

Long and short - for the same money - the 4410 is a more capable machine. And with 3X as many hours on the 870 - I know where my money would be...

Good luck with your decision.

AKfish

 

[psdx]

35 hp vs 28 hp and a wheelbase of 68 inches vs 57.5 inches. I agree on the 4410. It's much more capable tractor. The backhoe on the 870 isn't big enough to help much with your trees anyway.

 

[Martian]

:welcome:

4410 is where my money would be without a question. As AKfish and psdx mentioned the 4410 specs out the 870 in every category. A backhoe can be nice for stump removal, but I don't know that the 870 would have the power to get a very large stump out of the ground. For less hours and more HP invest in the 4410 and when you need a bundle of stumps taken out rent a mini ex. Unless you have a lot of land to clear it's much more beneficial to get the better machine without the backhoe.:thumbsup:

 

[Johndeere3720]

My vote is also on the 4410. You will get a much more powerful tractor and thank yourself in the future for getting the bigger (hp) tractor. :thumbsup:

 

[Martian]

To add to my previous post...

You say you have no tractor experience, the HST on the 4410 is MUCH easier to operate than a gear transmission. Night and day for an operator of any skill level. The gear does offer some benefits but for basic operation and unskilled the HST is more than worth it.

 

[RoyJackson]

I'd also lean toward the 4410.
The 870 is a nice little machine (heavier frame, but comparable to the Deere 790 in engine and PTO HP), but it's gross engine HP (28) is less then the 4410's PTO HP (29 on HST units).
Also, with 1800 hours and a back hoe...I'd want to look that machine over very carefully...might be pretty loose.

If you do go for the 4410 (and $12500 is a good price, if it's in good condition), get some Fluid Film and really spray the range shift lever where it enters the transmission case. Speaking of the range shift lever, make sure it shifts fairly easily (long lever, so it'll feel like an old VW Beetle shifting).

 

[Tractor Pilot]

TTSKi,

Do a little more research on the JD870. They came stock with a collar shift transmission, but there was an option to upgrade to the synchromesh transmission. That provided on-the-go shifting. Big improvement!

My dad owned a JD870 with a loader and backhoe when I was a teenager. It was a great tractor. It also had a two-stage clutch.

Are the tractors you are looking at 4WD? I think the synchromesh transmission came standard on the JD870 if purchased with 4WD. Remember, when comparing HP, your going to lose a few HP with the HST.

Bruce

 

[TTSKi]

Thanks for the info everyone.

Horsepower is the key for everyone.

It quite funny I started looking at sub compact tractors like Kubota bx's first and I keep looking at bigger and bigger tractors.

By the way both tractors are 4x4- someone asked.

If anyone knows What would the jd 870 be compared with today? A2000 series?

One last question for everyone- A friend of mine swears by John Deere due to the parts availability compared with the other manufacturers is this valid?

 

[RoyJackson]

If anyone knows What would the jd 870 be compared with today? A2000 series?

One last question for everyone- A friend of mine swears by John Deere due to the parts availability compared with the other manufacturers is this valid?

As far as power, the 870 is closest to the current 3005 (was 790), but it is actually a lower HP version of the 4005 (was 990).

The 870 was built by Yanmar and there are a lot of components shared by the 990 and even the 790 (don't be surprised if you see "670" cast into the front axle components).
These are very simple tractors with a simple electrical system. When I was considering upgrading my 790, I wanted a 970 (same as the 870 with a few more PTO HP and a synchronized transmission).
I went for the Deere 4400 because my dealer called me and said they had a really nice 4400 with the reverser transmission.
Anyway, as far as parts, you'll have little problems getting parts. As long as the 870 hasn't been beat to death, I doubt you have much need for replacement parts.
That said, I still suggest you look at that 4410 very seriously.