Buyer looking at JD4120 series.

[Victor23]

I am looking at tractors with PTO HP around 35. I have narrowed my search to the JD 4120, NH TC40A, and the Kabota L3830.

There are all very nice. I am curious as to why the JD is 500lbs heavier than the other two JD/ 3700 lbs, NH 3252 lbs, kabota 3300lbs. These are weights with out loaders.

The Load match feature looks like it would be a plus. The Hydro flow appears to be slightly better. The JD Brand motor appeals to me however the other brands like NH and Kubota are good as well.

The price however is about $2000.00 more than a comparable NH and Kabota.

Could you give a guy some input.

Thanks

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

The weight issue is due to the fact that the 4120 Deere has the lowest horsepower in that particular frame size. Notice that the weight of a 4720 is identical, even though it has considerably more horsepower. The TC40 is the middle tractor in its respective frame and the L3830 is the largest (Kubota's are a bit harder to pigeonhole.)

You are correct that the Deere engine is a plus compared to the other two brands. For me, one word makes the 4120 more appealing than the Kubota or the New Holland. The word is: TURBO. The turbocharged engine coupled with the LoadMatch transmission will make the Deere a real stump puller. Plus that Deere engine sounds SO good!

The New Holland has the optional Super Steer front axle which is tremendous in some situations. I would choose the New Holland for certain applications like mowing or residential landscaping. Maneuvering with the Super Steer is a breeze.

If I was doing tillage work or a lot of box blading, the superior engine performance of the Deere would tip the scale in Deere's direction.

Back to weight. Never forget that in manufacturing, weight = dollars. There is almost always a direct relationship between weight and money for machinery. The Deere weighs about 500 lbs. more than its competitors, so I would expect to pay more for the Deere. $4.00/pound is not out of line for this type of machine. For instance, I have honed my skills over the years so that if you give me a certain implement and its weight, I can come very close to predicting the implement's MSRP. I scare myself sometimes.

Hmmm, if I follow my own logic then why does the 4720 cost so much more than the 4120 even though it has the same weight? Something fishy is going on in Moline...

 

[Victor23]

Equipment Junkie,
I believe you answered my question. I could not find the torque specs on the NH model. I know how much I love my turbo in my F250. I drove the tc40 the other day. I also drove the 4120jd however, I did not get to do loader work on the JD.

I will be doing a lot of mowing. However, I will also be tilling and disking pasture for gardens and food plots as well as loader work around my place.

I may just bite the bullet and go TURBO. The JD is running about $2000.00 than comparable models. Ouch.

 

[wolc123]

You are comparing two apples (blue and green 4cyls) and one orange 3cyl. To be fair, you should be looking at the orange 4330. Then the price gets a lot closer, or higher I have found. The JD has the edge in hydraulic capacity and lift capacity over the others but the NH has the best power/weight ratio which is good for mowing, trailering but bad for most other uses. The JD comes standard with quick attach bucket which is a big bonus for mowing. NH charges $400 or so for this feature, not sure about the Kubota. They are all very good machines and I looked at all three before deciding on the JD. I don't do any lawnmowing or trailering so it was an easy choice for me especially when the best Kubota 4330 price I got was higher, and the NH equal when I added the quick attach bucket. I have put about 100 hours on the JD and it has met or exceeded my expectations so far and I do love the sound of that turbo.

 

[CWP37]

A quick note...I used a neighbors TC40 to mow and it was ROUGH riding with the loader on. I've asked a couple of NH guys about that around here and they said their TC40s were also a rough ride. Just some food for thought.

 

[deereman]

Something else you may want to consider, I know I did when buying my JD4120. It is made in the US, by union workers. This was a slam dunk for me!

 

[jcmseven]

I cannot speak to the other brands, I am sure they are excellent machines. I would say the 4120 would be a great choice, even for a little more cash. I had a 4520 and it was great, just too physically large for some of my needs. The PowerTech engines, even without Loadmatch on , have tremendous torque and are super strong. I would have no reservation on buying one. If you can swing a 4320, consider it. It is probably the most popular large framed JD compact and gives you five more horses, which makes it even better. At 48 hp, one would nver lack for power for either implements or ground engagement work.

John M

 

[HappyCPE]

I am curious as to why the JD is 500lbs heavier than the other two JD/ 3700 lbs, NH 3252 lbs, kabota 3300lbs. These are weights with out loaders.

The Load match feature looks like it would be a plus. The Hydro flow appears to be slightly better. The JD Brand motor appeals to me however the other brands like NH and Kubota are good as well.

The price however is about $2000.00 more than a comparable NH and Kabota.

Without starting a brand war, I thought my 4320 was stronger looking, more durable, and better thought out than the TC40 that was my second-place choice. If you crawl under the machines you might see what I thought. That accounts for the weight. The NH was more comfortable, though. I use my machine for pasture maintenance, veg garden tilling, fences and tree planting and clearing and it does everything I ask and then some. I also found that the Deere was $2k more than New Holland. I still would Vote Green!

 

[95fxdl]

I'm in the same boat Victor. I keep leaning towards the 4320 vs. the New Holland even though my local nh is doing everything he can to get my business. I plan on pulling the trigger in the spring. good luck

 

[CWP37]

Anybody got a quote on a 4320 or 4120 lately?