Buying a JD 4400

sjohnson79 · Jun 14, 2011

Hello,

Found a used JD 4400 with 2000 hours and a 72" deck very clean, looks to be well taken care of, was mainly used for grass cutting I'm told but did do some loading work as it is loader ready just doesn't come with it in the purchase. They are wanting $10,200.

My concerns:

Do I really need a 35hp tractor? I have five acres and plan to be mowing a lot so I do want a 72" cut and plan on getting a loader for it at some point. I was looking for in the 27hp to 30hp range i.e. 4200/10 and 4300/10, but this seems to be a good deal. Other concerns is the hours. It has just under 2000 hours. Is this a lot of hours for this tractor? Being 12 years old now I just wonder if any issues will be in its near future.

Thanks

Wolfy · Jun 14, 2011

Sounds good, except highly priced. Maybe a good price if it had a loader. My friend had either a 4400 or a 4500, it was a solid tractor. I wouldn't worry about 2000 hrs. I had a truck ignite itself on fire at 32,000 miles. If the owner took care of the tractor, that's what matters. But I would grab the fan, and shake it. If it wobbles the water pump is gone.

sjohnson79 · Jun 14, 2011

Wolfy said:
Sounds good, except highly priced. Maybe a good price if it had a loader. My friend had either a 4400 or a 4500, it was a solid tractor. I wouldn't worry about 2000 hrs. I had a truck ignite itself on fire at 32,000 miles. If the owner took care of the tractor, that's what matters. But I would grab the fan, and shake it. If it wobbles the water pump is gone.

What would you see as a fair price? I was thinking about offering $9250.

RoyJackson · Jun 14, 2011

sjohnson79 said:
What would you see as a fair price? I was thinking about offering $9250.

The Yanmar engines are very durable, so those hours wouldn't bother me too much. I will admit that I don't look at tractors with more then 800-1000 hours though.
It's things like pumps, wheel bearings, clutches that are the concern. Consider that when you make an offer.

As far as is it overkill...the 4300/10 tractor is the same size, just a few less HP. The 4200/10 is just slightly smaller (shorter wheelbase). Heck, I have a 4400 I use on 2.5 acres...plus about 3 acres of field.

As far as price...I paid $13500 for a 2000 4400 with 800 hours last summer. This one has a loader (but no midmount mower). I'd try your $9250 offer and see what the seller says.

Wolfy · Jun 14, 2011

I agree with you and Roy. The Yanmars are top notch engines. $9250 is well worth a shot.

Jay4200 · Jun 15, 2011

sjohnson79 said:
What would you see as a fair price? I was thinking about offering $9250.

That is quite high. I paid about $13.5k for a 2000 hour Kubota L4200 (45HP - 37 @PTO) with a loader and 9' backhoe. Below 40HP is a different class all together. At 2000 hours, 35HP (<30 @PTO), with no loader and MMM...I wouldn't go more than $7.5k, and even that is a stretch.

JayC

kennyd · Jun 15, 2011

Just remember a loader will set you back $3000-$3500 later when you decide to add one. Much better to buy it equipped they way you need it now.

Verticaltrx · Jun 15, 2011

If it is an early model 4400 they had LOTS of known issues. We had one, a '98 model, and in the 1700hrs we had it the following failed:

-front axle seals (twice)
-rear axle seal and bearing
-rear axle housing (3pt mounting tab broke off, twice)
-hydraulic cooler
-seat suspension
-mid-pto engagement arm
-battery cables
-PTO clutch

There are probably some other things I am forgetting, this was by far the worst JD product we ever owned. The tractor wasn't abused, but was used on the farm almost daily for either loader work or bush hogging. These tractors were the first compacts JD built in the US and IMO they rushed them into production without enough R&D. Most of the issues we had are well documented ones and midway through the 4000-series run they changed a lot of parts to correct them. There are a lot of parts for the 4400 that are different based on early or late S/N. Not sure when the S/N break is however. Not trying to scare you, just letting you know some things to be aware of.