Considering a 4200

[avc8130]

I am looking for a tractor. I just bought a ~12 acre slice of land. The land is partially wooded and has some decent slopes.

Tractor Uses:
1. Clear snow from ~1/4 mile paved drive.
2. Brush hog ~3-4 acres to keep woods at bay.
3. General loader work.
4. Back hoe, not sure why, but I feel the NEED to own this.
5. Re-grade a few areas so I can mow with my ZTR (box blade).
6. Maintain pasture for goats.
7. Build a patio (grade/move materials/etc).

I found a 2001 4200 for sale locally. It has a loader and a backhoe on it. ~1200 hours. Hysdrostatic trans. Industrial tires. They are asking ~13k.

Is this the "right" tractor for me? What should I look for if I go check it out?
ac

 

[rekees4300]

Sounds like a 4200 is about the right size for what you want to do assuming it's 4WD. I'd avoid 2WD. FELs are $3-$4K new and backhoes are around $6K so $13K seems reasonable. Check the general condition/appearance of the tractor. It could be an excellent tractor or a pile of junk depending on how it's been treated by it's previous owner. Start it up and take it for a test drive, check for oil leaks under the tractor, hydraulic leaks, PTO, and if the FEL/backhoe operate properly.

 

[avc8130]

It is 4WD. I don't think I would even consider a 2WD.
ac

 

[crazywolf]

Sounds like a steal. I literally just got off the phone buying a 4200 minus the backhoe. It's in really good condition 607 hours and I paid 11k before the .gov gets a piece. The dealer is delivering it and filling the tires for free for me.

I have a little more land 26ac and similar uses to you and felt the tractor would work well for me. It's my first so take my opinion for what you paid for it. :laughing: I was looking at the smaller ones and felt this would fit fine and preferred the larger frame to say a 2320. Definitely check it out because that really does sound like a great deal considering the backhoe.

 

[avc8130]

This might be a stupid question, but I just got off the phone with the seller and I asked if the 3-point hitch arms came with the tractor. He said he wasn't sure because as long as he has had it the backhoe was on. Could the arms be there, or do they have to be removed to install the frame mounted backhoe?
ac

 

[kennyd]

This might be a stupid question, but I just got off the phone with the seller and I asked if the 3-point hitch arms came with the tractor. He said he wasn't sure because as long as he has had it the backhoe was on. Could the arms be there, or do they have to be removed to install the frame mounted backhoe?
ac

99.9% sure the lower arms as well as the top-link are removed when the backhoe is mounted. Other than that, it does sound like a good deal.

What loader is on it-the 420 or 430?
The BH should be a #47 I think...

 

[avc8130]

Loader is 420, Backhoe is 47. Are those good?

How much will the 3-point setup set me back?

ac

 

[rekees4300]

Loader is 420, Backhoe is 47. Are those good?

How much will the 3-point setup set me back?

ac

The 420 & 47 aren't heavy duty but they are adequate for your requirements. The seller should provide the 3-point setup since that's pretty much standard equipment that should come with all tractors. If he doesn't have the top-link and arms, I wouldn't buy the tractor or I would find out from a JD dealer how much new ones would cost then ask the seller to reduce his price by that amount.

 

[avc8130]

The 420 & 47 aren't heavy duty but they are adequate for your requirements. The seller should provide the 3-point setup since that's pretty much standard equipment that should come with all tractors. If he doesn't have the top-link and arms, I wouldn't buy the tractor or I would find out from a JD dealer how much new ones would cost then ask the seller to reduce his price by that amount.

He doesn't have the arms as he bought it with the backhoe already on it from the owner before. No arms are coming from this guy. I think he is firm on his asking price. Any ideas what the parts would cost me to get?
ac

 

[rekees4300]

Any ideas what the parts would cost me to get?
ac

This site has compact kits for around $200. The JD dealer would probably be double that?

Hitch Kits: 3 point Hitch Kits || Weaver's Compact Tractor Parts & Compact Tractor Salvage

 

[RoyJackson]

If he doesn't have the top-link and arms, I wouldn't buy the tractor or I would find out from a JD dealer how much new ones would cost then ask the seller to reduce his price by that amount.

I dunno about that....$13K is a pretty good price for a tractor with a backhoe.
I am assuming since the hitch arms aren't there, this is a subframe 'hoe

 

[Egon]

99.9% sure the lower arms as well as the top-link are removed when the backhoe is mounted. Other than that, it does sound like a good deal

The arms are removed to mount the Backhoe.:thumbsup:

Several years ago I purchased a JD 4200 HST, 4x4 with FEL, #47 Backhoe and 60 inch belly mower and 1000 hrs. So far I'm exceeding happy but must also add that I've put very few hours on the machine.

 

[avc8130]

I dunno about that....$13K is a pretty good price for a tractor with a backhoe.
I am assuming since the hitch arms aren't there, this is a subframe 'hoe

The backhoe is a subframe backhoe. Which from my limited research seems like a good thing.
ac

 

[dieselram]

I'm pretty sure those arms are BIG bucks! See if you can find a 4300, quite a bit more power than the 4200. I brush hogged my field with my father in laws 4200 before I bought my 4300 and would never do it again with his 4200. Other than power they are about the same tractor. My 4300 had the 430 loader and 48 backhoe which I dont think you could get on the 4200.

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

I have a 4110, which is one size smaller and I love it. I have the 410 loader and 46 hoe. The 4200 has like 6 more HP. I can tell you from experience however, that no matter which tractor you buy, there will always be times when you wished you had one "just a tad bigger."

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

you will want a subframe hoe. A 3PH one one that size tractor will get you into trouble. The hoe comes off in a couple of minutes, but I have never been able to get it back on in less than 10-15.

Once you have it off, the 3PH arms will take another 10-15 to re-install.

Good Luck.

 

[arrabil]

The backhoe is a subframe backhoe.

Unless the owner made his own subframe or adapted the 48 subframe, the 47 had no subframe available from Deere.

 

[avc8130]

Unless the owner made his own subframe or adapted the 48 subframe, the 47 had no subframe available from Deere.

Interesting. It is definitely a 47 backhoe on a 4200. The seller said it was subframe mounted. He said "it isn't some weak POS 3 point mount, this is subframe, the real deal."

ac

 

[arrabil]

Oh wow! Thanks for that picture!!!!! I've been searching the internet for weeks looking for that exact shot! [Wanted to compare an 8B with my subframe to the stock 47.]

And back to your tractor.... the 47 is mounted with what they call Rockshaft Assist Mounting Plates. Its an in-between mounting setup. Stronger than a 3pt mount, weaker than a true subframe. Whether it should concern you is up to you.... do a search and see what you think for yourself. Lots of people have had zero troubles. A handful have the opposite experience.

 

[Egon]

Here's another one or two.