Decision day on 4100 gear drive---keep or return

acs55812 · Jul 12, 2004

I have until the end of today (Monday) to decide if I should keep or not a JD 4100/ag tires/116hrs, 410 loader (new), and 52" MMM.
I have had it all weekend, only disappoint in that its gear drive and not HST, I think I can live with that. Actually a bigger disappointment is that its not a live mid pto, as soon as the clutch is touched it stops the lawn mower blades.

I do think its a keeper as the out the door price is $11,500.00 and that seems prety good compared to anything else i can find----what do you think?
Thanks
Dan

foreman81 · Jul 12, 2004

My neighboor in front has the 4100 gear and he regrets not having the live pto or independent pto for snowblowing since he can't clear it without moving. He doesn't have the loader on it so I can't comment on that. For mowing, he got used to it and it doesn't bother him (his lot is very square with few obstacle and no hills). I asked him what he preferred and he said he should have gone with the 4200 or the 790 instead. I litterally dance circles around him with my 2210 for mowing and snow blowing with the independent PTO. I'd think hard about it. Also consider who will be running it in your absence and if they're comfortable with gears.

Alex

ducati996 · Jul 12, 2004

That is a tough decision I guess, but ask yourself can you afford a new 4110 HST or is there one that is used?
I bought my gear very slightly used with 6.5 hrs, the owner couldnt keep up with the payments. If I had to buy new it would be considerably much more expensive, so you deal with it. And overall its not that much of a big deal, but if you go new you get the HST...it beats a shovel regardless /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Duc

PsRumors · Jul 12, 2004

I currently have an 8N which I have been using for 3 years now. It has a trans driven pto like the 4100 you are using. All I can say is if you are going to buy one DO NOT buy the trans driven pto. There are no once in a life time chances on tractors. If you have the time the same deal will come around. I could not imagine buying a tractor that was not live pto.

HTH

zuiko · Jul 12, 2004

I would want a live or independent PTO myself. Maybe a new 790 would be an option? It is still a GST but the price would only be a few thousand more than you paid for the used 4100.

beenthere · Jul 12, 2004

Welcome to the forum.
You deserve the HST. Once you have it, I would be willing to bet you wouldn't want it any other way.

With HST, just steer and operate the FEL and 3pt controls with your hands. No need to have a hand also operating forward and reverse, plus the clutch. HST - it's super.

But its not my decision to make. I just know what I would do, knowing both.

PsRumors · Jul 12, 2004

Hey Dan, let me elaborate a little more. Yes I did order the hydro unit but I am not opposed to the gear units, like em, everything I have is gear. This will be my first hydro. But, if I could not have afforded the hydro or if I had decided to stay with gear drive I would have had to have live or independent PTO.

$.02 more of my thoughts.

JayC · Jul 12, 2004

What did you decide?

acs55812 · Jul 12, 2004

I just signed in to answer and there was the question just asked, after calling about 25-30 dealers, in a 200 mile radius (hoping at this point the answer would be no!!!). I found NOT ONE dealer that had a 41XX in stock --used-- of any flavor. That pretty much made up my mind. Yes I know the HST has advantages for some uses----I hate to admit it was almost 30 years ago I left farming and all tractors at that time had clutch driven gears (yes hand clutches too). I just could not justify 5000 (when thats nearly half of what I paid total) more dollars to get new for the HST. Actually a bigger deal in the PTO not being live.
I am sure I will enjoy what I got and may "have to" upgrade someday!
Thanks for all the replys.
Dan

P.S. whats the best method for a homemade ballist box?