Deere 4300

[bugstruck]

I'm thinking primarily a new purchase at the moment but have seen (2) used 4300 CUTs that seem sensibly priced if this is the tractor I think it is. Is this the older version of the 4310? I'm looking at one model year 2000 HST with 430 FEL, hard cab, heater, and snow blade at 16,700.00 with a hundred and some odd hours. This thing looks as new in the photos. The other a 2001 model with 820 hours and FEL to be determined after call back along with transmission type. Bet it isn't HST. They want 11,200.00 for that.

Are they a gross 30HP tractor? Weight in the 2,800 pound range maybe?? Anybody own one and want to comment?

Thanks

 

[RoyJackson]

That's correct...the 4300 is the predessessor to the 4310.
Although there's a hydrostatic transmission, it's not the eHydro currently available.

These machines put out 32 Gross HP and 28 at the PTO. They are in the 2800# range. These are the mid sized tractors Deere sells.

Personally, I think the 4300 series machines are the best size for 8 to 15 acres.

The 2000 model you wrote about...that cab would be nice if you're in an area that gets real cold and a lot of snow. However, you're not that far from where I am...I reckon you're in Carroll, Baltimore or Harford County. Doesn't get that cold here for any length of time.
However, unless it's also got AC (or the windows are removable), I wouldn't want to use it for finish mowing or brush cutting. I'll wager that cab is a substantial part of the price of this machine. I've seen hard cab prices in the $4000-6000 range. I've seen this tractor online...on Machinefinder.com, I believe. Is it the one at Suburban Sales in Cockeysville? If so, I notice it has a salt-spreader on the 3PH. Take a good look for rust or freshly painted ares on the chassis and wheels. Also, as it appears to have been used for parking lot snow removal, it may have had more then one operator...so take a careful look and drive before you put your money into it.
The 2001 model sounds pretty good too, if it has a FEL. If it doesn't...and you need a loader...I'd pass this one by. I wouldn't worry about the 820 hours...that's only about 200 hours per year. More then most of us residential users put on a tractor, but not unreasonable.

About a year ago, I looked (online) at a '98 or '99 4300 with a 420 loader and synch-shift. That one had 280 hours. The asking price was $14200.

The older 4300 tractors had some kind of front axle issue. I can't recall which years were affected or exactly what the problem was, but it required replacement of the front axle. You might want to do some research on this.

I think you'd be really happy with a 4300 seeries machine. I've no idea if either of these machines would be right for you...but the 4300 is a nice tractor! I talked a buddy of mine into buying one when he replaced his 855. This friend also lives in North Central Maryland, BTW.

Good Luck!

 

[bugstruck]

Roy, Appreciate the quick response. You're correct with the Suburban Sales tractor. By the way, it's Carroll County just outside the county seat so your right about our winters not being that bad. The cab/AC issue. Hadn't thought about that and I know better. That's a potential real problem as I'd bet that it doesn't have AC. And I'll be on it during the warm weather most often.

The 4300 is just comfortably large enough for what I want to do but I need to have a loader and hoe for any machine I get.


I'm tied up for awhile. May have something to PM to you by late today or tomorrow on that if that's acceptable? It's 250 miles from here....South and West. I believe they are a blue and maybe a red dealer. I'll leave it there for now.

Appreciate the good informanion. Very helpful.

 

[RoyJackson]

"May have something to PM to you by late today or tomorrow on that if that's acceptable?"

Feel free to send a PM!

That 4300 with the cab does not have AC according to the ad on Machinefinder's. However, it does appear to be removable.

You won't have much problem finding a tractor with a loader...the backhoe might be a different story though. However, I've seen a number on Machinefinder when I'd looked. That's going to add a few thousand to any tractor though. I thought about one...found a #7 (used) for $2500 on Machinefinder...just didn't have enough use to justify one though...even at that price.

FYI, I found my 790 on Machinefinder. It came from a dealer in VA that is pretty close to the NC border. The salesman brought the machine to PA since he was coming here for another purpose anyway. Turned out, the 790 was a really nice machine (wonder what would have happened if it was a POS?). So, I made out pretty good on the deal...as did he.

If you buy out of state, it's going to cost about $1.50 per loaded mile...for me, that would have been close to $600. Might want to figure that into any deal you look into. I was prepared to drive down to look at the tractor I bought. It would have been about a 5½ to 6 hour run, but it was early Spring..would have been a nice day trip.

This friend of mine with the 4310...he has been extremely happy with the tractor. About the only complaint is that his Dad loves it too....so, Ol' Dad gets most of the seat time! Really nice machine!

But, my 790 is the best fit for my place...I'm a gear guy anyway.

For your 3 acres, that 4300 is going to be a bit of overkill. My 790 is for my 2½ acres. I had a great little Deere 670 (forerunner to the 790) which was perfect for my property...including about 2-3 acres of stout brush cutting (mine and a neighbor's property).I wanted more PTO HP for a chipper...that was the sole reason I moved up to the 790.
In fact, you may even want to consider a 790. Sizewise almost the same as a 4300 machine. There's one (with a #7 backhoe) setting at Southern York Turf and Tractor in Shrewsbury, by the way. I'll tell you more when you PM.

I'll be looking for your PM.

 

[bugstruck]

Roy, If you check the first forum on pricing and discussions, I started the third +- post down. That sort of sums up what I'm doing and you'll see it reads like I have a lot more that the normal 3 acres worth of work. I need to be able to handle pine trees in potentially 20' lengths (minimum now for pulp sale) at calipers as large as 18" in diameter. Could lean in on 1,000 lbs ea. logs on the largest trees. I don't really have to have the drywell diging depth capability I mention and you really need an extendahoe to do that right anyhow. They don't really approve drywells in Carroll County anymore but having some experience in those areas they are the absolute best option for home wastewater disposal if your soils are right and mine are. The codes were rewritten as a result of problems from lots that were too small to start, soils that wouldn't perc properly, bad installations, etc. And the 1,000 yards of soil relocation could be 600 or 1,200 depending on how energetic I get. So the acerage becomes almost mute for the initial work. And these pines won't be getting any smaller down the road.

No word yet on the 4300 but I did look at the New 790 and I'm a bit of a gear guy too. Problem is my topogrophy is screaming for a hydro. Although I know darn well I could make out OK on the 790 if I got past the Hydro is faster working and better on hilly terrain mindset. Funny, 15 or 20 years ago the hydro would have been the newfangled thing and I wouldn't have considered it then for a tractor. Put it this way. If a really good buy comes up on a 790 I'd have to look hard. The loader on that might be a little light but I don't have to load those size log, just get them to a staging area for pickup and maybe lift them across the driveway in a few instances. Bet I end up skidding most of it anyhow. Not like I have enough room to run throught the woods, on a hill, with a 20' log on forks.

The hoe is for the stumps I want to remove (not many) and some trenching I still have to do. Most of the stumps will be left to rot and a few may be ground.

Thanks for reminding me simpler is usually better. Even in equipment. Bet I could do 8 hrs. worth of 4300 work around here in 8:15 on a 790. How many wheels actually apply break on the 790?

I'll be in touch.

Thanks

 

[RoyJackson]

"How many wheels actually apply break on the 790? "

The brakes are dry type...on the rear wheels. But, one does get engine braking if the MFWD is engaged.

 

[eee]

The older 4300 tractors had some kind of front axle issue. I can't recall which years were affected or exactly what the problem was, but it required replacement of the front axle. You might want to do some research on this.

It was a design issue,supposedly for people that used the tractor for mowing of yards, the old style axle damaged the sod when making a turn more so than the newer style axles. The old style axle is what I have and is a beefier looking axle then the new redesigned axles. The replacement was ony needed for people who were having problems with damaging the yards while mowing.Other than that there is no issue and I am not so sure that the axle problem was not exagerated, I never seen a tractor that would not damage the lawn somewhat when turning the wheel hard enough,especially if left in 4wd and depending on the type of tires on the machine.

 

[RalphVa]

The current 4310 tractors are speced at 2900#. My neighbor has one, but I haven't paid too much attention to it. On it, he says it takes the full hp to come up the hill (about 30% grade) and running the cutter. My little JD 4010 will run the cutter up the grade. It's only 1420#. Interesting.

Ralph

 

[RoyJackson]

"On it, he says it takes the full hp to come up the hill (about 30% grade) and running the cutter. My little JD 4010 will run the cutter up the grade. It's only 1420#. Interesting."

Are you guys going up the same hill?

I have a hard time believing a 4310 has trouble getting up a hill. I'll wager he's using too high a range for the slope...or his 4310 has problems.

 

[stuart]

I agree with U Ralph. He is in the wrong gear or has a real problem with his tractor.