Finally pulled the trigger.

[challengertn]

Well after much research and advice from you members of the board I finally bought the new toy. I had narrowed my choice down to the MX5000 or the 4800SU so I went today and didn't buy either one. I ended up buying the L4400 that I hadn't done any research on. So much for research! After a talk with the dealer I decided this was plenty tractor to replace a 135 MF. I also might add after working to convince the board I really had no use for 4WD, what do you think I ended up with? I guess ya'll did a better job of convincing me than I did you. I guess the main thing was that by dropping down in size the 4WD could be had for just a little more money. I woke up this morning after a rough nights sleep with the 4WD on my mind. What was the clincher to the deal was the fact that 30+ years ago my father traded with this man's father who owned the dealership at that time and he asked the dealer what he thought of power steering and the dealer replied that if he could get it he wouldn't have a bicycle without power steering. My father didn't heed the advice. Today I asked the son what he would do if it were him and he told me he wouldn't have a tractor that wasn't 4WD. So I decided I wouldn't make the same mistake. I'm kinda' buying it sight unseen since they are new and it was still packed in the crate.

 

[Henro]

challengertn,

You did a good job thinking this out, and my bet is you will not be disappointed.

Enjoy the new tractor! (Like anyone needs to say that... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif )

 

[WhiteRock]

LOL. Great story. Congratulations on your new purchase. I am not familiar with the L4400, but I'll bet you will like it a lot. I think you will be happy with the 4WD. Let us know down the road.

You appear to be in the same area that I grew up. Great country there. It is so different than here. My dad has a MF 235. He sure would like to have a Kubota. I've been expecting to get a call someday just because he can't take the fever.

Congrats! Be safe.

 

[Bob_Young]

You'll love the L4400 and won't be a bit sorry about the 4WD. My new L4300 has done little but move snow since delivery in December. It's in 4WD more than half the time...it's like having an ace up your sleeve when the going gets tough. Besides more traction, it helps pull the front end in the direction you've got it aimed when an implement is trying to do the steering. Haven't had much need to steer with the brakes with this tractor.

I didn't see the need for 4WD either at first; 2WD tractors had been good enough 40 years, why change now? But not all progress is hype...there are some real improvements.

Didja get a loader? Fill the rears? Any remotes? The transmission they put in the L4400 makes a lot of sense. The two additional reverse gears are something the L4300 could benefit from. My two reverse speeds are 'hold onto yer hat' and 'almost slow'....tain't enuff for some situations. Not complainin' though. I'm very happy with the L4300. It's had zero, zilch, nada problems since delivery.

If you work on hills, ask them to set the rears out at one of the wider spacings prior to delivery....something I neglected to do.

Like you, I had decided to buy a totally different machine. Went in to buy a TC40 and came out with the L4300...and a smaller dent in the wallet.
Bob

 

[MTM1930]

I STARTED OUT WANTING A 4400. I MOVED UP TO A MX5000 FOR THE LARGER LOADER, KEPT LOOKING AND MOVED UP TO THE M4800 FOR THE SYNCHRO SHIFT.
WENT BACK TO THE DEALER ON SAT AND ALMOST WENT BACK TO THE 4400. IT LOOKS LIKE ALL THE TRACTOR I NEED BUT I FIGURE I AM ONLY GOING TO BUY ONE SO I WILL STICK TO THE M4800.
L4400 SEEMS TO BE THE MOST BANG FOR THE BUCK. I PICK MINE UP ON FRI

CONGRADULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Bob_Young]

If I have any regrets in my buying experience, MTM, it's that I didn't look further into the M-series before buying. They're definitely more tractor and the extra beef is nice to have at times. But the compact L4300 will be just the ticket for mowing around trees...that will be 80% of its work once the snow leaves.

I'm looking forward to another tractor buy in a few years, so may get my chance at an M-series then.
Bob