Hello everyone...

ArkCivEngr · Sep 23, 2004

I've perused these forums for several months and haven't decided to join in until today. I own about 20 acres, 6 of which I maintain (mow). I currently have a Deere GX335 but need (the wife says "want") to upgrade to a CUT. Most of my initial use will be leveling and grading yard areas, digging up rocks and stumps, opening new areas to turn into yard, and maintaining a 750-foot driveway. I also plan to do minor logging of cedar trees. The largest log I will have to load into a trailer (3' height) will weigh about 600 lb.

The machine I'm zeroing in on is the Deere 4115 with 410 loader, 60" MMM, 46 backhoe, and various 3-pt implements.

I'd appreciate insight from 4115 (and equivalent) owners about the performance of their machines, what I should expect to pay for the above package, or ideas about other units that might work for less $$$. Thanks in advance.

daedong · Sep 23, 2004

WELCOME TO TBN

In my view most tractors are of very similar quality so look at price.

RoyJackson · Sep 23, 2004

Personally, with that acreage and drive, I'd look a bit bigger then the 4115.

I think a 790 would be a good fit, I think a 4310 would be just right. You might even look at the 990, but there's no backhoe available for that machine.

If the 4310 is a bit above your budget, look on Machinefinder.com for a used one. I investigated a 4300 (1998) with loader...280 hours. The dealer wanted $14280 for it. I just ended up with a great deal on a 790...which I think is an outstanding little tractor.

Really depends on your budget...

I know you've posted in the Deere forum, but don't overlook the orange and the blue.

Mark4510 · Sep 23, 2004

I agree that a bit bigger might make a bit more sense. We maintain about the same length of gravel drive and it might be worth looking at TopNTilt as an addition. At least for me it certainly increases flexibility in grading.

Thats my 2 cents.....
Mark

Ledgemere Farm · Sep 24, 2004

You can also look for a used 970 0r 1070. I have a friend that just picked up a '92 970 w/loader and pallet forks, bush hog and tiller. It had 837 hours for 11k.

rockyridgefarm · Sep 24, 2004

Personally, I'd get a 4310... (why do I say that? I DID get a 4310... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) But seriously, I think that you could do that stuff with a 4115, but then would wish you'd stepped up. From the rest of your post, I think it is $$$ that is steering you that way. When I shopped around for my tractor, the dealer I bought from was around 3 or 4 thousand less than my other quotes. So, I think shopping around might get you a better deal on a mid chassis than the quote on your 4115. Use the dealer locator on Deere's site and ask for quotes on a specific setup, but also ask if they have any other deals. You might get a price on a new 4115, but they have a low hours 4410 sitting there that's an even better deal.

Of course, a backhoe is pricey, and lotsa folks will say they aren't worth it. You need to decide that for yourself. Renting, and used equipment weren't the way for me and I am glad that I got mine. Another poster, Brent Pepper is a big fan of mini excavators, but he recently got a backhoe for his 4310, It would be good to hear his input...

One other big thing about $$$. These are not cars, and really hold their resale value. I got a low interest loan, and my setup is already worth more than I owe on it, and I have gotten a lot of use...

Are Civil Engineers allowed to operate equipment? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

ScottAR · Sep 25, 2004

Welcome!

I'm guessing Ark. means Arkansas? What region if you don't mind me asking?

If your nearby, You can test out the 1050 to see if a bigger machine would fit what your doin'. Drop me a line...

Dargo · Sep 25, 2004

Yes, you may want larger. I've owned numerous JD tractors in the past 20 years. Each slightly larger than the past. One thing though about one comment though; tractors from all makes are most certainly not of the same quality! Someone did a big time sales job on the guy who posted that. In my experience, keep with a brand that has been around a long time, has a great parts network, and has lots of mechanics who know how to work on it when/if it gets old while in your possession. That is, of course, unless you are a gambler and enjoy working on your own tractor of unknown quality and quantity. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Good luck!

ArkCivEngr · Sep 25, 2004

It is true that price is my main sticking point, as we have 10-month old twins that we spend the majority of our time chasing around. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif However, I really need to get my place cleaned up just for the sake of increasing property value should I get a call from my employer that I should "consider" moving.

I can't count how many times I've "settled" on a certain machine. L4300DT, L3400DT, 2210, BX23, TC24DA, TC30, 790, 4115, etc. etc. etc. Each time I think I've got it narrowed down, another thought pops into my air-filled head and off I go again. However, after looking at the NH TC30 some more, I might be more inclined to lean that way, seeing as the TC24DA/4115/B7610 type of machine isn't much cheaper from what I've been quoted. Beyond that, I need the ability to pull the bucket off the loader and put forks on, OR have a strong enough loader to just put the forks on the bucket. This seems like a cheaper route. My biggest problem is that I need a machine big enough to do my logging but small enough to mow with.

Dealer issues are also important for me, because the only two tractor dealers in my hometown are notoriously crooked. Therefore I am forced to look elsewhere. The closest Kubota dealer is 45 minutes away; JD--30 minutes; NH--1.5 hours. There is a Case dealer about 20 minutes away, but I haven't done much checking on them other than to notice that they seem to be a New Holland with red paint.

I don't have the responses on my screen here, and I can't remember who wrote what. But for whoever recommended the 790, it reminded me of a question. Why is the published loader lift capacity on the 790 so low (610 lb.)? It's even lower than the 2210 (620 lb.). Surely those numbers can't be right.

RoyJackson · Sep 25, 2004

"Why is the published loader lift capacity on the 790 so low (610 lb.)? It's even lower than the 2210 (620 lb.). Surely those numbers can't be right. "

Although the 790 is a really old design (stemming from the late 80's), it's a robust machine.

However, the hydraulic capacities haven't kept up with the newer machines...all the ones you've looked at are pretty new designs. The flow rate and operating pressures are lower (on the 790) then the newer machines. There are several posts on TBN about shimming the pressure relief to increase the hydraulic pressures, but I don't think that's a good idea.

Also, from Deere's point of view, the 790 is a "value" tractor. Any upgrades would put it in direct competition with the 4200 and 4300 tractors. Personally, I think that's why Deere opted for a smaller, lower horsepower engine for the 790 a few years ago.

As far as the 419 loader capacity, the lift capacity is some what misleading. There was quite a bit of discussion concerning this loader when it replaced the #70 (first loader that came with the 790 and it's predessor, the 770) since the lift capacity of the 419 is lower then the #70 loader at maximum lift height. What was overlooked was that the 419 loader lifts almost 12" higher then the #70 loader does. And, I am sure it lifts considerably higher then the 2210's loader (max height on the 419 is around 90").

So, compare all the loader specs...not just the maximum lift capacity. Look at lift capacity at 18" or 24" which is where you'd use those pallet forks mostly.

However, even at lower heights, the 419's capacities are probably lower then some of the others....if you believe all the spec sheets.

BTW, when you go for the tractor, make sure you get bucket hooks welded on. They are invaluable. I've skidded trees up to 12" diameter using the bucket with the end of the tree slightly raised (less tearing up the lawn and such). You can drag 'em with a chain and the draw bar, but the trees tend to dig in a bit. Using the loader works better for me.