Thanks just don稚 know why 4 series are so hard to get.
I think it's just the fact that the 4 series, and its direct competition, the Grand L line, are kind of odd ducks.
A 4052R lists on JD's site for 35,000 to start. Add a cab and R4s, you're at 43,500.
A 5075E lists for 28,350 to start. Add the same options and you're at 47,400.
I didn't add loaders because I couldn't find online pricing for the 5075E's loader options, but I don't think it changes the price balance much.
That's a lot more iron for not much more money.
Throw a cab and R4s on a 4066R and you squeak past 50K.
The same is true for team orange. A
L6060 is more money than an similarly specc'd
M6060, and within a couple grand of a
M7060.
Large compacts are really nice luxury tractors. Most people who need tractors aren't looking for luxury, they're looking for what does the most work for the lowest price. That's why E models exist. Money spent on the tractor is money that can't be spent on implements or other things. Of course, once you trip over a certain size and into actual production ag features start to play into things again. That's why things like the new 5R line exist. Working farmers know they need to be efficient, and a tractor with good features and good ergos helps with that.
There's a kind of small overlap of people who both don't need big iron and want the features and ergos. I think JD underestimated how many people would want the 4Rs, thus leading to the current shortage.