JD 4600 HST on the way!

[DennisFolsom]

I've been mostly lurking and reading the TractorByNet forums for years now. I came close, a few years ago, to buying a Kubota L2900, but decided that I couldn't afford it at that time.

After a lot of scheming and dreaming, a little tire kicking, a few tryouts, and lots of research on TBN, I have finally made a deal. I'm getting a JD 4600 HST, with 460 loader, 48 backhoe, loaded industrial tires and a Fisher snowplow converted to JD Quick Attach (no angle, though). The tractor had 434 hours when advertised, and had been serviced by a JD dealer at 400 hours. The tractor is about 10 years old, but barely broken in!

I think you'll agree, from looking at the photos, that it has been well cared for. The seller was a bit upset because I tried it out in light rain. He wiped it down after we got it back in the garage!

Now, I have to arrange transportation form North Berwick, Maine, to Readfield, Maine. I have a couple of friends and relatives with HD pickups and trailers. However, this rig is pretty heavy. I'm thinking I'll hire one of the pros for the moving. I might cost a bit out of pocket, but might be cheaper in the long run than buying a transmission for somebody's pickup!

I want to thank all you posters at TBN for the discussion and advice. I spent much of last evening reading through search results for 4600 in the John Deere forums. There's a lot there!

I'll post another photo or two, when I've done some diggin' and scratchin' on my own property.

 

[RoyJackson]

Very nice!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats on your new (for you) tractor!

 

[kennyd]

:thumbsup: very nice!

 

[k0ua]

Great looking tractor, and I am sure you will get a lot of work out of that very capable bad boy.

James K0UA

 

[bigbull338]

enjoy your new to you tractor.

 

[DennisFolsom]

Very nice!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats on your new (for you) tractor!

Thanks, Roy (and the rest of you, too), for the congrats and good wishes.

I now have my transportation arranged through mainetractor.com. From my phone conversations with them, they seem to be good folks to do business with. They quoted $350 for a 200 mile round trip with their big rig. I'm happy. I had feared it would be more expensive than that.

In Maine, we have a weekly classified ad magazine called Uncle Henry's. It comes out on Thursday. If there's a good deal in it, you'd better be calling by supper time on Thursday. I was the first caller this time. Fortunately, I had done enough shopping and research to know a good deal when I saw one. I was also prepared mentally and financially (well almost on that one). Also, my Mrs. was prepared to help fill the gap in the finances.

TBN and TractorHouse.com were my primary resources. I probably should put a note of thanks over in the Kubota section. I got a lot of good advice there, too. I could have ended up with orange, or red, or white. It turns out that the right deal came up on a green one. I've always like JD Green anyway.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

That's a really clean looking machine. Be careful with it at 1st while your learning the ropes. Report back with some project pictures. Enjoy!

 

[DennisFolsom]

I've had a bit of experience in my past with farm equipment, and with construction equipment. That being said, I still intend to take it easy and be very careful at first. I've run some hydrostatics before, but not this particular model. In my brief tryout, I found that this one stops very suddenly if you take your foot off the pedal too quickly. Sometimes, that may be just what you want to happen. Usually, you want to let up easier for a smoother stop.

I've got a few small rocks and stumps that are well away from any other obstacles. I plan to practice on them with the hoe first, before digging near the house or trees that I want to save, etc. Having had a bit of backhoe experience, I think I will smooth up a lot after a few hours.

I'm also very mindful about side slopes and uneven ground. I'll be having the ROPS up and locked and the seatbelt on, especially when I'm in uneven going. I will also be taking it slow and easy. I have some old skidder roads in my woods that have some pretty bad hummocks and hollows in them. One of the first jobs will be to smooth those out along the road that leads from my back yard to where I intend to pile waste (stumps, etc). That way, I should have a safer route to carry stuff out there.

Anyway, thanks for the caution and the thought.

Tomorrow, I've got to work on clearing space in the garage!

 

[DennisFolsom]

I have made space in the garage for the new Green Machine. I've bought and filled a new diesel can. We have shuffled money so there's enough sitting in my checking account. Tomorrow, I get the bank check made out to the seller or myself (in case something happens to the deal last-minute). We are supposed to confirm Tuesday's pickup trip tomorrow morning. That should be no problem, since all 3 parties have agreed to the time.

I'm ready!!

Oh yes, there is another bit to report. Since I'm buying used from an individual, I don't get the customary free hat from a dealer. I'm doing one better, though. When I went to Tractor Supply to get the diesel can, I found a nice John Deere T shirt on sale for $10. Then I looked at John Deere gloves. They had some very nice ones with leather palms and cloth backs for $20. They looked too good to wear while getting off to hand-wrestle some of the smaller roots and rocks. So, I bought an $8.00 pair of split cowhide John Deere driving gloves. I won't mind so much using them rough. They didn't have anything in stock that I liked for a John Deere cap. I'll keep my eyes open. I'll find one somewhere.

 

[DennisFolsom]

This feels like the "Night Before Christmas!" Tomorrow, we haul the Green Machine home. :licking:

We almost had a snafu on scheduling the hauling, but we're back on track. I'm glad I called the guy this afternoon!

Unless someone says something that I should answer, this will be my last post on this thread. I plan to start a new thread on the Green Machine's arrival.

"Green Machine" may not be a very original nickname, but it fits for me, right now. :thumbsup: