jd 4700

Anonymous Poster · Jan 28, 2002

I am starting a small tree farm and I'm in need of some help. I have 170 acres of mixed hardwoods and cultivated fields. My tree farm will total about 20 acres. I am looking for a tractor that will handle the work needed to maintain this property. this would enclude road maintance, brushhog, tree planter(min. 40hp), 2 bottom plow, 3 bottom plow available, 10' disk, 12' drag, and ditching tool. Can a 4700 handle these tasks? Would it be worth buying a 5410 knowing that I would need a smaller tractor later on to cut the weeds between rows of trees? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

cowboydoc · Jan 28, 2002

If you can afford it I would say buy two tractors. That's what I do for my farming and ranching. Each one of them has significant uses that the other can't do. If you can only buy one for what you've mentioned that you do I would go with the 4700. I have the 4600 and it does all you 've mentioned and more. I really don't think you'd be disappointed with the 4700.

Anonymous Poster · Jan 28, 2002

Thanks cowboy, what two tractors do you have? I failed to mention, I do have a 1964 MF 65. I am trying to add to this tractor to give me a well rounded supply of tractors. I have some very wet ground at times and I am concerned about the 4700 in those conditions. Would a 5210/5310 be a better choice for what I mention earlier. Thanks again!

cowboydoc · Jan 28, 2002

I have a 125 hp deutz and a jd 4020 as well as my 4600. I guess to answer your question do you need the smaller size of the 4700 to get around? In my case I did need the smaller size to get around the barns and such better. If you don't need the smaller size and price isn't an issue then definitely I would go for the 5210. You're going to have alot more tractor there.

dmccarty · Feb 1, 2002

gzbmpc,

I have a 4700. I have had it in very wet spots from time to time. I have not used the tractor in a couple of weeks since the ground is to wet. Working on wet ground creates a real mess. Just driving on my skidder trails when its wet get messy. Once you get the ruts started, they hold more water, which makes bigger ruts, which hold more water, which makes bigger ruts...... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I'm pulling out stumps from what will be my driveway and if it is to wet on Saturday the tractor stays still. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Now, I have had my tractor in the mud. Sometimes what looks ok turns into a mud hole real quick. I have had one or both front tires buried so that the mud came OVER the axles.
I was able to back out without a problem. Course I had a mess to clean up when the ground dried out.

My land is all trees with some clearings where timber was taken out. I have a 1600 foot road I maintain and some skidder trails. The tractor is in the woods/once woods 90 percent of the time. They only time I need more tractor is when I'm digging up stumps. And what I really need is a bigger backhoe. Picking up trees with the 4n1 bucket is usually not a problem. I have never needed more HP. More traction yes. HP no. More digging umph on the backhoe yes. But the tractor has done far more than I thought it ever would.

I looked at the 5105, 5205, and 5210 tractors but I could not justify spending more money on those tractors. What I really needed was more backhoe but I could not afford more backhoe! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

What every tractor you do purchase make sure you get MWFD. It does help with FEL work and I swear it makes a difference box blading. I'm not sure I needed it when I get in the mud but it sure is nice to turn on! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Later...
Dan McCarty

Anonymous Poster · Feb 5, 2002

Dan, You give sound advice about a 4700. You must have had a good salesman on that tractor.

dmccarty · Feb 6, 2002

Joe,

I did have a good salesman on the 4700. Mainly ME! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

The guy who sold me the tractor gave me what I think was an OK price.
Given that that 4700 was a bigger bang for the buck compared with
the Orange and Blue tractors it was an easy sell. Well as easy as
it will ever be spending this kinda of money! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I do have a good dealership. I talked with four dealers and the one
I bought from was the best by far. My salesman is excellent.

Good Luck,
Dan

sniezur · Feb 7, 2002

I second what Dan has said about his 4700. I got mine the end of July and have put 73 hours on it since. It is much more suited to my needs than my 955 was.

I am lazy so I needed to have HST. If Deere made one in the 5000 series I might have bought it, but the 4700 has enough power to do everything I have thrown at it.

I do wish the 48 backhoe was a bit larger and more powerfull though. A 13 ft reach with 10 ft digging depth (model 49) would be nice but it would probably tear the rear axle out of the tractor.