Buying Advice JD 4720 2200 hrs Should I buy it?

[qstott]

I found a 2007 4720 close by. Owner bought it new. He was in the landscaping business. It has a 400X loader, air ride seat, rear remotes, and loaded R4 tires. He's throwing in a 6 ft box blade, a 6 ft scraper blade, and a 6 ft disc. His first asking price was $26,500, but he dropped to $18,000. When it was newer it had a couple of front cover leaks, and the water pump was replaced under warranty. The rear tires are showing some wear, and the fronts have already been replaced. It's not beat up, but looks like it has sat outside. The paint is faded a little. I watched him run it leveling some dirt, and it was much quieter than my 1050. I did have a small amount of smut near the exhaust. It did smoke a little black when cranking, but cleaned right up while he was running, with no signs of any other smoking. Does it seem like a good price? Are hours a concern at all?

Thanks!

 

[Storm56]

Well for sure $26,500 was shooting for the moon! The 2200 hours would not be a concern if it was properly maintained, many small diesels will do 10,000 hours and more.

My concern would be the fact that it was used in a commercial mode. As a rule, people that use things like these to make a living do not baby them and use them pretty hard, time is money.

$18,000 is certainly no steal of a deal. I cannot see and operate the machine but I would most likely keep looking...

 

[charleyfarmall]

$18k is a good price, but it sounds like he beat the crap out of it. Especially if the fronts have already been replaced. That means he used the loader a lot and the front axle has taken a beating, especially if he left it in 4wd all the time. However, 2200 hours is well below my cut off of 4000 hours to buy a used tractor. Landscape tractors tend to be ridden hard and put away wet though. Much more abused than ag tractors.

 

[sunnyside360]

You can get some idea of the going rate here JOHN DEERE Tractors, Used JOHN DEERE Tractors, JOHN DEERE Tractors For Sale At TractorHouse.com ---- currently 44 JD 4720 tractors listed.

 

[jenkinsph]

I think $18,000 is a fair price if the machine is in good condition. You can usually clean and wax the paint on a machine that new and shine it up.

As far as landscapers abusing the tractors more than others I would doubt that. Most people that have to pay for their equipment try to take care of it. Any equipment you buy should be looked over for signs of abuse and or poor care and maintenance.

 

[qstott]

I appreciate the comments. The tractor didn't have any real obvious signs of abuse. I did notice the the grease fittings were well greased, and the oil had been changed recently. My other option is a 2010 4720 cab tractor with 150 hrs, (that I haven't seen), for $35,000. It's supposed to be in like new shape, but it has no loader.

 

[om21braz]

My other option is a 2010 4720 cab tractor with 150 hrs, (that I haven't seen), for $35,000. It's supposed to be in like new shape, but it has no loader.

That price is out there also. I recently sold a 07' 4120 Deere (open station) with a 400x loader with 470 hrs. in good condition for $17,500 with a box blade. I felt that was a good price for the buyer and me. As for a 4720 - a local dealer here has a used cab model with loader and about 600 hrs. for $32,900 and I'm sure that is negotiable. I'll send you a pm with a link to it - scroll down the page to it.

 

[sunnyside360]

These tractors do tend to hold value quite well. Example, I traded a 2007 4320 with less than 500 hrs for an identical new 2010 4320 for little less than $4K last summer.

 

[om21braz]

These tractors do tend to hold value quite well. Example, I traded a 2007 4320 with less than 500 hrs for an identical new 2010 4320 for little less than $4K last summer.

I agree, they do very well. Although, I cannot help but suspect your deal is/was uncommon. Sunnyside, you must be a very good customer with a very clean machine as I don't think the local dealers here would even be close to that deal.

 

[om21braz]

It did smoke a little black when cranking, but cleaned right up while he was running, with no signs of any other smoking.

That is normal for the 4x20 machines.