Buying Advice JD 4720 2200 hrs Should I buy it?

jenkinsph · Oct 27, 2011

qstott said:
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.

You should be able to buy a brand new 4720 cab tractor for a little more than $35k and would have the benefit of a full warranty time frame. That said I would expect to pay less for the used one.

sunnyside360 · Oct 27, 2011

om21braz said:
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.

Yes, the 2007 4320 trade-in tractor was garage kept and like new. This was the fourth JD tractor I purchased in 10 years along with quite a few attachments so could be out of the ordinary. There is also quite a bit of competition among John Deere dealers where I live..... makes negotiations easier when dealing. Years ago, John Deere list price ruled. Not so any more.

om21braz · Oct 27, 2011

sunnyside360 said:
There is also quite a bit of competition among John Deere dealers where I live..... makes negotiations easier when dealing. Years ago, John Deere list price ruled. Not so any more.

That's a good thing - for us consumers. Around here practically all dealers have been bought out by a single company. It's a little tougher to deal with them.

Sorry, back to the topic at hand - if you're still interested in the machine w/ 2200 hrs., get a more informed friend to go check it out with you. One note I would add is that I would certainly want to get a look at the air filters (primary and secondary) and piping leading to the turbo. Anything less than very clean backside of the air filters - I'd keep looking.

CinderSchnauzer · Oct 27, 2011

One thing not mentioned yet and I don't have time to look up the actual numbers. I believe around the 2009 MY the hp ratings changed quite a bit, so if HP is a necessary factor make sure you know what the rating is on the 2007 and any others you may look at.

qstott · Oct 27, 2011

I know it's not apples to apples, but my current 1050 has about 33 hp and is two wheel drive. I've never had the need for any more horsepower. I have had the need for more traction. I suspect, with a 4wd tractor and a front end loader, I will have more uses for the tractor, and may use more horsepower. We have about a hundred acres, and we rent most of it out. About half of it in trees. Most of the time, I'm mowing or dragging paths. One of my intended uses for a newer tractor with a FEL is to add a grapple. I have a never ending battle with downed trees and limbs. I'm hoping a grapple will be a huge help hauling away tree tops and trunks. I'd really like to here about anyones experience with a grapple and it's capabilties.

Thanks!

RoyJackson · Oct 27, 2011

qstott said:
I know it's not apples to apples, but my current 1050 has about 33 hp and is two wheel drive. I've never had the need for any more horsepower. I have had the need for more traction. I suspect, with a 4wd tractor and a front end loader, I will have more uses for the tractor, and may use more horsepower. We have about a hundred acres, and we rent most of it out. About half of it in trees. Most of the time, I'm mowing or dragging paths. One of my intended uses for a newer tractor with a FEL is to add a grapple. I have a never ending battle with downed trees and limbs. I'm hoping a grapple will be a huge help hauling away tree tops and trunks. I'd really like to here about anyones experience with a grapple and it's capabilties.

Thanks!

You ought to open a new thread on your questions...you'll get a lot of responses, guaranteed. That would keep this thread on topic and I think you'd see more applicable answers on your own thread.
BTW, do a TBN search for grapples...multitude of threads/posts on grapples!

jcmseven · Nov 3, 2011

$18K seems are the high end of the acceptable range for a machine like this. As for the hours, that would not worry me. I have mentioned in other postings about my neighbor who does the maintenance for our neighborhood with his 4000 series machine. He has many more hours than this on his machine and it runs great and has much more quality life in it. His tractor stays outside also and it looks rough, but has been consistently serviced and such. I would buy it in a heartbeat if it were for sale and I were actively in the market. I can say there are many good machines out there and I agree having it evaluated first by one "in the know" is a great idea also. Characteristically, the Power Tech engines and planetary drives in the 4000 series tractors are very durable. I think if this machine checks out OK and one could get for $17,000 or so, that would be solid deal.

John M