john deere 4310

jcmseven · Dec 19, 2004

I am a new member to the forum and a new owner of a John Deere 4310 e-hydro. It replaces an X-595 which I owned for about two years. I live in a mountainous area and have found my 4310 to be a good performer, but slightly short on power on the long steep climbs here (engine lugs). I have become good at feathering the hydro pedal and manipulating the throttle, but I am ever so slightly disappointed with the laboring the engine does at times. My question is the following: I rarely use PTO driven attachments, virutally all my work is done with the 300 CX loader and BB. In winter, I will use a boom mounted blade. I am ordering a mower deck of some type in 1-2 mos. Should I consider upgrading to a 4410 for the extra horsepower or perhaps check into the 3000 series when released (I would have waited but needed a machine before they came out), or is there enough difference to spend more money to upgrade what is an otherwise excellent machine? I have not had the opportunity to test a 4410. Any thoughts are appreciated. My dealer is relatively flexible to a point, but I doubt would allow me to return a tractor with 25-30 hours on it (I now have 9 hours on the machine).

beenthere · Dec 19, 2004

Welcome to the forum. Not sure why lugging down, unless you are in high range (C) and going up hills. I understood that the e-hydro took care of the engine being able to lug down, and you didn't have to 'feather' the forward pedal to keep rpm up. To me, that was THE main reason for the e-hydro development. I do most everything in B range, except road running.
But I appreciate your dilema, as I have a 4300 and 'wished' I had gone 4400. But when looking into upgrading (by now the 4410 was out) I realized that the 3000 replacements were on the horizon, so am waiting it out.
Thru another thread, I just realized the new FEL's were on the 4x10 series (i.e. the 300CX that you have) and see that the specs are close to the 430 FEL, which I like real well.
I have been discussing all along, my desires to trade up, and may have disappointed my dealer that I didn't do the trade up to the 4410 (after all, he is in the business, what could I expect). But I'm waiting to hear when the new series is coming, and planning to go with that and get the T-N-T at the same time. I have been real disappointed that the ROPS only comes in 'foldable' design. I don't like that extra height, and it was the 'killer' of the deal on the 4410, no question. I get hit with enough limbs in the woods with the stationary ROPS, and it will just be worse with the taller foldable one.
No advice I can give other than lay the problem in the dealers lap. Let him come up with whatever to keep you happy.

GoodGuy · Dec 19, 2004

Welcome to TBN !!
I'll just say that there are a bunch of folks on TBN that own 4310's & I have not seen a lot of discussion regarding them being underpowered. My thoughts are that there is either some sort of problem with your tractor (as simple as brakes being adjusted a bit too tight) or that you need a bit of seat time to educate yourself on the best way of operation to get optimum performance/power in your conditions. Not to offend, please don't take it that way, just trying to help.

RalphVa · Dec 19, 2004

My neighbor has a 4310 and has said that it takes all its hp to pull the brush hog up our 30-40% hill back here.

My 4010 comes up it no problem, in Low range, with the brush hog going. A sharp turn at the base of the hill causes a drag on the HST, but the engine certainly doesn't lug. The 4010 is less than half the weight to drag up the hill.

Your 4310 is the weight of a mid size car, and you're likely wanting to pull 400-1200 # of additional attachment weight up the hill with it.

Ralph

GoodGuy · Dec 19, 2004

Forgot....Would like to see a pic of your Boom Pole Blade if you have any.....

beenthere · Dec 19, 2004

Ralph
In B range, I have never run short of power with my 4300. Traction, yes, but not power. If people try to do everything in C range (high), then they will find a power shortage. But unless something is wrong, there is no lack of power for that tractor in B range. For loader work and digging virgin dirt, then A range (low) is what I use. Much better when needing to move slow with lots of power.

jcmseven · Dec 19, 2004

Thank everyone for the opinions. Keep them coming! To better illustrate my issue, I will use an example. I live at 3600', about 2500' below the top of our mountain. There is a paved road to the top where there is a stream from which I have been getting some rock to build a natural rock retaining wall. In "B" range I have to gently feather my tractor to keep it from bogging nearly to stall. If I take unused rock back to the top of the mountain in the bucket (about 600-700 lbs worth) the tractor will not stall, but will come close if I do not engage load match or use only light throttle. It will climb in "A" range, but is quite slow, making for a long trip. I have no places here that I can, or have used "C" range, except in the rare downhill circumstance. The tractor simply will not pull that final drive. I have checked the obvious, the brakes do not rub and the tractor runs well. All fluid levels are fine. I do feel my tractor is running appropriately, and perhaps I am expecting too much. My major concern is whether an upgrade to a 4410, would help. I have assumed mainly what one gains from increased horsepower is attachment (PTO) power. Since I do not use PTO attachments regularly, I wonder what the upgrade would accomplish. Otherwise I like the tractor. The new loader is excellent.

beenthere · Dec 19, 2004

Talk to your dealer and see if he will give you some indication what the new hp ratings will be, as well as the possible new Deere engine with more torque. I believe that was a significant upgrade in the larger frame size, going to the 4320, etc. Sounds like your situation will need the higher hp ratings. I have 16-20 % grade here, and find hauling a load (4-5 10' wh oak logs) on my forks up the grade in B range with no problem. That is steep enough that it is uncomfortable just to walk it.
Your hill would be a good testing ground for the tractor that you want. Put the dealer to the test. Doesn't seem too much to ask of him.
As you say, 'A' range for running back and forth is too slow. I regularly have hauled full, overflowing buckets of black dirt up that hill in B range without a whimper from the 4300. I would expect it to be a bit easier with the 4400, and easier yet with the newer high torque, low rpm Deere engine which I expect to see in the 3000 series. Rumor may have it wrong, however. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Kyle_in_Tex · Dec 20, 2004

One thing I have noticed, when the tranny oil is cold, Hydrostatics are very sluggish...Kyle

rockyridgefarm · Dec 20, 2004

First off, welcome aboard!

LoadMatch is your friend. Do you have it engaged? It sure doesn't sound like it is... It will automaticcly feather the tranny for you.

If that is not the case, then I would suggest that our best upgrade would be the new 3520. There is a thread on the new series, and it has a significant bost in power, and uses a turbo which will really help, and eliminate any altitude related issues... (not that you are all that high...)

But maybe a 4410 will work out with much less of a hit. That is where you get to figure with your dealer. I had issues with my equipment when it was delivered. They put the financing on hold, and did double time to get me satisfied. So it pays to act quickly.

But I have some serious grades, and haul HEAVY loads (1800LB bales on the 3 point... An MX6 that is made outta spent uranium or sonething... LOTS of rocks and broken concrete in the loader...) I am not having any issues. With LoadMatch on, that is... If I turn it off, I can seriously lug down on grade with a heavy load. Or in C with no load at all...