John Deere 4500 Purchase/Pricing

[Willie71]

I have been looking for a while for a compact tractor to use for landscaping/cleanup around our home - have a hard time spending the $$$ on a compact when I can get a full size older machine for less. Ran across a used 1999 4500 with 580hrs 4X4 with R4's, power reverser, rear wheel weights, hard top, 460 loader and rear hydraulic valve (dual plug not power beyond). What price should I be looking at. How many hours are these tractors good for? any known mechanical problems with the model? Don't see many used for sale.

I also have found a 2001 4500 same configuration less the wheel weights and hard top with 680 hrs for the same advertised price.

Both appear to be in the same shape.

My other option would be get a new 990 with 400 loader. Or keep searching for a used +- 45hp utility tractor with loader such as a 2040 2155...

I have used a friends 1070 4X4 with loader & backhoe and was quite impressed - all my experience in the past is what we have used on our family farm the smallest being a JD 2440 owned since new in 1976 and still going strong!

Problem is i now live 60 miles away and a 2440 is not exactly what you want to tow behind a pickup!

Any input or advice is appreciated.

 

[froggy]

The JD MachineFinder had two 4500's with around 580 hours and the same equipment as you are looking at for $16,900.00 asking price. Think a fair price would be $15,500 to $16,000.

 

[Willie71]

Thanks for the reply - probably the same two I was looking at Danville & Dunn - newer model more hours or older model less hours???? A lot to consider.

 

[deereguy]

I have a JD 4500 4WD, 460 Loader, Power Reverser, R-4's, everything (except the hard top) that you described. It has almost 900 hours on it, bought it new in 2000 with 5 hours on it, I love this machine!! It seems to be the perfect size for landscaping (put 50+ hours on it since August) planting trees (with a Woods 750 Backhoe), prepping for seed with a Woods 6' Power Rake, 6' Rockhound, and a 6' Brillion Seeder, use it to pull a 5' Bush-hog (it doesn't know its back there), and to ted hay when we are doing hay. It's easy to get off/on and easy for most people to operate. The loader says it will lift 2400lbs but I tend to lift only 1700-1800lbs because the rear feels light even with the backhoe on and tires filled.
I only had one problem- had a front wheel seal leak when it had under 25 hours on it- covered under warranty, other than that- its been a good, dependable machine. I expect to get 2000 hours out of it before any major rebuilding occurs, but I do perform routine maintenance on it. The price sounds fair that you are looking at since it has a loader, hard top, weights, etc., this was almost a $22,000 unit new- what's wrong if it holds its value?

Several dealers tried to talk me into a 5000 series tractor when I was shopping around but we already had impliments for our Ford 8N and didn't feel the need to duplicate impliments for a much larger tractor. My dad felt that the 4500 was too big, but he has changed his mind since seeing what all we have done with it.

Good Luck with your decision!!

 

[Willie71]

Thanks for the reply deereguy. Always nice to hear from someone that has owned what I am considering purchasing. I know that JD holds value - case in point the 318 mower that we recently sold when we got the 445 sold for about 1/2 of what we paid for it new - this was after 10yrs & over 1,000 hours and based on the the values of comp. tractors the 70's vintage 2440 & 2630 we have are worth close to 1/2 of what was paid for them - not bad for a machine that is over 30 years old!

Thanks again for the information and replies! sounds like I am looking in the right direction -