Just bought a 4300

[Anonymous Poster]

Hello. I just bought a JD 4300. I had a need but really didnt know what I was doing. This board made a diffence to me in my purchase. So, I thought I would give my impressions for the next clueless joe that comes along looking for a small tractor.

I live in Oklahoma paid 18,600 for a new 4300 HST, 430 Front End Loader and 513 Cutter. The dealer I used was 1500-2000 lower than the nearest other bidder.

I have 35 hours on it already and have had no mechanical problems with it. I have been very pleased with the power the machine has for its size and the lifting ability of the 430. It burns about a gallon an hour for me. Its very maneuverable. I cant imagine buying a compact tractor with a FEL without the hydraostatic transmission.

There are a few "minor" things I wish were different on it:
-The power range shifter arrangement is a linear A-N-B-C. The notches are close together which makes it hard to move from A to Neutral without overshooting to B or C. I would like the N to be at the corner of an L.
-The block on the 3-point shifter handle is a bolt and wing nut system so its hard to set the cutter to return to the same spot after raising the 3-point since it slips alot, is hard to tighten and has no notches. Our old 4430 had some adjustable blocks in the slot that were nice to have.
-The engaged parking brake does not prevent the tractor from moving if you step on the hydro pedals while it is in gear. (I know that's really operator error but I dont like it)
-The fenders are plastic and they "give" a little when you climb up on the machine.
-The plastic hood scratches easy.
-There's one other little thing too but it escapes me right now.

Over all, I really like this machine. It been a positive experince. Thank you to the posters on this board for helping me make my descision.

 

[cowboydoc]

Flatlander,
I've got the 4600 and I'd have to say, with the exception of the HST, don't have one, I agree with your comments. I love the rest of the tractor but I'm not crazy about the fenders always bending when you pull on them. Haven't had any problems but just kind of a cheesey feeling to them.

 

[Branch]

Ditto what Doc said. I will add though that the fenders "giving" a little works both ways. Being hit by something that "give" might save some expensive repairs.

Branch

 

[kerr]

Flatlander,congratulations on the purchase of your new rig. the undisputed tractor of the year for 2000.T.B.N.Dont worry about the kevlar fenders giving a little.Mine always return to where the were the day i brought my 4200 home,14 mo. ago.

 

[BrentB]

I have a 4200. Just curious...do you ever intentionally go into the neutral range of the selector? Why?

 

[kerr]

Dangerous place ta go.Keep implements on the ground when ya do.I only change ranges on flat ground "ripping"I go to low,rest of the time i stay in mid range.

 

[cowboydoc]

Brent,
Whenever I get off the tractor I put everything into neutral and put on the parking brake. I've seen too many cases at the hospital and personally where people left something in gear and it accidently slipped in somehow and people got hurt. Just not worth it to me not to take the extra second to make sure everything is in neutral.

Also if you ever tow it you want to make sure it's in neutral.

 

[glennmac]

I wouldnt park my HST in neutral. I have more faith in the HST resistance than the parking brake. If there's any sort of incline I use both.

I cant say I use neutral for anything.

 

[glennmac]

Oh, if Doc meant getting off while the tractor is running, yes his procedure would be safer.

 

[Boondox]

I always put Clementine in neutral since the dogs often jump onto the deck expecting a ride. Only a question of time before one of them steps on the HST pedal.

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[cowboydoc]

Yes I meant while running Glenn. Turned off I put everything in gear to help avoid running away.

 

[Von]

Pete,
When I was in college, one of my neighbors dogs drove his truck into the river in the dead of winter at night. My neighbor went in after them and only got one of the dogs out, but couldn't find the other one in the dark truck under the water. The truck was running and in park, figured one of the dogs knocked the shifter into gear and sent the truck down a 50 ft. hill covered with trees and into the river. Missed all the big trees and went right thru the ice. I'm reminded of it every time I want to leave the car running to warm it up in the winter time. Its a tough lesson to learn that way.

 

[JRS]

Flatlander,
Where in Oklahoma did you buy your tractor and what was the dealers name?
Thanks, JRS

 

[Flatlander]

JRS: It came from Green Country Ag & Lawn

Guys: Regarding the shifter, its not so much shifting to neutral but the fact that if you want to go to neutral or B from A, its seems you always over shoot to C then back to A then to B then tap up (if you still don't over shoot again) to Neutral with is a pain sometimes when you're sweaty tired and dirty. IMHO they could at least space them out evenly apart.

 

[glennmac]

I think the range shifter on the 4200-4400 is not well designed. You cant tell by looking at the lever what range you are in and, as you say, it is easy to overshoot the detents. You end up hunting. One of the weaker points of otherwise well-designed tractors.

 

[traemac]

Flatlander,
I live in oklahoma city and i am looking to get a 4200 what dealer did you end up buying from?
Thanks
Trae