Looking to buy Deere

[lbzduramax]

I am considering buying a 4000 series 4x4 Deere with a 4in1 Bucket and a backhoe. I have some concerns that I would like to clear up before I purchase. I feel that the hours are a bit high being over 3,000 and wonder what kind of hours these things can last. I dont plan on using it for more than a few hundred hours a year if that. I found the same tractor with less that 500 hours but without a 4in1 for about the same price, but would rather have the 4in1. What kind of things should I look for/check over when I'm at the dealer?

 

[Zebrafive]

I would rather have 2500 LESS hours and buy a 4 in 1 bucket for it.

 

[murphy1244]

I would rather have 2500 LESS hours and buy a 4 in 1 bucket for it.

Same here!

 

[dsgsr]

I have a JD '00 4700 that I bought New, and now has over 6000 hours. I have been very diligent about the maintenance. At 250 hrs. I changed the engine oil to synthetic. If the tractor you are looking at has had that type of care, I wouldn't worry about hrs. Having that said, the tractor will Nickel and dime you with things like a starter, front pumpkin seal leaking, front axle mud seals at the Mechanical front wheel drive and such.

Taken care of the Yanmar engines will go well over 10,000 hrs. The tractor itself will not, without many repairs. I just spent $1200. on some rear end drive bolts, but I also use my equipment. I don't abuse it, but I do work it. I have made numerous weld repairs, most all to the loader.

If I were you I would buy the 500 hour machine and purchase the 4in1 bucket or a grapple. You Don't know how the tractor with 3000 hrs was maintained for sure. But if you do know that it was maintained well, go for it.

David

 

[Gator6x4]

I am considering buying a 4000 series 4x4 Deere with a 4in1 Bucket and a backhoe. I have some concerns that I would like to clear up before I purchase. I feel that the hours are a bit high being over 3,000 and wonder what kind of hours these things can last. I dont plan on using it for more than a few hundred hours a year if that. I found the same tractor with less that 500 hours but without a 4in1 for about the same price, but would rather have the 4in1. What kind of things should I look for/check over when I'm at the dealer?

The first question to ask is; How long was it used as a rental unit? Seems like high hours for a privately owned.

 

[lbzduramax]

Thanks all for the advice and insight thus far. The tractor with lesser hours is about $2-3K more after talking down the guy on the higher hour tractor, that plus purchasing a 4in1 and having it plumbed in would mean an extra $5k+. If I were to upgrade to a newer/larger tractor in a few years, I would hope not to loose too much on resale of the high hour one. The high hour tractor works out to have been used an average of 8 hours a week which could mean it was private or rental. Either way I guess I will go over all the fluids and look for signs of abuse or neglect and see if they have any maintenance records, etc. on it.

 

[Zebrafive]

Thanks all for the advice and insight thus far. The tractor with lesser hours is about $2-3K more after talking down the guy on the higher hour tractor, that plus purchasing a 4in1 and having it plumbed in would mean an extra $5k+. If I were to upgrade to a newer/larger tractor in a few years, I would hope not to loose too much on resale of the high hour one. The high hour tractor works out to have been used an average of 8 hours a week which could mean it was private or rental. Either way I guess I will go over all the fluids and look for signs of abuse or neglect and see if they have any maintenance records, etc. on it.

So if you bought a 4 in 1 bucket and put it on the 500 hour tractor for $5k total, you would have 2500 less hours, but at a cost of $5K or $2.00/hour. Would you rent out your tractor for $2.00/hour? Have tried to talk down the price of the low hour tractor? Now is not prime time for the seller and $$$ talks. I would still get the low hour tractor.

 

[lbzduramax]

I cant disagree with that! I am having trouble reaching the lower hour seller, and would also need to find out if there sufficient SCV's for the 4in1 if I am correct by saying so?

 

[Zebrafive]

You will need enough SCVs for the 4 in 1 bucket. They can be added

 

[Verticaltrx]

I am considering buying a 4000 series 4x4 Deere with a 4in1 Bucket and a backhoe.

What year and model specifically? There are some major differences between the sizes and years. We had a '98 vintage 4400 that was an absolutely horrible tractor. I've never seen something with so many design related issues. It was very well cared for but used like a tractor should be. At 1700hrs we traded it in with a PTO clutch that was about to let go (amongst other problems). I think the later models were a bit better, but don't have any experience with those.

 

[Johndeere3720]

My vote is on the 500 hour machine. Even if the 3000hr tractor was maintained well, you will likely have pin slop, loose steering, worn components, harder to start in cold weather, it will be a money pit right off the bat. Just my :2cents:

 

[JD 4520]

I would go for the lessor hour machine as well but provide more details about the two machines first as a 4000 series is way to broad to be most helpful

 

[BuzzardA91]

Everything else being equal I would go less hours and buy a 4 in 1 bucket every day of the week.

 

[mjncad]

+1 on buying the low hour machine.

 

[lbzduramax]

2003 4710 Deere

 

[farmideas]

Sincere congrats on the projects you've done mjncad - some of which I would like to include in the next issue of Practical Farm Ideas - Practical Farm Ideas Magazine - 21 Years helping farmers cut costs The waste oil collector you made, for example, would be really useful for other farmers to see. Maybe you could get in touch - mike@farmideas.co.uk Thanks

 

[murphy1244]

Lower hours is a +

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Well, I have had what I consider excellent luck with older high hour machines. So I would be taking a "GOOD' look at the higher hour machine myself. If you know what to look for, you can get a pretty good idea without talking to anyone.

Just my :2cents:

 

[mjncad]

Sincere congrats on the projects you've done mjncad - some of which I would like to include in the next issue of Practical Farm Ideas - Practical Farm Ideas Magazine - 21 Years helping farmers cut costs The waste oil collector you made, for example, would be really useful for other farmers to see. Maybe you could get in touch - mike@farmideas.co.uk Thanks

Welcome to TBN Mike. It's nice to see a new member from across the pond. I have sent you an email, and thanks for the kind words regarding my projects.

 

[lbzduramax]

I ended up buying a 2004 4710 Deere 4x4 with 300 hrs, a 48 Deere backhoe and 460 loader for $21,500. Was able to talk the seller down another $500 once I arrived. The tractor looks almost as good as showroom condition (the marking on the torqued bolts are clean as can be and so is everything under the hood), but the paint on the loader looks a little used. The teeth on the 18" bucket look new so I hope that the whole backhoe have seen such little use. Was a heck of a time driving through PA last night but I finally have her home. Any thought/comments appreciated

Just to quickly add, why the heck did Deere put a plastic hood/fender on this thing; these **** toggle switches also scare me a bit?!?