Thanks! My 4500 was purchased used in 08 with 300 hours. We kept it for 11 years. I brush hog 200 acres a year, along with a fair amount of loader and grapple work. It had an 8 speed transmission. I think it may be the same as the 4550. It was unsyncronized, but I could shift it while moving just fine, with an occasional grind. The only dislike was it was 2 wheel drive. I had 3 4 wheel drive tractors in previous years. The platform and rear end on the 4550 looks identical to the 4500.
One of my concerns is radiator clogging and overheating while brush hogging. Another is ease of radiator cleaning. The old mahindra 4500 never overheated; just blow it out at the end of the day. My Kioti, on the other hand, being turbo charged and a 2600 rpm required for 540 pto, takes in an enormous amount of air. Depending on conditions, I have to brush off the hood screens every 30 minutes to an hour. Some conditions require the staging of a leaf blower near the field I'm working in. How is the 4540?
Funny that was one thing I was going to mention. No radiator screen on the 45xx series and its kinda difficult to get to the radiator to get it cleaned properly. We dont brush hog so for us its not a big deal.
Thanks again. How about the tier 4. Does it work as advertised, ie no interaction from the operator? Any issues with the EGR system, computer issues, etc? I am in Wright County, 50 miles from a dealership in Webster County and 50 miles from a dealership in Texas County; hauling fees for those dealerships are $4.50 per loaded mile. I have had excellent service from both, hauling was cheaper back then.
We are on the Mo border and we bought ours in in Mo. Our dealer charges about the same to haul and delivery was free. DOC emissions have been around for 30 years. Basically a catalytic converter designed for diesel. No sensors or anything. Tractor seems to be a pretty basic common rail diesel.