cmsedore
Silver Member
Well, after many months of research (much of it at TBN), comparison, etc, I finally swallowed hard and bought an L4610. It was delivered today. They forgot to install the block heater and are going to replace one decal (it wasn't installed properly and they warned me before delivery--I would have had to wait 1.5 more weeks before I got it if I had waited for it to arrive).
I put about 3.5 hours on it this afternoon, mostly mowing. I was quite pleased with the Bush Hog mower (72" RD). The tractor didn't tear up my lawn on turns, but I do have to be a little careful with starts and stops (mowing in 2WD, the R1/ag rears would tear if I start/stop too quickly). I was worried about it tearing up the turf on tight turns, but that didn't seem to be a problem (with or without the loader).
The thing is more than twice the Ford 1700 I used before. I stalled it in mid-range pushing some debris over a hillside in 2WD--no spin, just a stall. I tried the loader out on a car destined for the junkyard--was able to lift the rear of it 5 ft without even a strain. That's why I wanted the 4610/LA852! I also had success pushing a large (~4'x4'x3') boulder that the 1700 couldn't even think of moving.
Sorry to ramble on, but I had quite a good time mowing and cleaning up with it. No complaints save one minor annoyance: folding the ROPS up and down every time I park it in the barn is a nuisance.
There should be a picture of my wife mowing with it attached.
Thanks for all the help and advice (much of it was indirect, but it helped a lot--I never would have gotten an HST without reading TBN).
Tractor time tomorrow!
-Chris
I put about 3.5 hours on it this afternoon, mostly mowing. I was quite pleased with the Bush Hog mower (72" RD). The tractor didn't tear up my lawn on turns, but I do have to be a little careful with starts and stops (mowing in 2WD, the R1/ag rears would tear if I start/stop too quickly). I was worried about it tearing up the turf on tight turns, but that didn't seem to be a problem (with or without the loader).
The thing is more than twice the Ford 1700 I used before. I stalled it in mid-range pushing some debris over a hillside in 2WD--no spin, just a stall. I tried the loader out on a car destined for the junkyard--was able to lift the rear of it 5 ft without even a strain. That's why I wanted the 4610/LA852! I also had success pushing a large (~4'x4'x3') boulder that the 1700 couldn't even think of moving.
Sorry to ramble on, but I had quite a good time mowing and cleaning up with it. No complaints save one minor annoyance: folding the ROPS up and down every time I park it in the barn is a nuisance.
There should be a picture of my wife mowing with it attached.
Thanks for all the help and advice (much of it was indirect, but it helped a lot--I never would have gotten an HST without reading TBN).
Tractor time tomorrow!
-Chris
