Buying Advice Pls advise on 4n1, road grading, tires, etc.

[MedTex]

I have learned so much researching this forum (thank you!) and am almost ready to pull the trigger on a new package deal. Am I on the right track? Also, I'm still undecided about tires (R4 or R1) and the 4n1 bucket.

Proposed Package:
John Deere 4320 Tractor 4WD, Power Reverser, 400X loader, 3rd rear SVC, Water in rear tires
WR Long 4-in-1 Loader UJ2-72 with Flat Tooth Bars (better than the Frontier 4n1?)
John Deere MX6 Cutter, John Deere I Match, Post Hole Digger 9" Auger, Canopy Top

Primary Uses/Projects:
Cutting 3+ acre field and tall grasses along creek (No pristine lawn)
Cleaning out creek bed that fills up with gravel & a little silt after floods
Road grading (Material is caliche and limestone gravel. Road is very steep in places.
Minimal farming of a 5 acre food plot (This is not heavy clay soil)
Occasionally grappling a big rock, juniper brush piles, logs, etc.

Questions:
R4 or R1 tires? We don't have much thick mud. Not worried about tire marks on pristine lawn (don't have one). No heavy farming needs. The creek bed (where I will be loading gravel) is full of gravel/rock coated with thin silt. Bottom of creek bed is hard pan/solid. I need to be able safely drive and grade a steep ranch road. There's no mud on it -- only gravel -- 2WD vehicles spin in the gravel on the steepest parts. My trailer bed is 6'10" wide.

Will the 4N1 be able to adequately do the road grading? This is mainly spot work to fill/smooth ruts and wash-outs caused by water run-off. I hope to save money by not buying a boxblade and put that money into the 4n1.

What is the best setup for the 4n1? I don't really want to spend the money for an electric over hydraulic setup. I will be getting a 3rd rear remote regardless. I would like to be able to close the jaws and curl the bucket at the same time, but this is not mandatory.

Many thanks!

 

[dirtworksequip]

Forget the R4's if you don't need them for mowing a lawn. R1's will give you far better traction over R4's in any situation.

All you need to run the 4 in 1 bucket is the 3rd rear valve and the front hydralic kit since you don't want to go with the expense of an electric diverter.

The 4 in 1 will do the road grading job and if you want an implement to touch it up, I'd go with a landscape rake over a box blade.

Sounds like you will have a nice set up.
Sincerely, Dirt

 

[Slacker]

The only good thing I can say about R4 tires is that they are MUCH more resistant to locust thorns than a R1 is. They are more stable as well, wider footprint, plus you can add more liquid ballast to them. I'd go with the R4's if your land has uneven ground, just for the stability.
Just my opinion, I don't farm with my machine.

 

[dirtworksequip]

Slacker..................not so sure about the R4's being more stable. The R4 wheels are only adjustable to 2 different wheel stance widths. The R1 wheels however are 8 position adjustable giving a wider wheel stance than the R4 wheels. Although the 4x20 series machines have a wider wheel stance than the 3x20 series tractors out of the box.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[Turkeyman]

Get the WR Long UJ1 - 72 more capacity. I have one and love it. Also I have R4 which I feel is better for loader work and OK in mud.

 

[MedTex]

Thanks for the helpful information. After posting my question I learned about a lightly used 4520 in my neck of the woods. It has R4 tires on it, 400X loader, and 3rd rear valve. Going to see it on Saturday!

Since it comes with standard bucket, I am considering shifting gears and going with a dedicated grapple in addition to the standard bucket (instead of a 4n1). I would also need a boxblade. So I am considering the Millonzi LD48 and the Aldomi skid steer adapter (anyone have this). Any thoughts on the used 4520 package versus my originally proposed new 4320 package?

Thanks.

 

[RollTideRam]

Millonzi can put a Deere QA on their grapples, unless you just want a skid steer adapter. JC

 

[Redbug]

Hi MedTex,

If you are ordering a tractor for your uses, I also would opt for the R4's. I suggest you also get the WR Long valve setup...
Valve Kits

Like Turkeyman said for a larger tractor like that, go for the UJ1. The flat toothbar is a really good choice. I have one and would not have another.

Anyhow...your mission is to report back and show us some pics of the one you do get. If it's the slightly used one, I would imagine it will probably be a pretty good deal and there will be satisifaction in knowing you saved some money, which can be put towards your other implements. We will advise you on how to spend it...

 

[MedTex]

Hi Redbug,

I will definitely post pics once I take possession! Going to look first thing in the AM.. at the used 4520. I will stick with the R4s that it already has on it and get an MX6 and a boxblade. So I am also keeping the standard bucket that comes with it and am eyeing a dedicated grapple attachment in the Millonzi LD48. I must admit that I have been influenced by the many posts that I have read by Island Tractor regarding this grapple. I am saving on the used tractor, but it is also an upgrade in model from the 4320 that I was originally looking at. So I am still looking at ways to save on costs. The tractor already has the rear remote -- so I am considering buying the LD48 direct from Millonzi (with Deere QA setup) and hooking it up to the rear remote valves.

But please tell me if I am being penny-wise, pound foolish? I considered the skid steer adapter, but again the costs... I don't have plans to use any other skid steer attachments (at the moment anyway... you know how that goes..). And the Deere dealer rep tells me that the Deere QA (with only two pins) is just/almost as fast as skid steer when changing attachments on the loader.

Is the LD48 too lightweight for the 4520 (53 horsepower) with 400X loader?

Many thanks!

 

[Redbug]

Hello MedTex,

I have a WR Long grapple and do not know much about the Millonzi. There are quite a few others on the board that do have them and hopefully they will chime in and give opinions. I am not sure which is best, since I haven't played with the Millonzi. Maybe send a PM to IslandTractor, (who has one and knows, and do a search of his posts), and get his advise.

About the Deere QA vs the Skidsteer QA...I would go with the Skidsteer QA. You will have more options for other attachments with the Skidsteer. It is now the standard for hooking things up to your tractor. You will also find more used attachments available if you go looking at auctions, dealers, etc. that will fit. And you will have a better chance of using, (borrowing or lending), an attachment to/from a friend since most tractors are using the standard.

Buying a tractor is much more complex than buying a new truck, since there's many more options and uses the tractor can be set up for. And there's so much to learn before and after you get one, too...