T494HC vs 4820 CH

[ptsg]

Thanks Clover. Was surprised to find this in the user manual for the 4820:

"Do not operate the boom cylinder and bucket cylinder at the same time. A loader may malfunction due to insufficient oil flow."

Also noticed no draft control on the 4820. No usb ports, no rear hitch control, lower rear 3 point hitch lift capacity by 600 lbs, 100 lb less loader capacity and 5 inches less height.

Looking that the new specs in the manual for the 494, it now has more hydraulic flow than the 4820.

Hmmm...the needle is swinging back to the 494.

I think you're getting too focused on specs and capacities, which in real world operation, you won't even notice.

As far as operation the boom and bucket at the same time, most tractors will do it. Some easier, others slightly harder. It's a matter of finding the sweet spot on the joystick.

You also won't find draft control on most tractors in the US market.

This is a serious chunk of money to spend. It might be just better to spend some time looking at your options in person. Preferably if you could check both models side by side. You'll be surprised on how much heavier duty the Bransons are built.

I've checked them in person on Ag fairs, although it was smaller models, the difference is very noticeable.

 

[K5lwq]

Like ptsg stated, you will not notice the difference in the real world. But what you will notice is the synchronized 4 range transmission. That thing is so smooth and having another 4 speeds had me considering upgrading mine. I like gear transmissions over HST so that would come in handy.

But I have become really attached to my 4815 now. So if I ever get one it will be an additional tractor.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Per the TYM site, the 4820 still has more flow. Maybe the website specs are out of date?

Either way, you'll be happy. Both will do all that you desire.

 

[flyinghigh]

It's crazy how many different numbers you can find for the specs depending on whether you're looking at the website the brochure or the owner's manuals. The one thing that doesn't make sense to me is on the tym website if you look at the cycle times the Branson is significantly faster even though it uses smaller hydraulic pistons.
Perhaps that is more the smaller bucket which only has 9.5 cubic feet of capacity versus 11.5 the 494.
On the other hand 494 has significantly more lift on the rear hitch.
I don't know how that could be since it has a lighter built rear end than the Branson.

There does seem to be some subtle specs between the Branson 4720 the Branson 4820 that was made last year in the tym4820 being offered this year at least looking at all the specs.

I guess w probably comes down to is Where can I get the deal put together.

The 14820 within several hundred miles is the used demo unit with 80 2 hours on it. That guy won't take a trade on our century so that pretty well rules it out and it is last year's Branson labeled model.

The closest dealer to us will take a trade but wants to charge $3,000 for shipping of either a 494 or a 4820. The only guy that will take our trade and has a 494 sitting on the lot is 5 hours away but in reality I guess that's truly the only real option we have on the table.
I am going to check with him and see what kind of shipping costs they would have if they ordered in a 4820.

Thanks for all the help folks I know this has been a somewhat tedious Journey. For some this probably isn't a lot of money but for us it's a whole bunch of money.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Smaller cylinder, with more flow, would equal faster cycle times. My tiller is probably the heaviest item I’ll be lifting with the 3pt… and it’s about 800 pounds. Some of these rated capacities, probably really push the design of the rest of the tractor. Just because it will lift it, doesn’t mean it necessarily should.

 

[flyinghigh]

A few more questions. Does the 3rd function on a 4820 run steel lines to the front or rubber? Does it require removal of the stock joystick and replacement with new, or does it slip over the existing?

 

[ptsg]

I'm pretty sure the dealer meant they need to change just the handle on the joystick for one that has the buttons incorporated. Not necessarily the entire joystick assembly.

 

[flyinghigh]

Correct, it appears you have to cut off the factory joystick "handle".

At WR long they show the factory cut off and theirs held on with 2 screws

3rd Function Valve Kit | WR Long

www.wrlonginc.com

The video LS sent me shows them cutting off the factory joystick completely and putting the WR long on:

Looks like summit does the same:

Universal Hydraulic Third Function Valve Kit w/ Joystick Handle, 15 GPM

Universal Hydraulic Third Function Valve Kit w/ Joystick Handle, 15 GPM

summit-hydraulics.com

And yesterday when I was on the phone with 2 service techs at big tex they emphatically said they completely remove the factory joystick on the 4820 and replace it to do the 3rd function.

So I guess that is the deal for the 4820. With the 494 you get to keep the factory joystick

 

[Torvy]

Trade is certainly easier, but you can always sell the Century on your own, too.

It is entirely possible that Big Tex handles the process their own way on the 3rd function. Since they have such high volume, especially with the 'Branson' models, they probably learned some best practices that may not be the norm.

 

[flyinghigh]

We are thinking about that a little bit wondering how hard it might be to sell. 2005 with 367 hours with the cab soft cab and heater it's hard to get a value for it and of course around here we just don't have that many people

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Honestly the number that would sway me the most toward the 494 is the fuel capacity at 17 gallons. I’ve only got 11.8. At 1.5 gal/hour under load, you need to stay on top of it.

 

[flyinghigh]

What kind of load are you running Clover?

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

What kind of load are you running Clover?

72” tiller. It really works the tractor when breaking virgin ground. I have 10 hours of tilling my buckwheat field on the clock now… she worked hard.

 

[WM75Guy]

Honestly the number that would sway me the most toward the 494 is the fuel capacity at 17 gallons. I’ve only got 11.8. At 1.5 gal/hour under load, you need to stay on top of it.

I would agree. My WM75 has a 20-gallon fuel tank. I just fill it up at the start of the day and don't have to worry about it running low on fuel while mowing all day. The TC40DA has a 13-gallon fuel tank and I had to watch it when I was mowing with it. I did run out, once or twice.

 

[flyinghigh]

Ok guys, thank you. We will not be loading it up with those kinds of tasks (actual farming) again, just clearing brush and playing host for our all in one snowblower that arrives this fall.

FWIW, the newest manual for the 494 says 16 gallons on the HC version.

For all these reasons and more I am going to place the order for the T494. Really appreciate all the input.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I had the dealer install a block heater too, though probably not necessary in the barn… they did so for free.

 

[flyinghigh]

Again, my thanks to all who have provided so much time and insight over the past couple weeks to help us make our decision. The PO I just sent was for a

T494HC +IND +TX57
3rd function kit (494)
RimGuard non corrosive tire ballast
block heater
delivery
Trade in

At the end of the day the ability to have everything factory (3rd function integrated into the factory joystick, factory valve kit with metal lines to the front of the loader, factory rear end lift handle for the 3 point)
The larger fuel tank, higher reach on the loader, higher capacity lift on the loader and the 3 point, larger cab with wider egress, slower loader cycle speeds with larger pistons and a very fair price on the in stock units with a low delivery cost and high trade in value won the day.

We did explore the 4820. It would have been $700 more and taken about a month to get (but no additional shipping charges)

Were this a tractor for farming (plowing, disking, field work in general) we would have gone without the ammenties and loader pluses to have a beefier tractor for "work". As it is, we were really looking for an alternative to a bobcat for brush and snow (my dad hates bobcats) without computers and turbos.

Hopefully, the t494 will fill that role.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

It will serve you well. Be sure to post up photos when it arrives

 

[Torvy]

I am in Sioux Falls for a few days. If you see a Red Tundra with Texas plates, honk and wave!

I do appreciate the cool weather. Even for SD this is nice for July. It was 81 at 6am in Texas and 77 at 6pm in SD.

 

[Torvy]

Honestly the number that would sway me the most toward the 494 is the fuel capacity at 17 gallons. I’ve only got 11.8. At 1.5 gal/hour under load, you need to stay on top of it.

I'm still looking for the best diesel 'can' that will hold 18-35 gal and will still lift in and out of my truck. It takes 4, 5-gal jugs to fill her up. Don't want to tie up bed space with an expensive transfer tank. Maybe I can find a 55gal drum and a Pallet. I did get my paperwork filled out so I can buy the offload diesel.