What to look for in a new JD

Yotecat · Mar 17, 2005

Hello all

Tomorrow I am going to town tractor shopping. A 4310ehydro most likley. Is there anything I should be looking for in the tractor ie. options attachments ect.? I've looked at them a little and researched them here mostly (Thanks TBN) but, I haven't driven one yet. What would be a good price for the 4310 ehydro w/FEL???

Thank again to everyone for their help.

Paul

dmp437 · Mar 17, 2005

Price is location dependent. Where are you located?

Yotecat · Mar 17, 2005

I am located in south western Colorado.

Kyle_in_Tex · Mar 17, 2005

( I am located in south western Colorado. )

You might consider a turbocharged model if your elevation is very high.

creeper · Mar 18, 2005

You can look up the tractor on deere.com and use "build your own" then figure your % discount off of that. I dont own a 4310, but I think they come well equipped. If everything is an add on, then I would look for rear remotes and telescoping arms on the 3pt. If you give a little more info on what your use will be,plenty of guys will help you spend your money. Don't get sticker shock. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif About $20 to $22k

rockyridgefarm · Mar 18, 2005

Don't overlook the Turbo recommendation. I hear it is a real plus!

With any that you consider:

Hydraulic options can be a lot cheaper done at the original sale. If you are reasonably sure you want 'em, get them now not later.

If you will be in rough brush, terrain or whatever, get the skid plates.

The cruise upgrades are easy to add anytime.

Get the heavy duty loader and bucket if at all possible. (300CX, 430, 300X, 420 in order of preference...)

Make sure the tires are compatible with the configuration you want. (Large tires can be an issue with a Mid Mower or if you end up with a smaller loader...)

Look at iMatch and telescopic links. Get one or the other. Each has its pluses...

When you get it home, clean and wax it REAL good.

Yotecat · Mar 18, 2005

Hi all

Well I didn't get away to tractor shopping today, maybe tomorrow.
Thanks to everyone who responded for all the advice and information.
Here's my story. I have 10 aces over half is fields, it has a small draw with a pond and trees. I need the tractor (to play on) well that too. Mostly I'm going to be using the tractor for cleaning ditch, leveling fields, digging post holes, cutting brush, moving dirt, rocks and debris, maintaining 700' of driveway, plowing snow, cleaning out coral and many more of the miscellaneous uses around a miniRanch. I live in south west Colorado at about 7000' elevation. Some of the use will be on hillsides and also in winter. Attachments in my wish list so far are a brush hog, post hole digger, blade, box blade. A FEL is a must a time of purchase. Would a 4310 be a good choice or should I be looking for more hp? I like the thought of the ehydro but, is it worth the price over the epowrReverser? What options do you think I should consider? And most important what color should I get? (HA HA) Just kidding...

Thanks again

Paul

jcmseven · Mar 18, 2005

Paul,

My opinion is based on paper. I think a 4310 would be big enough for your jobs. My only concern is with the power. My 4310 labors some on the steeps, especially with the bucket full, or under heavy load. There is no doubt to me that the 4310 could do all the tasks you have in mind, but with 7000' altitude and hills, I think you will find the engine will struggle some. My advice is to either find a left over 4410 or look at the 3520. It is turbocharged and not TOO much more than the 4310. I have not driven one, but I am looking strongly at the new turbo mid frames secondary to power concerns. I live at 3800' and the top of our mountain is 6005', and I go up there regularly to bring down rock. It is a labor of patience to get there and back. I think you would be happier with the turbo. I know they are out there, my dealer just got one in today. I have tentatively ordered a 3720 that will hopefully come in this coming Monday. Hope this helps.

John M

jeffinsgf · Mar 18, 2005

I just went through the same decision process, though not as carefully as you appear to be. I just went in and bought the first tractor that caught my fancy and had a price I could swallow. I have the same size acreage as you, but about 6000 feet down and 500 miles ESE. I ended up with the 4410, not because I needed the HP, but because the dealer had one rigged with a 430 loader on it and an attractive price. I think the price was the result of the ePR tranny and the 430 vs. eHydro and 300CX. For me, the ePR is just great. I may have gotten used to HST, but with just a few minutes running a 3520 around the test lot, I wasn't bowled over.

In answer to a question you had in another thread re: percentage of "Configurator" list price, you'll get a better deal on something in stock than on something that has to be located or ordered, particularly if the in stock machine has some features that fit you but not the majority of tractor buyers -- like ePR and a year old design on the FEL. I read in another thread that depending on dealer and the local market, you can expect to pay 10 to 20 percent less than list. I beat that by 2 or 3 percent.

As others have said, get as much of what you want up front as you can, particularly if you're going to take advantage of the 24 month 0% financing. No reason to write them a check in a few weeks for something that could have been on the contract.

rockyridgefarm · Mar 18, 2005

As others have said, get as much of what you want up front as you can, particularly if you're going to take advantage of the 24 month 0% financing. No reason to write them a check in a few weeks for something that could have been on the contract

Goodf point, although id it IS just a few weels, they probably can add on, they did that for me...