Which 4000

[Anonymous Poster]

To start with, I have three acres of land, 2 are mowable, with a few dozen trees to get around, and one acre that I would like to finish (ie. remove small stumps,roots and rocks and landscape.) In the winter, my main use would be snow removal from approx. 2400sqft parking lot and 600 ft of driveway. My delemma unfolds as to which tractor to buy. I considered the JD4100 (feels just like my cub2185 too small). The 4200 seems perfect for my needs,(HST, MFWD, 60MMM, 420FEL w/HD bucket and 6' backblade. Dealer price $19,285 + tax. But then I read all this info on TBN and I'm thinking maybe 4300 or just sit still and wait for the 4010 series... WOW... Wandered around and looked at Kabotas... Test drove a 2910, it was ok. But just ok isnt worth $18900. What should I do? Very very confusing...

 

[StanInCalif]

Mike-
If the 4100 feels too small, then it probably is. I think the 4200 is a good choice and will do all you want it to. The 4300 will be a slightly better loader tractor, with its longer wheelbase and higher hydraulic pressure, but I'm not sure you need that. The 4300 also sits on larger wheels and tires than the 4200, giving it more traction, but at the expense of a higher center of gravity. The decision on the ten series, I think, depends on how much you're willing to spend, and how soon you need the tractor. - Stan

 

[deere4600]

Mike, unless cost is the critical factor I would suggest waiting for the 4000 ten series. The 4210 is rated 1 or 2 hp over the 4200. Additionally, there are some hydraulic control improvements and supposedly about 75 other improvements over the 4000 tractors. Of course we don't know yet was these improvements are going to cost but I think I would wait until the new tractors are officially released which we are told should be in November.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Mike
If I recall correctly, when you climbed aboard one the Kubota grand L (L3010, L3710) you liked the roominess and comfort. Did you get a chance to test drive one of them?
Tom

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi Tom,
The only kubota I drove was the 2910. Dave felt that the 3010 was much to big, and it was overkill for what I needed it to do. I haven't driven the deere as of yet, but I am going to meet with Keith and talk to him about the 4210 and test drive the 4200. What do you seem to think about this new 4010 series? Do you think the cost will be very dramatic? Your opinion is greatly appreciated.
Mike

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Deere4600,
My wife thinks I crazy now wanting to spend 20k. Do you think the price increase is going to change immensely?
Mike

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Mike
Dave calls it the way he sees it..with a lot of experience; however if you insist on something bigger, he will sell it to you. HP wise the 3010 fits in between the 4200 and the 4300. JD is longer by about 5 inches but is almost 7 inches narrower than K. You have to decide whether you ever plan on doing something where lateral stability will become important. The 3 larger tractors weigh about 1000 lbs more than the 2910. I would think that this would provide more traction when moving snow. We don't get as much snow as some states but it certainly needs a lot of muscle to move snow around here. I talked to a JD dealer, not Keith, who told me that the 4x10 "improvements" were all very minor......something along the lines of a different bolt size, etc. I'm sure he was just trying to gloss-over the early short-comings of a new release..the 4000 series. However, if what he said is true, there should not be a big price difference from the 4000. The JD marketing types will certainly have their own opinions.
If you want to test drive my L3410, let me know.
It's all going to come down to what YOU are most comfortable with.
Tom

 

[glennmac]

I believe the Kubota 3010 is longer than the JD 4300. In the literature you will notice that Kubota lists length without the 3ph whereas JD lists it with the 3ph. The 3ph adds about 10". I'll check my brochures when I get home tonight. Also, I believe you are correct that the Kubota wheel spacing is maximally greater, but keep in mind that the 3010 has about 5 different rear wheel width spacing positions.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Glennmac
Yes, the K literature gives the length w/o the 3p, but my jd lit does not indicate whether the length is with or without the 3p. The width I used was the minimum width taken from the brochures.
Tom

 

[kerr]

My 4200 is a damn fine rig ,for my own standards.