Mowing Will a John Deere 4100 handle a 72" mower?

[Towmater]

Hi all, Towmater here! I'm considering getting a 3point hitch finishing mower. Will a John Deere 4100 with the Yanamar diesel engine be able to handle a 72" width deck or is that just to much for it? Thanks much!

 

[deere36]

I bought this 4100 new in 99 with 60 inch finishing mower, the dealer added the weights because in his opinion it would not be safe without them. I mow about five acres every week and in my opinion the 60 inch is about all this tractor can handle. In heavy grass I have to go very slow to get a good cut.

Larry

 

[Towmater]

Thanks Larry, thats what I thought I was going to hear. I've mowed with several gas 20hp w/60" and even though this one is diesel I figured 72" would be to much for it. Thanks for the help! Isn't the 4100 a great tractor though?

 

[deere36]

I love the tractor and I have wished many times I had a wider mower but I have one section that I mow that gets plenty of moisture and it reallly stresses the tractor. But for a 20 hp tractor I am amazed at the things I can do with it but the 16 hp pto is a little light for the larger mower. Does yours have a front end loader? If so what is the model number?

Larry

 

[Towmater]

Yes, it has the 410 Loader that came with it. I've only have had the tractor for about a month but it has impressed me so far. I bought it to use mainly with the load, not for mowing. I'm spoiled, I have en exmark lazer Z I mow with. I just used the loader in the driveway today in 4 wheel drive to dig up some grass in the center lane of the driveway. I'm very impressed with how well it works for the size of tractor. It is the perfect around-the-house tractor for the odds and ends. Next mission is to find a 47" snowblower for the front of it.

 

[deere36]

I wish mine had a loader but new they are just to expensive, the day I bought the tractor in 99 the dealer offered to add loader for $1500 but I did not think I could afford it now John Deere wants around $4500 to add loader and the tractor already has the hydraulic lines and joy stick.
I am not an expert on diesels but I have noticed the 4100 has a small fuel filter and if my tractor seems to be losing power that is usually the problem, I change it every spring when I change oil, etc. and keep one on hand just in case.

Larry

 

[Towmater]

I saw a 410 loader sell on eBay for 1,900 and it was rough and beat. You would be better off to sell your tractor and buy another one with a loader on it. Thanks for the fuel filter tip and it is very small but at least easy to access. I read another post of mine and a guy told me to use the JD fuel additive to cut down black smoke at start up. Do you know if the motor has spark plugs or just injectors? Maybe they suggest using injector cleaner if running rough. I'm sure 99 year would have injectors since unit pumps are mainly used on diesel trucks.

 

[deere36]

I agree on selling and buying another a person could get more hp and a loader probably without spending to much more than deere wants for the loader. I think mine has injectors, the only thing that has been done to mine since it was new was one of the safety switches went bad about three years ago and I had to take it back to the dealer because I could not determine which one was bad.

Larry

 

[kennyd]

Do you know if the motor has spark plugs or just injectors? Maybe they suggest using injector cleaner if running rough. I'm sure 99 year would have injectors since unit pumps are mainly used on diesel trucks.

All diesel engines have injectors, do you mean glows plugs rather than spark plugs? (diesel engines do not have spark plugs).

 

[Towmater]

Oops, good eye kennyd! Yes that would be glow plugs. Since your in on the conversation kennyd how many glow plugs are the 4100's built with? Are they built with any? I'm assuming maybe three? I know I've read the block heater is an optional item that would have to be purchased. Hey, also for my own knowledge.... do all new tractors still use a traditional fuel injection pump, or are they switching to EUP electronic unit injectors like Mack did several years back?

 

[deere36]

I was wondering if you were talking about glow plugs, but like I said before I do not know much about diesels just had assumed all diesels used injectors.

Larry

 

[kennyd]

Oops, good eye kennyd! Yes that would be glow plugs. Since your in on the conversation kennyd how many glow plugs are the 4100's built with? Are they built with any? I'm assuming maybe three? I know I've read the block heater is an optional item that would have to be purchased. Hey, also for my own knowledge.... do all new tractors still use a traditional fuel injection pump, or are they switching to EUP electronic unit injectors like Mack did several years back?

There are 3 GP's, one per cylinder. We discussed how the systems works in this thread if you remember:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/216717-4100-smokes.html

Most if not all CUT's still use traditional IP's, not sure about the large AG tractors.

 

[deere36]

Thanks KennyD and all of you guys, I can't believe how many times this site has helped me and given me ideas as how to make my tractors more efficient.

Larry

 

[RalphVa]

If you get a loader, the fuel filter will not be easy to access. What I do with the loader in place is to remove the 12 mm bolt that secures the filter assembly to the frame and then rotate the whole assembly up to where I can easily remove the ring holding the filter bowl in place.

Ralph

 

[RoyJackson]

All diesel engines have injectors, do you mean glows plugs rather than spark plugs? (diesel engines do not have spark plugs).

Does the 4100 use glow plugs, or is there an air intake heater?

 

[Towmater]

Roy, the 4100 has 3 glow plugs. If you look at the above feeds there is a link that will explain how to use them.

 

[kennyd]

Does the 4100 use glow plugs, or is there an air intake heater?

Answered in post #12 also...

 

[sandman2234]

Would a FEL that was sitting next to a barn that burnt, that caught the diesel on fire be of interest? The paint was scorched on parts of it, but the cylinders did have some paint on them when I got it. (pulled it home as a project for a friend of mine, who ended up selling his tractor) Price is dependent on if you want the bucket, which I took off and is sitting in the garage awaiting a project of my own, unless I get a fel for my jd2555, lol.
The whole thing is sitting outside, so what paint was there is now gone, but if somebody wants to play with a fel project, this one could be fun... complete hose replacement will be needed. Cylinders will require powering up to determine if they leak.
David from jax

 

[deere36]

Sandman2234,

I think that is a little more than I am willing to tackle right now, I have a 39 John Deere B in pieces in my shop and some more smaller projects waiting. I do appreciate you responding and you may have an excellent project to work on, however I am leaning toward a larger tractor with FEL as a better solution to my situation.

Thanks again

Larry

 

[sandman2234]

No problem,
It is a little small for my tractor, or I would use it, lol. I used the tractor before the fire, and it is a good little workhorse, extremely capable!
Since your on my path going to my Dad's house, I thought it might be something we could work out. (S.W. Arkansas from Jax)
David from jax