The John Deere 4300, also our 25-35 Horsepower Best of Class Winner, brings a similar theme to the table for the Tractor of the Year Award, and once again we find it to be simply the best. So much power, performance, and versatility in a 32.2-horsepower package. Better than any other combo out there in this class, and for it's size the 4300 even stacks up well against larger (and much more expensive) tractors.

From the 25-35 Horsepower Class Award Description, we had the following to say about the 4300:

The 4300, the 32.2-horsepower mid-level 4000-series tractor from John Deere, offers a complete balance of power and performance in a mid-sized (and ideally sized, we might add) compact tractor. When we think compact tractor, the 4300 comes to mind, thanks to it's size, power, and versatility. The 4300 is the best example of what a compact tractor is, and here's why:

The 4300 is big and heavy enough to get some serious work done, and has the power to back up its size, plus more. More importantly, the 4300 has the size and power to be equipped with a variety of best of class attachments; attachments that outperform others in this class by a significant margin. The Kubota L3010 is the only tractor in the 4300's class that comes close to the 4300's front-end loader lift capacity of 1,258lbs (with 430 loader) but it still falls short by about 200lbs. The 4300 equipped with the 48 backhoe also performs at the top of this class, with an 8' 6" digging depth, and with 2,435lbs of digging force. But John Deere doesn't just throw the best attachments in this class on the 4300, they also give you some options, which is really a first in this class.

A 4300 buyer can configure the 4300 in 2WD or with 4WD, and with any one of three transmission choices. A dual-gear hydraulic pump with the highest output in this class give the 4300 also the tie-for-highest 3-point hitch lift capacity in it's class (2,200lbs, 24" behind link ends) and the ability to accept John Deere's fabulous 430 loader and 48 backhoe, in addition to 21 other implements, including the lower-capacity 420 loader and 47 backhoe. The loader and backhoe versatility are carried into other attachments, with different sized implements compatible with the 4300.

The great attachments and attachment options, and the balanced power, size and price of the 4300 make this tractor our TractorByNet.com 2000 Tractor of the Year. The 4300 is what a compact tractor should be.

Congratulations to John Deere and all winners in the TractorByNet.com Awards 2000! We're looking forward to next year's awards already!