Currently I have a little over 28 hours of seat time on my new 4310 and would like to share some of my experience.

Overall, I am very impressed with this tractor. The fuel consumption has been impressive. With 24 hours of use, I had used 10 gallons of fuel and the tank was again full. With 28 hours I have most of the tank still showing on the gauge.

My dealer talked me into the e-power reverser. I was skeptical at first, but now that I have used it I am glad I listened. I didn't want the hydro due to the loss of power and also the fact that I have too many years of experience with a gear drive. I will certainly date myself with this next observation, but the foot pedal for throttle control is probably my favorite enhancement to any tractor. For most of my life I have used a tractor that only had a hand throttle. It is wonderful to be able to use my foot if needed.

I like the open platform design of the tractor although I am also accustomed to a straddle design. Both are workable, but the open platform seems to be more comfortable. I do have a complaint that I can no longer stand while driving, but I think that is true with any CUT today.

The front wheel drive is a real help. Normally I don't have it engaged, but several times in the last week I have been pulling loads that would have stopped a 2 wheel drive. I just pushed the 4 wheel button and walked away with the load. I had no intention of purchasing a 2 wheel drive, but it is great to know I was correct.

I had originally thought I had no need for a FEL but my brother had me use his Kubota for an afternoon. After using the loader I was hooked. I tell him that he cost me nearly $3600. The 300CX loader seems to be well built and has done everything I have asked from it. The dealer did a great job of welding hooks onto the top of the bucket and I have used it a great deal while removing trees from around fields. The rounded bottom of the bucket allows for easy cleaning.

After reading lots of posts on TBN I decided to add an Imatch to the tractor. Since I attach a lot of equipment alone, I thought the Imatch would be a good assistant. Now that I have used it, I can't imagine how I ever got along without one. My 5 foot pry-bar now sits unused in the machine shed and it takes only a few seconds to hook and unhook equipment.

Now for the negatives

This is the first Deere I have ever owned (and the first ever on this farm) and I still have trouble inserting the key. It is just below my line of vision and I have to put both hands down to locate the keyhole. A small detail, and I'm sure I will get better with time.

Climbing onto the tractor seems to be a bit of a problem without the loader. Before the loader was installed I noticed that I wanted to grab the steering wheel. I am of the opinion that repeated grabbing of the steering wheel will eventually cause damage to the wheel - perhaps I am too concerned about this issue.

On my first use of the tractor, the front right wheel seized up while driving in 4C. When I shifted down to 4B the problem went away. The dealer took the tractor back and eventually replaced the pumpkin. They said it had been torqued too hard on the assembly line.

Date Purchased: 11/2004
Purchased: New
Price Paid: US$18000
Pros: good power, fuel efficient
Cons: key placement
Rating: