4520

[om21braz]

The 4520 is a nice machine - as for the tilt steering, check out the link below for fixes regarding the tilt feature.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/193153-4120-tilt-steering-issue.html

 

[dconine]

The 4520 is a nice machine - as for the tilt steering, check out the link below for fixes regarding the tilt feature.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/193153-4120-tilt-steering-issue.html

Oh yeah, my thread from awhile back. I ended up putting stronger springs on to fix that, but this problem was on older machines. Haven't heard of problems on newers machines from other people and have not had a bit of trouble with our '11 4520 cab.

the 4520 sure is a nice machine. It's the sweet spot for the 4000 series machines. :thumbsup:

 

[wmonroe]

Do you have a lot of use for a backhoe? If not, the cab is definitely worth it. Picture rain, snow, unbearable heat, unbearable cold, wind, and dust...and picture it all safely contained just beyond some glass and steel, you won't feel a thing!

If the backhoe will serve you a lot of use, then I have to agree, braving the elements could very well be worth it, there is nothing like having your own backhoe.

I would love to have a cab but i think the money is better spent on the backhoe. I was looking at full size machines in the 8-9k range (similair to the hoe option) but it's hard to find one that doesn't require a buch of work so i decided on the attachment. There are plenty of jobs lined up and waiting and it seems like something always comes up that i could use it for.

 

[Martian]

As JD mentioned, if your not using the backhoe all the time and only have a few projects lined up it may make more sense to rent a mini ex when you need it and have a cab all the time, just food for thought.

EDIT: Just realized there was another page of comments and you'd answered the question

 

[charleyfarmall]

As JD mentioned, if your not using the backhoe all the time and only have a few projects lined up it may make more sense to rent a mini ex when you need it and have a cab all the time, just food for thought.

EDIT: Just realized there was another page of comments and you'd answered the question

It's true that it makes financial sense on paper to do this. It often isn't practical. If you rent, you have to hook up and go get the machine then bring it back and you have to be very efficient about using it.

When you own the backhoe, you can hook it up any time you want and take as long as you want. It's much better if you have long or odd work hours or other commitments. If you need to dig out a rock or stump and you have time tuesday night at 7pm then you do it. Can't do that if you rent....

 

[charleyfarmall]

I'm going to add to my post above. Three years ago the water line to the house broke in january saturday night. I found it sunday morning when I woke up. Water everywhere and almost no pressure in the house.

I hooked up the backhoe and went to work, all while the rental agency was closed. Granted if you use the backhoe once or twice a year it's probably not a good investment but the convenience is worth an awful lot.

 

[Martian]

It's true that it makes financial sense on paper to do this. It often isn't practical. If you rent, you have to hook up and go get the machine then bring it back and you have to be very efficient about using it.

When you own the backhoe, you can hook it up any time you want and take as long as you want. It's much better if you have long or odd work hours or other commitments. If you need to dig out a rock or stump and you have time tuesday night at 7pm then you do it. Can't do that if you rent....

I do agree. I'm looking for a 110TLB right now. I have a lot of use for the backhoe, although a lot of what I need done right now could be done in a weekend or two's work with a nice full size ex. But I have a lot of little things, mainly stumps that have to go that will definitely be a lot nicer over time to have the backhoe. And don't forget that the backhoe adds possibilities, the cab adds comfort... what do you need more?

 

[JDTank]

I want both the backhoe and the cab so bad, I have put off my compact tractor purchase for about 5 years until my brand new pickup truck is paid off. At which point, I hope to order a 4520 with the cab AND backhoe, but, that's probably to the tune of $50,000, so I will have to see what things are like at that time.

I never thought of having the backhoe for emergency use. Now that charleyfarmall mentions it, I think the backhoe would be worth it over the cab. If you have an emergency and you need to get into the ground pronto with no wasted time, that cab will be absolutely useless.

 

[Martian]

Wmonroe,

To add to my last post. Not to sway you one way or the other, but if you really want both, and don't need a backhoe right now, you may want to think about getting the cab now and backhoe later. You can always get the backhoe later, but the cab has to be from the factory. I still stand by what I said though, a backhoe adds possibilities and use, a cab adds comfort...

 

[wmonroe]

Where i used to live it was fairly convenient to rent a machine, but where i live now the nearest rental place is about 30 minutes away and every time i need a machine they are either closed or i have to rush to be able to finish to get it back on time. With the list of projects i have it is worth having the attachment just waiting to go.
I agree 100% with the backhoe adding possibility and the cab adding comfort. I would love to have the comfort of the cab but would rather have the backhoe, at 29 it won't kill me to have an open station machine.

It's not a matter of getting the cab now and backhoe later as much as i just cannot justify to myself spending 50k on a tractor i don't need. Really i could manage with the old Ford i have now or probably a 2xxx series or definately a 3xxx series would be adequate but i want a bigger machine. I grew up with an open station tractor and it didn't hurt me, so i guess i've talked myself out of it.