2002 4710

sniezur · Mar 13, 2002

Stopped by my dealer today to finally check out in person the new 4X10 tractors. Not a whole lot of differences between the 4710 and my 4700. Here are a few of the things I noticed:

1. New Hella headlights (wonder if they are better?)
2. Funky looking plasticy pivot for tilt steering instead of rubber boot I have (I like mine better)
3. Ugly black plastic pan under seat instead of green painted steel unit on my 2001 (again, I like mine better)
4. New, highly improved, DSCV lever (definatly like the 2002 model better than my crappy 2001 design)
5. Larger opening in RH fender cupholder for "fullsize" 32 oz coffee mug with handle. (2002 wins again)
6. New "e" touch pedals for HST are just that, reostat style instead of pedals actually pushing the valve spools (not sure on this one as I like the "feel" and "feedback" of actually moving the valve with the pedal)
7. 4x4 switch on RH fender instead of "pull" lever next to LH of seat (sorry, but I like pull levers for 4x4 in my trucks and on my tractors)
8. "automotive style" cruise control button for "accel" and "resume" (mine has button for "on" or "off", so I guess 2002 is more useful???)
9. UGLY new rear tail and flasher combo 4 light plastic unit deal (enough said there)

That's about it for now for my "first" impressions. Plus dealer said 2002 "e" hydro 4710 list price is almost $ 2,000 more than the 2001 4700 HST unit.

PLOWER · Mar 13, 2002

Are you saying mine sucks? Just kidding./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Cliff

JATO_RaT · Mar 13, 2002

Steve, its the last item that would interest me. If I were looking for a tractor, particularly JD's, I would want assurances from folks who really punish their tractors and not just polish them as to whether the eHST is tough. My JD dealer was so disatisfied with the HST's on JD's 4000 series, he refused to repair them anymore. I asked "wouldn't that jeopardize your relationship with them?" He scoffed and did not care. He either had a bad batch of tractors with defective HST's or JD was not up to snuff with the HST units they had manufactured (I believe Eaton made them for JD). I can believe that a company like JD looked at that problem (IF in fact it existed) and has remedied it. Now just need to find someone to put it through the test. I'm real good at it so bring it by and we can push some dirt and shine some steel, Rat....

rancar · Mar 13, 2002

Sniezur,

<font color=blue>"...Plus dealer said 2002 "e" hydro 4710 list price is almost $2,000 more than the 2001 4700 HST unit..."</font color=blue>

You sure your dealer isn't pulling your leg or isn't trying to dump another in-stock 4700 on you? /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

JD configurator has 2002 list price for 4710 with eHydro for $25,739 ($1,200 included for eHydro). $4700 list prices are $25,385 ($1,585 included for HST). Only about $350 difference here.

When shopping for a 4700 18 months ago, local dealer quoted me $22,300 with HST. Another local dealer last week quoted me $22,795 for 4710 with eHydro. About a $500 difference here.

Local dealers I've visited are telling me nobody wants the 4700. They are all lining up for the 4710. If a dealer has a 4700 w/ HST they should certainly be selling it for $2K or more but off the comparably equipped 4710 selling price, not MSRP. Then, it may be a good deal. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Regards,
Bob Ancar
Cambridge, NY

BKColeman · Mar 14, 2002

Yeah, when I was pricing 4410s a few weeks ago, I got 3 quotes. 2 of them were within $300 of the 4400 quote I had gotten previously. So the prices don't seem to have changed much. One dealer was $1700 higher than the other 2, I think he was trying to get a premium for the new models. He also was the only one to bad mouth the new electronics. I wonder if it had anything to do with his lot full of 4000s? /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

sniezur · Mar 14, 2002

One of the reasons I made my little "list" was to reassure my self of the purchase I made last July. I had pondered waiting for the 10 series to come out before purchasing my 4700 but decided against it. I am more than happy with the performance of my 2001 4700 and am now glad I did not wait for the 4710.

Personally, I am not interested in an "e" hydro anti-stalling feature and do not like the placement of the buttons on the RH fender. Too much of a chance of beer, oh I mean "soda", getting spilled on them while mowing the 12 acres around the house.

Plus, as an automotive assembly plant equipment manufacturer, I know that I would never buy a first model year redesign. All the bugs are worked out the first half of year of production. I know the 10 series is not that different than the 00 series, but I know my late 2001 build 4700 had ALL the updates and revisions that were implemented over the first 3 years of it's build life.

The use of plastics is becoming increasingly popular in the compact tractor market. Plastic is much cheaper to use than stamped steel, so I do not find it suprising. Just look at how much plastic is used in automotive components vs. steel and aluminum of 10 years ago. I was hesitant initially about the plastic fenders, engine covers, and hood on my 4700 compared to the steel construction of my 1996 JD 955. After 80 hours of use there is absolutly nothing wrong with any of the plastic parts and Pledge really makes it look good after a washing.

My list is not knocking the 10 series, just opening up a little discussion about the changes and "improvements" that JD has made to it's world class compact tractor line.

blurrybill · Mar 14, 2002

Stop it, Steve! You're just complicating my life by bringing up these sensible considerations! Here I am all set (but fearful) of emptying my wallet on a 4310 and you have to start talking common sense -- give me a break!

I'll be waiting with interest (how do you spell "bated, baited breath?") to see what the collective genius of TBN has to say.

Bill

rancar · Mar 14, 2002

Brad,

For what it's worth, I actually had a dealer playing up the electronics on the x10 series....and he had x00 tractors still on the lot. He claimed these eHydros are not new inventions JD made for the 4000 series but adaptations from the bigger JD ag tractors. He claimed there was a world of difference between eHydro and HST and was suggesting the x00 series, in which he had some on the lot, would be a poor choice. Go figure /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

rancar · Mar 14, 2002

Steve --

Yep...the bugs are what I'm concerned about. But, I've waited for over two years, always looking at the 4700 and waiting until I could afford to buy. And now look at what JD has done. They introduce a new series making me second guess again that maybe I should wait until these bugs are worked out. By that time, then JD will be introducing a whole new line of compacts. I feel like I just can't wait anymore. My back has been quickly giving out on little things I could easily do with a compact tractor. I'm figuring I'll just go with the 4710, take my chances, and take advantage of JD's generous 2-year warranty if there's anything wrong.

BTW, best of wishes to you and your 4700..... a machine I had my eyes on myself and would have purchased this year if JD hadn't gone ahead with introducing their new series.