4210 feedback from owners......

garchib · Jun 19, 2003

I currently own a 4100 HST, which I like, but after sitting on both a 4210
and a 4310, I fell in love and felt WAY more comfortable. I am over
6 feet and 200 pounds and felt I could strech out more on these larger
tractors. Other than that, I would like a back-hoe to do some drainage
work (i.e. installing French drains) and I want to plant trees around
my 2.1 acreas, as it is basically wide-open with very few trees. So my
idea is to use a hoe to dig the 30 or 40 holes I am going to need. I could
buy the new hoe for my 4100, but rather than spend 6k on a hoe for a
4100 with a subframe. I would rather upgrade and get a tractor designed for a hoe that is more comfortable. I toyed with the BX22,
but I think the ground clearance is going to be a problem with that
tractor and I am a JD guy /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Chief · Jun 19, 2003

With what you describe, you could do alright with the 4210. I would suggest the 4310 or the 4410 unless you intend to use the tractor for extensive finish mowing with a mmm or rfm. I this case the 4210 would be a bit smaller and more maneuverable in tight spots as well as less damage to the sod in your yard/property. The 4310/4410 would do much better with a hoe and I believe you would be able to go with a larger 48 hoes as opposed to the 47 hoe on the 4210 as well. Same applies with the loader the 4310/4410 with take a 430 as opposed to the 420 loader. As I said the 4210 will do what you want but just not as fast or in large a proportion but does have its limits. The 4310/4410 will give you a little more work and add on capacity later on. Both are great tractors but if it was me (as you can see by my sig) I would go with the 4410, 72"mmm, 430 loader, and 48 hoe, get a good quality medium duty post hole digger too. Makes digging holes to plant trees MUCH easier. Good luck on your tractor decision.

garchib · Jun 19, 2003

Thanks for your help.....the weight is definately an issue, as I want
to be able to mow on my leaching field......the JD dealer says that
is fine as long as I do not buy a 4610/4710 class machine....what do you
think....do you think a 4310/4410 is okay to mow on a leaching field ?
I currently am mowing it with my 4100 HST without any issues
with compaction, etc.......the grass grows like crazy /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

iamgott · Jun 19, 2003

IF YOU PLAN ON PIDDELIN AROUND THE HOUSE, IT'LL PROBABLY BE FINE. IF YOU WANT TO DO ANY HEAVY GRADING, EARTHMOVING OR CLEARING OF LIGHT BRUSH, YOU BETTER GO BIGGER, MUCH BIGGER. I HAVE THE 4300 WHICH IS BASICALLY THE SAME AS A 4210, JUS A LITTLE MORE POWER ETC. ITS BEEN REPAIRED OVER 20 TIMES WITH LESS THAN 400 HOURS. IF I DID IT ALL OVER AGAIN, I WOULD GO WITH THE 4610 OR ONE OF THE UTILITY MODELS. I HAVE NOT ABUSED THIS MACHINE AT ALL, MAYBE THE 6' LANDPRIDE BOX BLADE THE DEALER SOLD ME IS TO HEAVY FOR THE ATTACHMENTS, I WOULD SUGGEST, ON A 4210, DONT EXCEED 5' ON A BOX BLADE AND ALL REAR ATTACHMENTS SHOULD BE KEPT AS SMALL AS PRACTICAL. THE REAR OF THESE MACHINES AND ALL ATTACHING HARDWARE ARE MADE OF SOME TYPE OF LIGHT WEIGHT CAST, ITS PRETTY STRONG, BUT IT WILL BREAK. I RECENTLY BROKE AN AXLE HOUSING BECAUSE A TURNBUCKLE BROKE, ONE MONTH OUT OF WARRANTY "OUCH!!!!!" tHIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT I BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION EARLY ON, THEY HAVE NEVER ADDRESSED IT, AND NOW TURN THEIR BACKS ON ME. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER JOHN DEERE PERIOD, SORRY.

iamgott · Jun 19, 2003

aLSO, i WOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT THE WEIGHT OF THE MACHINE 4610 ON THE LEACH FIELD, "UNLESS ITS REALLY SOFT". I WOULD GO WITH TURF TIRES, AND THE LARGEST MACHINE YOU CAN AFFORD "WITHIN YOUR SIZE LIMITATION". THE 4610 IS MUCH BETTER BUILT ON THE REAR 3 POINT ASSEMBLY. I FEAR, IF YOU GET 4310 OR SMALLER, YOU "MAY" REGRET IT. I HAVE HAD 2- 4300'S AND BOTH HAVE HAD TO UNDERGO REPEATED REPAIRS.

loner · Jun 19, 2003

Loose nut behind the wheel maybe? Go get yerself a nuther kind and tell us how long it last 10-FO!

budman72 · Jun 21, 2003

I've had my 4200 gear drive for a little over a year. Absolutely no problems with it. I run a 5' RFM to cut my 5 acres, also have the 420 FEL and a 5' BB. I run turf tires. The machine has plenty of power for anything I need to do. The only thing I would change would have been going with a 6' mower instead of the 5'.

I looked at a 4310 when I bought mine, the thought of all the electronics on a tractor made up my mind. There may be a reason (future emissions rules?) but my theory is KISS-keep it simple, stupid /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

garchib · Jun 26, 2003

Re: 4210 feedback from owners......- pictures

I would love to see some pictures of 4200/4210 tractors
from the owners out there.....there seems to be a real
shortage of 4200/4210 info and photos....

iamgott · Jun 27, 2003

You have a real set of loose lips there "loner". Unless you know more about someones situation, you shouldn't make such remarks.
Usually, I would not even reply to such remarks, But for the sake of the member who posted this thread, the 4x10 series are not bad machines, but size limits you and your machines capabilities. I use mine for work, "not play", and I find the 4300 I have now, is just not "heavy enough" or expressed another way "durable enough under the operating conditions I submit it to" to hold up over a long period. I now realize and wish I had purchased the 4600 series when I bought my machine. Its better to go bigger, "if it'll work for your situation" as later, if you decide you want to go bigger, you will have to endure the depreciation on the "smaller machine".
I also had some major "local dealer issues" which made this an unpleasent experience for myself. I have no Vandetta against any machine, I really love mine and its been a real life saver at times. If you want to be able to swing a 6' box blade freely, Id go with at least the 4510 "big frame" or 4410.
Ultimate choice in a compact 4610. Even my dealer admitted: "if you had purchased the 4610, you would not have had any problems to speak of" "His words". But he sold me the 4300,,,go figure,,,,. The 4300, 4200 will swing a 6' box, but I have had a few problems on my 3 point with a 6' box. Im not sure if this is where the problem actually is or can be contributed to something else, but the larger frame tractors I understand have a category II and/or III hitch. Have fun making that big desicion!!! Good Luck too,,,,,,gott