Buying Advice 4310 Tractor and attachments: Need advice

monkeybreath · Jun 20, 2003

After visiting the NH dealer today and coming close to buying a TC29 (about 126 hours / not HST) at $13,900 with 7308 FEL included, I went over to JD dealer and looked at a 4310 with about 121 hours, they want $17,700 with the 430 FEL. (dealer thought I could get by with the 420) It is not HST, but has the 9x3 sync shift with power reverser. The additional implements I want are more expensive at JD: quoted $950 for JD 48" rotarty cutter, $750 for Landpride 2560 box scrapper, and about $1025 for a Dauauser PHD with 9" auger. Before I saw the 4310, I thought I would be happy with the TC29 given the prices there (about $455 for Bush hog BX650 box scrapper and about $750 for bushhog rear mower, and about $ 750 for bushhog PHDigger # 2101 - all of these now only estimates and to be confirmed. But, I really liked the look, fit and feel of the 4310. The JD dealer said there is some room to reduce the price, the NH dealer, without my asking, said he is as low as he can go - that they have already priced everything down due to farmers in area suffering - and I believe him. Both dealers OK, but warmer feelings towards NH salesman. I want the JD but will probably go elsewhere for attachments except for FEL, and will have to get them to come down. Fair price for the 4310 ? Anyone have experience with power reverse ? By the way, the sychshift on the JD really looks more convenient than the trans on the NH. I feel like a pest to keep badgering everyone for info, but you are the only tractor people I know and the expertise here is amazing. . . Advice ?

Anonymous Poster · Jun 20, 2003

I can't comment on the price as I have not done much tractor pricing. My neighbor has a JD 4600 with power reverser and he loves it. He does loader work, landscape raking and snowblowing (rear mount) commercially so he is doing a lot of direction changes. I have used HST for the last 15 years and have difficulty with the transition when I borrow his tractor. I'm just too accustomed to using my feet and having the tractor come to a stop when my feet are off the pedals. **** power reverser keeps wanting to go forward /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

I would drive the heck out the one at the dealer. Tell the salesman to leave you alone and drive it round the lot. Spend some time changing directions and maneuvering around. If you are going to be doing much loader work the power reverser of HST is nice to have.

Curious as to the selection of a 48" rotary cutter. Seems small for this tractor. It will give you a much narrower cut than the wheel width.

Jeff

JohnMiller3 · Jun 20, 2003

Hi Ron,

Go to this site,(upper right hand corner of screen), enter United States, type in your zipcode, and search for 4310’s to get an idea of “asking prices” for your area to compare…

MachineFinder...

monkeybreath · Jun 20, 2003

John, thanks again. Great site and helpful. Good prices on hydro trans tractors. Unfortunately, nothing in Calif. Great tool to compare prices.

monkeybreath · Jun 20, 2003

RE the 48" mower comment. My brain was apparently disengaged. I was thinking that there would be some narrower spots I would need to go - so 48" a better plan - not thinking that the tractor would also have to go there. Oh well, humility is not necessarily a bad thing.

dmp437 · Jun 20, 2003

My 4310 should be here in 1-2 weeks or so. It's a 4310 MFWD eHydro w/ mid PTO for $15400. The 430 FEL was another $3000. This deal was from a small Deere dealer that has been around for decades and was $2000 less than the "rock bottom" price from the big flashy Deere dealership. Another place to watch for lower cost implements is auctions.

rockyridgefarm · Jun 21, 2003

( It is not HST, but has the 9x3 sync shift with power reverser )

There are three trannys:
9x3 sync shift
12x12 power reverser
HST

( 4310 with about 121 hours, they want $17,700 with the 430 FEL... ... is not HST, but has the 9x3 sync shift with power reverser )
Your area may be way differant, and your dealer sounds like he'll come down. But I recently paid just about the same price for a brand new 4310, with HST and MFWD.

I sound like a broken record, but here goes:

Use the Dealer Locator on Deere's site and see if there are more dealers in your area. Ask for a bid from any that look like you'd want to go service business with. I'd ask for prices for new equipment as well. There really was no savings on used in my findings.

Try the transmissions. If you have hills, and are getting a loader, your optioms should be HST, HST, or HST. In that order.

You don't have to listen to me. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

monkeybreath · Jun 21, 2003

Thanks - I guess it was the 12x12 because it had the power reverser - before I posted I looked in the spec book and thoght it was the other. I will heed your advice on HSTs - and keep looking for a while - seems like those are not around here much - I am not sure why. It may be that the County I live in (Fresno County) and the next County (Tulare County) are the two top ag producing counties (I think in the nation) and a lot of tractors in fields, and perhaps they don't need/want HSTs and so not stocked much - I have called well over a dozen dealers and have visited dealers in area for NH, Kubota, JD, MFeruguson - and at least a couple of each of these dealers - in different cities and towns - while it constantly helps my learning curve, it also confuses a bit given different advice re HST and my uses. While I live in rolling foothills, my tractor use in the hilly parts will be mostly grooming the back roads 1-3 times a year, but I may find more uses once I am rolling. Reliability of HST vs the other transmissions ? Cost of repairs to any ?

Anonymous Poster · Jun 21, 2003

I don't know how much help I can be but I do have a 4310 with PowrReverser. I have to admit that I have never tried the hydro. My main reason for getting the reverser trans was the price. I have no regrets with my choice. The reverser trans does everything I want. It's great with the loader. No clutching, just move the lever (like a heavy duty turn signal switch) in the direction that you want to go. There is a neutral position where you can change gears without the foot clutch. If you need to get off the tractor for a second just put the reverser in neutral, trans to neutral, set the brake, and get off. When you get back on put trans in whatever gear that you want, release the brake, and flip the reverser in whatever direction that you want to go and you're off. (forgot seatbelt) No clutch required. Very quick and handy transmission. And no hydro whine, no power loss in the transmission, and $1200.00 cheaper. It was not a tough choice for me. I like it a lot.

Bob

_RaT_ · Jun 22, 2003

If you guys really want to see some ag land, go check out what monkeybreath is talking about. That Fresno/Tulare Kern county area is amazing.

To answer your email to me, I tried several dealers, Gold Country Tractors in Newcastle, Georges in Redding and Sacramento For Tractors (Formerly Sacramento Ford Tractors) I also checked internet prices. Deans in Texas, Carvers in North Carolina and Tractor Smart in TN. I think right now the supply of Kubotas is marginal at best since the L30's seem to be quite popular, at least here in the foothills around gold country. I would have to agree with RockeyRidge, HST is a high priority on the hills for me. Rat...