Price Check 4400 price check

[L_Nicholson]

I was wondering if 16k for a 1998 JD 4400 hydro with 218 hrs, new 300x loader, turf tires and used box blade was a pretty good price.
The original owner had it as a mowing toy so it sat around a lot.
Thanks for your help

Lee

 

[plowrup]

If the unit looks good, buy it, that's below Average Retail-

 

[osprey]

Have you ever looked at them on E bAy ??

 

[L_Nicholson]

The tractor looks real good... the tractor alone is priced at 12,950. since money is tight for me I was thinking of getting just the tractor and as things progress getting more attachments as I need them. I have to have a mower and box blade right now. Later I’d like to add more things

As to ebay.... 2 things to consider
1. frankly there are so many scams on there I'm leery
2. most times they are located 600 plus miles away and time is money.

So I have watched them on ebay but never really pursued them.

 

[osprey]

I hear you loud and clear....you have to be careful out there. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[daTeacha]

There is a dealer in Richwood, Ohio who has a 4200 with about 243 hours, QD loader, hydro, ag tires and is asking $12,900. I found it on the JD site, but only after looking up something else and just browsing what else the dealer had. You could go to the JD site and enter 4200 and maybe find it. For that matter, you could go there and describe the tractor you're looking at to find the going price at dealers. Richwood is about a half hour north northwest of Columbus, so about 2 hours from the Indiana line.

In talking with my Mahindra man who used to work on, then be service manager to, then sell JDs before opening his own business, I think I'd be sure to check into whether all the updates had been done on any '00 series tractor. I think he referred to them as PIPs. Anyways, there were apparently some issues with the turning angles of the front wheels, gearboxes keeping fluids in the right places, stuff like that which only begin to show up around 600 hours or so. He said he had replaced entire front axle assemblies on several.

Maybe someone here can shed more light on the general reliability of that series of tractor and help us both out. Right now, I would shy away from one. Again, this is based on what a guy who used to work on them has told me. He is now a Mahindra dealer and competing with his former employer, so that may influence his opinion and commentary somewhat.

 

[Chris_VA]

Hello Lee,

This isn't an exact comparsion, but I just sold the following:

4400 (one of the last before the ten series) with 400 hours, 3rd SCV, canopy, R3's, hydro, FWD, telescoping draft links
72" mid mower
420 loader

Got $19,000 for it. More than I was asking....
Strange /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I guess it just depends on the market in your area and the demand. Compacts are hot items around here because everyone is snatching up 10-20 acre tracts and want a small machine.

Sounds like a pretty good price to me.

The post above brings up some good points about service issues. I never had ANY problems with my 4400. Of course, one should not expect any problems in only 400 hours. Previous, I had a 4200 (one of the first ones out) and I did have to have the front axle replaced. When making a semi-sharp turn on turf, the front wheels would lay up on their edge and cut a nice little ring. Once the axle was replaced, it was fine. The 4200 was just underpowered for my hilly land.

Chris

Oh yeah, I did have to have some gears replaced in the transmission on the 4200 also. Seems there was some issue with heat treating or something that left them brittle (maybe). They didn't fail, but there must have been some recall on them as the dealer contacted me to have it repaired.

I think the one you are looking at might fall into the few years that they did have some issues crop up. These are the first year or so that the 4000 series were out. My 4400 had all of the updates on it from the factory. But like I said, I bought it just months before the ten series came out.

 

[L_Nicholson]

Thanks Guys for the responses

The 4200 is about 9 hp shy of the 4400.... so I would like to stick with the higher HP.

Thanks Chris for the info. The market is the only reason I'm looking else where to buy... around my area these tractors are high. I own 140 ac and this is considered a very large place around here. (land rich cash poor)

Because it is a 1998 I am hesitant.... but here is the final negotiation deal as of today in writing.

Tractor, 300x loader, (they have to install the loader SCV), 72" belly mower, turf tires, and a used box blade

Deal total is 16,150.00 with a 2 week install time on the loader.

I think I need to try and call the ball by tomorrow so any last words of wisdom would be appreciated.

 

[L_Nicholson]

Does anyone think I might have any scalping issues with that 72" MMM???

 

[osprey]

<font color="blue"> Anyways, there were apparently some issues with the turning angles of the front wheels,He said he had replaced entire front axle assemblies on several.
</font>
He is talking about the "turf destroyer axle'. The early John Deere 4000 series had a different style axle than the later models,the reason he had to replace them is because John Deere offered to replace them for people that mowed there yards with these tractors because John Deere was getting so many complaints about scuffing the lawn when making a sharp turn.I have the old style axle and it is fine for my applications. DANA corporation made these axles and may have made the redesigned ones as well.

 

[Chris_VA]

Hey Lee,

You are certainly welcome for what little I contributed.

You can tell which axle you have, if that is any concern to you. If you have a single tierod/cylinder, you have the old style axle. Actually, I think it is a stronger setup and if you can live with the turf issues, it might be a better axle. If you have a seperate tierod and cylinder, then you have the newer axle that does not cause turf damage.

I've never had any scalping issues with the 72" deck. But actually, after you've used it a few times, it will take care of any mildly uneven areas itself /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Also, I mow fairly high (3.5"), so that helps.
From looking at your photo, you should be able to mow about everything that appears to have been finish cut before. Just a guess.

You look to have a beautiful place, very nice!

I wish I could offer more background or advice. I just don't know anymore. I kept the 4200 about 3 1/2 years with about 350 hours and aside from what I noted above, never had any issues. But, 350 hours isn't even hardly broken in. I sold the 4400 with only 400 hours, so what do I know about long-term durability.

Go with your gut! Best of luck and I hope it works out good for you.
Chris

 

[L_Nicholson]

Thanks guys,

I’m still kicking it around… I’m pretty sure I’m going to go for it. Is there such a thing as this??

I want to give them a deposit… but I want it refundable based upon inspection… this sounds underhanded I know… but I want to tractor but I also have some extenuating financial situations that I will find out about in this next week. I have a good idea of the money situation but I want to play it safe too just in case something comes up that I wasn’t aware if.

They want a 2000.00 deposit and I want a full refund (back door) if things go south for me….

I guess I’ve dealt with real estate to long and wrote contracts that were based upon my “inspection”… if I got in a pickle I could back out of the contract even if there was nothing wrong. I never took advantage of this “back door” but always like to have It just case.

Let me know if I’m taking things too far here… I don’t want to insult anyone… especially the tractor dealer.

Chris,
Thanks
We really like the property we bought. The house shoud be done this month! I'll attach a pic or 2

 

[L_Nicholson]

Basement

 

[daTeacha]

It won't hurt to ask. All they can do is say no. Check into the financing plans available and what's coming and what applies to used equipment. There are some really nice deals out there on some new tractors -- Case is offering 0% for 60 months on some models, specifically the DX29/33. A gear drive 29 with loader is in the mid 17s to give you an idea. Take it up to $18000 and you're looking at 300 a month.

 

[L_Nicholson]

Just a quick update... the dealer bit on the refundable deposit based upon inspection... so the loader is on it's way to the dealer and should be going to get it soon after it is installed.

I'll get more pics once I pick it up.

Thanks again for all the help. You guys really helped me out with the knowledgeb base here!

 

[hipapa12]

Follow-up to this earlier message regarding buying on Ebay. I think Ebay is risky when buying from private unknown sources, but dealers also advertise on Ebay & you can pick up some deals occasionally. I just purchased a 1999 4400 with 900 hrs with a 430 FEL & new post hole digger for $13,900 delivered off of Ebay. JD dealer completely checked out unit & included a complete service (fluids, filters, etc). Still no guarantee, but I think safer then from unknown sources, even local sellers sometimes, since dealers (especially the ones who do business online) are senative to their feedback & reputations. In this particular case, the dealer had sold the tractor new orginally & had the service history along with the owner history, so I think less potential of surprises. At least I hope so since I still need to tell my wife what a good deal this is. Maybe some of you guys could comment and help me out with this!