4500-4700

[Anonymous Poster]

I just got back from my local dealer. I was looking at a 5105 or a 4700. After talking for about an hour, he said he would by a 4500 any day. For the money, the 4500 is the most tractor for what I would need. What are my needs you ask? Well, basic emplements like brushhog and rr blade. Also I will pulling a tree planter, a 10' disk, and a 2 bottom plow. I also have a 3 bottom but I would think the 4500 would not be able to handle this. The ground is a sandy loam and tends to be on the wet side. I dont have very much farm experience and I'm looking for any input. Thanks... Bigbird

 

[rancar]

Big Bird,

Listen to your own instinct. the JD4500 is smaller than the 4700. It's smaller gross HP and less PTO HP. Don't let that dealer talk you into something that you may not want. From what you said you'd be doing, I'd go with the 4700 (in fact I am, will be purchasing mine this Spring).

 

[cowboydoc]

I agree as well. The smallest I'd want to go is the 4600. I think iwth the 4500 you lose too much other stuff as well like hydraulics flow, etc. When I was looking there was hardly any price diff. between the 4500 and 4600 but a big jump to the 4700. The only diff. b/t the 4600 and 4700 was a few hp, 4 or 5. Other than that it was all the same.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

How long has the dealer's 4500 been sitting on the lot...?

If you're going do some substantial tillage... you want mass/weight and drawbar hp...

I'd look at the 5105 or 5205 a little closer or the 4700 again... the 4500 in your case is going downward...

For about the same amount of money as the 4700, you should be able to get into the 5X05 series utility size and tackle all those chores... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif {and still use your 3-bottom plow to boot!}

 

[kevinro]

I bought a 4500 about a year ago. I have been quite happy with it, though I use mine mostly for loader and backhoe work. I did consider the 4600 and the 4700. My reasoning was that the 460 loader fits on all three. I didn't want the HST drive, and the extra HP wasn't really very important. Physically they are all nearly identical.

I really like the powersync reverser. I thought about the HST, which was on the 4600, but found the powersync to be a better fit for my needs. I don't plow with it though. Seems like if the size/weight of the 4500 is a concern, you should consider the 5000 series instead. Going to a 4700 won't buy you much more pulling power, especially in loose soil. The 4500 is quite capable of spinning all 4 tires as well as the 4700!

The difference in HP between the 4500 and the 4600 didn't seem worth the extra bucks. The 4700 has about 4 more HP, which when you think about it is about 10%. I don't have any PTO needs on mine, so I decided it wasn't worth the extra expense.

The 48 backhoe works really well. I put a mechanical thumb on it for grabbing trees and rocks. If you are thinking backhoe, the thumb is a really nice addition.