4610

[JDStell]

A dealer has a used 4610 with 100 hours. 410 Loader, Industrial tires, Rear Hydrolic. I was considering a 3720 new tractor but the dealer said he got this one on trade about 10 days ago from someone who needed more tractor. I will be mainly pulling a 6'rotory mower and 5' or 6' grooming mower. some disk Harrowing and other general weekend farm duties. Dealer asking $19,950.00. I will view tomorrow and discuss warrenty posibilities, financing, etc. Any advice for negotiations and guidance on pricing would be appreciated. I live in the Middle Georgia Area outside of Macon.

This is my first Tractor!!! Have used several who other people have owned but the first to call my own. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[timb]

What are the areas like you where want to use a grooming mower? If you want to keep a very nice yard - and/or you've got softer soil (like clay when it's been wet) - a large frame JD like a 4610 may well be far too heavy. A great pasture/brushhogging machine - but not for the fairways unless you have big unfilled turf tires.

On the other hand - the large frame 4000 Ten JD's seem pretty bulletproof - I've seen a lot fewer problems listed here than folks have experienced with the mid-size units.

Pricing can be very regional but that doesn't sound too bad to me. Is it a hydro or a power-reverser? Check out the used tractor sites and price up a 4120 similiarly equipped on the JD site, take off 15% for a discount and work from there. If the 4610 is a couple of thou off that (and assuming this is a MFWD machine, not 2WD) I'd say you're getting the better machine.

That should be a 460 loader on a 4610.

 

[JDStell]

Tim,
Thanks for your quick response. I was planning on using the grooming mower on the yard around my house and the issue about the weight is helpful. That is why I was looking at the mid-size 3720 which is still in the HP range I thought would be more useful for all of task I want to tackle. You are probably right about the loader being a 460. I will get all the specs tomorrow. I plan to get the industrial tire on either choice. The best solution would be to buy the 4610 and a smaller midsize for my yard. The Mrs. JDstell is excited about 1 new tractor but two may bring more heated discussion. I am in Middle Georgia, I update my post with this info. I did the calculations you suggested and it appears that the price on the 4610 is just below what you suggested. Thanks,

 

[timb]

I don't mean to bad mouth the mid-sized JD's - there are plenty of TBN'ers here that are delighted with their tractors - both TEN series and a growing number of 3000-Twenty owners. However - it does seem that there have been more issues raised than with the large-frame units - even allowing for the greater population of mid-sized tractors.

There are some subtle differences between the tractors as well. The diff and perhaps the rear axle housing on the mid-size is supposed to be aluminum? I know a magnet sticks just fine anywhere on my diff or axle - so the large frame units appear to be all steel/cast iron. Internally the large frames use planetary gears - the mid size a spur gear arrangment. Dig real hard for specs - and things like axle ratings and drawbar tongue weight ratings are higher. sometimes by a lot. Leak down specs on the hydraulics are better, lots of little things. The fact that the large frame was rated strong enough for the 460 over the old 430 loader was comforting even if I'll rarely push the 460 to it's limit. I felt the tractor had a lot of reserve.

Before I bought, I drove a 4310 and a 4610 back to back at the dealer's site all afternoon. There didn't seem to me to be too much difference in manuverability - but the 4 cylinder 4610 was far smoother running than the 3-cylinder 4310.

On the other hand - like I said, the large frame JD's can get heavy - and if you're planning on close work around the house and frequent trips on the lawn - the mid-sized units (especially with the hp of the new 3000-Twenties), may be a better fit for you. Real-world experince with my 4710 (loaded tires) has revealed the limits of how much 'lawn driving' I can expect to do.

Good luck either way - they are great tractors.