4720 and 400x Loader

[Mtrman]

The sales brochure for the 3000 and 4000 series tractor lists a 400 cx with self leveling bucket. I guess the sales dept. works harder than engineering /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. The self leveling is a nice feature to have. It makes lifting a load on forks a lot easier.
Mtrman

 

[ddivinia]

Yeah, I did not see an option for a 400CX and was wondering if my "new" tractor was already obsolete! I guess I am still up to date.

D.

 

[MidGALandscaper]

Thanks for all the replies. I am trying to avoid moving up to a full size utility tractor because 40% of my landscaping work is new home construction (grading, irrigation, sod, etc). Some of the homes are quite close together and I need something that's not too large, but has adequate lifting capabilites. Most of the time, the sod farms delivers the big rolls or pallets. But there are times when we go pick them up on my 20ft equipment trailer, which is probably no more than 3 feet high. Having a tractor that can move those would be nice. I don't mind breaking the pallet down, but as everyone knows time is money. The dealer didn't have a 4720 on the lot. He went ahead and ordered one with the 400x loader, a set of pallet forks, TNT kit, and another set of hydraulic couplers on the back. I am keeping the 4310 too. I love that tractor. It has done everything we have asked of it for the last 2 1/2 years. The 42" big rolls are just a little bit too much for the 3 pt hitch and I don't want to put another lift pump in it. The 4310 is a perfect match for the 6ft Harley Rake (the ultimate grading machine) though.

 

[bam747]

The 3000/4000 Twenty brochure also has an asterisk on the 400CX (self leveling) stating that it would be "Available summer 2005".

For what it's worth, pages 4 & 5 of the brochure show a 4000 Twenty tractor (can't see the exact model number) with a backhoe on it (presumably a 448) and a 400X loader with pallet fork carrying a pallet of sod. The sod appears to be stacked starting at 10 rolls on the first tier, 8 on the second tier, 6 on the third tier and 4 on the top tier. I have no idea if that constitutes a "standard" full pallet of sod or not.

Also FYI, here are the loader specs listed on page 14 of the brochure (note that ALL specs are given at the PIVOT PIN, not a realistic numbers IMO):

400X
------
Lift capacity, max height, at pivot pin: 2,368 lb.
Maximum lift height, at pivot pin: 112.8 in.
Breakout force, at pivot pin: 3,506 lb.

400CX
-------
Lift capacity, max height, at pivot pin: 2,194 lb.
Maximum lift height, at pivot pin: 110.9 in.
Breakout force, at pivot pin: 3,512 lb.

 

[ddivinia]

A TNT kit would be really cool. I have never used one, but it looks cool.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

What is the big advantage of a self-leveling bucket?

D.

 

[beenthere]

Uhhh......... That it stays in position regardless of the height the bucket is from the ground. If it starts out level, like with a pallet on it, then it remains at that 'level' position as the FEL is raised.

Without self-levelling option (which requires more linkage), the pallet will have to be adjusted by the operator running the 'curl' function as the pallet is raised.

Same with a bucket. If the operator gets a full bucket of dirt at 'ground' level, and raises the FEL without adjusting the bucket (curling down) then the dirt in the bucket will empty onto the hood at full height.

It's a nice feature, but one that weighs more so restricts the load capacity of the FEL.

 

[ddivinia]

Might seem like a stupid question, but I have never used one. It seems pretty simple, I need to see how one of thos works. I have never used pallet forks, I could see how that would be really handy.

D.

 

[timb]

There are 3rd-party valve systems that can be added to your loader to mimic the behavior of a mechancial self-leveling loader by biasing the amount of fluid being pumped to (or released from) the boom cylinders versus the bucket. Not perfect, but close, and it doesn't add any weight to the loader frame so it doesn't interfere with your overall lift capacity. There were a few folks here talking about trying them a few years ago but I don't believe anyone ever reported back.

 

[VIEWQUEST]

My recommendation is that you demonstrate both a JD4720 and a NH TC55 using them both as you normally would during your business (including trailoring it). I was in the market for a 4520 and was set to buy one until an owner posted his disappointment when he couldn't lift a pallet of bricks off of a trailer. The TC 55 has the lifting capacity of some utility tractors but is smaller in size. I know of a local landscaper that said his working crew was pleased with the unit. There's nothing worse than shelling out up to $40,000 (depending on equipment) and not being able to get the work done as you anticipated. Good luck!