4720 thoughts for the newbie

4720 OWNER · Jan 10, 2008

Have new 4720 with loader, cab, and blade. Sure beats an open station. Has a great heater for moving all the snow up here in a short sleeve shirt, hope the a/c is just as good when it is hot and humid (maybe i can wear sweats and thermal then).

Why put the front axle fill under the engine where have a hard time filling while snaking around the loader arms and such? Doing the 50 hr fluid changes. Engine oil was black as coal, normal for diesels?

Mid mount ports hydraulic hoses for the loader get hit by the front tires when turning sharply to the right.

Is it the weight or the HST that means that Deere does not recommend this tractor for a baler and haybine? Seems like it has more than enough power.

Do they really mean FEL greasing every 10 hr? Between snow and moving bales constantly using the FEL.

TimS · Jan 10, 2008

Don't know the answers to all your questions, but I do know:

- Black oil is normal for diesels - it's the soot.

- The more you grease, the longer the bushings will last.

Tim

dirtworksequip · Jan 10, 2008

Black oil is normal for some diesels. I owned an 87 Jeep Cherokee and as soon as it was started after an oil change the oil was as black as coal.

With the cab tractor get the optional mirrors for better visibilty and the horn for getting someones attention when needed. The engine block heater is also a nice option if you have cold weather.

The rear wiper is also a nice feature if you work when its raining or in blowing snow.
I also installed the vertical exhaust to get the exhaust out of my face when hand loading material or tools into the bucket.

Sincerely, Dirt

ddivinia · Jan 12, 2008

4720 OWNER said:
Have new 4720 with loader, cab, and blade. Sure beats an open station. Has a great heater for moving all the snow up here in a short sleeve shirt, hope the a/c is just as good when it is hot and humid (maybe i can wear sweats and thermal then).
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Your killing me. I have an open station 4720. My wife keeps bugging me to get a 4720 cab. She doesn't like the 5525 - too big.

Why put the front axle fill under the engine where have a hard time filling while snaking around the loader arms and such? Doing the 50 hr fluid changes. Engine oil was black as coal, normal for diesels?
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Mine is on the right side of the axles housing on the top. There is it on yours?

Black oil - good that you changed it. It does not take long for it to get nasty - change often.

Mid mount ports hydraulic hoses for the loader get hit by the front tires when turning sharply to the right.
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What type/size of tires? I have R4s - no problem. Might be different on the cab.

Is it the weight or the HST that means that Deere does not recommend this tractor for a baler and haybine? Seems like it has more than enough power.
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What baler? I thought it was OK for the sqaure balers.

Weight really is the issue. In many ways, I could have bought a 4320 or 4520 for what I do. it think it is number games these days. I wanted to pull a 15' batwing with my 4720. it meets the min power requirement. I am not sure I like the electronic PTO engagement - it has got to be hard on the tractor trying to get all that stuff moving.

Also, the batwing weighs more than the tractor...could be ugly.

Do they really mean FEL greasing every 10 hr? Between snow and moving bales constantly using the FEL.

Yeah - it seems a tad overkill. Mine does seem to use it. The intent is not skimp on grease - it is cheap.

D.

4720 OWNER · Jan 13, 2008

Just figured it would be a whole lot easier to do the front axle fluid change if the fill port was off more to one side so could just fill with a regular funnel instead of a flexi one.

Have the R4 ag tires and mid point hydraulics to the loader, the cleats just touch when trying to turn really sharp right. Wonder if a bungi would wear too much on the hoses??

Have the inside mirror for back viewing, try to keep the outside stuff to a minimun so do not wrap it around a tree or something.

Except for those 2 days a year when it is nice then the cab is definitely a winner, keeps the noise down as well and some feel it will reduce the incidence of skin cancer.

Well, time to go grease the loader since will be below zero soon and do not wnat to do it then. Plus the cattle and donkeys are calling for their feeding. The real test of the FEL will be the first of the month when have a cow to butcher out and get it on a trailer to take to the locker plant.

Rara Avis · Jan 14, 2008

Well, one thing for sure...you'll never have a JD BH attached to your 4720...

No cabs allowed...

ddivinia · Jan 15, 2008

PaulChristenson said:
Well, one thing for sure...you'll never have a JD BH attached to your 4720...
No cabs allowed...

There is a pic of a 4720 cab with a BH on the JD website...

D.

Rara Avis · Jan 15, 2008

Backhoe not compatible with Cab Tractors

These are the two BHs sold with the 4720
John Deere commercial products: Features for Attachment 48 Backhoe

John Deere commercial products: Features for Attachment 448 Backhoe

beefeater · Jan 15, 2008

There is a pic of the cabbed 4720 with a backhoe on the jd website and JD is comming out with a 448 that works with cabs!

Pricing and info is not yet set, but it is supposed to be out in March. Start saving your pennies.

Massey Ferguson appears to be doing the same thing on their 1500 series tractors. Check out the Massey add right at the top of the page! Backoe and loader appear magically, on the back of the cabbed tractor. Ain't competition great?

To the original poster, Your front R4's have two position settings, wide and narrow. If you are currently running narrow, you may get more clearance for your hoses if you have the dealer move them out to the wide position. Supposedly, the rears have 8 positions.