4x20, How much HP do I really need

[sweetjeep]

Hey folks,

I have long ago decided on a new 20 series to help me carve, beat and force my new property into a little hobby farm and to build a house and what not.

And naturally, I am a typcial guy and in my head "more power = more better". But, what I am trying to figure out, is, how much power do I REALLY need?

On the 20 series, the specs are the same for every model except actual HP rating.

Now, I know (assume) that HP does not affect hydraulic ratings and that the 400 loader on the 4120 will lift the same (roughly) as on the 4720, as the rest of the parts are all the same.

If am primarily interested in the loader/backhoe and putting some time into a box blade and possibly a PTO tiller at some point.

I will be doing a very significant amount of land clearing. Rocks and trees but I suspect that even the 4120 is more than adequate.

Any opinions?

 

[Z-Michigan]

If you look up specs, hydraulics and loader lift capacity are the same for all models. I think a 4120 would be totally adequate. I might consider going to a 4320, but probably not any bigger. IMHO the 4520-4720 has more power than it appears able to use with its chassis size, unless you get a cab and need power for the AC. You may also want to consider the 400CX loader which has significantly more lift capacity than the 400X.

 

[AKfish]

Yup, the 4000x20's are pretty much identical in every respect besides Hp. Lot's of discussion here about how Deere has configured the computer, turbo and fuel injection pump to achieve the different Hp outputs.

Hydraulic output is the same for all models in the series. So, FEL performance will be the same also. (But... you might want to really consider the CX over the X model FEL --- that 500 bucks --- will really pay off later on.)

You mentioned that box blading and rototilling are primary chores for this new machine. Here's where more Hp is important. A 4720, etc. will generally pull a larger ground engagement attachment than a 4120. Disk harrow, box blade, rear blade, rototiller; traction/soil conditions, notwithstanding, more Hp = more better.

PTO work; where traction is less of an issue getting the power to the ground is also where more Hp = more better.

That said... an 84 inch rototiller is more $$$ than a 72 inch. And so on --- bigger box blade is more $$$. So, if you got the cash and those larger attachments are gonna save you time and get the work done more efficiently..

Well, get the 45 or 4720. My 2 bucks.

AKfish

 

[sweetjeep]

Thanks for the input thus far..

I have participated in many of the HP upgrade debates.

Z-mich: No cab for me. At most a soft cab that I can remove in seconds. I love the factory cabs, but they are too much money and there is WAY too much damage to be had. I live in far to heavily a wooded area to have a full cab tractor and not destroy it!

AK: Sorry.. the tiller and box blade will be very very minor uses for the tractor. The primary is overwhelmingly loader use, then backhoe, then other stuff.

 

[CWP37]

A good rule of thumb would be buy as much horsepower as you can afford. I know that sounds a little bit smart @$$, but it's true. I've yet to hear anybody complain of buying too much power.

I bought a 50 hp tractor when I thought I'd need a 40 hp. When I was mowing my 18"" high coastal field this morning, I was glad I had the extra horses.

If you can comfortably afford a 4720, buy it.

 

[Z-Michigan]

AK: Sorry.. the tiller and box blade will be very very minor uses for the tractor. The primary is overwhelmingly loader use, then backhoe, then other stuff.

HP will make no difference for the backhoe, only hydraulic flow matters. For FEL work, more hp would help pushing into a pile, but is likely less important than weight, speed, and technique. If the piles will be loose material, the 4120 should be fine. I agree with the general view that more hp is better, but with two caveats:
-money - who really has so much $$$ to burn that it doesn't matter? If you do, skip the 4720 and get a JD110 TLB instead.
-breaking implements - more hp gives you greater ability to break stuff. I have 50hp and I damage implements supposedly made for up to 60hp. If you get a 4520 or 4720, you may need to move a class up in implements compared to what would work on a 4120.

 

[wolc123]

I have a 4120 gear and I have never felt the need for more power after a couple years use. This tractor is very comfortable to operate and great on fuel. My primary usage is open field mowing with a 6 ft rotary mower. For loader work, my tractor's performance exceeds my neighbor's 4720, but that is only because he chose not to load his rear tires (do not forget this important step). Your task description sounds a little more suited to a hydro transmission and I would go to a 4320 to get the same power to the ground/pto as a 4120 gear. The 400X loader has worked real well for me. I especially like the standard equipment quick attach bucket. Removing just the bucket takes less than 20 seconds, keeps the hydraulics clean, gives good forward visibility, removes all the "bounce", and leaves the tractor ballasted well for the rear mower. I don't think there is a significant lift capacity difference between the CX and the X (check the JD website).

 

[jcmseven]

I have had a 4520 and can say it was VERY little different than my neighbor's 4320 tractor. Perhaps ever so little more powerful, but not much. My philosophy is be frugal or go all out. I went with a 4520 v. a 4720 because my dealer had one he wanted to let go quickly and the price was pretty good. Had I chosen I would have gone 4720. But, that said, the 4120 would easily do everything you want, and then some. If you are doing loader work and backhoe work I think you would waste some money going with the 4720, as these two areas are not where the power helps you. True, if you fully ballasted a 4720 and did wheel weights plus filled tires plus the kitchen sink for ballast it would probably pull a bit more than the 4120, but I seriously doubt it would do more if not heavily weighted.

John M

 

[Turkeyman]

For land clearing I got a 4720, really do not need more power even when I run my 1600lb Brown tree cutter. The 50 PTO hp will pull a 3 bottom plow even in our clay soil with R4's. The only thing the tractor needs is better traction ie bigger tires. Maybe Deere will look at this one day.
The 4 series is a great line!

 

[wolc123]

My 4120 works real good on a 3x14" plow, but it has loaded R1's and gets plenty of traction. R4's are the wrong tire for this job, no sence having all that power if you can not get it to the ground. A 4720 with loaded R1's would do ok on a 4x14" plow if it was still available in gear trans but with the hydro, would best stick with a 3-bottom.