Any good?

[Porkie]

I looked at the JD 4720 and 4520 today and was very unimpressed. There was more PLASTIC of very thin dimensions everywhere! All of the controls really looked like a 90 lb, 10 year old would ruin them in about a day or so! The fenders were so fragile that I was forced to lift myself up with the steering wheel--the fenders bent down like a cheap Walmart toy!

The 5045 and 5055 looked like a good strong tank in comparison. Are these any good?

Sam

 

[KB9UDE]

I have owed a 5203 open station tractor and it was good. I looked into a 5101E Limited awhile back but needed a 4720 cab tractor size for the work I do with it. Have owned several 4000 series tractors in the past and never had any problems.

 

[Cidertom]

almost 6 years/ 900 hours on 4520 no issues. I take care of it, but don't baby it.

 

[k0ua]

Hi Porkie,, I dont know anything about John Deere, I have a Kubota!.. Steel fenders.. I like it. Noticed you were a ham also. I am in Branson. Welcome to TBN
James K0UA

 

[beenthere]

Porkie.
Best you don't get the ones you don't like. In my opinion, it will be your loss.

 

[jenkinsph]

Porkie,
You know there are good and bad points with all types of fenders, steel rusts, dents easily, and radiates more noise. The pastic fenders are more expensive, more flexible and hard to repair. Being flexible and resilient is not a bad thing though, steel wears much faster than rubber does when in contact with sliding rocks. Steel is much better for structural frame members than plastics in most cases. You have to pick the best material for the application.

 

[Cocre]

Don't let the flex in the plastic fool you. I am a 200+ pound fella and pull myself up by the fender handles on my JD3320 all the time. I sit on them, stand on them, they take hits that would bend metal, and they don't rust. I like them.

 

[jnporcello]

I went from a 755 with steel fenders to a 4600 with the plastic. I didn't really like the plastic at first, but it is definitely stronger than it looks. I too can easily pull myself up by them. Not a deal breaker.

 

[Rockgod]

Porkie,
You know there are good and bad points with all types of fenders, steel rusts, dents easily, and radiates more noise. The pastic fenders are more expensive, more flexible and hard to repair. Being flexible and resilient is not a bad thing though, steel wears much faster than rubber does when in contact with sliding rocks. Steel is much better for structural frame members than plastics in most cases. You have to pick the best material for the application.

I agree, the plastic fenders are much more flexible/forgiving.

 

[jgrreed]

I like mine, a lot. I'm not super kind to it, and it puts up with it very nicely!!

Each to their own though.... I for one am currently looking for a TV set with a wood box. I just don't trust those new-fangled flatties....



-Jer.

 

[jcmseven]

The strength of a tractor is in the frame and axles, not in the fenders. JD uses a special type polymer that is color impregnated throughout its thickness, and very resilient. It resists bending, rusting and breaking in cases that would leave one buying a metal piece. It is more expensive, both to buy and replace if it were to break. It also is cooler and ventilates better up front. I have had several folks say, "those John Deere's are made of plastic" after seeing these panels, but the durability and frame weight of these machines suggest otherwise. My neighbor, who has a 4320 with over 3000 hours on it, stores his machine outside and runs it to death in any weather. Though his machine does not look new, he has never managed to break a body panel and it looks MUCH better than an equivalent metal paneled machine with that age and wear on it. All the while, he is able to enjoy the high torque Power Tech engine, e-hydro trannie, strong hydraulics, great ergonomics and bulletproof reliability that this machine has offered him. But think......he could have had metal fenders.

John M

 

[jenkinsph]

I for one am currently looking for a TV set with a wood box. I just don't trust those new-fangled flatties....



-Jer.

Well said.:thumbsup:

 

[doall]

I was scared of the plastic fenders on my New Holland at first too, but they hold up quite well. I think the JD plastic is even better than the rest though. You will be ok with plastic. But if you want steel, get the 5045e, its a heck of a tractor too.

 

[Interlaux]

What I like about the plastic on my 9 year old 4610 is all I need to do to make it look good is blow off the dirt and park it in the rain - cleans up really well. Other 'older' tractors with metal panels around me look like older tractors - while mine dosent look "new" it sure does shine

I'm pretty rough on stuff and spend a good amount of time grubbing out trails in thick woods - have not broken anything.

I think the 4320 is the "new" 4610 - if its anything like the 4610 boss its one sweet machine:thumbsup:

 

[MBDiagMan]

I had the same impression a few months ago when I began looking for a new tractor. I ended up buying a 5045. It's just an old fashioned iron tractor like my old Ford 3000 that it replaced.