Buying a 4310??

Jim_n_Motown · Oct 23, 2004

New member to the forum. Found this site about a month ago and have been addicted ever since. I am hoping to get some info before I make my big purchase.
I have gotten a price of $23k before tax for a 4310 4wd, ehydro, R4s, DSCV w/3rd, 72inch Midmower, 430 loader with 61 inch bucket and front quick attach 72 inch blade.
1. does that sound like a good price?
2. Does anyone know if the larger R4s with rimguard will be safe on my lawn?
3. Does anyone have any experience with one of the JD front blades? Are they heavy duty and do they work good for plowing snow?
4 What model of the Optima battery would I need and does it fit without having to rig something up?

I am trying to wait until the end of next week before buying to see if they are going to start selling the new 3320 with the 300cx loader but I don't want to miss on the financing specials.

I know a lot of questions for a rookie but any input is greatly appreciated /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

dmp437 · Oct 24, 2004

Answers (more like my opinions)
1. Needs a bigger front bucket, the 6' HD bucket would be my choice. Also consider getting the PowerBeyond added to it now for maximum flexibility later. I didn't and the price was the same whether I mounted it or they mounted it. Also consider the extra lights that John Deere offers. Most of my snowplowing is done after dark when i get home from work. The extra light really helps.
2. When my lawn is wet I have more trouble with the front tires cutting the lawn than my RimGuard loaded rears. However, the fronts can't be any wider without hitting the deck when turning.
3. Don't have a front blade but would like one though.
4. No Optima experience either. The stock battery has been working fine.
How many dealers have you shopped for your package?
Good luck on the new tractor, I don't think you'll be disappointed /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

bud4410 · Oct 24, 2004

i recently purchased a 4410 ehydro 430 fel 72 mmm 74 fb. the price was 23.5 before tax after jd incentives. i was told that the blade that attaches to the fel boom was not the best for plowing snow when angled [could dig up driveway] because it was hanging on the unstable boom and also was positioned to far ahead of the tractor. i chose instead the john deere 74 front blade which is full frame. the only down side is in order to mount the blade attachments i have to remove the attaching hardware of the mower deck and front loader. probably take a few hours and i enjoy working on the tractor. in a few months when it is time for some snow i'll let you know how hard or easy it was. iam told that the new 3320 tractr will be available in feb 05. hope this might help a little.

Jim_n_Motown · Oct 24, 2004

Wow! That is a great deal you got. It must be the area you're in. I checked with every dealer within 100 miles and that is the best I could find. I might try that quick attach blade for a couple of weeks. If I am correct I can return it within 30 days if I'm not satisfied. If you get a chance post some pics with the larger R4s and the front blade if you have it on yet.

Thanks for the info!!

Dave4410 · Oct 24, 2004

I commend you to spec a 61" heavy duty loader bucket. I have one on my 4410 and would not want to be moving any more weight than the 61" holds. The loader arms do enough twisting and wrenching without the added leverage that a wider bucket would have when dealing with stumps and rocks.

johnno · Oct 24, 2004

I too agree with the 61 bucket. It does plenty and I can't see how more width would be beneifical to the loader arms when you are moving something heavy.

bud4410 · Oct 24, 2004

jim i have a huge correction for my previous post. my cost for the 4410 was 26.5 not 23.5 they gave me 13.5 trade for my 955 fel 72 mmm [real money] leaving 13 difference. guess i had too many 3s on my mind. sorry for the mistake. bud

dltimmons · Oct 25, 2004

I have a 4310 PowerReverser and have the 72" loader mounted front blade for the 420 loader. Same blade fits the 430 also.

I have only used it once last spring for plowing snow, and it seemed to work just fine. Only had about 8" of snow thou, so can't yet say how well it will work on real deep stuff.

The blade/brackets are well made, and are plenty heavy for snow work. Several observations you may want to consider. The blade projects a long ways out in front and weighs a fair amount. Lot of leverage on the loader arms. It does have a number of adjustments, and takes a while to figure out the best way to set it up. I adjusted mine so that with the loader arms all the way down, it sets flat on the skid shoes and hard against the loader stops. Makes it as ridgid as it's going to get. I worry that with all the leverage the long mount in front of the attachment point has, I will bend up my loader arms trying to push heavy loads of snow with the blade angled. I did not get the power angle option, but have just finished putting top and tilt on the rear and am going to look at using the top cylinder to give me power angle on the blade. The blade comes with the mounting pins on each side for hyd. cylinders and this should be an easy adapt. It also comes with trip springs, and bolts you can insert into the pivot to make it a ridgid blade for dirt use if you want.

I think it will work great for our normal 4 - 8" snow storms, but trying to move anymore than that, and I think it will overload the mount and will end up pushing the front of the tractor around, kind of like the tail wagging the dog.

I also have the JD loader mounted forks and would highly recommend them if you can handle the price. I use these more than any other single attachement and for moving firewood, heavy equipment, etc., they are really nice.

I hope my rambling has some useful information somewhere in it, but I've only had one cup of coffee this morning, and I'm not really all there yet.

Good luck with your purchase,
the 4310s' are great little tractors. 195 hours so far, not one problem.

DT

2nstonge · Oct 26, 2004

Hey Jim,

My JD dealer told me last Friday that there's a 7% price increase coming along on Nov 1. We were talking specifically about the 4110 I had just ordered but it sounded as though other models in the 4 series were being hit also. You might want to check this out; JD will price protect anything ordered by Nov 1.

-Norm