Buying My 1st JD (besides the peddle kind)

[Tugboat]

I have 3.5 acres that are sugar sand with scub. I want to improve it to the point that I can pasture a couple of horses and possibly a 4-H steer or 2. I am going to need to fence most of it and eventually remove manure etc. I saw a 4100 with loader the other day and thought "This is the one!" My father in law is a big fan of Deere and owns two large tractors that the he uses on his cow / calf , hay operation in Colorado but he says even for my small place (we hope to double it's size ) I wouldn't be happy with so little H.P. I wouldn't mind a nice used piece of equip. but in this part of Florida they seem rare. Any suggestions on getting the job done without spending a fortune? Thanks

 

[Bird]

Tugboat, I'm generally an advocate of "buy the biggest thing you can afford and have room to maneuver"; however, in this case I think I'd disagree with your father-in-law. That 4100 was probably adequate for what you say you intend to do. Smaller tractors just take a little longer to do each job.

Bird

 

[TerryinMD]

If you can afford it, go up one notch. I have 3 acres part of which is for a market garden. It will depend on your plans for the future. A couple more horsepower can surely help in some situations.

I'm finding out that I may have to go to a 4200 or 4300 in the not to distant future. Just need to begin the sales pitch to the Chief Financial Officer.......

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I agree with Bird. For 3.5 acres the 4100 is probably large enough (I have 3.5 acres and a 4100). Whatever the job, the smaller tractor simply takes longer.

 

[Tugboat]

Thanks for the input all.
Looks like I may have to rent initially, My CFO found out how much they cost!

 

[kerr]

HAAAA,HA! I hear ya on the rental tractor!I rented a B-21 bota 2 times and was sure I had ta have me one of these!Than I drove a 4100 J.D. Im smilling! I get ta looking at this other row of rigs a little bigger with a F.E.L., 513 cutter on em a 4200 hummmmm,lets look at those there . Hony,These are real nice aint they!!Lets just look!!!I want this one Im sittin on!Just think about it sweetheart,any thing that we did with the Botta we can do a whole lot better with this MEAN GREEN BAD BOY ! The dealer nailed it when he gave her, her own set of keys and JD hat. Nothin personal about the bota there.

 

[Henry]

While I own a JD, I've seen a lot of people in Florida use the little Yanmar tractors for lots of good purposes. I doesn't take much effort to push sand.... There's a fella who sells refurbished Yanmar's just south of Starke on 301. He's got used 25hp models for under $5k.

 

[Tugboat]

That certainly is more in the price range but I'm between a rock and a hard place, My father in law would disown me if it isn't GREEN and my wife would kill me if I spent what a new 4100 goes for! All kidding aside I would like to get the address / Ph. # of Guy you mentioned. Thanks, Tug

 

[GaryK]

The Jd 4100 is for all intents and purposes really a Yanmar tractor. From what I have gathered and heard, they are NOT made in GA like the rest. I can only assume they are made by Yanmar itself. In any event I own one with all the extras and i love it. No trouble with it in 80 hours. These are with a mower and a lot of FEL and boxblade work. I find it lacking in HP once in awhile but then if was more i would have certainly broken something.

 

[TerryinMD]

And so are the rest of the 4x00 series for the most part. The parts are manufactured in Japan and assembled in GA. lemme see, oh yeah, the global economy.

One thing you need to keep in the back of your mind, it's an investment. JD values hold very well. I had a 1988 JD 240 Lawn and Garden tractor which I paid $3400 in 1988. I traded it in and got $1250 when I bought my 4100.

Good luck!!