Can anyone share their experience with the new xr4100 series tractors?

[dntfxr]

I'm looking into getting a new LS with the new 3cyl motor, in particular a xr4145 or xr4155. I test drove one today and was very impressed. I know they're pretty new to the market but has anyone put a few hours on them yet? How is the emissions stuff working on them? Are the regens very often and do they seem to go smoothly? Any other impressions or opinions are greatly appreciated.

 

[dntfxr]

I guess I'll give my very limited experience from the test drive I took yesterday for any who may be interested. I drove 2 tractors, a xr4155c, and a xu5065c with powershift. Obviously the bigger tractor is closer in size to my 3930 but with a cab. I like the build of the large tractor but I have concerns about some tight areas on my place with the cab being a little too big but it is very nice. The xr4155c on the other hand I don't think will give me any issues with clearance and is really closer to the 4000 series deeres that I've always wished I could afford. So on to my impressions of the tractor, all the standard features kinda blow me away. The comfort is top notch, so many adjustments to the seat, cold A/C, and seems like there are no blind spots from the cab itself. Everything seems to work very smoothly and it really feels like very good quality. One thing I noticed right off comparing the two new tractors was that the 540 rpm on each was right around 2500-2600 rpm, but the 5065 seemed louder and slightly strained at that rpm where as the 4155 seemed very smooth and not too loud. Probably part of that is that I'm used to hearing 3 cylinder diesels instead of 4, and of course the bigger engine would naturally be louder. I really like the 16x16 transmission with so many options and low speed gears. The range selector on the left was a little tight, but it may just be from being brand new and a little tight. One feature I think is really cool is just to your right on the cab post is 2 switches that let you set a particular rpm with one switch and instantly be able to return to that rpm with the other switch. There were lots of other features that I'm not familiar with but I really only operated it for maybe 15 minutes. But my impressions are that is is a very capable comfortable and smooth running machine that is big enough to do real work but small enough to get in tight areas if needed. It seems that most filters and maintainance will be pretty easy to access. The radiator screen slides out, but I forgot to lift the loader up to see if it actually slides all the way out. If the Good Lord is willing I will own one of these pretty soon. If I do I will give a thorough review after I've owned it for a while. In the meantime I've been researching the xr4046, which I assume is the same frame tractor as the new ones. It seems most who own them have been very satisfied with them, though I assume it is a different engine altogether. Anyway maybe my very limited post here can help someone in the same boat I'm in and looking hard at these new tractors. I'll continue to look back through the forum for older posts with the xr41xx tractors. And anyone else's experiences are greatly appreciated.

 

[Supraman0614]

I bought an XR4145 this past July and have about 20 hours on it so far. Mostly moving stuff around with the loader, box blading some trails, a little backhoe work, skidding logs, etc. I have had no issues at all so far. It is a very smooth ride, even for a 3-cylinder. I have not hit regen yet, it is supposed to happen every 50 hours. I have an open platform, gear shift model. I didn't want to the cab for the woods. Too many tree branches. I have a commercial front mower with a hydro trans and that works well for that but I have always used a gear trans on tractors. Just preference. The shuttle works well for FEL work, although shifting between ranges is a little clunky. I think it may smooth out after it has broken in further.

Besides the shifting, the diff-lock pedal is placed very close to the shift lever boot and I could see that boot getting ripped after a while. Just something to watch. The only other thing I've changed is to re-route a couple electrical connections behind the operator seat. They were wrapped around the support and zip-tied in place but they looked like they might wear after a while. Took about ten minutes to re-route and tape up. The toolbox is handy, although a little small. I will probably replace it with something bigger in the near future. There is no cup holder. Shouldn't be a huge deal but I always have some water or something with me while I'm in the woods and there isn't a convenient place to keep it.

Overall, it is a powerhouse. I have loaded rears (R1's) and I have been pulling some pretty heavy logs up the sides of my ravines with very little wheel slip. Just load the FEL bucket with some wood and it is just about unstoppable. I bought the 6' LS rotary cutter and it doesn't slow the engine at all, even in heavy grass. Time will tell if there are issues but so far, nothing bad. The 5 year warranty on the emissions stuff is helpful. I figure if something is really going to go wrong, it should happen in 5 years.

 

[dntfxr]

Thank you very much for the reply and vote of confidence. I have my deal all done just have to sign the papers and pick it up. I'm getting a 6' cutter, 6' grader box, and hay spear thrown in cheap. I did notice the range selector being pretty tight and a little clunky too, I'm thinking with a little use it will slick up. I too like a gear tractor for most work and I love having 16 options. I thought hard about getting an 8' dual spindle cutter and I may still bite the bullet for it instead of the 6'er. I have a 6' already but it's 35 years old, not sure how much longer it'll hold up. My other delima is R4 or R1 tires. It has the R4s now but I'm a little concerned about our wet springs getting in the feed lot. My 3930 has r1s and the front tires are so tall it never mattered how wet it was they find bottom. I've improved the lot with some dirt work and I'd like to think they would float on top, but I'm not really sure never had r4s. Not sure which way to go there...

 

[dntfxr]

Here's a pic I snapped yesterday

 

[Supraman0614]

Congrats! That should work very well. A friend of mine has a Case D40 with R4's. I had it at my place in May to fix a couple culverts before I got mine and I nearly got stuck more than once. On flat ground it was fine but any muddy hills, forget it. I had to use the loader and hoe to claw my way out of one spot. My 4145 with the R1's climbed right up with no issues. Bear in mind that my rears are loaded and my tires are newer than his were but his isn't the only one with R4's I've seen with traction issues. Depends on your terrain and intended use. The R1's on the front of mine are relatively tall as well.

 

[dntfxr]

Thank you very much I'm excited to get it home! And thanks for the feedback on the tires. I think I am going to go with the R1s as well. My uncle pretty much told me the same thing you did. If I do go with the R1s I will load them the first day. One question you may be able to help me with is looking at pictures of these tractors with R1s it seems the tires don't stick out quite as wide as the R4s. But it looks like the R1 wheels may be adjustable for offset. Can you confirm this? My place is mostly flat but it does get soggy at times.

 

[Supraman0614]

I think the R4's are a little wider tire and may stick out a little more but probably not much. It looks like you could easily unbolt the rears and swap sides to go wider but I think you'd have to remount the fronts to go the opposite direction to go wider there. Outside of my rears measures just over 66". I think the fronts are close to the same. They are just inside the loader bucket which is 72". I don't think I would ever need to go wider. The loaded tires keep the center of gravity down and it's pretty stable on hillsides. This is a pic of mine:

 

[dntfxr]

Thanks Supraman very good to have that info! And great looking tractor! Ive always thought the r4s make them look tough but those R1s look like a tractor's supposed to imo! I'm going with R1s, they should get them all swapped over today so I can have fun this weekend lol.

 

[dntfxr]

I got my new tractor home! BTW for anyone interested, the rear R1 wheels on it are adjustable for wider track. Mine are set the standard narrow track but by unbolting the inner part of the wheel you can set the rim section outside of said inner section and rebolt them. Looks like it should widen the track by around 3 inches on each side.