Fair is Fair

kerr · Aug 19, 2001

2000 j.d.4200,hst.4x4."150 hrs."Fuel cutoff cyl. bit the dust not long after we brought home our new 4200.15 mounths later,I truely am amazed at this compact tractor.No fluid leaks at all,not one drop on concrete floor.No leaking at steering cyl.Cant make it get hot on a bet!I soo far have done quite a lot of boxblade work.5 ft.5 rippers-rip foward push backwards to make stock pile.Use F.E.L.to move soil over fence to level off yard.I mow about 8 acres with a 513 cutter.HST is smooth enough, in low range smooth as silk.Never has been jerky.Not one loose lug bolt.The batt. will leak juice and make a mess if you let it.I think i would have got the 4300 if i had compared the 2.I am very pleased with this product.If i am ever luckey enough to get another new tractor it will be a J.D.

beenthere · Aug 19, 2001

I have had a very similar experience with my 4300, and if I had it to do over, I would up to the 4400. Just happy but would want a couple more horses under the hood. With my battery, have added a cover with a hose down the side to take away the acid fumes when starting the diesel. I understand that is where some of the mess originates that needs cleaning once in awhile. Also, wondering if a battery blanket would help, or a better battery than the one that comes with the JD. Read somewhere where a gel battery is the cleanest way to go.

Doublezero · Aug 22, 2001

Kerr,

Only 150 hours in 15 months? I've owned my JD790 for just over 2 months and have over 55 hours on the meter. I mow about 12 acres, but the first 15 to 20 hours was dragging about 5 acres of ground so it would be suitable for mowing with a grooming mower. Only regret is that I didn't get it done on the rest of the property.

Like you, I am completely satisfied with the JD product. I mow long narrow strips of land, so the gear transmission works for me. In fact, I haven't had any problems usng the little FEL and gear trans combination. I've never used a tractor with a hydrostatic transmission, so I probably don't realize any advantages. I like to root and scoot dirt with the box blade and use the FEL to load or move dirt {or other material} short distances.

I just did the 50 hour oil change on my JD last weekend and it really seemed like a waste. The original oil was almost as clear as the new and there was no obvious metal contamination or shavings.

My JD replaced an older Kubota that I bought used and sold for the same price I paid for it after 2 years of use. The 2WD Kubota was just underpowered for my application and didn't have the FEL that I need around a horse farm.

I'd say, without reservation, that I'm pretty well satisfied with my little green machine.

Larry

kerr · Aug 23, 2001

I seen me a picture of a batt. that looked like a 6-pack! 4x4 t.v. show.A yellow one i think.Large-$$$

Anonymous Poster · Jul 7, 2002

255 hrs. all is well with the mighty 4200. Titan tires replaced both front tires for me.Lots of loader work.No loose nothin,no drips or leaks.Best money I ever spent fer sure.

TerryinMD · Jul 7, 2002

I have a 4100 and it has performed very well for me.

I had to do it over I would have gotten either a 4200 or 4300 - hindsight being 20/20. The only problem that I have had is one of the male hydraulic connectors for the FEL go bad on me.

Terry

TimSullivan · Jul 8, 2002

I have a year old 4300 and it has 190 hrs on it. I did blow out the cylinders that control the bucket on the FEL. Replaced under warrantee and I have not had any further problems. I used it to clear 12 acres of brush, small trees and some of the biggest wild rose bushes I have ever seen. It has hauled rocks for the gardens, walk ways and retaining walls. The hst makes it fun to cut the grass on the hills and slopes.

The house is finished now but there is still a lot of work on the outside. Yesterday, I dragged downed trees out of the woods between the house and the stream. Sure improved the view. Cleaned up all the small stuff and my wife helped put it through the DR chipper. Hauled the 10 yards of chips in the FEL to the gardens. Moved and spread five yards of #1 crush for a walk way around raised gardens. I was going to mow some grass but I sat down after dinner and did not get up. The tractor was willing but the driver was done.

Some times I would like more weight and more power but just as many times , especially in the woods, I would not want anything bigger. If I had to replace this tractor, I would buy the same again.