JD 4320 and MX6

[CWP37]

Okay, here's another idea. I'd appreciate any input or advice.

I started out looking at a JD990, bumped up to Kubota 5030HST, JD 4720HST, TC45DA choices. I'd love to get a 4720, but I can jump down to a 4320 and then deck it out with all of the toys I want for the price of a 4720. I'm just worried that a 4320 may bog down mowing my thick coastal pasture.

Anybody have a 4320HST with an MX6 that can reassure me that it's a shredding monster?

Also, still looking at orange in the back of my mind. Any opinions on that?

Thanks in advance.

 

[klm]

I would expect a 4320 to handle it very well, you can always slow down a little in the heavy stuff.
The last good orange tractor they built had the initials AC and it was made in the USA

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

How much and what are you going to cut?

 

[wolc123]

I run a 4120 on a 6 foot rotary cutter with no problem at all. To me the 4720 would be overkill on a 6 footer especially in these days of high fuel prices. I also agree with klm, having owned several AC's (C, D-14). If it were not for Pearl, Bataan, etc. I might think a little different about the new orange. The JD 20 series matches or exceeds the orange in every category and that along with a better price made my choice an easy one. Also, I would have never made the switch back to JD if they still packed that Yanmar powerplant. The 4120 sure is an easy-starting, smooth operating machine compared to the old three cylinder Ford 2000 diesel it replaced on my farm.

 

[CWP37]

I'm cutting about 10 acres of coastal, of which about 5 acres is THICK. I'll have cows and horses on it this spring, so it shouldn't be as bad as it was with no animals last year.

 

[HobbleCreek]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( To me the 4720 would be overkill on a 6 footer especially in these days of high fuel prices. )</font>

Are there published performance numbers that show the difference in fuel consumption between the 4x20 machines?

-- Grant

 

[jcmseven]

The 4320 will do the job, period. There is virtually nothing that will stop it with that rotary cutter. I have a 4520 and it is the most powerful tractor I have ever had. My neighbor just bought a 4320 and he uses his machines hard and runs them long hours. He says his 4320 is better by far than the 4610 it replaced and he irreversibly damaged an MX6 cutter with that machine. Yes, the 4520 and 4720 have more power, but they are both almost too much (if that concept exists). To me, have no reservations about the 4320 and enjoy the freedom to buy an extra attachment or two.

John M

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm cutting about 10 acres of coastal, of which about 5 acres is THICK. I'll have cows and horses on it this spring, so it shouldn't be as bad as it was with no animals last year. )</font>
It will cut coastal just fine. Bahia grass is tough to cut unless moist in the morning. Keep your blades sharp and slow down if need be in the thick stuff and you'll be fine.

 

[michiglenn]

I have a 4320 with MX6, and can assure you the combination will probably cut whatever the tractor can go through. I haven't found any big lack of power at PTO speed, whether going through thick grasses (over the hood height) or brush so thick you can't walk through it. The turbo will start to work and it may lose a few hundred RPM, but with the HST you can modulate the speed accordingly.

 

[CWP37]

So if I go with the 4320+FEL, MX 6, and 6' box blade, I may have $1000-2000 left to spend on attachments. Any suggestions?

 

[jcmseven]

One of the better attachments you could get is a 4-1 bucket or a grapple bucket. I do not have one, but my neighbor (the 4320 guy) does and he loves his 4-1. The John Deere one is I think a little less than $2000 and is a great tool. W.R. Long, of Tarboro, NC also makes one, and it is heavier duty than the John Deere one, but also more expensive. The John Deere grapple buckets are nice, but they are heavy, so it reduces your effective lift capacity on the loader.

John M

 

[BloomingtonMike]

Get the self leveling loader. Not sure if it is more but that would be a nice option maybe.

Get top and tilt and the third valve.

Imatch.

Maybe fill the tires.

Get the hydaulic hard lines down the loader arms for the third valve so you can add hydrolic bucket options later.

Maybe a set of front and rear work lights.

I am finding all these options add up on my 3X20 - If you can put them in the price from the beginning all the better.

 

[joes_427_vette]

I was looking at brush mowers last week when I got side lined and traded my 455 on a 4110. They make 2 styles in the 6' mower. The MX series and the LX series. The dealer suggested the LX series as he indicated it was a heavy duty unit compared to some of the economy comparitives. Anyone have any experience with either one. I know the price doubles with the MX.

 

[CWP37]

I looked closely at the MX and LX shredders today. MX has thicker metal, a "stump jumper", and a slip clutch on the drive shaft. Depends on where you are, but for me those last two extras are a must. My pasture constantly spits up 20lb granite rocks for me to mow over.

 

[joes_427_vette]

I would say there is a good reason to opt for the mx series. Hate buying the same item twice because the first didn't match the task. I just hope I come home with a brush cutter and not end up buying an excavator.... It happens.

 

[BloomingtonMike]

Weight will be dramaaticlly increased with the MX - make sure the 4110 is rated for the MX size you buy. Don't want to tear out the PTO at all either.