Buying Advice JD 4520 Fit for my needs ?

NorthernChilli · Nov 18, 2010

hi everyone,

I have a possibility of buying a platform 2006 JD4520 (the 53 HP engine, not the newer 60HP one, so around 45 PTO HP I guess...) 500 hours with loader. The price seems reasonable for the province of Quebec (23 000$ CAD).

I'm wondering what's you're input on this model and if it can suit the following needs :
40 acres of hay to mow, rake, bale.
small square baler with bale thrower and bale wagon
hay mower not yet bought
6 ft rotary cutter
5-6 feet rotary tiller (yet to buy)
2 bottom plow in medium-heavy and usually wet soil
various loader work

Thanks,

jenkinsph · Nov 18, 2010

I think the 4520 will handle most of the tasks the big question is whether you can cut, rake, bale and put up 40 acres of hay before it gets wet.

For hay harvesting you need a concerted effort with multiple tractors and people in my opinion.

Overalll I have been pleased with my 4520's abilities though.

AKfish · Nov 19, 2010

The tractor will certainly power the attachments you've listed - very adequately - IMO.

I would have some reservations about the square baler with thrower and wagon, however. Drop the thrower and wagon and you should be OK.

I'd be cautious abuot the size of the "unpurchased" hay mower. If the hay is not too heavy or wet when mowed; you might get by with a 7' disc mower. Best bet would be to stick with a 6' cutter.

I would also echo jenkinsph's comments regarding the timing and effort to get all the work done with 40 acres and 1-45hp tractor. "Hay windows" up here (Alaska) are short and it can be a losing proposition without another body or two and another tractor or two...

I'm in the market right now for another tractor - 55 to 65 pto hp - to get our hay put up.

Best of luck.

AKfish

jgrreed · Nov 19, 2010

I think that's a fair price for that 4520, but you may be asking a lot of it to produce on 40 acres.

If you can commit a solid week to haying, and weather permits, it'd likely be OK, buy that's pretty unusual.

I know that it took me about 10 hours over several days to flail 15 acres of pasture with my 4720 and 6' mower. Mowing, raking, baling, and picking up would take, well....40 hours of seat time!! I like seat time, but.....

From what I've read the 4x20's are just barely big enough to run a baler - please correct me if I'm wrong. I think you need around a 80-100hp machine if you want to get things done - to drive a 10 or 12' MoCo, decent sized baler, etc.

I love my machine, but if you can find a cab model you'll love your's more.

-Jer.