Tractor Sizing JD 4710 or 5210-not sure what size tractor I need

Anonymous Poster · Apr 8, 2003

I need help figuring out what size JD I need. I raise horses on a 10 acre ranch. I use a tractor for mowing, grading, working up the riding arena (8 ft disk or drag), unloading pallets of shavings (approx. 1000lbs) and moving and stacking 1000+ lb round bales. Right now I borrow tractor for the heavy work.
I'm looking at a new 4710 with loader (24K), a used 5210 with loader (18k, 300hrs), or a new 5105 with loader (21K). I like the size, manueverbility and 4 wheel drive of the 4710, but am concerned that it isn't heavy enough to do what I want. I'm sure the 5210 and 5105 are heavy enough, but they are a bigger tractor and some of the work I do is in tight quarters.
Help!!

cowboydoc · Apr 8, 2003

I do everything and more with a 4600 that you've mentioned.

froggy · Apr 8, 2003

Power reverser transmission aside, if it were me, I think I would go with the a new 5105. It is not that much bigger in size than the 4710 & the engine is bigger (179 cubic inches vs. 133 for the 4710).

If I remember right, you should be able to get the 5105 with a 521 FEL (mid remotes) and dual remotes for around 2K cheaper than the 4710.

The 5210 is a nice machine, just not sure it is that much better than a 5105 for the money.

rockyridgefarm · Apr 8, 2003

Can you handle bales with your 4600? What sixe, and what limitations?

cowboydoc · Apr 8, 2003

Somewhere on this site I have posted pics of me lifting 1600 lb. round bales. I have done this for 3 years now with mine and no problems. I just put one on the back for counterweight. I lift them up and into round bale feeders and up on hay trailers in the summer. I have lifted thousands of bales with it and zero problems. I know the max. lift is supposed to be 750 lbs. but I have had no problems with mine.

rockyridgefarm · Apr 8, 2003

Thanks, Doc, thats what I suspected...

great to have a voice of experience.

chevy · Apr 8, 2003

I faced the same decision about a month ago. I now have a 4400 hydro & wanted something larger. I started out looking at at the lower end 5000 series because my nephew has one.
I ended up ordering a 4710 hydro because of the slightly smaller size, the loader specs were not much different & I did not want to give up the hydro. I just hope it gets here sometime soon.
Chris

Anonymous Poster · Apr 8, 2003

I know I can handle 1000 lbs with my JD 4400 easily,I have lifted rocks,logs, several bundles of shingles bundles of shingles at a time....I have put over 600 hours on mine 2 1/2 years.I do all of that, but I tip the sucker over with a tiny potato plow on the back... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
I would say that 4700 would be plenty of tractor(and yes I would like to have a 4710 someday)

JTD · Apr 9, 2003

I agree with the posts on the 4710. My 4700 can handle your listed tasks fine. The hydro and 4 wheel drive are worth the extra $. Get a canopy also.

rockyridgefarm · Apr 9, 2003

( Somewhere on this site I have posted pics of me lifting 1600 lb. round bales)

OK each area needs a most important posts archive. That post needs to be in it. That way, maybe, we can find it.

I sure can't

If anone does, could you PLEASE post a link.

TBN search HATES me... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

cowboydoc · Apr 9, 2003

I found it. Do a search for post 82376. It's in related topics under gooseneck trailers. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/6-82376-MVC-017S.JPG

Anonymous Poster · Apr 10, 2003

A picture's worth a thousand words. (4710 lifting round bales). I can't even lift a bale on the 3 pt. with my 54 Ford NAA.
Thanks for all the helpful information. I never realized how difficult the decision would be.
I'm still not sure which way to go, but the pictures getting clearer. I'm leaning towards the 4710 for reasons previously listed. I am however taking the advice of "Froggy" and looking at the 5105. It's not much bigger than the 4710 and it's smaller than the 5210. The only thing that bothers me is the transmission. There's only one option and it has a syncronized Reverse / low range on the left side of the driver and a non syncronized (they say you have to stop tractor to shift) gear selection on right side of driver. If you add the Loader controls, I'm not sure which hand I'll use to steer between running the loader and going forward and reverse.
One question for "cowboydoc": How well does the tractor handle the bale on the loader if you don't have the bale on the back for ballast??
Thanks again to everyone for their input. I'll update on my decision later.

JohnMiller3 · Apr 10, 2003

…a 10 acre ranch. I use a tractor for mowing, grading, working up the riding arena (8 ft disk or drag), unloading pallets of shavings (approx. 1000lbs) and moving and stacking 1000+ lb round bales…

254080-Brown%20Cutter%2045degrees%20up%20NE%20Property%20Line-505.jpg

The JD Advantage series, 5x05 units, have the bulk weight, engine torque, PTO horsepower, full size loaders, hydraulic horsepower, and priced right for everything you’ve mentioned… this utility tractor will take the place of a smaller and larger unit… in a size that’s just right for your operation…! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

cowboydoc · Apr 10, 2003

I have lifted bales up without a bale on the back but it's tipsy for sure. But if I lift a bale up and in the feeders on my 4020 it's tipsy. I do agree though that if you only had one tractor one like John's would be my choice. I'm lucky and I have bigger tractors for my really big work but I love my little 4600 for most of the chores around the place.

RedDog · Apr 11, 2003

I'm with Froggy and John. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

RedDog Kioti DK65

Anonymous Poster · Apr 11, 2003

( but I love my little 4600 )
I wish I had a liitle 4600............LOL

rockyridgefarm · Apr 11, 2003

Well, there's some pretty smart guys, here. But for a horse operation like yours, I would stick with the 4710 and hydro. You can do pretty big stuff, and work in the tight areas.

Of, course a good dealer can let you experience both....

Anonymous Poster · Apr 15, 2003

How do you like the Transmission controls (forward, reverse, upshifting etc.) of the 5x05? I know it's not a hydro, but overall, how easy is it to manuever when using the loader?
Can you upshift from one gear to the next without coming to a complete stop?
Would you recommend the MFWD?

gvw · May 11, 2003

My 4700 can handle your list with hp to spare - the only thing for which I have considered going up in size to the 5 series is hydraulic flow rate for a bucket mounted Post Hole digger - and on occasions wish I had more umph in the back hoe - other than those two items - the 4700 series is an awsome machine - I have it doing things that would probably scare the be-jeepers out of the JD Engineering types.