JD CUT Hydraulic Changes 2004

[del]

If you are contemplating a purchase of a JD tractor 4x10
series you might want to check if the unit is undergoing
a running change in the hydraulic pump. Word to me is
that for instance the pump on the 4210 is being replaced
with a newer design that has higher output similar to
what was on 4310. I just squeaked by on this.

I don't know what models or what serial
numbers this occurs on I tried the JD Customer line after
being on hold for a half hour listening to the SAME 2 minute
recording, I hung up. All those implements and tractors and
lawn equipment and they repeated the SAME 2-3 things over and
over and over.

I would also urge those of you buying tractors to do some
number checking on any tractor you buy. I have done so for
fun and found my 3 year old tractor is newer then many that
are being sold as "new". True sometimes there are no changes
but many times there ARE running changes. Not to mention the
fact that age of the rubber parts and everything else has
gone on for so many years.

I even saw "Brand New" 4300 and 4400 tractors on a lot the
other day. Since tractors aren't really made by "year" it
isn't probably illegal to not call them "new".

I remember it used to be OK to title foreign cars as "new" if
they hadn't been sold, to allow foreign manufacturers some
slack in shipping time etc.

Seems like this stopped when someone made a stink in 1975?
after they were sold a "new" Mazda RX3 that was a 73. At
one time in Seattle there was a whole lot full of them under
the old First Avenue South bridge. My friend who had an RX4
and I went down and looked at them some of them had blackberry vines
growing over them!

It may take multiple visits to dealers to figure
out what serial number is current unless someone knows how
to easily get a build date. Might make a good negotiating
platform as I've also heard dead stock gets moved from dealer to dealer sometimes and they probably didn't pay
full price...

Happy Shopping.

del

 

[JDgreen227]

Useful information and thanks for passing it along. I too would like to know how to get the build date for tractors based on the serial numbers. Hopefully some other TBN member can advise us.

 

[yellowsocks93]

I don't get why you couldn't call them new if they were a year or two old but unused. They do it on the car lot all the time hence the 2003 closeouts now. The dealers won't sell all the 2003s before '04 but the cars will still be considered brand new. Same with tractors.

 

[del]

You're right, they are still "new". With cars and trucks
at least you know you're buying something that is not
quite current. Many times it doesn't matter. It just
depends on what they've changed. Also depends on how
you plan on treating the equipment. If it will stay
outside then of course it wouldn't matter. If you plan
on keeping it forever and are going to keep it in a shed
or garage then buying a new tractor that has sat outside
one or two years doesn't seem like the way to go.

And the running changes can happen anytime. I hear that
sometime in Jan or Feb Chevy's Duramax diesel will be
putting out quite a bit more power. Most dealers are
either unaware of this or not telling anybody.

The advantage to buying a current production model is
also in the possible benefit of the factory having fixed
a flaw or even a weak spot that has turned up by all
of us out here pushing the tractors. Some of these may
be done by the owners later for $$$$$ or some may not be
doable later.

I just wonder if the older tractors are discounted to the
dealers and if the customer ever knows what they are buying.


del

 

[yellowsocks93]

I could not tell you about any discounting for older tractors but I know we have compacts or any other piece of equipment sits for a long time. It's amazing how long stuff can sit even if it's in mint shape.

 

[centex]

As long as the warranty starts from when you buy the tractor it should not matter if it is a couple of years old. Most of the changes from year to year are not really significant. You should be able to get a good price on the old "new" stock. The only thing I would be concerned with is how much the sun might have damaged it since JD builds their tractors out of plastic.

 

[yellowsocks93]

The sun does hurt the plastic JDs from what I have seen. Over the summer we just sold a 4600. It was a brand new one but had been sitting around for about 2 years. Real nice machine too but the hood/side shields looked like crap. All faded. At least with metal you could wax it back into shape somewhat.

 

[art]

I often get asked about the vintage question and I probably won't help you but it is rare that we have old inventory of tractors. Most manufacturers do offer incentives for the old units to move them. If a dealer has old units I'd question the relaibility of them as maybe the sales department got scared of more irrate owners calling or they just don't satisfy the customers. Some models don't sell in different areas and that might make a difference do to features needed.

 

[BillyP]

I had a plastic JD 4600 for 3 years. It set out in the weather every day of it's life. The plastic still looked new when I sold it.

 

[deere955]

If anyone would like a build date for a JD tractor, post the serial# and I should be able to get the info for you.
jonathan