Buying Advice JD, how to buy?

KEmoran · Jul 5, 2017

So after years of driving my local JD dealer crazy, I told them I finally wanted to upgrade to a bigger machine from my 3032E to something in the 4 series line. I thought to get all the bells and whistles as I' would like something heavier and more capable than what I've lived with for the past 5 years with my entry level machine. I do brush hogging, brush clearing and with a bigger machine driveway grading. Perhaps some light logging. Anyway, my local JD dealer who I do like has steered me to a 4052R. My sense is they really want me to buy the machine that's sitting in the yard now versus what I actually want and probably need. For instance, I was told the 4052R comes with the H180 removable loader versus the H170 loader which isn't as easy to remove. Fact is I never have thought I needed to remove my loader at any time over the last 5 years.
So what I'm putting out there for some help is would I be better off with the 4066M vs 4052R with the H170, a few less bells and whistles and probably save $5-$6000 to boot.
I'm also getting a grapple attachment, 6 ft brushhog and I'd like to get a PTO driven chipper ( Wallenstein).
Help! Thank you in advance!

Wagtail · Jul 6, 2017

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

If you go over to TractorData.com - information on all makes and models of tractors you can compare the two tractors (and the FEL specifications).

Enjoy the site. (I'm guessing that you're not located in the UK

)

KEmoran · Jul 6, 2017

You're right, I'm in Vermont, USA. Thank you for your idea!

3Ts · Jul 6, 2017

As for the loader, I've had a JD 5055E w/loader for 8 years and have never had a need to take off the loader. I've had a Kubota L235 for over 30 yrs with a quick attach loader and have only had it off once just to see what it would take to do so.
I'm not familiar with either of the tractors you're looking at, but they both seem nice from what I've read. Take a close look at the features between the two and see which ones are important to you, if it all comes down to a coin toss, I'd go with more horsepower. The specs show the weight is the same so ground engaging actions will be about the same with either one.

Oldoak · Jul 6, 2017

In your case, I would go with the 4066M. Everyone doesn't need or desire an easily removable loader, including myself. My Kubota is now 19 years old and I have never had the loader off. I never had a desire to remove it. More often than not, no matter what job I was doing with the tractor, even brush hogging, I would find something to either carry along in the bucket or throw something into it along the way.

KEmoran · Jul 6, 2017

I'm going with the 4052R mainly because it's available now and I need it and the grapple for two new brush clearing jobs. Dealer says it would be quite a while before a newly ordered machine would arrive. I suspect for my needs the 52HP will be sufficent. Also, the dealer is giving me the difference, about $700 off the more expensive FEL. I still never have to remove it. He also says the lifting capacity is quite a bit more with the 180 vs the 170. Thanks for your input.

Oldoak · Jul 6, 2017

KEmoran said:
I'm going with the 4052R mainly because it's available now and I need it and the grapple for two new brush clearing jobs. Dealer says it would be quite a while before a newly ordered machine would arrive. I suspect for my needs the 52HP will be sufficent. Also, the dealer is giving me the difference, about $700 off the more expensive FEL. I still never have to remove it. He also says the lifting capacity is quite a bit more with the 180 vs the 170. Thanks for your input.

Now if you would have said all that in the beginning our replies may have been different. Sounds like you all ready had made your decision before asking for help. :confused3:

KEmoran · Jul 7, 2017

Well truth be told, I really just made this decision this afternoon arounf 4 PM. I drive myself kind of crazy trying to figure out what to do especially when it comes to spending big bucks on something like this.