John Deere 4120 Questions

[Willie71]

Fist of all thanks to all that helped me out with questions on the 4X00, 4X10 and 4X20 series tractors. Final decision went to a used 4120. Feel good about the tractor - has 450 hours and still 10 months on the bumper to Bumper warranty and the additional year on the powertrain. I plan on having a 400x loader with Heavy duty bucket and pallet forks for it next week. The tractor is a power reverser with top and tilt on the back. Although i have not had a chance to "use" the tractor yet i do have several questions. Keep in mind all my experience has been from larger John Deere row crop tractors from the 70's and 80's (2440 & 2630 still running strong with daily use on the farm)

1) there is no resistance when engaging the clutch pedal on the 4120- not complaining just not used to it - is this normal?

2) The brakes have about 1/2 to 3/4 ' inch of travel before fully engaging and you have to stand on them pretty hard to stop/keep the tractor stopped. There seems to be no gradual it is all or nothing. Again i am used to the hydraulic brakes of the larger tractors not the mechanical brakes of the 4120.

3) when i cut the tractor off it will roll even though the power reverser is engaged and there is a range and gear selected (as if the tractor was in neutral )- is this normal - unless you lock the parking brake it will roll. Again i am used to putting a standard transmission in gear and the tractor won't move without turning the engine.

I am sure i will have more questions as I use the tractor - thanks for the advice on the purchase and help with the above questions

 

[MT. Sparky]

the clutch is normal,the brakes can be adjusted under the tractor. i had to adjust mine. I never noticed the tractor rolling, i guess I just pull the brake when I stop it.

 

[jcmseven]

Willie, for what it's worth I think you made a good decision. I have been using a few different tractors from my local dealer, some of which have the PRT. Each one has very little clutch pedal resistance, so I think that normal. The brakes on the PRT machines get generally a lot more use than doe those on an ehydro machine, so at that hour count, they probably need to be adjusted. I would ask the dealer to do that for me as part of your purchase. They do tend to loosen over time but are not worn out (this takes quite a lot of hours I am told). Just make sure they are adjusted equally, for one machine I have used recently would lurch to one side under braking--not good with a full bucket--even with the pedals latched together.

John M

 

[shot_gun]

Willie the tractor will roll because the engine is not running to drive the hydraulic pump to supply the hydraulic clutches with oil to lock up the transmission. So you will get a not quite but close too freewheeling effect. Hope that explains it. Ther is no mechanical connection so to speak between input and output.

 

[Willie71]

Thanks for the answers! Look forward to having a chance to enjoy using the tractor and learning its features and capabilities.

W.

 

[hog611]

I have a JD 4120 and love it!!! my clutch is very close to the top and seems to stumble a little, is this normal??

 

[RoyJackson]

I have a JD 4120 and love it!!! my clutch is very close to the top and seems to stumble a little, is this normal??

I think you mean the clutch engagement is near the top of the pedal travel. Your operator manual should have a section on how to adjust freeplay. My clutch engages about halfway from the pedal stop (fully depressed) and that's where I like it.
You do want to get in the habit of fully depressing the pedal and, of course, never riding the clutch.

 

[beenthere]

I have a JD 4120 and love it!!! my clutch is very close to the top and seems to stumble a little, is this normal??

hog611
:welcome:

How long have you had the JD 4120?

 

[hog611]

It has 300 hrs total on it. I bought it about 1 1/2 years ago new.

 

[hog611]

I cant find anything in my 4120 manual about adjusting the clutch.