John Deere 4200-4300

[tanuke01]

Last fall I purchased a 4200 HST with a 59" Snow Blower and a 60" mower and PTO Trac-vac Catcher. I used the blower this winter and was unhappy with the power. The 4200 only had the power to a very slow ground speed. Dealer tried but was unable to solve. When I started mowing this spring the 4200 will hardly move up hill with out bogging down to around 1500 RPMs. The dealer has agreed the 4200 does not have the power I need and has agreed to replace the 4200 with a 4300 at a very reasonable price. (½ the list difference)
Sorry this post is so long. Does anyone have a 4300 HST with a 60 and PTO vac and does it have the power I want?

Dave R

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I don't know how steep your hill is, nor how high the grass is {assuming finish mowing... not brushhogging}...the 4200 should be able to do the job, but a 5' snowblower I consider only borderline {unless you like crawling all the time}...

Why not have the dealer drop off a 4300 {better still a 4400} for a day and try it out... so 6 months down the road, you're not upgrading again. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Really, if the 4400 @ 28.5 PTO HP {versus 4200 @ 20 HP} can't do the job... I'd move... to a lower elevation and flatter ground... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[JackIL]

I can't answer your question directly, but I do have experience with lawn-vacs. In short, they take a LOT of power. I pull a lawn-vac trailer with an 8 hp engine powering the vac and my tractor is rated at 24 hp. (60 inch deck.) When mowing up steep hills I am using all the power of the tractor for traction and cutting--there wouldn't be enough for the blower. I suggest you try out a 4400 since you have a cooperative dealer.

 

[tanuke01]

Just a small dealer and does not have one to try. He has gotten a 4300, that I will have next weeks. The 4400 only has 2.5 more HP then the 4300 and the money is double. My pockets are about empty. I can't afford the 4400. Thank for your comments.

 

[tanuke01]

I think you're right. If you run the mower only there's not too power loss on the 4200. The extra 5.5 HP of the 4300 should help. To much money to get the 4400 for only 2.5 HP more than the 4300. Thank for the comments.