I am going to start off this post with a bit of discontent. I was given advise that is was impossible or unfeasible to put a mid mower on a 4x20 4000 twenty series tractor. Before I purchased my new to me JD 4720, I had a 955 with r4s, a 60" deck, and a backhoe. Before that I had a 755 that I put a turbo on to climb the hills that I mowed. I also had a skid steer. I wanted to buy some turf tires and a 72" deck for the 955. I priced out new wheels and turf tires, as well as a used 72" deck. I could not find used tires and wheels after two years of looking. A used 72" deck sells for around a grand in my area. I thought I would be better off buying a used zero turn, but I couldn't get rid of the tractor because I mow steep hills and side hills that a zero can't touch as well as I run a 68" rototiller and a brush hog from time to time.
One day I came up with a plan. I would sell all my specific use machines and buy the decathelete of tractors to replace them all. A decathele is good at everything, but not great at anything. I got a college scholarship to run track, so I mean no disrespect to decatheletes. I just wanted one machine that could do everything. It might not be the fastests at every task, but could do everything I wanted it to do. I needed a tractor that had the lifting capacity of a skid steer with a belly mower. I would usually run across the yard with a skid steer that had Grouser tracks, so the foot print on the yard was not an issue. After some research, and a hot day of mowing with the 955, decided I needed a cab with AC and heat too. I was set on a 3000 or 4000 series Deere. I could not find any other color that had hydrostatic drive with the capacities and options I wanted. To make a long story shorter, I found a used 2009 4720 with 2242 hours that was $3,500 over what I made selling off my other equipment.
The next step was finding a mid mount mower and a mid pto. After a brief conversation with my local JD dealer, the mid pto was ordered. It was around $700, and he dropped it off. I located a mower deck off of a 4320 that included all the mounts. I was well on my way to do the unthinkable. I was about to have a 4300 pound 66 horse power lawnmower. The good news is I did not have to fabricate a turbo like I had to do with the 755 to climb the hills in the back yard.
After some head scratching and a few choice words, I had the 4720 serviced and the mower mounted underneith the machine. If you park the tractor on four old school ramps, it allowes you to put a 5 gallon pails under it to drain the 10 gallons of JD low vis hygard out.
I just returned from mowing the yard around the house and the acreage out back. I was going to borrow a 7 foot brushog from my neighbor to cut the grass I let go this year, but the new 4720 was able to cut hay tall grass with ease with the belly mower. I had to cut it high then come back, but I thought I would have to hook up a brushhog.
I know this thread is worthless without pic, so they are to follow. The 4720 with a 72" deck is compairable to a 955 with a 60" deck. Both decks cover the wheels, you just have to be careful. It was also awesome cutting with AC and no dust, bugs, or grass getting on me.
One day I came up with a plan. I would sell all my specific use machines and buy the decathelete of tractors to replace them all. A decathele is good at everything, but not great at anything. I got a college scholarship to run track, so I mean no disrespect to decatheletes. I just wanted one machine that could do everything. It might not be the fastests at every task, but could do everything I wanted it to do. I needed a tractor that had the lifting capacity of a skid steer with a belly mower. I would usually run across the yard with a skid steer that had Grouser tracks, so the foot print on the yard was not an issue. After some research, and a hot day of mowing with the 955, decided I needed a cab with AC and heat too. I was set on a 3000 or 4000 series Deere. I could not find any other color that had hydrostatic drive with the capacities and options I wanted. To make a long story shorter, I found a used 2009 4720 with 2242 hours that was $3,500 over what I made selling off my other equipment.
The next step was finding a mid mount mower and a mid pto. After a brief conversation with my local JD dealer, the mid pto was ordered. It was around $700, and he dropped it off. I located a mower deck off of a 4320 that included all the mounts. I was well on my way to do the unthinkable. I was about to have a 4300 pound 66 horse power lawnmower. The good news is I did not have to fabricate a turbo like I had to do with the 755 to climb the hills in the back yard.
After some head scratching and a few choice words, I had the 4720 serviced and the mower mounted underneith the machine. If you park the tractor on four old school ramps, it allowes you to put a 5 gallon pails under it to drain the 10 gallons of JD low vis hygard out.
I just returned from mowing the yard around the house and the acreage out back. I was going to borrow a 7 foot brushog from my neighbor to cut the grass I let go this year, but the new 4720 was able to cut hay tall grass with ease with the belly mower. I had to cut it high then come back, but I thought I would have to hook up a brushhog.
I know this thread is worthless without pic, so they are to follow. The 4720 with a 72" deck is compairable to a 955 with a 60" deck. Both decks cover the wheels, you just have to be careful. It was also awesome cutting with AC and no dust, bugs, or grass getting on me.