Justify the Buy

Anonymous Poster · Feb 2, 2001

I have been looking for a compact deere for longer than I care too have. I have for the most part ruled out a used unit because I don't feel the price difference is worth the hours and lack of warranty. My dilemma is deciding between a 790 MFWD, 70 loader and 60" mid mount deck for 16K and a 4300 HST MFWD, 430 loader, and a 72" mid mount deck for 21200. This purchase will landscape 2 acres, tend a modest garden and begin a 3 acre tree farm. I plan on this purchase to last, which both units would. I would like all the toys of the 4300, but I'm having trouble justifying the 5K difference. Considering the larger deck, HST, more loader capacity, and possibly a better resale of the HST, would this offset the 5 K??????

Bird · Feb 2, 2001

In my opinion, Yes; but of course that would also depend on how much money I had at the time./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

markcg2000 · Feb 2, 2001

IMHO, the differance is worth it, but the question is can you afford it?

I've got the 790 and 60" belly mower, but no FEL /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif. I think the value of the 790 is outstanding, and the differance could easily be put towards things like a box-blade, landscape rake, rotary cutter, etc. If you buy them at the same time, you may be able to finance it all together. One thing to bear in mind with the larger deck is maneuverability... will the wider deck limit your ability to get around those trees? That doesn't apply too much with the FEL because everyone says those come off really easily.

It'll have to work out to your own personal preferance between the two machines balanced by your checkbook's abilities /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif.

<font color=green>mark</font color=green>

cowboydoc · Feb 2, 2001

Bozi,
If you only plan on doing the place that you just mentioned and don't have plans for anything else I would think the 790 would be a good choice. If you even think that you would be doing more work, ie more acres, bigger projects, etc. go with the 4300. The other nice thing is that if you get the 790 it's always easier to trade up than to trade down. One of my friends has the 790 with all the toys on 10 acres and he loves it. He says it's all the tractor he'll ever need. He mows most of the ten acres, and takes care of four horses with it and does his landscaping, etc. around his place. He likes the 790 over my 4600 because he said that he can get it more place than mine and it's handier.

Anonymous Poster · Feb 2, 2001

Your right, that feeling that I'm buying more tractor than I need (4300) is always in the back of my mind. But I have looked at the smaller compacts, and I have convinced myself that for the money, "BIGGER" is better. I guess the only thing that is keeping me from laying $$ down on the 790 is the non-sync trans. How much of an inconvience is it? Everyone's insight is greatly appreciated - My wife just walks away from me when I start talking tractor. Can't imagine why.

cowboydoc · Feb 2, 2001

Bozi,
Now that is a different story about the sync tranny. I think they're great! With a tractor without it you have to come to a complete stop before you can shift. With the sync tranny it's just like driving a standard transmission, no gear grinding and alot faster. If you get the 4300 also the power reverser is a real work saver. Just a flip of the lever and you're going forward and backward with no clutch at all and without having to stop. So if you're thinking convenience of use and you believe bigger is better and can afford it get the 4300. On the other hand you won't complain you wish you would have gotten the 4300 and you definitely will have all the power you need for your place. The bottom line too is that the 4300 is definitely worth the extra 5k over the 790 it's just do you need it?

RobS · Feb 2, 2001

Bozi, I too went throught he 790/4300 debate. I've got 10 acres mostly clear and flat. I went with the 790 due to cost. If money were no object I would have gotten the 4300 in a heartbeat for the increased hydraulic capacity. I would someday like to add a backhoe and they are fluid hogs. I must say I am more than satisfied with my 790 and like Mark said I ended up with money for implements which make any tractor more useful. If I happen across a bunch of money someday, I'll likely upgrade. In the meantime I'm very happy /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Thomas · Feb 2, 2001

Bozi,
Think in years to come as well far as comfort..your dealer..history of the tractor which you may pick,than decide if that 5K worth the price.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Bozi · Feb 2, 2001

I have been thinking about the future and the comfort of the machine for the years to come. I currently have a JD garden tractor that has meet my needs on our previous lot for the past twelve years. We now have a larger lot, and the old JD doesn't have the ability to keep up with it. Several of our neighbors have compacts (all orange and blue), all are over 27hp and no one wishes thay had a smaller tractor. The 20 - 25 hp compacts are sweet machines, but for the money, I feel that 30hp tractors give more in size and abilty for the (relatively) small difference in price. My dealer is great and I feel very comfortable with his advice. But the choice of the 790 or the 4300 is mine. If the 790 was a sync-trans rather than a collar-shift, it would probably be in my garage.

GaryK · Feb 2, 2001

I at times wish I had a little bit bigger tractor butI was dictated by the room in the yard. I have a lot of trees. When I get to the back lot and am using the FEL, that's when I wish i had gone bigger, but the 4100 fits my needs the best, I can get around the yard with the belly mower, yet pull a boxblade or bush hog with no problem. Get the size you are comfortable with. Besides, most JD dealers or at least the few I know of will give you back all your $ in a trade.

Henry · Feb 2, 2001

I would think about the kind of work you are going to be doing. If you're mostly mowing and doing light loader work you might not get much advantage from the HST.... Moderate amounts of shifting isn't really a problem for me. I own a 790 MFWD with the 70 loader and 60" belly mower and am able to tend my 12 acres very easily. I went thru the same set of choices a year ago and I'm very happy with the 790.

dmccarty · Feb 5, 2001

First of all Bozi you are on the right track and you don't even realize it!

When you start talking tractor and the wife walks away that is a VERY good sign. You are starting to wear her down. Keep it up.

I researched tractors/implements for a good 15 months before I bought one. Every day I would go home and tell the wife, "Guess what I read on TBN today?" Oh, did she HATE that question!

"All you ever talk about is that tractor!", said the wife.

Eventually she gave in and I got the tractor. The bad thing, at least for her, is that I still come home and say, "Guess what I read on TBN today?" LOL! Poor Wifey!

Course she did get a horse! So she is in the lead Toy Wise.....

But I use the tractor FAR more than she rides that furry critter.

My two cents on the tranny. I don't think you want a non-sync tranny. I drove a manual truck and I wanted a tractor tranny that would drive the same way. So I wanted sync tranny at a minimum but I did not want an HST gearbox either. I ended up with the PowerReverser tranny which I think was a danged good compromise in the dollar department and ease of use. On the 4700 the HST takes away 1.5 HP compared with the PowerReverser. I wanted to maximize HP.

But this is very much a personal decision. For the last couple of work days I was doing FEL work all day long. I could see how I COULD have been slightly more productive with an HST tractor. It would not have been much of a time savings but it would have reduced my control movement. Not a big deal though. I still like my PowerReverser.

Hope this helps....
Dan McCarty

WillingtonPizza · Feb 5, 2001

Here is what $12,650 will buy you at Power Trac
25hp 4wheel drive
hyrdrostatic
60" Mower deck (hydralic)
48" Brush cutter (hydralic)
48" Tiller (hydralic)
FEL with bucket
18" Stump grinder (hydralic)
6 sway hydralic snow plow
what do you know it is even the right color green!

PS. No I do not work for them or know anybody who does, but I have one and it is great!

Bozi · Feb 9, 2001

I have narrowed the field down to two tractors, one being orange and the other green. The choice is between the 4300 and the 2910. I like the physical size of the 2910, it would take up less garage space, more maneuverable, greater ground clearance, and 1200 lbs lighter. But I lean towards the green, a much more capable tractor (IMO), more FEL lift, better hydraulic ratings, 2 hp engine advantage and 5 more PTO ponies, also more comfortable,. The only problem I have with the 4300 is the weight of the tractor, I worry about ground compaction and rutting. Quality is also a concern, the 4300 seems better built(???) The 4300 with the 12/12 power reverser is the same price as the 2910 HST. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I plan on purchasing a tractor this week. Tough choice.

Boondox · Feb 9, 2001

I recently faced the same choice: Kubota B2910 or L3010, or the JD 4300. I ruled out the 2910 very early because it just didn't have the lift and dragging capacity I was looking for. The 4300 is a fine machine, and my local Deere dealer was great...but it cost $2800 more than the 3010 similarly equipped...and JD seemed slower than Kubota in resolving those admittedly rare lemon issues.

Lastly, I priced a few replacement parts on the two tractors and found Deere parts to be significantly higher: about 25-40% higher.

In the end, I settled on the 3010. Your choice is much tougher because you need that wonderful lift capacity without the associated weight. Let us know what you decide.

Good luck! Pete

cowboydoc · Feb 9, 2001

Boondox,
Boy there must be a big difference in dealers. Around here a similiar kubota and john deere the john deere was cheaper. Also for parts the kubota was more expensive, less available, and less service. Only a couple kubota dealers and tons of jd dealers.

Pete,
As far as your tractor the extra weight will be a blessing if you're ever going to really use the tractor. That was a big factor in my purchasing green over orange as I do alot of heavy work with my tractor and similiar tractor to my 4600, I think it was the 3710 or 4310 kubota, the 4600 was bigger all the way around and was cheaper. But then again that may just be dealers around here. The dealer here for kubota says that they are marked up 30%. He gives all customers 15% off. John Deere dealers some were high and some were low. I don't know what the percent markup is but the 4600 was about $2000 cheaper than the 4310 similiar equipped.

GaryK · Feb 10, 2001

When I was checking out tractors I found that the JD comes with the hyd controls for FEL for about $500 installed at factory and the FEL is less $$ too. On the Kubota I was told the controls come with each attachment like a FEL which boosts up the $$ to more that just afew$$$

Bozi · Feb 10, 2001

I would just like to thank everyone for their responses to my question, and for just listening to what I needed to say.. Yesterday, I decided on the JD 4300 HST, 430 loader, and R4s. I feel very comfortable with my decision and look forward to many hours of working around the yard (playing around). I expect delivery next week, so I better clean an area out in the garage for it. I'm sure I will soon have numerous questions, and I look forward to the advice I know I can find here.

Brian

Boondox · Feb 10, 2001

Brian -- That's exactly the rig I almost settled on before opting for the Kubota L3010 (used) because it was closer to my budget. You'll love it! Be sure to post some pics when you take delivery.

Pete