I finally got some seat time over the weekend. I got ~10 hours of mowing and loader work in. I didn't take too many pics, but here is one with the loader attached.
My initial impressions:
I love the economy pto. I have a smaller brush hog, 6'. I never lugged it, even in 3' tall wet canary grass. I had to up the rpms a little, but it just chugged through. I was mowing at 4 mph.
I had never run a tractor with draft control. I really like the way it compensates for grade change.
Loader was a beast. I moved an old stump/dirt pile to create a back stop for archery/rifle range. I originally moved all the stumps with a 650 JD dozer. I didn't think the tractor was going to be too effective. I was amazed. I lifted the rear tires off the ground, but only when digging into the bottom of the pile and trying to lift more than I thought it could.
I finished tilling the garden. Not much of a chore.
Negatives: I don't like the hose routing/quick disconnect location on the loader. They are out in the open, exposed and begging to get tore off. I think I can move them.
I don't like the location of the 3pt. lever. The handle could stand to be at least 6" higher, draft control also.
I wish it had a parking break. It is a pain to get it into Park.
In the end, I really like the size/weight/power set up. I didn't feel like I was bouncing all around while mowing. This is quite a step up from my older 4320. All my implements seem quite small now. A few will be upgraded over time, especially the mower.
Steve
My initial impressions:
I love the economy pto. I have a smaller brush hog, 6'. I never lugged it, even in 3' tall wet canary grass. I had to up the rpms a little, but it just chugged through. I was mowing at 4 mph.
I had never run a tractor with draft control. I really like the way it compensates for grade change.
Loader was a beast. I moved an old stump/dirt pile to create a back stop for archery/rifle range. I originally moved all the stumps with a 650 JD dozer. I didn't think the tractor was going to be too effective. I was amazed. I lifted the rear tires off the ground, but only when digging into the bottom of the pile and trying to lift more than I thought it could.
I finished tilling the garden. Not much of a chore.
Negatives: I don't like the hose routing/quick disconnect location on the loader. They are out in the open, exposed and begging to get tore off. I think I can move them.
I don't like the location of the 3pt. lever. The handle could stand to be at least 6" higher, draft control also.
I wish it had a parking break. It is a pain to get it into Park.
In the end, I really like the size/weight/power set up. I didn't feel like I was bouncing all around while mowing. This is quite a step up from my older 4320. All my implements seem quite small now. A few will be upgraded over time, especially the mower.
Steve
