New 4710 Came Home Yesterday

[JC4HD]

Bob, I haven't been to my place since the wicked weather last week... as a matter of fact I haven't been there since the 2nd week in May(as you very well know... too wet)! Anyway as you say... there is a whole lot of summer ahead we just have to be patient!

 

[rancar]

Rich,

<font color=blue>Don't worry about getting stuck, your 4wd should keep you out of trouble! And if you do get into trouble,my new Oliver is only 2wd, but at 62 hp, I could probably pull you out!</font color=blue>

I forgot to mention it in my previous post but I wanted to tell you this interesting story about the ground conditions up my way...it says a bit why I'm cautious working on the land in these wet conditions.

Couple years ago I was helping my 91 year old neighbor cut his lawn with the JD425 and I came across a whole bunch of wheel ruts in his lower pasture behind his house. Then, he tells me this story. He got stuck with his auto trying to transport some belongings to a storage shed he had in the lower pasture. Ground was wet and he got stuck. He called a tow truck to pull him out and the tow truck got stuck. Then, he called Danny Thomas for help...Danny came over with one of his smaller tractors....Danny got stuck. Then, Danny came back with the biggest ag tractor he has with 4WD and finally he rescued the car, tow truck, and his smaller tractor from what turned into a big mud pit. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

This clay soil up my way is real deceptive stuff. There are a couple smaller fields on the property my tenant farmer won't till under...ever, even after I've almost begged him to put it into cultivation. This is reason I've had to hire bush hoggers for the past 16 years...they cut these fields only during the hottest summer days when the soil dries out enough or just before the snow flies after the ground partially freezes. This year, I'll do this cutting myself but I'm going to be ever so careful....I really hope I won't need to call upon you....I'd hate to see that Oliver stuck alongside the 4710. Then, we both may need to call upon Danny.

Bob

 

[RichZ]

Bob, I'm glad you told me that story, because until now, I thougth that you were extremely paranoid!!/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif I go through wet areas in my pastures all the time with each of my tractors, and although I'm careful, I never worry about it. And my tractors are only 2wd! You should be able to laugh at wet stuff with your 4710! But after that story, I can understand.

However, you're going to have to determine which areas are just wet and which areas are actually swampy, or you'll be paralyzed after every rain. When I brush hog a new area, I check it out on foot first to see how swampy it is. It's time consuming, but that's what you'll have to do. John Miller III once posted a great guide to brush hogging. I'm terrible with searches, but maybe JMIII or someone else will provide a link to it.

 

[rancar]

Thanks Rich. The areas I'm talking about border my swamp land. Ever since I was little, I remember my grandparents farming it, mostly with timothy. That's why I couldn't understand why the tenant farmer felt he couldn't do it. I suppose maybe it's because he's up here only a few days of every year and he doesn't have the time to 'baby' each field, waiting until ground conditions were dry enough to till or cut. But, nevertheless, it left me with always having to hire bush hoggers to cut these small fields. One of these I actually re-claimed from the swamp back in the early 80's when I went through and chainsawed each tree to ground level until everything was cleared. Then, I was able to keep everything bush hogged.

In fact, back in the 50's the swamp I now have was once all open ground. I have a picture of it I'd love to show you sometime. I can't understand why it was allowed to grow over when the previous property owners kept it clear. I know it will never be clear again as the tree growth is just too extensive. I guess if I have a penchant for anything, it's trying to keep my fields open and clean for agricultural production purposes. There's nothing more beautiful than broad, open expansive corn and hay fields unbroken by trees and hedgerows where the winds freely blow. My gosh...I'm sounding a bit too poetic here. But, do stop up some time and I'll show you pictures of this place from the 1950's when the property looked like the Nebraska Sand Hills. This is how I remember it when I was a little kid.

Bob

 

[Anonymous Poster]

How do you like the top and tilt so far?

What was the cost?

And do you know know if that option is available for the 4410?

 

[rancar]

Hi Al,

The top and tilt works great. I believe it was a new option the JD decided to offer on the 4x10 series this year. I've had no problems with it... but I partially attribute this to a great technician at the dealership who did the install. This is important since I've heard others in these forums have had difficulty due to poor installation done by their dealers. The cost was $645 plus install. I believe it is offered on the 4410. Only way to know for sure is to ask your dealer. Hope this helps.

Bob

 

[blurrybill]

I have it on my 4310. However, the tilt apparently loses pressure when I am using the loader and I have to keep using the diverter switch to keep the boxblade/tiller/etc level.

This is very likely an install problem, but I'm not sure. I have 30+ hours on the tractor and I hope to find a competent dealer for the 50 hour service who can check things out. BTW, I also have a MMM and for some reason, I have to disconnect hoses to use the MMM or top and tilt. Anyone with knowledge of hydraulics please help. I may make a separate post, in case this question isn't seen.

In summary, I think the top and tilt will be good, if I can get it working properly. It does help with implement attachment. At the moment, however, I wish I didn't have it, since it isn't working properly.

Bill

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks Bob...finally found it buried in the on-line configurator.
Though it should be a good addition to the tractor for a blade or box, it's not obvious to me what other uses might be. Your thoughts...

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Grrr...on the need to keep adjusting the level...those kinds of things REALLY bug me. But I wondered if there would be any leakdown. Are we asking too much from these compacts? I wonder if there are owners that are having no leakdown problems?

 

[rancar]

Al,

I got the top and tilt for a number of reasons. Don't yet have a box blade but am thinking of purchasing one in 1-2 years. Immediate use though of TnT will be on the LR1172 landscape rake and MX6 mower. I have uneven terrain conditions with many ledges. I've used rake on old logging trails with TnT adjusted to accommodate for sloped trail conditions. The rake works great under these types of conditions. TnT and MX6 will enable me to 'reach' down over ledges and up embankments to cut brush. Haven't tried this yet but will next month. Hope this helps.

Bob