New JD 4300 Photo

[paccorti]

Hey MJB that sure is a nice looking rig. I'm also thoroughtly envious of the backhoe. Glad you are having so much fun and keep the pictures coming.

Peter

 

[crowlej]

MJB,

I just saw the picture of your "Baby"... really looks good! Any Idea what the rig weighs without the mower? How does the 4300 and 48 work together? I am purchasing a 4300 with the 430 FEL and BH but am up in the air which hoe (47 or 48)... weight is a consideration since I will be trailering between home and my place in the Adarondacks in upstate NY. Any insight would be appreciated.

crowlej

 

[MJB]

Going by the shipping weights listed in the JD catalog, as best as I can remember right now:
4300 tractor = approx 2900 lbs
430 loader = approx 800 lbs
48 backhoe = approx 1500 lbs
The grand total will be 5200 lbs plus or minus. This is getting close to the weight limit for a 7000 lb GVW trailer. If you add wheel weights, load the tires, or carry any other peripheral equipment, you might want to look into a 10000 lb GVW trailer. I posted about my opinions of the 48 hoe in the "Which backhoe??" thread. Hope this helps.

I love the smell of diesel in the morning. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[glennmac]

MJB,

I've been looking at this tractor a lot. Why did you go with the 60" deck instead of the 72"?

 

[MJB]

Couple of reasons:
1. I only mow about 2 acres. I can do the whole thing in about an hour and a half. With the 72" I would get less "quality time" with my baby./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
2. The 60" deck is a heavier duty mower than the 72". The 60" uses 7 gauge steel where the 72" is 9 gauge. Deere calls the mower a "7-iron" deck and I believe that the same deck, with different attachment points, is used on many of their commercial mowing machines. Insert Tim Allen grunt here./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
3. Weight. Even though the 60" is heavier duty, the 72" weighs more. I am trying to keep the weight of the machine down as much as possible when mowing. I also leave off the 3ph draft arms, lift links, and drawbar. Have to leave those parts off anyway to attach the backhoe. This probably saves another 75 lbs or so.
4. Cost. The 72" is a little more money, but this is a small consideration on machine that totals out at about $28K.

I love the smell of diesel in the morning. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[MJB]

I looked up the shipping weight for the 47 hoe last night. The book says its about 1000 lbs. This makes it about 500 lbs lighter than the 48. Hope this helps.

I love the smell of diesel in the morning. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif