New JD Owner

[Marko]

Folks ,

Just place my order for JD 4110 HST with 410 FEL and filled R4's.

It was either the Kubota B7500 HST or the JD4110 HST , drove both and felt more comfortable on the JD.

Both are great machines , just a matter of which one fits you best.

I've enjoyed all of the info posted here and glad to be a part of it all.

Mark

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Congratulations, Mark. Good luck with your new machine.

I had a very similar experience when tractor shopping. I was planning on buying Kubota based on their reputation, a friend's wonderful experience with his and the Kubota dealer being just half a mile down the road and an old HS classmate, to boot.

I found, however, in actually getting on the Kubota, that, for me, it wasn't comfortable at all, especially with the hydro transmission rocker pedal. I ended up going with a Deere because it was more comfortable. There were a couple things I preferred on each over the other but it came down to it being easier to modify things I didn't like on the Deere to accomodate me.

Truth be told, I didn't do those modifications immediately as I thought I would. Instead, I hopped on it and started playing... um... uh... working on it as it was. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[Nuru]

Good Choice! I chose a 4100 in 2001 over the kubotas.

 

[ohso]

Good for you !!!!

I just bought a JD 4500 after having my mind made up for a Kubota 2910. Just happen to be going by a John Deere Dealer and stopped into look around. He had a tractor that was 10 horse larger with a larger loader and only cents more than the Kubota. I originally looked at Deere but other dealers had priced themselves way out of my budget. Lesson learned.......shop.....shop......shop...... when the right deal hits, you'll know it.
Welcome aboard !!!

 

[Marko]

TBNers ,

Took delivery of my new JD4110 410 FEL filled R4's this past friday. Logged just over 2 hrs this week moving manure pile. This machine for its small size can handle alot. I feel good that I made the correct choice.

Does anyone have any suggestions on where I can get a 55 gallon or less drum. I want to have my oil complany fill it with #2 as it's about 50 cents cheaper than desiel fuel here in my neck of the woods (NH).

Thanks to everyone here who has helped me in making an informed decision.

My bumper sticker now reads " Rather be riding my John Deere"

Mark

 

[dmccarty]

Marko,

You might want to wait awhile and see how much fuel the
tractor uses. My 4700 gets consumes between 1/3 to 1/2
gallon per hour. The 1/2 gallon per hour is running the MX6
at PTO speed. I only mow maybe six months a year and
maybe once a month at best.

So 55 gallons would take between 110-165 tractor hours. I
have about 375 hours on the 4700 in 22 months. To put it
another way that 55 gallons would last me 6 to 10 months.
I really don't want to keep fuel around for 6 months.

I would think you would get better gallons/hour than I do.
And I am averaging 17 hours of tractor time a month. For
me to put 17 hours a month on the tractor that usually takes
four 12 hour work Saturdays a month. And if it rains no
tractor time. Or yet another way to look at it, I only have
to fill the tractor up once a month worst case.

Most of the price difference is the road tax. You can get that
tax back when you file your tax forms each year.

Have fun with the new Tractor! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Dan McCarty

 

[Marko]

Dan ,

Thanks for the insight , I guess my main concern is having to use the 5 gallon can to refill the tractor and holding it up while it fills.

I will be using my tractor for pasture up keep , manure pile leveling , hay transport etc. Mostly barn duties and snow removal. I will not be using this for lawn mowing (at least not right now).

Looking for an easy way of refilling witout having to hold that 5 gallon tank up. Sounds lazy , I know , but there must be a better and more cost effective way.

Mark

 

[DDT]

You might consider a 30Gal drum and a hand pump. I used one for a long time till I got tiered for refilling every month, but for you it would be plenty for fuel on hand at a time.

 

[dmccarty]

Marko,

I'm not sure if this would work for you or not but it works for
me. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I take the 5 gallons of fuel and put them on the operator
platform. Take off all the fuel caps from the tractor and
jugs. Then I climb up to on the tractor next to the cans and
lift one up and rest it on the vertical FEL support. My cans,
the generic yellow diesel cans, have a flexible hose, as well
as a vent hole. I keep a thumb or finger over the vent and
slowly lower the can towards the fuel tank. With the vent
coverted the fuel pours out slowy and smoothly so I can
aim for the fuel tank. I used to use a funnel but I don't bother
anymore. I don't hold the can except during the Approach To
The Fuel tank. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif What I do is get that nozzle in the
tank and rest the fuel can on the FEL support and the top of
the tractor. That way I'm not holding the thing up.

Easier to show than discribe. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

It works and I spill almost no fuel. Once the nozzle is in the
fuel tank I uncover the vent and let the fuel drain away. I
would think that this would work with any tractor with an FEL
and a fuel tank opening that was reachable from the
operator's station.

Later,
Dan

 

[bphillips]

I have a small battery powered pump that fits into a 5 gallon fuel can. Set the can on the foot platform and press the pumps go button. Watch the level in the fuel tank and press the go button again when the tank is about full. I think I paid about $12.00 at a local hardware. It's designed to fill kerosene heaters that some folks use in the house in colder weather.

Brad in NH