Opinions and advice for a John Deere 4200

[Jeep Guy]

Thanks Everyone for all the great input. It all seems to echo what I have read about the 4200, although most comments that I had read on eopinions and a few other sites and other tractor blogs on this model were very favourable, and most are happy with the power of it etc.

Going to have a look at it though have been in contact with the seller just trying to set something up. Also thinking with the price of fuel, oil, etc having one machine and one that is less costly to maintain just for routine maintenance of say like that of a JD 2130 (which I have also been looking at), might in the end be the way to go. Some are of the opinion these diesels are better on fuel for mowing than that of the gas lawn tractors? Not going to be doing commercial work, so I am thinking that for moving gravel, some fill, maintaining a 700 sqare foot garden, and clearing snow...(mine is a 6 foot blower that I have but looking at a 5 foot, those JD 59 inch front mounted SB's are over $5K here in Canada that's IMHO is crazy).

I had read that there were a couple of John Deere recalls on the transmission and the rock shaft controller for these models, is anyone aware of what they are or had them done? I asked the seller and she bought the tractor used, she hadn't had anything done, had no problems but is not aware of the previous owner and if anything had been done. Anything else that would stand out as something to really look for in these models?

 

[RoyJackson]

I had read that there were a couple of John Deere recalls on the transmission and the rock shaft controller for these models, is anyone aware of what they are or had them done? I asked the seller and she bought the tractor used, she hadn't had anything done, had no problems but is not aware of the previous owner and if anything had been done. Anything else that would stand out as something to really look for in these models?

There were some issues with the eHydro which was on the subsequent model, the 4210. I've never heard of any problems with the rockshaft.
You can get the tractor's serial number (should be on a plate just above the rear PTO shield, IIRC) and contact any Deere dealer about service bulletins and updates.
Biggest problem I ever heard of was with the very early 4x00 series. The front axles would scuff on a lawn quite badly. A very robust axle designed for loader work...but not so hot for mowing. Those axles were replaced by Deere...of course, that would depend if the owner did follow through with the service bulletin.

 

[US American]

I owned a 4200 with a 420 for about four years and put about 300 hours on it. It was a great little tractor for almost everything I did with it (loader work, 5' rotary cutting, 5' back blading). I used it quite a bit to work a horse arena and a lot of that was pulling a heavy disc. That and pulling hills at speed were the only areas where the lack of power was exposed.

I think it would be a great setup for most of what you want to do (don't know about the snowblowing) and I did not regret buying mine one bit. It was almost totally trouble free (replaced the $5 thermistor once) and was a joy to run. I know Roy is right about the early 4200s chewing up yard (my dealer said it was the 98 and 99 models if I recall correctly). I did not use mine as a lawnmower but I think it would be perfect in that capacity on a large yard.

The size as a small compact as opposed to a sub-compact make it far better than, say, the 2x20 series. The only enemy was the absence of great power... but just go slower and keep the rpms up. Would've kept it but had to do some haying and didn't want to kill it discing the arena. Good luck.

 

[beenthere]

Good thread with one caveat: the 3520 has quite a bit more power then a 4200 (which would be more of an equivalent to the discontinued Deere 3120).

Thanks for the link, Beenthere!

Yes Roy!

 

[beenthere]

Thanks ............
I had read that there were a couple of John Deere recalls on the transmission and the rock shaft controller for these models, is anyone aware of what they are or had them done? I asked the seller and she bought the tractor used, she hadn't had anything done, had no problems but is not aware of the previous owner and if anything had been done. Anything else that would stand out as something to really look for in these models?

Go to your Deere dealer with the serial number of the 4200 and ask if they would run a check on that tractor. Any recalls installed or other maintenance history will be recorded and you can use that info to make your decision. The 4200 is the same size as my 4300
and there are those times when more hp would be better (often wished I had bought the 4400 ) but the bottom line is I'm very happy with what the 4300 can do. That 4200 will do a lot for you too, and there will be times more umph will be desireable. But a lower gear or going a bit slower is the answer (for me, anyway). Running in high gear is where lack of HP is most noticable, and that is on hills when on the road. Otherwise, not problem. (i.e. just like US American said )
And the real bottom line, the Deere do not lose much in value so if push comes to shove later on, you will not be losing much money in the deal.

 

[Jeep Guy]

Thanks All for the information and the advice, had a bit of a delay with a sump pump, actually 2, packing it in and water to deal with on the day that I was originally going to look at this. A week later saw it in the pouring rain. Seemed to be in good shape think that was the first time that I stood beside a 4200, they are bigger than say a 2520 or 3520 height wise. 2 things concerned me and one was that the seller flips tractors, buys and sells them so he's had this for about 6 months and really don't know what state it was in when he aquired it and the second was he was firm on the 12.5k which I wasn't going to go that high...so the 4200 is not in my future, not this one. Going to look at a MF165 with a cab tonight also has a allied 350 loader. Too big to go across the lawn for some landscaping that I want to do, a compact utility would be more ideal but better for dealing with land fill and gravel, not to mention some shelter snow-blowing so will see what happens with that....more rain again though tonight...doesn't want to stop this year

 

[Jeep Guy]

Yes well the MF didn't really turn out, think that the engine was in good shape however the PTO seemed to have a hard time, lots of jerking trying to pickup a 6 foot finishing mower and noticed to that the loader seemed to be ok raising the bucket, though slow and could pick up the front of the tractor, but it dropped really fast. All in all wasn't getting a great feeling on it and it was in rough shape in the cab.

In the end, saw a John Deere 2130 on the weekend that I am going to pick up. In great shape, loader works perfect on it and also has a heated cab to boot for snow blowing in the winter. Have no doubts it will power my snow blower. Will sell the MF just because I don't need two machines, will be with a little regret as it's been a great little tractor and can't knock it for anything but don't want to ruin it trying to put a loader on it.

So this is the new beast, will have to start a new thread for some thoughts on that, as it has a CAT 2 3ph and I guess that I will need some sort of adapter for the snowblower for the pins to fit into the arms of the 3ph.