Started looking

RalphVa · Oct 19, 2004

I went to the local JD dealer this afternoon, since I didn't have enough time to drive far to get back to change to Mobil 1 in the car and then to a dinner at 4:30.

Drove both the 2210 and 4010. The acid test was trying them on a steep little hill beside the dealership. The 2210 would not stop and back up on the hill; whereas, the 4010 did with no problem whatsoever. It had very wide tires on the back, much wider than those on the 2210. These were turf. That's what I want based on experience with dual turf and ag and chains on my Gravely. The sales person agreed with my tire assessment. Checked with him about how to put the 2210 into 4wd and put it in and out a couple times. It only spun the rear wheels on that hill and wouldn't budge.

Price for tractor, which is HST, 410 loader, LX-4 cutter & toothbar is $13,645.

I plan to go to a couple more JD dealers and at least 2 Kubota dealers.

Definitely will go for the 4010 if I choose JD. Got my refund from NJ on a partnership. That plus what I've saved in social security since June will just about buy it.

Got home and found my garage door would not clear the 77" ROPS (measured there; the literature says 78"). Found I had some adjustment in the door hardware, which I made. It'll clear by 2 or 3".

Ralph

RalphVa · Oct 21, 2004

The JD dealer in Orange was totally out to lunch. Actually, the salesman is down in Florida to some JD meeting. The guy there just gave me some list prices for 4010 stuff, higher than the other price I mentioned.

Went down the road to the big Kubota dealer there. Drove a BX 1830 with FEL on it. Didn't like it, not much of a step above my Gravely. FEL control didn't work correctly.

So, I stepped up to a B7510. Price on it with same equipment was within a couple hundred (higher) to the JD 4010 price.

Why in **** do they place the brake on the same side as the HST pedal on the Kubota? Only way to use the brake for steering is if you put it on cruise control.

Anyone know why JD have the joy stick on the tractor vs. Kubota putting it on the loader?

I definitely like the JD 4010 better.

Ralph

Tractors4u · Oct 21, 2004

( Anyone know why JD have the joy stick on the tractor vs. Kubota putting it on the loader?
)

I know that Deere has front mounted grader blades and rotary brooms that can be operated by the joystick. That would save having to include controls with each piece of equipment. The location of the Deere joystick seems more convenient to. I have had the loader mounted controls, but I still like the Deere set up better. Then again, I have a Deere.

RalphVa · Oct 22, 2004

The Kubota dealer mentioned that the loader included loading the rear tires with methanol fluid. Haven't gotten back with the JD dealer about this.

Do most dealers automatically include tire filling with the loader for safety reasons? You'd think that they'd give us an option of tire loading or weights or maybe buying a ballast box.

I'm kinda leaning towards buying a carryall and putting bags of stuff on it when working with the loader alone. Maybe put some smaller weights on the wheels. Don't like the idea of messing with tires holding near 200 pounds of liquid in them. One reason I'm sticking with a smaller tractor is they're easier to maintain. Won't be with 300 pound rear tire and wheel assemblies.

Ralph

MikeFromVA · Oct 22, 2004

From what I've read and experienced, most dealers load the tires when you get the FEL - perhaps to limit liability a little. I bought a 4110 this summer with the same setup plus a 60" MMM and my price was about $4K higher - sounds like you're getting a good deal. I haven't used a tractor for very long, but I don't see where loading the tires will make it harder to maintain the tractor. As a matter of fact, I think that having the ballast there all of the time would be a time saver...

Many posts recommend adding a box blade for additional ballast rather than a ballast box since it has many more uses.

dmp437 · Oct 22, 2004

messing with tires holding near 200 pounds of liquid in them
How often do you plan on taking your tires off? This isn't an automobile where tire rotation is recommended for maximum lfe. Other than turfs, tractor tires are uni-directional anyway.
Dealers push tire loading because it's safer for the operator with the majority of buyers being complete strangers. Therefore they have no idea of the buyer's tractor experience. Our county is 80% Ag, the neighboring county is 20% Ag. Tremendous difference in tractor experience. Most buyers in my county already have 3-4 tractors and need something smaller; neighboring county they have to mow/snowplow more and need something bigger. Loaded tires give a lower center of gravity over any other form of ballasting. If your property has any hills or you're going to be working in ditches/culverts a lower center of gravity is an advantage. It also is more hassle attaching/unattaching a loaded ballast box. A quick hitch (IMatch or equiv) helps greatly but it's another $200.
If you do decide on loaded tires, check for RimGuard www.rimguard.biz It's slightly heavier and non-toxic in the event of a leak, unlike methanol.

PsRumors · Oct 22, 2004

( Why in **** do they place the brake on the same side as the HST pedal on the Kubota? Only way to use the brake for steering is if you put it on cruise control.)

NH has the brakes on the same side as the hydro drive pedals also. That was the deciding factor to buy my JD. On the NH, Kubotas etc, even with cruise on you can NOT steer with the brakes, it turns the cruise off.

With that said, I have yet needed to steer with my brakes on my 4410, even in two wheel drive in the same places I had to with my 8n I have not had too. But it is there if I need to and that is still a big factor. NH, Kubota, all of them should have just a single pedal if they are going to be on the same side as the drive pedals.

BTW, on the JD if you have your brake pedals locked it will cut the cruise also, the right pedal has the switch.

RalphVa · Oct 22, 2004

Got another price of $13,500 for 4010, FEL, LX4 cutter. This guy really went into details on these. Gotta check back with the first dealer to see what he has in each one. The first dealer is very close by and will be preferred. Seemed to be good to work with. Neighbor bought a 4310 from this second dealer. The nearby dealer seems to deal more in 2210 and 4010 size tractors rather than the bigger stuff. He had the 4010 I want right in stock.

This second dealer said that upgrading to a 4110 would be $2k more. He didn't have the 4010 I wanted (HST and joy stick on the tractor, with turf tires).

I'm getting info now on King Cutter and Woods cutters vs. the LX4 cutter. Haven't found the weight of the LX4 yet. KK is 420 pounds. Woods is 456 pounds. (For 48")

Kubota dealer was quoting on a Tornado cutter.

Ralph

jwstewar · Oct 27, 2004

( That was the deciding factor to buy my JD. On the NH, Kubotas etc, even with cruise on you can NOT steer with the brakes, it turns the cruise off. )

This is only true if you apply both brakes. You can apply each one individually and it will not disengage the cruise. Though I must admit that I've only used the "turning" brakes a couple of times playing around. My little NH turns so sharp that you don't really need to use the brakes, besides with the FEL (empty) the front end is so heavy that the rear tires can't "slide" the front end like it wants to.

RalphVa · Oct 27, 2004

Found out about the Nov. 1 price increase (of 7% on most tractors and loaders). So, I called up the local dealer and then went over there. They put a "hold" tag on the 4010 that I want. The salesman just called me from the airport in Sarasota. He's coming back tonight and can do the details on Friday morning, which is the only morning this week that I had free.

They may have to find an LX4 cutter from another dealer before delivering, but at least I got one at the old price. Total is $13.6k for 4010, 410 loader and LX4 cutter. They load the rear tires with methanol solution and deliver the LX4 without the rear chains.

Figure I should be getting it next week sometime.

Ralph