Test drove a 4520, my likes and dislikes

green4710 · Jul 16, 2004

I test drove a 4520 yesterday, and was pretty happy with it. The things I noticed that I really liked were:

1. The new engine sounds great. Nice growl, deep sound, and tons of power.
2. Tilt steering, so much better than the 4x10's
3. Hood, it flips to the back, and you can get at the radiator, tranny cooler, etc. Access to the engine is so much better than the 4x10's.
4. Nifty drain setup on the oil filter. Tin around it lets the oil drain out and away from the engine, so no mess anymore.
5. The visibility is nice, the hood is fatter in the mid section, and looks neat.
6. Digital speedometer.
7. Overall dash layout.
8. Option for an air ride seat.
9. parking brake setup, big handle, no more little push knob

Now for the things I didn't like.
1. Fuel cap placement.
2. Fuel tank inlet size, much smaller than the 4710's. Would be fun putting diesel in from a can or plastic container.
3. Mechanical front four wheel drive handle, no more electronic switch. I know some like the mechanical, but the switch was easy, and this tractor took quite a bit of force and moving back and forward with the hydro pedal to get it in and out of 4wd.
4. pto switch is on the dash now
5. injector pump is now internal in the engine. No access, would be a dealer fix if anything went wrong after warranty expired, big $$$$.
6. Engine revs to 1700 when you start it right away.
7. Frame isnt continuous from the front to the back. Engine is part of the frame for about 3 inches in front of the operators station.
8. Cheap screen in front of the radiator. Attaches via plastic, looks like it will easily rip.
9. 4x10 standard electronics are now optional on the 4x20's in some cases.

Overall though, a nice tractor. Engine has a ton of power and sounds so cool. They are not as smooth as the yanmar's though. Be aware that there are some recalls already. I'll probably keep my 4710 for a few years, and then trade. Hope this helps all of you that are looking to trade.

Texxon · Jul 16, 2004

Thanks, Green, for the post. It is post like this that help us that are still looking and thinking about buying a new tractor, especially first time for a CUT. There are so many different ones, even within the same brand family, that it is hard to keep up with them all.
Then when you kinda get used to the numbers, they come out with the new models. Kinda mind boggling!! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

rockyridgefarm · Jul 16, 2004

( 2. Fuel tank inlet size, much smaller than the 4710's. Would be fun putting diesel in from a can or plastic container)

I wonder if this is an epa thing....

green4710 · Jul 16, 2004

I dont know, but its a lot smaller than my 4710's fuel tank.

timb · Jul 17, 2004

Hmm. In PA they've mandated the spring-loaded no-venting gas cans up to at least the 5 gallon size. They work OK for lawn mowers and weed-wackers, you just set them in the filler opening, let the weight retract the nozzle tip - which lets gas flow until the mower tank is full - since there is no can vent, flow stops. Then as you remove the can - it self-seals. I've wondered how they were supposed to work with a full size filler neck on a bigger machine. Maybe now we know. Thank you big brother.

1075 · Jul 18, 2004

( Hmm. In PA they've mandated the spring-loaded no-venting gas cans up to at least the 5 gallon size. They work OK for lawn mowers and weed-wackers, you just set them in the filler opening, let the weight retract the nozzle tip - which lets gas flow until the mower tank is full - since there is no can vent, flow stops. Then as you remove the can - it self-seals. I've wondered how they were supposed to work with a full size filler neck on a bigger machine. Maybe now we know. Thank you big brother. )

The new spring loaded nozzle works fine on the large filler neck on my X595, I think it is a smart design. Don't know why the manufacturers didn't do this a long time ago. I think that this is one time when Big Brother got it right.