Thinking about getting 4520 or 4720

[LJWoodguy]

I'm considering upsizing from my 2038r to a 45/4720.
I have read (here) about the timing cover leaking and being a time consuming job to replace. Is this issue widespread? Or just enough to make a few cases? Is there a year Deere started using gaskets instead of sealer? Did it resolve the issue if they did?
Thanks for any input.

 

[9973720wb19]

I had a 4720 with loader and it was a great tractor without issue every time I used it. I did not have it long...from new to about 400 hours. Never heard of the issue you mention so I can't advise on that. The 4720 was comfortable and plenty of power. The only thing that I wish could have been different was it's front wheels. They were a bit small I thought and would tend to spin easy when pushing snow (and in mud) and the weight of the tractor was not that heavy compared to tractors in general. I traded it in at my dealer for a 5100R. The 5100R is more stable on hills and handles rough ground better.

 

[LJWoodguy]

Thanks for the info. Those 5r's are nice. Way to big for what I can use. The 4 series is actually larger than I need.

 

[Beaver Cove Deere]

I have a 4720 cab and love it for the size and it has plenty of power. The power is important to me for snow blowing. Very happy with myself for my buddy who changed his mind on selling his 3032. Zero regrets.
I do have the famous timing cover leak but it’s real minor yet still irritating but I’m not taking the machine apart and I’m not ready to toss out several thousand to repair it yet but seriously thinking about a bottle of sealer to try.
The leak hasn’t gotten worse nor is antifreeze showing up in oil analysis reports.
Machine has about 1050 hours on it now. I bought it used with 800ish hours.
I also wanted to avoid DEF like the plague.

 

[LJWoodguy]

Thanks for the reply. I've used the stop leak stuff with success in other equipment. I was wondering if it would work in this application too. Probably a case-by-case basis.

 

[willy16]

I'm considering upsizing from my 2038r to a 45/4720.
I have read (here) about the timing cover leaking and being a time consuming job to replace. Is this issue widespread? Or just enough to make a few cases? Is there a year Deere started using gaskets instead of sealer? Did it resolve the issue if they did?
Thanks for any input.

I own a 4520 built 2005. I have had no repair issues with mine. Approx. 1500hrs. The issue
I do have is the fact that JD also built a 4520 in 1969 or so. So every time you look for parts or help someone will ask "is it a 1969". Very annoying. Also, most parts lookup will be for the 1969 JD. Be aware. Good luck in your search.

 

[LJWoodguy]

Thanks for the info. I had the same issue when I had a 955.

 

[oldtimer 66]

I have a 4320 circa 2006 with cab, cruise control, load match, mid PTO, 400x loader, HD bucket, rear wiper, radio, front and real work lights, air seat, lighter, horn, 72" Mid Mt mower, front fenders. I just want to list out the options so you know some of what is available on a used machine. I did the timing cover repair and documented it here. The factory instructions for the repair had a, if I am reading the documents correctly, a 2010 date. So maybe that is when the update was made at the factory. Since then I have had no issues with a coolant leak. I now have over 2700 hrs. on the machine with no real issues. I am not sure if all of the 4X20 series tractors had the JD Power Tech engine. Maybe later models had the Yanmar engine. Over the years I have added implements and weight to the tractor. It works for me.

 

[LJWoodguy]

Thank you oldtimer66. It was your write up that got me wondering about the prevalence of this issue. I decided the risk and cost was worth it. I purchased an 06 4720 with 410hrs similarly optioned to yours. The thing it is missing that I want to add is the belly mower (possibly 3rd function).
Did you add the mid pto and associated lifting hardware for the mmm? Do you know if the 7 iron deck is specific for the 4x20 or if the same deck is used on other 3 and 4 series?

 

[oldtimer 66]

Nice tractor with only 400 hrs. It should be 59 engine H.P.. I ordered my tractor with the the mid mount mower, aka "7 Iron". I don't know if it is specific for this tractor, but maybe because of the mounting's. The dealers quotation was off by some amount/ low/ because of the way the MMM was listed in the catalog but the dealer did not charge extra. I have the manual on the mower deck/ assemble etc. I will get you the parts number for the instructions. It's very detailed on the parts you would need picture wise. The mid PTO/ rear PTO has the yellow on off pull button, live, along with a selector arm to switch between the two PTO's. You can activate the rear PTO with the parking brake set, from outside the tractor. I don't have any details on the physical mid PTO assemble itself. I think this is where the dealer had his ordering problem. The mid PTO was a "kit type " of accessory. I would assume that it is still available. I have the mower deck off right now but I will put up some pictures of it here along with the tractor mountings. The mower deck height adjustment was mickey mouse. They replaced a cable but that didn't work. If you get the mower and mountings I can detail my fix for that problem.