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.

 

[oldtimer 66]

Here are some pics of the mower and tractor details.

Mower manual should be able to purchase
Yellow shift handle for PTO selection
Cruise control and stop distance short long
Left handle rear remote, middle 3 pt / mower height, end yellow PTO selection
Mid PTO under tractor looking to the rear, shift enclosure bellows linkage to yellow handle in cab
Bar tires with adjustable rims on 2006 models and others
Telescoping draft links nice to have
Rear mower connection points with adjustable links on rear of mower deck
Mid mower connection points, bolts with/ to/ loader mount
Front mower connection point, connects to bracket on front of mower
Rear adjustable links on mower deck
Mower deck with attaching brackets front middle and rear
I think I made a mistake, your tractor is only 58 H.P. I am getting old.

 

[oldtimer 66]

One more picture and it is of the dash. The top left rocker switch is for the load match. The horz. rocker switch just below the windshield wiper switch is for accessing the diagnostics.

 

[LJWoodguy]

That would be great! From what I can tell, the pto kit is still available, the lift bracket kit has become obsolete and will be the challenge to find. I think (not positive) that the 7 Iron deck is the same one used on most of the 3 and 4 series from that era. Those pop up for sale with some frequency.
I noticed you had a post a while back regarding the parking brake. Do you happen to have the part number for the updated kit? The cable has failed on mine. What a weak design.

 

[LJWoodguy]

Thanks for the pics and details!

 

[oldtimer 66]

Attached is the front page of the instructions. The instruction has maybe a pt# of LVU24187, bottom right hand corner of the sheet. It does not show up as the kit part # on the JD web site. I looked at the parts catalog and it looks like the kit is now a LVA17750, aka Pt 18 on the parking brake detail. Here is the JD link, https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/sidebyside/equipment/4047/referrer/navigation/pgId/1278349. See if you can get the instructions for the upgrade from the JD dealer. It details the assembly. If not I will see if I can find my copy. Also the JD dealer can confirm that the LVA17750 is the correct kit # for the parking brake upgrade. If i remember correctly the kit was only about $40.

Another thing I have an extra maintenance CD. How I have two of them I don't know. Send me a private message with your address and I can mail it to you. Later.

 

[LJWoodguy]

Hey 66,
I sent you a pm the other day, just wanted to follow up and see if you received it. Also, I had a couple more questions- have you installed a 3rd function? I have 1 set of rear remotes and am wondering if it can be done. Also, do you know what this shaft is for? It spins freely. Thanks

 

[oldtimer 66]

I answered your PM. No I haven't added an additional 3rd function. There are several after market web sites i have looked at that show how to do it and have the materials also. The 3rd function if i understand it correctly is electronically activated with a diverter valve and switch. It piggy backs off the existing function. Here is one of the web sites.

. In the maintenance cd that I am sending you shows the factory 3 functions at the rear of the tractor and maybe they are still available. That shaft with the keyways is a "i don't know". I always thought is was something for tractor assembly. Here is the part # LVU801256. Later

 

[wolc123]

If you’re worried about the timing cover leak issue, just budget in an extra $ 16 for a bottle of K-seal. I poured one into my 2005 4120 this spring, after it started to leak, and it fixed it up good as new and likely better than a $ 4000 job at a dealer.

To spend all kinds of money and time to tear the machine all apart to install a gasket kit is ludicrous, when a $ 16 bottle of sealant is all it takes to do the job.

 

[dieselscout80]

On the 4x20 series can you operate the mid & rear PTOs at the same time?

 

[LJWoodguy]

123- I've used K-seal before and it has worked well. I'm glad to hear it worked in this application too.

80- I'm not sure about the mid and rear at the same time. I just ordered the mid kit for mine, I'll let you know when I get it installed.