Used 4200 vs new 4500

[cstamm81]

Hello, looking for some advice here. I'm in the market for a Ventrac to replace my fleet of antiquated riding mowers and a zero turn. I have an old Steiner s20 and I love the ability to mow where you can hardly walk. I have some boggy areas and it just floats right over them.
Anyway, my dealer has a left over 4500 with a 31hp fuel injected Kawasaki gas engine with 3 point for 20,500 tractor only. 60" finish mower is another 3 grand. 3 year warranty from the factory as it's new.
I found a 2007 4200 with a 27hp Kawasaki gas, looks extremely clean, 850 hours, 72" finish mower and a snow plow for 14,000.
Besides the hp and the warranty, what am I giving up with the 4200 vs the 4500? I have a Mahindra 30hp loader for bigger jobs. The ventrac would be for mowing 2 hilly, wet acres, pushing snow, and potentially helping to load firewood by driving up a trailers ramp. It's a chore hauling the Mahindra to load wood, I'm foreseeing the ventrac with the slip scoop on the front being handy for moving large firewood rounds into a trailer.
Sorry for he long lost, just looking for some advice here. These machines are ungodly expensive but I'm hooked on their abilities. Hoping the right Ventrac will last me 20 years.

 

[brucet47]

Based on my experience with both used and new Ventrac's I believe you will be pleased either way. While I do not own a 4500 if one of your main chores will be to load firewood then the bucket with grapple is only available on the 4500. That being said adding a grapple to the 4200 is not a difficult process and details can be found here http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/ventrac/334833-thumb-grapple-slip-scoop.html. Good luck on your decision!

Bruce

 

[johara1]

If you plan to use the slip scoop on either, better look for a Steiner. It uses a separate pump and the slip scoop is useful. On the Ventrac it is very weak and without the spring it won't lift much, add the weight of the grappler it will lift less....... Jim

 

[cstamm81]

Sorry, I missed these replies. Good info on the grapple, thanks. When you say the front bucket is weak on the Ventrac due to only one hydraulic pump, can you elaborate? I could see it being slower if you are using other hydraulic functions at the same time, but shouldn't the strength the bucket be dictated by the hydraulic system pressure? It looks to be only rated at 500lbs lift, nothing too impressive anyway but still a lot stronger than my back.
Any info on the 27hp Kawasaki liquid cooled? Good engine or no? I can't find much info on it. I like that the exhaust on this one is on the right side when sitting on the tractor and pointed up. I like to ride around with my young son on my lap, and the exhaust on the right side would keep hi, away from the exhaust a bit better.
I'm assuming the 4200vxd can take the optional for control?

 

[JackIL]

By engaging weight transfer to the max setting, the lift capacity for the scoop is increased by about 50%.

The 4200 vxd cannot be equipped with the Ventrac kit to provide extra front hydraulics required to operate the grapple. Alternative solutions can be made such as Bruce did.

 

[cstamm81]

Thanks JackIL. Any idea if the 4200vxd comes with weight transfer standard? Also, any idea if they can take the optional add on foot control pedal?

 

[JackIL]

Yes to both questions.

 

[cstamm81]

Any info on the 27hp Kawasaki liquid cooled? Good engine or no? I can't find much info on it.

 

[johara1]

I have a 4500P and it has a Kawasaki 31hp engine and it doesn't want for power, but I have a 60" deck. I would be a little bit concerned with 4 less hp. and a 72" deck . I don't know what the torque is on the 27HP. and the weight of the deck in wet areas, also if you have hills to climb. The other thing mine fuel injected ....Jim

 

[cstamm81]

I'm going to keep this thread going if no one minds. I just found a 4231 with the Briggs gas motor. 1400 hrs, guy buys and sells used Steiners. He bought this one from a guy who moved to SC, that guy was the original owner, homeowner use only. It has foot control, 72" finish mower, snow plow, all new Hydr hoses filter and fluid. No 3 point hitch, which I assume can be added?
He's asking 12,000. Any opinions on this unit vs the 4227 Kawasaki gas? As I understand it the 31hp gas Briggs used to be the most sought after model. I appreciate any and all input.