Go BottomNew JD 4400 delivered today
 | Terry Weivoda
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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2001-05-11 28025
My new 4400 JD is being delivered today. I traded my 4600 for the 4400 with 430 loader and 72" midmount mower. I ordered the tractor to make sure I got all of the updates and that it hadn't been sitting on the dealers lot for a year. I ordered the tractor with turf tires, folding ROPS, block heater, 55 amp alternator, 3rd hydraulic valve and telescoping draft links. I really liked the 4600 and the smooth running four cylinder engine. I decided to go back to the smaller tractor (I had a 4300 prior to the 4600). For my property which includes nearly 2000 trees the smaller tractor is a bit handier. Some of my fellow compact tractor message board members may have noticed that I have been critical of John Deere and you may be wondering why I bought another. Let me explain. I was critical of the turf tearing MFWD axle until the problem was resolved. I was disappointed that Deere took so long to ackowlege a problem with the axle but the new axle works great. I also have been critical of Deere with respect to some of the creature comfort issues especially when compare to the Boomer line from NewHolland. Now that Deere has the telescoping draft links for the three point a major point has been resolved. I still don't like the cheesy third hydraulic control valve lever that is mounted in the fender. The tractor could use a swivel seat and telescoping steering wheel. The MFWD control lever should be moved as well. I was extremely close to a deal on a TC33D NewHolland. That is an excellent tractor. But what swayed me to the Deere was the implement attaching system and the hydro control. I frequently remove my mower for cleaning and blade sharpening and I thought Deere's design was a little better. I also thought the time to attach and detach the loader was less on the Deere. But perhaps the biggest issue for me was the foot operated hydro control and the inability to use the turning brakes. I just like the individual pedals on the right and the turning brakes on the left. I like the rear discharge mower option on the NewHolland. In the end it was a close call and I'm sure I would have been happy with the TC33D. Supposedly Deere is going to address the creature comfort issues when the rumored 4000 ten series is released. Deere better address those issues because I wouldn't rule out a future Boomer if the hydro control is changed.
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| Mike S.
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2001-05-11 28061
Terry--congrats on the new tractor--you and I (and others) did experience some engineering problems on our earlier tractors that JD had failed in their design or implementation--but which JD eventually upgraded in a satisfactory manner. I recently took delivery of my second 4400 and like you, admired the Boomers, but chose another 4400 Deere for the same exact reasons that you listed. My preference in Boomers was a TC40D, but in reality, it was just too big for my needs which was too bad because it was an excellent value with an excellent design. Like you, I also required that my new Deere come off the assembly line so that all upgrades would have already been made. Thus far, my new Deere (60 inch commercial belly mower, FROPS, 430 Loader, HD bucket, extendable draft links, armored flashers, R-4's, etc.)has met my expectations with a couple of exceptions. The HD bucket appears to be lighter with less steel beneath the top of the bucket, but this time I had grab hooks welded to the mounting brackets. The other issues involve the fenders and the mounting for the floor plate and step plate. On my previous 4400 when I stepped on the step plate, the plate was rock solid, but on the new tractor, when stepping on the step plate, it briefly dropped an inch or more and the fender on that side also briefly dropped. This is because JD went from a tubular support structure to a large 5/16 thick flat steel support structure. The new flat support structure is not small or insignificant--it just doesn't support the step plate and floor as well. Also, on my previous 4400 when I grabbed the hand rail to pull myself up onto the tractor, the fender barely moved, but on the new one when I do this, the fender drops an inch or more. It appears to me that the material used to make the fenders is far more flexible and whether this is bad or good remains to be seen. Also like you, I had some issues with JD on my first tractor, but liked its size and capabilities enough that I was willing to purchase another one (knowing that about 300 changes/improvements had been made) and so far, it has not been a mistake. I guess the only issue with which we differ is our opinions of the 4WD selector lever location--which I don't mind, although it could be in a handier location ala Boomer. Hopefully, you new 4400 and my new 4400 will be as dependable as my Kubotas, one of which went ten years with a total repair bill under ten dollars and never needed an upgrade or visit a dealer's service department. Mike S. ....
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| garyst.
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2001-07-18 30209
The 72 in mower deck has 2 stops on it that serve no reason but to punch a hole into the return hyd. line .Left side (CUT them off!!) ....
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