Go BottomJD 4310 - Kwshumm Q for you
 | Iowafun
Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 955 Central Iowa 
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2004-07-07 90276
Kwshumm, looks like we have similar properties. I'm gonna ditch my Oliver 550 and upgrade to a utility tractor. I'm leaning heavily to the 4310. Have you had any issues at all with yours? I'm 20 acres, usage is mostly going to be mowing (either belly or 3-point), snow removal (3-6 ft drifts) and some dirt/gravel hauling and tilling. Any options I should seriously consider? Looking at hydro, 4x4, mid PTO, 430 loader, R4 tires, etc. Note, the wife may use it. Thoughts on using it to run small Ag implements?
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 | kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon 
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2004-07-07 90290
Hello Iowafun, welcome to the forum!
The only minor problem I've had was when the tilt wheel assembly froze up. The dealer fixed it at the 50 hour service and it's been fine since. No other problems. Originally I had R4 tires, but they performed very poorly in our clay soil. I replaced them with R1s which work much better for my needs, since I don't need to worry about turf damage.
I don't finish mow and we don't have much snow to deal with so I can't really advise you on those issues. We did have 2 feet of snow once and I cleared the driveway easily with the bucket. The 430 loader has been great, strong and easy to remove and install. The loader quick attach makes it easy to swap between a bucket and grapple. I run a medium duty rotary cutter and 3ph chipper (chips up to 6" stuff) and the tractor has plenty of power for both. The 47 backhoe has also made digging out douglas fir stumps a piece of cake.
As far as options, the rear work light might be worthwhile. You also might consider the skid plates that come with the Rental Upgrade Kit. These plates will further protect all the wiring harnesses and hydro filters under the tractor - I drive over stumps and saplings all the time and haven't had a problem, but I'm installing the skid plates anyway for that extra measure of protection.
My wife won't go near it but it's really very easy to operate. The LoadMatch feature is great, prevents stalling when driving into piles of dirt or gravel or driving uphill in the wrong range. The operators station is quite comfortable and routine maintenance is easy to do. I have no complaints and would buy it again in a heartbeat. ....
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 | sshuma
Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 38 
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2004-07-09 90431
Iowafun -- I have 15 acres in Northern Vermont and bought a 4310 in Feb. The front-mount 59" blower is very impressive -- pricey, but worth it if you get a lot of snow.
I have R4's, and so far have had no problems with traction (need to get through an entire winter to be sure, though). They don't tear up the lawn -- the only rutting I've had is from the sheer weight of the tractor on wet grass.
I have an MX5 brush hog, which I've used to mow my 5 acres of fields twice now. It does a very nice job. I have an old 216 that I mow the lawn with.
The 430 loader is very strong -- I've been using it to carry and stack logs for next year's firewood. I think my next purchase will be a set of forks for the loader.
My wife has driven the tractor, and agrees it is a cinch to operate (I have eHydro). She hasn't worked it yet, but I'm sure I'll at least have her snowblowing this winter.
Overall, it is a great machine. I would recommend it to anyone!
As for options, I recommend getting the third SCV (which you'll need to run a belly mower with the loader on anyway) and the power beyond kit -- they are much cheaper to get with the new tractor than to add on later. I also have front and rear work lights and the rental upgrade kit -- all worthwhile investments. Also, loading the rear tires is a good idea for snowblowing and loader work.
Good luck and enjoy! ....
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| Iowafun
Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 955 Central Iowa
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2004-07-11 90573
Thanks for the info guys. Dealers are working on quotes now. One tried to see if I would upgrade to a new 4320 if he couldn't find a 4310. I'd love one for the power, but the price is out of my league. I also am not sure I could get it out of my shop without lowering the ROPS everytime. Previous owner set up the shop with the tall door as the heated side which I changed to a wood working shop. So tractor is stuck with the short door. Sucks. I'm also not set on the larger chassis. May be a bit much for me. ....
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| kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2004-07-11 90577
The 4310 and 4320 are apples and oranges. I can't figure out why they'd suggest that. I could see a 4410 though. ....
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 | DRankin
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 5116 Northern Nevada
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2004-07-11 90586
Sshuma, you will be MUCH HAPPIER with a set of forks that replace your bucket than with a set of forks that go on the bucket.
Been there. Done that. They are not that much more expensive. ....
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| Iowafun
Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 955 Central Iowa
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2004-07-12 90624
I can only assume he was thinking he might not find a 4310 and was trying to get me to upgrade to a more expensive machine. Yet there are 4300 hold-overs down in Missouri that have zero hours on them still. I'd definitely upgrade to a 4410 if the price was right. ....
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