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I have a JD 4300 with about 200 hrs hat has largely been a lot of trouble. One of the problems is the loader hydraulics - they keep breaking. The first time was the weld on the rear hydraulic cylender shaft - it just broke off. Another time the front [bucket] cylinder started spewing fluid. Yesterday I was moving some dirt and the bucket started sagging. And then it just dropped. The shaft that lifts the bucket broke in half in the middle [inside the hydraulic cylender] and the weld broke on the other side. I did not think that I was abusing it or being hard on it. Has anyone else had problems with the 420 hydraulics or is it just me.

FEL Hydraulic Problem
Loaders Back Hoes
Replies 3 Post by Doug Huebner

The story continues: They are replacing the hydro at no cost to me. Slight delay in getting parts and getting them installed. So the dealer delivered not one, TWO loaners for my use until mine is ready. A nearly new 4400 [80 hours] and a 955 with loader and BH. I wonder if they would give me a good trade up deal on the 4400?

JD 4400 HST problem
Parts and Repair
Replies 14 Post by Doug Huebner

I called for a quote on a 4300 trade. Result was about $3600 less an $800 rebate came to $2800. I thought that I should have been less considering that I only have 200 hours. The dealer said they figure $13/hour so it seems the rebate did not count fo rmuch.

Letter from JD
John Deere Tractors
Replies 5 Post by Doug Huebner

I am not sure if you are looking just to see behind such as when driving on the road or are trying to see the implement and what it is doing. My ad hoc solution to the first was an old [and large] rear view mirror that was laying around. I mounted on a big spring clip like those used in a wood working shop. I clip it to the FEL upright. It is easy to adjust and is enough off to the side to see what is behind me. Since it is on a spring clip, if it gets hit, it will move or just pop off. I know as I have had it knocked off while clearing brambles with the rotary cuttter. Fortunately I did not subsequently run over it. I have also seen rearview mirrors mounted on the underside of a canopy.

A pain in the neck
New Holland Tractors
Replies 8 Post by Doug Huebner

The other Doug in Wis:
I have a 4300 and am experiencing the same problem. It does not matter what range [a,b,c] that it is in. We live in the hilly SW section of the state and have lots of ups and downs on the property. It can get a bit exciting when you try to go down hill at a constant speed and the tractor starts to feel like it is free rolling. You pull your foot off of the hydro and the brakes lock, potentially sending you skiding. Or you just get a jurky motion like the brakes are engaging and releasing. I just ran out of warrenty, but will try to get the dealer to do something about it.

Tractor lurching in downhill situations
Tractor Projects
Replies 6 Post by Doug Huebner

I think there have been several threads on this subject. I do not know about the Kubota and NH, but the JD is easy enough. I have a 4300 and like it despite some problems. Taking off the FEL is a two minute job - release a lever from the drivers seat, "lower" the FEL which lifts it off of the tractor, turn off the tractor and disconnect the hoses - all done. Putting it on is just as quick and easy.
I have the 72" MMM. Roll it under the tractor, connect the PTO, connect about 6 attaching points, raise it up, turn the mower wheels forward and attach the removable wheel - maybe ten minutes at most mainly because I check the manual each time.

Installation Removal Ease
Loaders Back Hoes
Replies 9 Post by Doug Huebner

If you cannot handle one that is wider that the tractor, get one that can be offset to cover one of the wheels. It is a liitle more hassle as you need to always go the same direction if you want all the tracks covered. Also a slip clutch rather than shear pin is recommended. Like Frank, I have found a few surprises that have brought the tiller to a quick halt.

Need a tiller for my Kubota B7100HST
Kubota Tractors
Replies 4 Post by Doug Huebner

I have a 4300 with 180 hours and have been experincing this of late. No idea of the cause and have not investigated it with the dealer as yet.

4200 Hydro Jerking
John Deere Tractors
Replies 4 Post by Doug Huebner

I have a 425 with the 54" deck and thick, wet grass does like to jam it up [as well as causing the deck to make some interesting noises]. Although I have not tried it with the 425, I have removed the deflector on my other riding mower which helped considerably, but not completely. Note that this can be a bit dangerous if there are people, animals or windows nearby.

What 039s wrong with this thang
John Deere Tractors
Replies 5 Post by Doug Huebner

It seems like ages since I made the first post in this thread. Must have hit a popular / troublesome subject. Since putting locktite on the bolts and marking them with a magic marker to tell if they moved, they have not moved at all. Ohter things have fallen apart but the bolts are still holding.

4300 wheel bolt problems
John Deere Tractors
Replies 72 Post by Doug Huebner

I got the JD tiller when I got my tractor. Most other 3pt implements have been KK. If I was going to do it over again, I would go with KK for half the price of JD. It looks as well or better built compared to the JD. All told I probably till a couple acres a season so almost any tiller can handle that.

tillers
Operating and Attachments
Replies 16 Post by Doug Huebner

Nobody posted: "I got a tractor for my wife!" "Boy I wish Icould get a deal like that." Or the "Either the tractor goes or I go." "Boy, I am sure going to miss her." lines.

I accomplished it by making detours into tractor dealers when we would go someplace. She humored me on that. Then I stopped at the dealer I was going to get it at. He had a 4300 HST and told me to take it for a drive. I drove around the yard while my wife sat in the car. I pulled up next to the car and told her to try it once. She did and I did not think she was ever going to get off of it. Now that we have it with all the attachments ["maybe you should get a tiller so you can do my garden for me."] She will go out and plow the drive in winter and is learning the loader, back hoe and tiller. The more she trys the more she likes it - which is a heck of a surprise to me. "I think you should get a bush hog" to go with my 72" finish mower.

Wife vs Tractor
New Holland Tractors
Replies 31 Post by Doug Huebner

I ran into four new problems /issues with my 4300 recently and wondered if anyone else had seen some of them. I am approaching two years and about 200 hours. This winter I noticed that after using the tractor there was a puddle of antifreeze on the shed floor. The dealer looked it over and said it was normal to loose some. I have a hard tiome with this as it did not happen up until now and it was not going into the overflow tank. [But they did replace the radiator]Second, I have had trouble with the backhoe leaking from the control unit. They replaced all of the seals / o-rings which the mechanic said appeared ot have been damaged during or before installation. The BH still leaks some and the dealer tells me this is normal and that there are weep holes just for this purpose.I received a "recall notice" for the backhoe mount and the dealer had not been notified so he did not install it. I sent him a copy.My battery also died. They replaced it with an upgraded battery and only charged me for the upgrade{?}. He told me I should clean the battery and the radiator periodically as leakage from the battery can eat through the radiator. The dealer has been great and done all repairs with no questions asked and no charge [except for the battery] including pick-up and delivery, so I am pleased from that standpoint, but wonder about these recent problems on top of the others I, and many others, have had. Has anyone else had problems losing radiator fluid or with a "normal" backhoe leak?

New Problems - JD BH Radiator
John Deere Tractors
Replies 9 Post by Doug Huebner

I bought my 4300 before there were problems - at least reported problems. So I am approaching the end of my warrenty. I sure hope that JD will stand behind any new problems I find with it. I have had a fair share, mostly non-critical and all handled quite nicely by the dealer with no questions asked and no charge. It sure would be nice to know what the 300 design changes are. I know from looking at the latest machines that some are visible - like the axle and the changes to the MFWD control, etc. Despite it all I am quite happy with the tractor and would do it all again even knowing what I know now.

problems w JD 4300 HST Tractors
John Deere Tractors
Replies 8 Post by Doug Huebner

I recently ordered manuals form there for a 1945 JD LA, so I would think that a 755 would be no problem. Very nice, very helpful.

Maintenance repair manuals for JD755
Parts and Repair
Replies 6 Post by Doug Huebner

To echo the others. That is an awfully big more. I have a 72" on a 4300 and am not particularly fussy about the areas that I cut. Unless you live in Iowa or Illinois [flatlander country] you are going to dig and chop and even hang up. On the plus side, it does work towards leveling your yard. I chose the 72" so I could cut trails in one pass. It leaves long grass in dips and shave the bumps.

As far as wet and tall grass - I can cut wet fairly well although I usually avoid it. Tall grass may take a couple of passes with a wait in between to let the gras get upright again. A bushhog works better for the tall and rough stuff.

Boomer 914A 84 inch belly mower questions
New Holland Tractors
Replies 8 Post by Doug Huebner

How odd. I have a 4300 with the 420 loader and 72" mid-mount and do not have any conflicts. Usually I take th eloader off when I put the mower on, but have had both on at once. I admit it is a pain to get at the front mount lever / knob, but otherwise it works.

Mid mower on 4200 with 420 Loader
John Deere Tractors
Replies 8 Post by Doug Huebner

Last season one of the farm stores [Mills in Wisconsin] had a 3pt snowblower for around $1200-$1300 [new]. I have not seen them yet this year.Not sure of the brand.

3pt Snow Blowers
Snowblowers / Snow Plows
Replies 10 Post by Doug Huebner

While a front blade is probably the best choice, it is also a more expensive choice. I went with a back blade for about $170 for snow [I drive forward], but it is too lite for doing the drive IMHO. The heavy duty blades that weigh a lot more cost a lot more [$650 for a King Kutter]. From previous threads it seems to be a draw between a rear blade and a box scraper for driveway work.

blade vs FEL for snow removal
Snowblowers / Snow Plows
Replies 15 Post by Doug Huebner

How easy are they to put on and remove. When I cut trail, there are a lot of low trees that will make short work of the canopy. I think that I may have to go with an umbrella type.

Buck top canopy
Operating and Attachments
Replies 7 Post by Doug Huebner