Tractorpoint Login

print < Tractorpoint Login

Search for =

Topic

When it came time to either purchase another 4400HST w/60 inch belly mower and FEL OR a TC40/45D with FEL and rear finish mower, the decision was not easy and necessitated many visits to several NH dealers. Had the TC40 or 45D been the same size as my 4400, the decision would have been easy for me--TC4xD even if there was no hydraulic lift on the belly mower. BUT (and it was a BIG BUT for me), the TC4xD was simply too large for my needs and the 7 ft. belly mower was way too big for my needs and it did not have a hydraulic lift cylinder. OTOH, I thought the blue tractor to be superior in the following: much better view of the FEL bucket, better ergonomics of operating controls, awesome two speed switch on the FEL joystick, seat tilts for easier view of rear implement, 4 cylinder engine, and a nicer looking FEL (not a biggie in terms of importance, however). The TC40D with FEL and rear finish mower was almost the same price as a 4400HST with belly mower and 430 FEL. The TC4xD's FEL did not have a quick change bucket, althouth It was suggested that eventually it would be equipped as such and would utilize the NH Skidloader's attachments. Another considerion for me was the proximity of two excellent JD dealers and the NH dealer was many miles farther away. IMHO (and I have owned two Kubotas and three JD's) the TC4xD is a better value if a little larger tractor is needed. Good luck to you Mike S.

TC40D vs JD 4400 Comparison
New Holland Tractors
Replies 19 Post by Mike S.

turfman--sounds like a fantastic solution to chewing up leaves, which is exactly what I had in mind--thanks. Mike S

mulching kit for 4400 belly mower
John Deere Tractors
Replies 3 Post by Mike S.

My first 4400 began lurching and periodically freewheeling at 50 or 60 hours--I never knew when it would zoom down the pond dam or head for the corner of the deck instead of slowing and stopping as it should have. This was an early model 4400 that had metallic contamination which caused issues with several components, including the hydro transmission which was replaced under warranty and that cured the lurching and freewheeling. I would be curious how many metal filings you found on the suction screen when you replaced the transmission fluid--I found almost a half cup of metal filings. My present 4400HST just turned 60 hours and today I drained the transmission fluid and cleaned the suction screen and did not find more than four tiny metal filings--a BIG improvement over the first 4400HST that was subject to JD's lack of quality control. Mike S.

Tractor lurching in downhill situations
Tractor Projects
Replies 6 Post by Mike S.

Since I live in a suburban area (was rural a few years ago), there are fewer choices of brands of diesel fuel. One of my concerns is that most of the major brand filling stations may not sell enough diesel to keep it from gathering moisture or not sell enough that in the middle of the summer I would still be purchasing winterized diesel. The person behind the desk never knows when they last received a load of diesel either. The ONLY truckstop within a short drive is a Flying J, which appears to be very popular with 18 wheelers. There are no COOPs within easy driving distance. My question then, is: how good is diesel fuel that may be months old and can its use be a potential problem to my compact diesel tractor?? Mike S.

Does brand of diesel fuel make a difference
Parts and Repair
Replies 4 Post by Mike S.

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.

New JD 4400 delivered today
John Deere Tractors
Replies 3 Post by Mike S.

The hum to which you refer may be some sort of valve in the power steering. When the front end on my first 4400 was replaced, I noticed the high pitched hum (or whine) and checked with two dealers and found that it was in the power steering--perhaps a valve near the steering wheel (sorry--I forgot the technical lingo). My new 4400 that just arrived also does this as does the other tractors in the series that I tried out on the dealer's lot. I think we are talking about the same whine--it varies with the RPMs and dissappears when the tractor has warmed up. If in doubt, go to your dealer and start several of the 4300's sor 4400's and try different RPMs and see if they don't do the same thing. Good luck on your new "tool." Mike S.

First weekend on my new 4300
John Deere Tractors
Replies 10 Post by Mike S.

Warren--telescoping draft links have ends that can be extended about 5 inches by lifting a release on each one. This allows a person to more easily line up the draft links to a 3-pt mounted implement--especially if it is heavy and you didn't quite get the tractor back far enough to make the connection. Once the implement is raised, then it is a simple matter to push on the implement to lock the extendable link in position. I have them on my new 4400 and think they are well worth the cost. If interested and you live near a Boomer dealer, take a look at any of the TCxxD Boomers--those with the "D" in their model number come standard with extendable draft links. Mike_S.

Telescopic Links
John Deere Tractors
Replies 4 Post by Mike S.

Here's another rumor (from a source in which I have confidence)-- that the present 4xxx line will be discontinued in two years and the new replacements will keep the same model numbering system except for the addition of a "10" for the last two numbers. For example a 4400 would become a 4410, etc. I guess that I don't understand why a tractor line should be eliminated after over 200 improvements have been made, bugs removed and the tractors that are manufactured now appear to be dependable, of good quality with good capabilities. Mike S.

New Compact Line
John Deere Tractors
Replies 9 Post by Mike S.

If there is any chance that you will need the hydraulics at the back (such as a hydraulic top link to your 3pt), then you should consider having them added--it is not real expensive as I recall. The lever will be mounted in the top of the right fender where the black blank is currently located. Unless JD has changed the design, you will learn to grab the lever itself and not the black knob since the knob tends to come off when grabbed. Mike S.

Third Selective Control Valve
Operating and Attachments
Replies 9 Post by Mike S.

Dave--although I am not a Boomer owner, I spent many, many hours considering the purchase of a TC40D. During those many hours and in sitting down with salesmen from two different dealerships to determine the price of the tractor, I discovered that (at least for the series III Boomers) there is an excellent semi-wraparound grillguard available that folds down forward to allow the hood to tilt up--and was so impressed that I had the dealer include it in the price. Also, there is a factory original rear worklight that attaches to the ROPS next to the right flasher or it attached to the right flasher bracket (I forget) and plugs into the wiring harness that is already present. This rear worklight has a builtin switch. (In case you are wondering why I didn't purchase the series III Boomer--the price was right and I really liked the tractor, BUT it was too big for my needs).

Boomer Accessories from NH
New Holland Tractors
Replies 8 Post by Mike S.

Murf--you probably hit the nail on the head and that would also extend, in JD's case, to metallic contamination that trashed hydro transmissions and also their infamous turf-tearing front ends.

Instrument Panel Fogging
New Holland Tractors
Replies 19 Post by Mike S.

JeffM--OOPS--in my previous post, I should have been clearer on two of the linkage upgrades. Both the upgraded axle range shifter AND the FEL joystick were anodized gold in color instead of the original color. I looked at several newer 4400's today on a sales lot and their axle range shifters and FEL joysticks were black in color, so I am unsure if the color is significant in determining if the newest linkage is present. Can anyone give the code that is present in the JD tractor's serial number that indicats the year of manufacture?

John Deere Reps Out of the loop
Tractor Projects
Replies 17 Post by Mike S.

IMHO, it is a shame that NH waited until the series III Boomers came out before they placed the turning brakes on the correct side. I spent many, many hours looking at series III Boomers since I really liked their design, capabilities, FEL, lack of a clutch and the presence of turning brakes on the correct side as well as separate forward and reverse hydro pedals. I even obtain excellent prices on a TC40D and after almost ordering a TC40D, the reality finally hit that it was simply too big for my needs as was its belly mower. Had the TC33D had the same design FEL, no clutch and the turning brakes on the correct side along with separate hydro pedals, I would already have a TC33D. I am not putting down the Series II Boomers, but simply stating that for my needs, there were some omissions that were important for my needs, otherwise these are awesome tractors. While I may have some issues with my JD4400HST, the brakes on the left side are really useful for snow removal and FEL work.

TC29D Breaking
New Holland Tractors
Replies 13 Post by Mike S.

You can check the www.jdlawns.com Web site for prices on several mowers, including the Woods rear discharge. Mike S.

Price on Woods mower
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 3 Post by Mike S.

Gary--I well understand your enthusiasm about your new TC35 and having a special form for the series 3 Boomers (I am considering trading for a TC40D). However, the Webmaster does an outstanding job on this compact tractor bulletinboard and there are also no special message forums for JD4600's or JD4700's either, nor are there any for the larger Kubotas. IF I owned a series 3 Boomer, I would rather read postings in the same message forum where they are posted now. Mike S.

Why no TC35 40 45 message forum
New Holland Tractors
Replies 19 Post by Mike S.

1) What switch goes in the blank area beside the two rocker switches for lights and flashers? (2) Is there a NH factory rear worklight kit available and is the wiring harness already in place? (3) Does the 16LA loader bucket have a float position? Thanks

Questions about TC35 40D
New Holland Tractors
Replies 2 Post by Mike S.

Since I am considering the purchase of a TC40D, I would appreciate hearing from any owners of TC35 through TC45's that have had warranty repairs and also how supportive NH has been with those warranty issues. I am also curious if it is possible to personally visit with the NH area rep whereas with JD, it is not possible to visit with the JD area rep. according to my dealer

Problems with TC40D
New Holland Tractors
Replies 1 Post by Mike S.

Frank--you really don't have to heat the handle--I removed the black plastic or rubber grip and placed the handle in a large vise with padding on the vise jaws and used a cheater about 5 feet long and just increased the angle of the bend so the handle would clear the grill guard mount, and replaced the black plastic grip. This way it was not necessary to repaint it. The entire fix took just a few minutes.

Mid mower on 4200 with 420 Loader
John Deere Tractors
Replies 8 Post by Mike S.

Could use some opinions as to the best 72 inch rear mount rear discharge finish mowers--the prices of various brands appears to be similar, but what of the quality of construction and quality of mowing grass after mashing it down with four tractor tires??

rear mount rear discharge finish mowers
Operating and Attachments
Replies 15 Post by Mike S.

According to my dealer, the prices that accompany the part numbers for the telescoping draft links will not be available until at least the middle of February. Mike S.

4000 Series Telescoping Drafts Links
Tractor Projects
Replies 3 Post by Mike S.