Tractorpoint Login

print < Tractorpoint Login

Search for =

Topic

Safety first - keep the bucket down! Regularly use a 5' KingKutter rototiller behind both JD1070 and JD 4100. For convenience sakes, I usually leave the bucket on adn down when tilling. I've been know to lift it high to clear something, but if you catch a tree of other obstruction with that bucket up, you'll be in for a surprise how easily your tractor can and will tip over.

At least for the JD loaders I have, removing just the bucket, not teh loader itself is a 1-minute job and makes the tractor more manuverable.

Just my thoughts.

Bucket up or down when using tiller
Operating and Attachments
Replies 5 Post by rdunstan

Another thought. I have 10 acres of filberts that I prune every year. Believe me when I say I have a lot of brush to move. I built a rake with 5-foot horizontal times at a a 1-foot spacing that attaches to the my JD 1070 bucket. This allows me to drive through the orchard picking up the prunings on the rake. I can then lift and dump the load on to the burn pile.

However, I've found an easier way if the surface is realatively flat. I simply set the bucket blade at right angles to the ground keeping it just above the ground as I drive through the orchard. The branches get scooped up and push very nicely. In fact, things work better when a bit of a load builds up. When I showed this technique to a neighbor with 40 acres of filberts he was amazed. It is by far faster than any other technique he had tried.

Again the trick is that the orchard floor is flat and I am pretty good at keeping the bucket edge just above the ground.

Just another thought.

implement for picking up brush
Operating and Attachments
Replies 17 Post by rdunstan

Suggest you look for an old Cat (D-2 or D-4) for raod building. I have a JD4100 and a JD1070 which is considerably bigger than the 4200. Neither is suited for building roads with the bucket or box scraper. One caveat is that I haven't tried a blade on the back of the tractor. Small Cats that run (and aren't very pretty) with a dozer can be found for 2-3K. They will push small stumps out of the way and smooth off enough dirt to move easily through the area. And as an added bonus they pull logs much better than a tractor.

JD 4200 Vs Kubota 2710
John Deere Tractors
Replies 7 Post by rdunstan

Well, I have some real life experience here. I have had a JD1070 with a two stage clutch for the past five years. Last year we decided to get a smaller tractor for my other half specifically to mow the yard and for her to have a front loader (our version of a wheel barrow). Anyway, we bought a gear version of the 4100 after being reassured that is had a two stage clutch. WRONGO!!! The clutch is single stage and is IMHO useless for mowing and rototilling. With this particular tractor we had to go several feet before the mower came up to speed and could be let down to mowing height. The roto tiller was not much better. We took the tractor back to the dealer and and paid the extra $$ for HST. It works much better for our use.

I am still prefer a gear tractor, but the JD 4x00 series doesn't have a two stage clutch available until either the 4400 or 4500 models.

JD 4100 Gear
John Deere Tractors
Replies 27 Post by rdunstan

Earlier this year (March) there was one at the local JD dealer with ~600 hours and a new FEL for ~$7000. I don't believe you can get a belly mower for i however because it does not have a mid-mount PTO.

John Deere 670 Diesel
Parts and Repair
Replies 3 Post by rdunstan

We recently bought a JD4100 with R-4 tires specifically for mowing and other yard duties. In the early spring, it left some dents in the turf that a turf tire will not. On the other hand, the tractor I borrowed with turf tires slipped all over on the place. As for Ag tires, teh ones on my JD1070 they literally ripped the turf apart - but traction was no problem. :-) My other half is very happy with the R-4s, but I'd really rather have Ag tires for the rest of the work I do with "her" tractor in the orchard and tree farm.

Bar tires versus Turf tires
Parts and Repair
Replies 23 Post by rdunstan

I have a 4100, 410 loader w/48" bucket and a 54" belly mower with calcium filled R-4s in the rear. I do not have a ballast box and find the tractor quite stable to operate. I often dig and move full bucket of dirt around on our farm. BUT, I keep the bucket 6" off the ground when hauling it wournd and only raise the bucket to put the dirt on the top of the pile.

I also have a 1070 with a 72" bucket and have raised its rear end off teh ground. You only do that once! In general. if you don't try to take things too fast, the 4100 is quite stable.

That said, I have some hillsides that only can be mowed going up ro down, as tthey are simply too steep. I jacked the tractor up in the garage and blockedone side up to see how stable it was. I was a bit surprised - it feels like it will go over long before you can feel it by trying to rock teh blocked tractor.

When mowing, I often talk the bucket off the loader (takes abotu 15 seconds) and mow that way. The tracto seems a bit more stable and it is much easier to navigate in tight areas.

4100 and roll overs
Tractor Projects
Replies 16 Post by rdunstan

I have a JD 1070 and I always leave it setup so it allows the "lateral" motion. For the most part, tools work better if they are a bit loose. I've found this to be the case particuilarly when using a field mower and box scraper. The only reason I can see to fix the motion would be for finish work wher you are trying to level off a cut.

JD 790 Box Scraper
Operating and Attachments
Replies 6 Post by rdunstan

Just a warning to all JD owners of 4x00 series tractors. JD has changed from spring clips to those rings. The rings have a propensity to catch on things like brush and stretch out. In one case, I watched one get tangled on a hazelnet tree sucker, unwrap and pull out. Was pretty amazing. When I spoke with my JD dealer he said they were aware of the problem and offered me some big cotter pins which I have now installed.

In another case, one of these rings came off from the left rear drag on our belly mover and the pin vanished. When my better half backed the tractor up, the drag bent all up, but did not damage the undercarriage of the tractor. The dealer replaced the drag aand pin. Actually came out to my place and did it on the spot - no hassel.

JD belly mower problems
Tractor Projects
Replies 8 Post by rdunstan

I have spread many truck loads of gravel on my parking areas, access roads and driveway. If possible, I have the track spread the gravel. As you know this is a relatively imprecise process. I then use a steel float to spread the gravel. While the rigid 3 pt float I use allows me to both push and pull the gravel. It is relatively easy to smooth it our and keep the thickness relatively constant. For small jobs, I use the front loader to put gravel where I want it and then drag teh bucket backwards to smooth it out.

Hope these tips help.

How to spread rocks on a driveway
Tractor Projects
Replies 6 Post by rdunstan