Go BottomJD 4200 power with loader
 | Jeff
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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1999-08-10 6807
Can any 4200 hydro 4WD owners comment on the performance of the machine for loader work - say loading from an existing dirt pile? Is it strictly a low-range task? Does it have the power to fill the bucket pretty well, or does it tend to bog since it's fairly heavy for its power class? I'm trying to decide if it would be a big enough machine for some occasional dirt and gravel moving. I would like to equip it with R4 tires but potentially mow as well. I don't need a manicured lawn but also don't want it torn to shreds. Does anyone mow with a similar setup with good results? I might also consider the 4100 hydro if anyone has any comments on it for those tasks. Thanks for any help.
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| Shawn in OK
Join Date: Posts: 1
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1999-08-10 6817
Jeff,I've had a 4200 hydro 4WD w/ 420 loader, turf tires, and 60" mid-mower for a little over 6 months. The past couple of weeks I've been moving a huge pile of clay with large chunks of concrete, using it as rip wrap on a stream on my property (I normally use the mid range except when moving a really large chuck of concrete that moves my center of gravity far forward). It has exceeded all expectations for a machine of that size. Although part of my property is extremely muddy (until the 1.5 acre pond is finished next week) I have never gotten stuck using turf tires because of the 4WD and loader. One of the reasons I went with the JD was the ease of removing the loader, unloading a lot a weight from the machine and finish mowing around 4 acres. With the loader and ballast box removed, the turf tires do a wonderful job of distributing the weight and leaving the grass looking nice. Dealer should include a weight box and level indicator free with the loader. FYI $18,025 for all the above. If I can answer any further questions, don't hesitate to shout. Good luck! ....
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| Michael Spurgeon
Join Date: Posts: 1
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1999-08-10 6818
Regarding your question about mowing with R4 tires: I have a 4400 with R4 tires and have found that it is necessary to be more careful of its turning radius than with turf tires since the R4's in the front can seriously scuff the lawn. There are several places in my K31 lawn where the grass has been damaged by turning in a radius that was too tight, but not even close to the tightest radius possible. Therefore, R4's are excellent all-around tires, but don't turn too sharp and under too much power to avoid lawn scuffing. There have previously been some other postings on this bulletin board in this regard.Mike ....
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| Bill H
Join Date: Posts: 1
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1999-08-11 6833
Have a 4200 4wd with R4, but manual transmission. Have used loader to move all kinds of dirt and clay. No problem. It will bog only slightly when completely filled with damp soil or clay. I simply adjust with more throttle. Don't have weights, but leave shredder attached unless manueverability is tight. I also use loader for all the leveling jobs I should probably buy a box blade for. But that would require unhooking shredder which I use too frequently. Don't have mid mower, but need one. Don't miss hydro, since I've never had it. Manual handles loader well even though everyone says get hydro for loader. Manual allows me to really plow into pile and grab a bucketful. I do most all loader work in mid-range, but will occassionally switch to low for moving a heavy load if ground is sloped a lot or uneven (tipping, weights would help here). I would not consider a lighter tractor for this unless your talking a smaller loader and lighter duty work, like a wheelbarrow's worth once in a while. ....
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| MichaelSnyder
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 0
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1999-08-11 6844
Jeff,I started our compact search, looking at the 4300. Looking at the spec's in a brochure can be decieving. I really liked the 4300's spec's and said this isthe tractor for us. Unfortunately, upon a visual inspection, I quickly realized it was way to large for what we needed. Then we viewed the 4200, which is only a few inches smaller with less hp. Moving on to the 4100, we fell in love. Our tasks entail about 80% fine mowing & 10-20% loader/misc work.I haven't had a chance to mow with the R4s yet, but still feel I made the right decision to opt for them. Our loader came with the 60" bucket, in which concerned me. Mostly in that I thought it would overburden or over power the 20hp 4100HST. It is almost imperative to use low range when approaching a pile of dirt or mulch, but switching from low to high can be done in about 2 seconds. The unit has flat out impressed me! I find that traction is more of an issue than hp. If I was in your shoes, thinking about the 4200 or 4300, I would definitely opt for the 4300, money permitting. IMHO, I think the 4200 should be on a smaller platform, this would smooth out the size progression of the 4000 models. Comparing the sizes to a shirt, the 4100=small, 4200=oversized medium, 4300=large. To answer your question, I think the 4200 is a good unit, but I think size for size, the 4300 is the way to go. ....
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| Jason MacKenzie
Join Date: Posts: 1
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1999-08-11 6857
I have the John Deere 4200 HST. My tractor is equipped with the 420 Loader with 73" Heavy Duty Bucket. The Hydro is definatly the only choice to go if you want my opinion. The Loader works great in A range for heavy materials and Pushing thru Heavy Piles. Tractor doesn't Bog down at all.. it just takes some finesse that comes with time.. (getting to know your machine til it feels like a body part). The loader works great in B range for lighter loader jobs.. The C range is basically just a high speed travel range on the tractor.. Great for the road! The loader itself is very very fast and responsive.. and powerful. I had a welder come and weld three chain hooks to the top of my bucket with reinforced plates.. he did an awesome job.. and bought John Deere Paint.. I have to say it came out great.. looks just like the loader bucket came manufactured this way.. doesn't look like a homemade job at all.. I am constantly lifting with the loader using chains.. for big bulky items.. loading tailgates on dump trucks, lifting Fisher Snow Plows.. and just using chains to bind big bulky items to my bucket.. so all in all.. this tractor is still a very powerful tractor.. don't be fooled by the engine horsepower. These new engines are pretty damned powerful. Much more powerful than the previous engines on the 55 series tractors... But, I don't care what anybody says different.. HYDRO IS THE WAY TO GO!! and only on a JOHN DEERE.. KUBOTA IS SET UP WRONG... and the John Deere Loader is hands down better than any Kubota Loader.... end of story. ....
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