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Keith, I bought a JD 4300 last year with a front-end loader and a brush hog> I bought a 18' trailer thinking that I would rather have too much trailer rather than not enough. The first time I loaded the tractor with the brush hog attached I found out that I filled up the entire trailer. I recommend you take a tape measure with you and go measure the length of the tractor with the longest attachments you think you will ever have.

JD 4100
John Deere Tractors
Replies 8 Post by Eddie Watkins

Mike, Yes you can fold it back and get it in a regular garage door. That's about the only time I fold mine is when I put my tractor in my garage at the house. I pull the pins and fold the ROPS and canopy back then reinsert the pins in the folded position. That keeps the canopy from resting on the fenders and rubbing or putting pressure on the canopy. It give me about 1" clearance between the fenders and the canopy.

Buck top canopy
Operating and Attachments
Replies 7 Post by Eddie Watkins

Charles, forget about the price. I haven't paid any attention to what others are paying now that I have my tractor. I'm sure somebody has gotten a better deal but I like mine so looking back won't help. You got a really nice tractor for a reasonable price so go enjoy it. You will get your money back on work saved and fun. Congratulations.

Well i did it Mixed emotions UGH
John Deere Tractors
Replies 6 Post by Eddie Watkins

Like you, I am wanting to get a new mower for next year. I have been looking at ZTRs but I may end up with a riding tractor with a deck. If I bought today I would probably end up with a Grasshopper ZTR with a 5' deck but I am waiting to see both the new Kubota ZTR and the new JDs and see how they are priced. I have a JD4300 and it does heavy stuff really well but it is a little big for mowing up close to the house and around my trees. I am mowing a couple of acres now and plan on expanding my yard next year so whatever I get, I would like for it to mow faster than my current mower. I am going to keep shopping this winter and see if I can get one a little cheaper but I'm not going to hurry. SHort version of the above: I plan to wait unless a really good deal comes along.

What to get JD445 JD4100 or wait for new JD BX clone
Operating and Attachments
Replies 39 Post by Eddie Watkins

Bradey, in my opinion, the B2910 does not compare with the other tractors on your list. It is a really nice tractor but the L3010, L3410 or L3710 probably compares better to the other tractors on your list. The B2910 may do everything you want to do but it is not designed to do the same work the others are. THe NHs and JD on your list will outweigh the B2910 by a 1000-1500 pounds and outlift and outpull it by a bunch. On the other side of the coin, the B2910 will a much better job in tight spots and areas where the weight is no benfit or a hinderance such as mowing or rototilling. Snowblowing may be another area where the weight wouldn't help but I have no experience at snow removal so I don't know.

JD NH Kubota 30hp pricing
New Holland Tractors
Replies 8 Post by Eddie Watkins

When I was shopping for my tractor, a couple of dealers told me that most people that use their tractors commercially buy gear transmissions. I assumed it was because of the cost. Thanks for the education Murf.

Kubota Transmission
Kubota Tractors
Replies 13 Post by Eddie Watkins

Hillbilly, I forgot the second part of your post. I also bought a canopy from a company called Bucktop, phone number (800)726-8677. It is fiber glass and painted JD green to match the tractor. I paid about $375 or so for it. I have no idea what metal tops run but seems like I have seen posts where they are cheaper.

Lights for JD4400 and canopy
Operating and Attachments
Replies 7 Post by Eddie Watkins

I received a Dealer/Product Survey in the mail today from John Deere. They requested that I fill it out and return it to them. Has anybody else received the survey?

John Deer Product Survey
John Deere Tractors
Replies 3 Post by Eddie Watkins

If you look at the length and weights of the two tractors, the 4300/4400 should have some advantage on lifting with 400+ lbs of extra weight and 6" of length. WHether it is as much as the brochures indicate, I don't know. I would be shocked if their lift capacities or breakout force were equal. I use my brakes pedals to turn sharper because it saves time especially when I am brush hogging small areas with frequent turns. Reading the CTB I think there are lots of people who don't use them at all. It's a personal preference thing. I have that option with the pedals on the opposite side. Your JD prices do seem a little high to me and $2500 in interest would probably make the decision for me as well. When I bought there wasn't $500 difference between the cheapest and most expensive tractor I looked at. I guarantee whatever you buy, you will believe you made the right decision. That's just the way we are.

4300 vs 4400
John Deere Tractors
Replies 25 Post by Eddie Watkins

Jeff, got one from Harbor Freight as well. It really works well. I dodn't realize it was such a bargain until I saw the prices posted here.

Lubrication
Parts and Repair
Replies 4 Post by Eddie Watkins

My opinion is the 790 is the best buy available if it meets your needs and you don't mind the gear transmission.

set on purchasing 790
John Deere Tractors
Replies 3 Post by Eddie Watkins

I would first verify that I had the bad axle. THere are 2 hydraulic hoses coming out of the bad axle. There is only one coming out of the good axle. If you do have the bad axle, go to the dealer and tell him you have the bad axle and want it replaced. If he isn't agreeable, there is a customer service number in the back of your owner's manual you can call to talk with John Deere or use the web site to post a message. The web site also had this number for customer communications. (800)537-8233. I called this morning after reading all the complaints just to see if JD would talk to me. The person I talked to assured me they were there to help the customer resolve issues and had always been there. I can tell you that my dealer has resolved every issue I have had with any JD equipment (no problems with my tractor) so I was just calling because I wanted to know that I did have the manufacturer's ear if I ever have a serious problem.

4XXX Front Axle Issues
John Deere Tractors
Replies 8 Post by Eddie Watkins

Duane, I have a JD4300 which I bought in March of this year and haven't had a single problem with it. I have about 90 hours on it now. I believe JD had some early production problems with the 4000 series that are pretty well corrected. These problems were never related to the JD4100. I think I would be more concerned with the dealer rather than the tractor regardless of which one you buy.

Should I go with the JD4100
John Deere Tractors
Replies 20 Post by Eddie Watkins

THe Hydraulic top link is a replacement for the top link on your 3pth. Most tractors come with a top link that you have to get off and turn to lengthen or shorten it. I use mine for box blade work mostly. TO have an "automatic" hydraulic top link means I can change the angle of my blade by moving a lever rather than getting off the tractor and turning the bar. I think the mower is the only thing that works off the middle PTO but I don't know for sure. Maybe somebody else can answer that question for you.

JD 4300
John Deere Tractors
Replies 9 Post by Eddie Watkins

Who knows what this is all about. You can certainly let your imagination run wild and dream up all sorts of sordid things. I agree with Mike S. that there was certainly no harm done by Scotty's efforts to gather information and there were no new revelations that came out. I really don't care if I can talk with John Deere or not as long as I can get resolution to any problem I might have. I guess this goes back to what has been said here many times, you need to shop for the dealer as hard as you shop for the tractor regardless of brand.

meeting john deere augusta
John Deere Tractors
Replies 38 Post by Eddie Watkins

Barry, I bought a canopy for a JD 4300 for $375. I bought it through the JD dealer when I bought the tractor and he said he would charge me his cost plus shipping. It is an after market item manufactured in Phoenix. It is fiberglass with metal braces and is JD green. The name of the manufacturer was Sun somthing. I'll see if I can get the full name. This summer it has been worth every penny I paid.

Canopy
John Deere Tractors
Replies 4 Post by Eddie Watkins

Dan, I think Mike and Terry are right. Early in production JD did not properly evaluate their product. I bought a JD in March 2000 fresh off the assembly line and have had no problems with it. I have noticed everytime the subject comes up about problems the same people respond, as they should, so it appears there are lots of problems when, in fact, they are some problems reported multiple times. I am not faulting anybody because generally they are responding to questions such as yours and should be letting people know. For those of us that read the board fairly regularly it appears there are constant problems when it is the same problem over again. I have did no evaluation of the number of responses that are first time as opposed to repeat responses nor do I intend to but it does skew the picture somewhat. Understand, before I get bombarded by a bevy of rebuttals, I am offering my opinion to the question Dan asked not commenting on the problems. I find it egregious that Mike S. may have to resort to litigation to get the product he paid for.

Why so many JD problems
Parts and Repair
Replies 6 Post by Eddie Watkins

Rick, looking at the specs on the two it appears the Kubota has about 500+ lbs of lift capacity advantage on the the 3pth and 200 lbs of lift capacity advantage on the loader. As Bird has said, tough, figure out which one meets your needs and feels the best to you. The NH has some features the Kubota doesn't as far as ease of use, comfort, etc. A little extra lift capacity may not be worth giving up some of the nice features the NH has.

which one
Operating and Attachments
Replies 9 Post by Eddie Watkins

Paul, I have a similar situation to yours. I have 6 acres of grass and weeds that I mow once a month. It takes about 3.5 to 4 hours. I am planning on leveling it some this winter because the bumpy ride slows me more than the grass. I have a 32 hp tractor with 5' brush hog. If I can get it smooth enough, I am probably going to mow it with a finish mower. Brush hogs don't cut bermuda real cleanly even at a slow speed.

How many acres per hour
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 9 Post by Eddie Watkins

I have a 5' brush hog I use to mow my pasture. It consists of mainly bermuda grass with some weeds, buffalo grass and a few other varieties of native grass. The brush hog mows the taller stuff really well but it does not cut the bermuda as well as I would prefer. It cuts it but leaves it pretty scruffy looking. I tried my lawn tractor on it and it did great on the bermuda but left stalks of the tall stuff. I had to mow it 2-3 times to get the tall stalks done. I guess what I am trying to say is both implements have their purposes. Just something to think about. I have 32 hp and the 5' brush hog doesn't even test it on grass. The things I have read indicates that finish mowers don't require the hp brush hogs do, tho.

Brush Hog
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 6 Post by Eddie Watkins