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While I certainly do not disagree with Bird that a hydrostat is very handy for FEL work, I do not think it's essential. I have a 4100 gear model and I find that I'm able to do work with my loader very quickly. Shifting and clutching seems like 2nd nature after you get comfortable with your machine (I'm sure the hydro is much easier, but I don't miss what I never had). You would find the shuttle shift tranny on the 4200 even easier than the tranny I have on my 4100. My advice before writing off the 4200 is to see if the dealer would let you try it out on a dirt pile and see what you think. Then if a gear tractor is OK with you, I'd go look at a new JD 790. They're a tough basic tractor with more HP and cost less new than you'd pay for a used 4200.

Need help comparing new Compacts to 8n Ford
Operating and Attachments
Replies 27 Post by Jim Youtz

I too own a 4100. I use a 54" box blade, with an additional 200# of steel weights on top of the blade. That way I have 500# of weight, which seems fine to me. Another thing I do when moving loose material like soil or gravel: I use a rear scoop on my 3 ph. That way I fill the scoop with the same material I am moving with the loader bucket, and I can move nearly twice as much material per trip. I just make sure that I empty the loader bucket first before dumping the scoop.

counter weight
John Deere Tractors
Replies 55 Post by Jim Youtz

Ken, its also a fire hazard thing.

Picking-up Pine needles
Garden and Landscape
Replies 14 Post by Jim Youtz

I have R4 tires (industrial) and I consider them to be the best middle ground compromise. I mow my lawn without damage and traction is very good for other duties.

Bar tires versus Turf tires
Parts and Repair
Replies 23 Post by Jim Youtz

I also meant to add that I run all PTO driven implements at 2500 RPM, and otherwise 2000 seems to work pretty well.

Operating RPM of 4100
John Deere Tractors
Replies 11 Post by Jim Youtz

I spent last spring checking out options for my 4100. The Great Bend 220 is very well built and specs compare favorably to the JD 410 loader. You can save about $600 by getting a Great Bend. But I finally went with the JD 410 loader, because it is the only loader with a subframe that is compatable with my mid mount mower. This issue and the quick detach feature of the 410 is what sold me. I would have had to completely strip out the loader subframe assembly each time I mounted my mid-mower. Obviously not a reasonable option. So in summary, if you don't want to use a mid-mower deck, and you won't be removing the loader much or at all, then cheaper would work OK for you. Otherwise the 410 loader is the way to go.

Loaders
Loaders Back Hoes
Replies 3 Post by Jim Youtz

That's correct Terry. When you swap the rear tires, the valve stems will face inward.

3PT hitch rubbing against the tires
Tractor Projects
Replies 11 Post by Jim Youtz

Carlos, I don't know which is the best. But I just bought a JD 410 loader for my JD 4100. The 410 manual lists the JD 870 Tractor as one of the compatable models. I also think that the JD 70 loader fits on the 870 (not sure though).

what type of front end loader for jd 870
John Deere Tractors
Replies 5 Post by Jim Youtz

You should have no problem with the 60" mower on the 4100. I bought a 54" just because of the significant cost difference. But the 54" handles just about anything I've tried to mow. I can't imagine another 6" of blades really making that much difference. In retrospect, I should have gone with the 60" deck, because it is actually easier to trim up close to things with (farther out from the wheels).

JD 4100 60 quot Belly Mower
John Deere Tractors
Replies 7 Post by Jim Youtz

I have no idea what the problem is, but my 4100 does not act this way at all. Don't let anyone tell you there's no problem.

4100 power steering
John Deere Tractors
Replies 14 Post by Jim Youtz

Kay, I pull a single subsoiler with my JD4100 gear tractor. It works great and pulls easy with a little front end weight and 4wd engaged. My soil is sandy clay loam.

Rear blade and plow sizes
Operating and Attachments
Replies 23 Post by Jim Youtz

Kevin, The 4100 actually weighs 1600# (according to the Deere specs) and the loader an extra 600#, so your unit actually weighs in at around 2200# (without filled tires, wheel weights, or an implement on the 3pt).

4100 and Septic System
John Deere Tractors
Replies 5 Post by Jim Youtz

David, I have and recommend the following: subsoiler, one bottom plow, and rototiller. This combo will handle just about any garden task.

plow subsoiler middle buster cultivator what do I need for what jo
Parts and Repair
Replies 6 Post by Jim Youtz

Scott, have you checked into a JD 790? You can get a new 4wd tractor with loader for about $14,000. For another $2500, you should be able to shop around and pick up used rototiller, box blade and rotary cutter. I'd spend the $ on a tractor and save on used implements. Also in that price range I've seen larger gently used JD 5000 series and Kubota L series tractors.

Know nothing about tractors
Operating and Attachments
Replies 7 Post by Jim Youtz

Miles, The JD 750 is 20HP (15 PTO HP). This is pretty similar to the JD4100, which I have. It will handle the following quite well (based on my 4100 experiance): 5 foot finish mower, 4 foot brush hog, 52" rototiller, 5 foot rear grader blade, 4 1/2 foot box scraper. I think that you'd be happy with the 750, doing what you've posted here.

Is a John Deere 750 too small
John Deere Tractors
Replies 8 Post by Jim Youtz

Larry, I have a JD4100 with a gear tranny and 410 loader. I have about $12,800 into this (new) plus about $1600 for a mid-mount mowing deck. So yes the tractor is definately a good buy. Would you be happy with a gear tractor? That's more or less a personal decision. I'm happy with mine and it does everything I need to do with a compact tractor. Would a hydro be more conveniant sometimes? Yes. But for me it was not worth an extra $2000 in cost. The gear model performs all the same functions and becomes second nature to use once you get accustomed to it. You should certainly be able to resell without loss at the price you are getting. The 4100 is a very impresive tractor for its size class and the quality of construction is very evident. Very few problems are reported with this model (100% built and assembled by Yanmar).

Price check JD4100 Please
John Deere Tractors
Replies 4 Post by Jim Youtz

Kevin, Iam doing almost exactly what you want to do on about the same size property. My 4100 is perfect for these uses. Gear or hydrostatic tranny, $10,000 is a steal. I have about $14,000 in my gear 4100 with 410 loader and mid-mount mowing deck. I recommend that you get the R4 tires for this use. The AG tires tear up the grass and the turfs do not have enough traction in my opinion.

JD 4100 price check
John Deere Tractors
Replies 6 Post by Jim Youtz

You should be fine with this set-up and with R-4 tires, but I would mow in 2wd, loader removed and without loaded tires. It's easy to add ballast on the 3 point hitch when you need it for loader work and then remove for mowing, but once your tires are filled, you're stuck. Everyone I've talked to advises against filling tires if you're going to be working on sod.

MF 1240-4 too big for mowing
Massey Ferguson Tractors
Replies 6 Post by Jim Youtz

Casey, the other folks have given you good advice, so I'm just going to respond to the part about needing to build a corner in an area of thin soil. The easiest way to go about this if you can't dig holes for the post is to build a rock crib corner. Just pound 2 T-posts at the corner, in line with the fence 3' apart. Then, go midway between these and pound another 2 posts perpendicular and midway between the others (each one is 1 1/2 foot out from the fenceline). This 4 post pattern will form a plus (+) design. You don't have to pound the posts very deep in the rocky ground for this to work, but try to get down a foot or so. Then wrap a 3 foot diameter circle of your woven wire around the posts. Fill this wire crib up with rocks. Now you can attach your fence wire to the posts and stretch as much as you need to. You won't pull this corner over, and it will last for years.

Woven wire field fence construction
Garden and Landscape
Replies 23 Post by Jim Youtz

Terry, I also have a JD4100. I pull a 14" single moldboard plow with no problem. I do like to use some weight on the front when plowing though. The weight really helps the front wheels pull. I also have and recommend a subsoiler ripper. This is just the trick for hard ground when the plow won't work well. I also have a middle buster (potato plow). I can take or leave this implement (it works, just isn't all that handy). The best ground breaking and preparing combo for a compact tractor is: a subsoiler, moldboard plow, and a rototiller. I use a 52" tiller on my 4100. It tills with no effort at all. Today, I tilled my garden to a depth of 7" on the first pass, after first breaking the ground with the plow.

Using a plow on a JD 4100
Operating and Attachments
Replies 7 Post by Jim Youtz