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Works for me with Netscape 4.75 - at least it seems to work if this gets posted. I like the popup as it is much faster and I do not have to wait for the window to reload like in the past when you go back to the list. I have a 1 megabyte interface]

new java window
Website Operations Howto
Replies 19 Post by Doug Huebner

A fairly useless addition to this discussion - for tractor pulls the tires are used in the normal direction on dirt, but reversed for hard surfaces like blacktop.

Tire Tread Question
Parts and Repair
Replies 8 Post by Doug Huebner

Not a clue on your questions. I just opted for the JD part to make things easy and to make sure that I had the right part. So I drove the 20 minutes ot the dealer, got the part and headed home. Drained the oil, pulled the old filter and dicovered it was completely different than the new one - tll and narrow vs short and wide [or was it the other way?]. Back to the dealer who seached the records and parts list and then assured me it was the correct part. Not sure what the change accomplished, but it made things a little closer in that area. I suggest thatt the next time you drop by the dealer, you just pick up an extra.

4100 Filter Part 1
John Deere Tractors
Replies 9 Post by Doug Huebner

I went with the 4300 after comparing the 4200, 4300 and 4400. It seemed worth the adder for the 6hp 4200 -> 4300 but not to go to the 4400. The 4400 did not get me to the point where I could use a larger rotary mower [6'] so I stayed with the 4300 and put the money towards another implement. It would be nice to have about 10 more hp at times but that would have gotten into a larger tractor [4600] and a bunch more money. So I just go a little slower, take smaller bites with the loader and make a few more passes with the 5' rotary.

4300 vs 4400
John Deere Tractors
Replies 25 Post by Doug Huebner

The dealer picked up the tractor and fixed the wheel bolt problem as well as a couple of others. He put new bolts and some griptight [or is it locktight?] It has not been a problem since - but I am still watching.

4300 wheel bolt problems
John Deere Tractors
Replies 72 Post by Doug Huebner

Even though I really like my 4300, I am very dissapointed in the level of quality and number of problems that I have had. [everything from a leaking PTO to a loader hydralic arm that broke off at the weld]. When I bought the JD, it was partly based on the expected quality of the machine. Perhaps the farm tractors fair better, but I have read a lot of complaints about the utility as well as the L&G tractors.

I think they need to improve a bit on their design [like a stronger connection for the loader hydraulics] and their quality control. The PTO leak and a massive leak in the back hoe were caused by damaged seals and o-rings, apparently at installation. Fortunately my dealer has been very accomodating - so perhaps some incentive from the comapny to the dealers would be useful for those who have non-responsive dealers. Like some car companies has new owners rate their dealers.

meeting john deere augusta
John Deere Tractors
Replies 38 Post by Doug Huebner

I have had a 4300 with loader, backhow and belly mower for a little over a year [130 hours]. The PTO leaked, a loader hydraulic connection came loose and sprayed fluid, the BH had a leak and does again, and the lug bolts on the rear tire came loose with some falling out. And there is the axle issue but that is not a problem for me.
The dealer has fixed the problems under warrenty with no question. It has still been slightly annoying to be without the tractor from time to time.
BUT - I looked again at the Kabuta and like the JD layout and features better. I looked at the blue ones also and still liked the Green better although it was close. Major deciding factor was an obnoxious dealer.
So despite the problems I still like my green machine and would do it again the same way.

JD4400 or Boomer TC35D
Operating and Attachments
Replies 27 Post by Doug Huebner

If the arm is like that on a 4300 all you have to do is lift the "wing" up and give it a half turn and set it down. The pins in the shaft fit inside the wings and the notch at the bottom of the wing lines up with the bumbs at the top of the lower part of the shaft. Hard as heck to describe, especially without using your hands, but easy to do.

Lift Arm on JD 4600 3pt Hitch
John Deere Tractors
Replies 5 Post by Doug Huebner

I have a couple - one from some garden supply that we outgrew quickly and one from Sears that will take up to a 2 1/2" or so branch [not up to the size I would call a log]. Down side of the Sears machine is that it does not have a clutch and you need to turn the whole mechanism [chipper wheel & hammers] to start it. Once going, it does a good job. I ran it for about 10 continuous hours and it worked fine. It did fall apart with in the first year and got an overhall of the chippers / hammers under warrenty.
I am sure there are others that are as good or better.

chipper
Operating and Attachments
Replies 8 Post by Doug Huebner

I have a 4300 with loader, backhoe, belly mower, etc that I got last summer. With about 125 hours on it I have had a PTO leak, loader hydraulic leak, big backhoe hydraulic leaks and a weld broke on the loader hydraulics that raise the arms. The leaks were caused by nicks in the seals / o-rings. That sound like a quality control / assembly problem to me.
The dealer has been very good about fixing these, but I do not think they should have happened in the first place. While I like the tractor, I am disappointed by the problems. I also have a four year old 4 wheel Gator and a new 425 garden that I have not had any problems with so far.

JD Reliability
John Deere Tractors
Replies 24 Post by Doug Huebner

If I remember correctly, I did recieve an email from Carver. I do not mind as it is potentially useful - unlike make money fast, build oyur own cable converter, free investment advice [pumpo & dump], porno site solicitations and dozens of others.

Carver Equip Spam
Website Operations Howto
Replies 11 Post by Doug Huebner

Almost. I have had the stabalizers drop to the ground when the backhoe was stored off of the tractor. Someone posted here that it was due to plastic seals(?) that do not hold as well as machined brass. I have had the bucket/boom drop on me also. Turned out it was leaking fluid. Must be a loose connection or something - it is in being fixed right now.

JD48 Backhoe
John Deere Tractors
Replies 2 Post by Doug Huebner

Just the question that I have wondered about since I got my tractor. In general I think that there are too many variables to answer it. I also go with the "if it does not feel safe, it probably isn't" rule. As I have become more comfortable with the tractor [4300] I get a better feel for what is safe. For bush hogging, I like to back up the hill [where applicable]. I almost never go across the slope. I use 4wd but have read [including in the manual] that you should not. I think the explanation was that if you are going uphill and the front wheels hit something, they can kick the front end in the air and tip the tractor over backwards. There is a site, who address escapes me at the moment, that has a long article or two on tractor safty including how easy it is to tip over backwards.

Tractor use
Parts and Repair
Replies 10 Post by Doug Huebner

I do a similar thing with mine. Home Depot has furniture dollies that are inexpensive. I use two on my tiller and it works great. It makes hook-up quick and easy - I can attach to the PTO first and then slide the tiller into perfect position for the 3pt connection. I only feel a little guilty about not doing it the macho way. Keeping the implements inside really makes a difference also. I compare mine with a friend who bought similar implements at the same time and there is a big difference. [he keeps his outside]. I will have to try your plan as the dollies are a little weak for some of the larger implements.

Easy storage hookup to 3 pt
Operating and Attachments
Replies 4 Post by Doug Huebner

Dave: The mower rides on the back wheel and the two lower arms - adjust either to set depth of cut. I have read that it is best to have the front slightly higher. I set the top arm so that the "horseshoe" is straight up when you have the deck at the level you want it. That way you have equal give in either direction when you encounter uneven ground.

king kutter rotary mower questions
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 7 Post by Doug Huebner

I had a similar problem with my 4300. With the 3pt half way up, it would raise a little and then drop back - a similar cycling to what you described. My fluid was a little low and I also had a loose connection on the loader hydraulics. I took care of both and have not had the problem again. Not sure if the other problems were related or not.

3 Point Hitch Hydraulic Cycling
John Deere Tractors
Replies 7 Post by Doug Huebner

I went with the JD based on the dealer and my wifes perception that the JD was a better tractor and she, therefore, approved spending the money. I went with the 4300 because you get more horses for a few dollars more. It seems like you could always use a few more. I have the loader, belly mower and backhoe. They are all easy to attach, use and remove. The backhoe is easy to use in concept - but operating it is sometimes like patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time [at least for beginners like me]. Just when I think I have it, I wind up throwing some dirt in the wrong direction. My only problem is that the backhoe hydraulics are strong enough to move the whole tractor around if you hit into some rocks or hard dirt. So you might wind up moving the tractor rather than digging in - but it could also just be my skill level at this point. At $6-7K, if I was going to do it again, I think I would look into a dedicated used unit with a backhoe [in addition to the 4300].

john deere or kubota
John Deere Tractors
Replies 6 Post by Doug Huebner

I always have problems with that also. Just when you are all lined up, you move back or lower the arms and they swing the wrong direction. The method I use when trying to attach to the pin type connection [as opposed to where you need to get the arm in a slot and then insert the pin] is to use a bungie cord or two to hold the arms out until I can back into position and lower the arms. For the type where you insert the pin, I can move the bungie cord(s) from the seat while backing up to align wiht the slot. If the implement is movable, I come at a light angle, get one in and then slot the other by moving the implement. Obviously this is not going to work with a 600# bushhog.

3 pt hitch
Kubota Tractors
Replies 6 Post by Doug Huebner

The fun part of the rear mount is on turns. The mower swings wider than the tractor and small trees and other plants begin to vanish. I just tell my wife that I do not know what happened to them.

Belly Mower vs Rear Finishing Mower
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 12 Post by Doug Huebner

There was a number of threads a while back about using a 3pt backhoe on a 4100. I seem to remember there was an inference that it voided the warrenty and could damage the tractor. Not sure if that is true [or even if I got it all correct] but you might check before you act.

Hydraulic outlets
John Deere Tractors
Replies 10 Post by Doug Huebner