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I realize I may be starting a bit of controversy here but I think we need to some serious discussion on what has happened to Deere's "former" lead in the compact utility tractor category. I have posted numerous times on this board about my past dedication to John Deere. I started buying JD in 1983 with my first 420 garden tractor. I have owned eight different JD garden tractors and two 855s, one 955, the 4300 and now the 4600. I doubt there has been a more dedicated customer than I. But I now doubt how serious Deere is approaching the problems with their current production tractors. I now believe that with the addition of the large frame Boomer tractors that NewHolland has the best compact utility tractor on the market. I would have jumped into an argument had anyone made a such a statement just two years ago. I now have two neighbors with Boomers (a TC29D and a TC33D) who love their tractors. I looked at the TC40D and if you compare feature for feature and design and innovation, my friends at Deere have been passed. What amazes me is that Deere seems to be resting on their past successes. Deere has sold a bunch of the 4000 tractors. We all remember how hard it was to get a hydro last summer. But I have to question how long they can rely on their past success before they get burried. If New holland had released their new large frame Boomer tractors a month earlier I would own one instead of my 4600. I would like to engage some discussion from JD owners. Has our company given profits and stock prices the priority over a quality product. I believe they have and I am extremely disappointed.

Are large frame Boomer tractors better than Deere
New Holland Tractors
Replies 7 Post by Terry Weivoda

My patience with John Deere (4600 hydro) is growing thinner by the day. Still no new front axle and the problem with the hyperactive hydro control is still not resolved. The fuel starvation problem appears to be resolved. Ths problem with the overly sensitive foot control hydro is so irritating that I will not keep the tractor if Deere can't fix it. On rough ground in range B you have to use the cruise control. There is no choice. Deere has replaced the shock absorber on the linkage control but this did not make a difference. I drove a 4700 hydro today and thought the hydro was not as sensitive. However this was just a short ride around the dealers lot. If the problem is not resolved I plan to trade on the Newholland TC40D with the 84" midmount rear discharge mower. I have no experience with rear discharge finishing mowers. I need help from those of you who have them. I had a Deere 60" three point hitch rear discharge mower that produced windrows. I was not impressed so I sold the mower. I would like to hear from those of you with rear discharge mowers.

NewHolland 84 quot rear discharge midmount mower
New Holland Tractors
Replies 7 Post by Terry Weivoda

My dealer was unable to find any obvious problem other than the fuel line was "pinched" some with cable ties that might have been a little tight. He was unable to find any obstruction in the fuel tank. I mowed this past Saturday on the same side hill that produced the problem and seemed ok. I will just have to wait and see if it returns.

Over sensitive Hydro on 4600 Deere
John Deere Tractors
Replies 3 Post by Terry Weivoda

Mike, the fuel starving problem only happens on a side hill when the tractor is leaning to the right. We suspected that there might be an obstruction in the fuel tank but have found nothing. The brake problem you mentioned occured on my 4300 but does not appear to be the same with the 4600.

JD 4600 fuel starving on side hill
John Deere Tractors
Replies 8 Post by Terry Weivoda

When mowing with my new 4600 hydro I noticed that the hydro pedals are extremely sensitive to any foot movement. It is a problem especially now because the ground is so hard and rough. I end up using the cruise control more than I should an in areas that I probably shouldn't just to avoid having my foot on the pedal. At slower throttle settings and performing other tasks it is not as noticable. The pedal pressure is considerably less than the 4300 I traded. Has anyone else noticed a similar problem on the new production 4000 tractors? Does anyone know if there is an adjustment available. My dealer is trying to get an answer. Any help would be appreciated.

Deere 4600 hydro pedals too aggressive
John Deere Tractors
Replies 2 Post by Terry Weivoda

My dealer has a 4600 hydro with the new MFWD axle. He just got it in. No comparison in the way the tractor turns. Scuffing is gone.

790 Pricing Recomendations
John Deere Tractors
Replies 12 Post by Terry Weivoda

Mike, My dealer ordered my replacement axle for the 4600 yesterday. It will be a few weeks before I see the axle but my dealer assures me the axle update kit is on the way at no cost to me. Your right though, until I see the axle update installed I will not rest. I think we need to be persistant. If the problem is not cared for then we need to advise Deere in writing that we will not purchase another Deere product. I am confident the problem will be fixed. The unreasonable delay is what irritates me the most.

Compact Tractor Board Proves Its Effective
Website Operations Howto
Replies 10 Post by Terry Weivoda

Droz, I just took delivery of my new 4600 Hydro MFWD, turf tires with 72" mid mount mower and 460 loader. The tractor was built about a month ago and has the old style MFWD, consquently, it scuffs. My dealer has been in contact with Deere and they will replace the MFWD axle. I am told that the new axle will not available on the 4500-4700 until late this month or at late as the end of May. Replacement axles will probably not be availabl until June. I like the tractor although there are some changes with respect to controls and comfort issues I would like addressed. The 4 cyclinder engine is smooth and actually seems quieter than the 4300 I traded.

JD 4600 questions
John Deere Tractors
Replies 3 Post by Terry Weivoda

The 4300 I traded recently had the 60" mid mount mower. I thought the mower did a nice job of cutting but the points you raise regarding the controls are valid. The PTO control lever is too close the three point hitch control. You should plan on losing a little "hide" ocassionally if you buy the tractor. These are some of the creature comforts that Deere seemed to have missed on these tractors. On the 4200-4400 you have to reach to the floor to engage the MFWD. These new tractors are rugged as can be but the Deere engineers should have stole a NewHolland Boomer just to see how nice it can be. Deere needs to address the comfort and control issues or I see myself on the TC40D instead of the 4600 a year from now.

4300 John Deere mid mower
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 2 Post by Terry Weivoda

I just picked up my new 4600 hydro on Saturday. I traded in my 4300 hydro and one of first things I noticed is the difference in the pedal pressure required.
The new tractor is not nearly as jerky but it takes a little getting used to. When your backing up and take your foot of the pedal the tractor does not stop as abruptly as the older tractor. On balance I like the feel of the new tractor but I do have to be prepared to use the break more than before. I had 150 hours on my 4300 and the pedal pressure didn't change much during that period. My dealer check the linkage and lubrication but nothing seemed to make a difference. I think it is just part of the hydro design and you will have to live with it.

HYDROSTAT PEDALS
John Deere Tractors
Replies 20 Post by Terry Weivoda

Chuck, As far as I know you are one of the few 4000 owners that have praised the old MFWD axle. Perhaps for your application, the old axle was fine. I keep coming back to the point that other manufacturers were able to design and build a tractor with a short turning radius without the problem. Kubota and NewHolland, Cub Cadet, Massey, Etc, also build tractors with front loaders designed for heavy weights but also manage to work as mowing tractors without the scuffing problem. My neighbor's TC33D NewHolland with the Supersteer turns a tight radius with only the slightest scuffing and that it when it is at the maximum turn angle. My dealer's JD representative says he has over 600 of the new front axles (and new steering pump, steering valve)in his area alone to install. I don't think this complaint is limited to a few people who want to mow their lawn. I use my 445 for mowing my lawn. I use the 4300 for various chores (including mowing) around my tree farm. I also do custom mowing in a large park area. I suspect that the 4000 tractors are doing a lot of mowing in private and commerical applications. Maybe that is the problem. Perhaps Deere anticipated more use in the commerical landscaping business where loader/backhoe applications would be common. In these cases the scuffing issue may never materialize. But Deere sell mowers (at a premium price) for these tractors and they advertise them as premium mowing machines. If they can't mow without tearing up the turf then they should not have been sold with the mowing attachments. This way, customers who placed a high importance on mowing could have bypassed their JD dealer and visited their Kubota, NewHolland, Cub Cadet, Massey, dealer instead and purchased a tractor that could do both. As long as it took Deere to respond to this complaint (and the loss of customer confidence) I am confident that they have adequately tested the new axle before it went into production. I seriously doubt Deere wants the embarassment and the cost of another failed MFWD axle. When I went to get a price on the NewHolland TC40D, my local NewHolland dealer asked me if my 4300 did any damage to the turf when I mowed. He said NewHolland dealers were told at a sales meeting of Deere's "scuffing" problem. When the competition openly discusses this problem with customers it is a big issue. I don't know what Deere will be doing with all of the old axles, steering pumps and steering valves that they get back after the warranty repair but perhaps they will be available to anyone who wants the old axle.

John Deere Scuffing
John Deere Tractors
Replies 54 Post by Terry Weivoda

I took a day off yesterday to take delivery of my new JD 4600 hydro. When my dealer pulled in the driveway I noticed a tremendous look of despair. Two miles from my home the hood came unlatched and broke splintered the cowl. It looks ugly. Needless to say, I didn't take delivery. I am starting to think that this was divine intervention and that the message was "Buy the TC40D Boomer". I am convinced that I have been getting that message. In any event, I signed the documents on the 4600 and I (and JD Credit) own a new tractor.I had originally planned on picking the tractor myself in order to get the tractor a day or two earlier. I suppose the hood problem would have been mine (and my insurance co.) as soon as I left the dealers lot. Tip of the week for JD 4000 owners, Check your hood latch closely before you trailer.

JD 4600 damaged during delivery
John Deere Tractors
Replies 1 Post by Terry Weivoda

A few years ago I purchased a Workersave post hole digger with a 12" auger mainly for the purpose of planting trees. There is a tree nursery within about 15 miles that sells 18"-24" pine/spruce trees that are dug with a shovel. The auger works beautifully for planting this size of tree. The 12" auger makes a nice hole and the dirt has been pulverized which makes planting easy. This year I just purchased an 18" auger (fits the worksaver) so I can plant larger trees. I planted 300 Black bills Spruce for a neighbor using this technique and we lost one tree.

Planting trees with post hole auger
Tractor Projects
Replies 1 Post by Terry Weivoda

I had a 52 loader on my first 855 (purchased new in 1986). The 52 loader has turnbuckle clamp arrangement for attaching to the 4" tube that runs through the frame of the tractor. This is different fron the latching mechanism found on the 70A. It is a good loader it just doesn't attach or detach as quickly as the 70A. I had a 70A loader on a the last 855 I owned. Attaching the 52 loader requires a level surface more so than the 70A.

Model 52 Loader
Loaders Back Hoes
Replies 6 Post by Terry Weivoda

Jeff M makes a good point with respect to the question of whether to purchase a 4000 tractor with the old style MFWD axle or wait for a tractor with the new axle. As with any purchase, we need to consider the price and if the dealer will drop the price on the tractor with the old axle then it may indeed be worth it. The point I have been trying to make is that unless there is a substantial price difference then the customer should go with the tractor with the new axle. I predict that as the word spreads throughout the land that Deere produced these tractors for a year and a half with a defective axle, that resale (and trade-in value) will be adversely affected if you own the tractor with the old axle. In the case of used farm equipment, when a tractor or other piece of equipment received a reputation as having problems the resale value plummeted. I think this could happen to the 4000 series tractors.

Waiting for new 4000 tractor
John Deere Tractors
Replies 1 Post by Terry Weivoda

If you decide on one of the Deere 4200-4400 tractors I would suggest that you look for a tractor with the new front axle (assuming you want MFWD). I haven't driven a tractor with the new front axle but a local dealer just received a 4400 this week. You can tell the difference easily by looking at the power steering cylinder under the tractor. The old style (turf destroyers) has a piston exiting both ends of the power steering cylinder. The power steering cylinder on the new axle has a single piston that connects to the right hand front spindle with a connecting tie rod to the left spindle.

I think you will save yourself considerable grief if you demand a tractor with the new style front axle. Your post said that you plan to use this tractor for mowing. Your turf will look like you ran a disk accross it if you try to turn at more than about 35 degree angle. The old style MFWD axle is a bad design in my opinion. You probably can spend more time mowing, and less time trying to convince your dealer's service manager that there is front axle problem, if you look for a tractor with the new front axle.

Looking for Input on JD4200 JD4400
John Deere Tractors
Replies 13 Post by Terry Weivoda

I stopped at the local NewHolland dealer on Saturday to chat about the new larger Boomer tractors. I am impressed. These new tractors offer features that Deere doesn't come close to matching yet. If I didn't have a new 4600 on order I would be close to a deal on the TC40D. The two range hydro with the powershift looks like an impressive transmission. Deere does have the advantage in a higher transport speed but on balance the NewHolland would be more productive. The operator controls are better and the three point hitch with the telescoping draft links and the easier to adjust sway bars are far superior to what Deere has. The 84" midmount rear discharge mower is just what the commerical operators need. The new loader looks quite impressive although I don't know if it attaches and detaches as nicely as the Deere.I've owned Deere products since 1983 and have generally been pleased with their products. I like my 445 for my lawn work and other chores around the house. My 4300 is a competent tractor but the tire scuffing problem is a real negative factor. The 4600 I have on order is also a competent tractor and when the scuffing problem is resolved I may be less negative. However, Deere must pay mor attention to some of the creature comfort features that are important to those of us willing to spend $25,000 for a tractor. If they don't keep up, Newholland will own this class of tractor

Deere fan close to going blue
John Deere Tractors
Replies 4 Post by Terry Weivoda

Chris, unless the stock 4300 is considerably less expensive than an order tractor, I suggest you order your new tractor. There have been a few postings on this board concerning the changes in the new production tractors. Of course, the new MFWD axle being the most important. One of the previous postings suggests that Deere has made some changes in the hydro to reduce the pedal stiffness and jerky operation that we have complained about. My dealer tells me that the replacement axle for the existing 4000 tractors will not be available until April or May. I would not be surprised if that date isn't pushed back even further. Additionally, this assumes Deere is going to warranty the axle for everyone who complains. At this point, I am not sure anyone knows where this will end up. In my opinion, unless you need the tractor immediately, you will have fewer headaches with the new production tractor.

4300 Order or buy in stock
John Deere Tractors
Replies 3 Post by Terry Weivoda

The posting earlier tonight by Bob Masters concerning the service bulletin his dealer received regarding the tire scuffing problem, and finally an acknowledgment by Deere that there was a problem with the steering geometry, finally vindicates those of us who have been complaining about the tire scuffing for nearly a year. Many of us were criticized on this board claiming that the scuffing problem was due to high speed turning as well as unreasonable expectations for a tractor that weighed 3,000 pounds. Congratulations to the 4000 owners who refused to accept an inferior product. As I have said previously on this board, Deere never should have put this axle into production. The problem should have been caught by Augusta Works engineers and product testing people well before a decision was made for final production. I new there was a problem two minutes after operation on my yard.

Deere 4000 Owners Vindicated
John Deere Tractors
Replies 8 Post by Terry Weivoda

My John Deere dealer advises me that the new MFWD axle will not be available for production on the 4500-4700 tractors until sometime in April. My dealer has a bulletin dated 2/11/00 with this information. Consequently, the scuffing will continue. I understand the 4200-4400 MFWD tractors are currently getting the new axle now.The scuffing is a serious problem for those of us who use the tractor to mow. I cancelled the order on my new 4600 until the new axle goes into production. Anyone considering purchasing a 4500-4700 might want to consider waiting until you see the new axle.

New MFWD Axle delayed on Deere 4500-4700
John Deere Tractors
Replies 2 Post by Terry Weivoda