When it Comes to Tractors, Think Green!
Written: Dec 26 '99 (Updated Dec 27 '99)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Makes hard jobs easy!
Cons: Friends and neighbors will want to borrow it!
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| ryansridge's Full Review: John Deere 4300 Compact Utility Tractor |
I bought my John Deere 4300 compact tractor a little over a year ago. I had looked at similar Kubotas, Cub Cadets, Massey Fergusons, New Hollands and Kyotes. My choices boiled down to the Kubota Grand L Ten series and the John Deere 4000 series tractors which appeared to be at the top of this class of estate tractors. I ended up going with the Deere because of their dealer network and their reputation for building quality products with high resale values.
The JD 4300 has a 32 horsepower, 1.5L Yanmar, liquid cooled, 3 cylinder, direct injection diesel engine that is very economical to operate. I used less than 250 gallons of fuel during its 400+ hours of operation. Its fairly quiet and has no problems starting in temperatures down to -20 F (the coldest it’s been since I got it).
This tractor comes with a category one, 2,200 pound lifting capacity, 3 point hitch; R1 (ag) tires, 10 gallon fuel tank, rear independent 540 rpm power take off (PTO), roll over protection system (ROPS), differential lock, hydrostatic power steering, tilt steering, wet disc brakes, and a 9 forward/3 speed reverse collar shifter. It weights 2,900 pounds, is 117 inches long, is only 50 inches wide with the rear tires adjusted in, is 83 inches high at the top of the ROPS, and has a 68” wheelbase.
It will accept virtually any type farm, construction or landscape attachment from aftermarket vendors. John Deere alone makes backhoes, front and rear blades, front loaders, brooms, cultivators, front and mid mount mowers, baggers, brush hogs, flail mowers, post hole diggers, snow blowers and roto -tillers for the 4000 series tractors.
I ordered mine with the optional 3 range hydrostatic transmission, 4 wheel drive, cruise control, mid PTO, power beyond hydraulics, and R4 (industrial tires). I also got the 430 loader, model 48 backhoe and ballast box. The auto tranny is great for loader work, it has forward and reverse foot pedals, so you can instantly change directions and not take your hands off the steering wheel or other controls! It has high medium and low ranges with infinite speed control in each range. Low and medium are the working ranges and high is basically for transport only. 4 wheel drive is recommended for loader work and is nice for mud and snow. The cruise control is nice for setting a specific speed for tilling or mowing long passes and also for going on road. The R4 tires are a compromise between the aggressive ag and smoother turf tires. They have good traction but don’t tear up your yard like R1’s. The 430 loader is the larger of the 2 offered by John Deere, as is the 48 backhoe. I got the 6’6" loader and 18" backhoe buckets. The tractor has plenty of power to lift the loader bucket when filled with dirt, gravel or firewood and the hoe attachment digs up to 8’6" in even rocky soil. The ballast box is necessary when operating the tractor and loader without the backhoe - I fill mine with sandbags for counterweight.
This tractor is an operator’s dream! With the hydrostatic transmission, single joystick loader control and twin joystick backhoe controls you can be doing some serious work immediately - almost no learning curve. To me the design is very intuitive - the controls are conveniently located, ergonomic and function logically. The 4 way joysticks allow for simultaneous operations with one hand. The seat is comfortable, and has an automotive type safety belt which along with the ROPS protects the operator if a rollover occurs. Fuel level, hours, and temperature gauges are on the dash. Headlights and amber flashing caution lights on the roll bar are standard equipment. The fuse panel is easy to get at, as is all the fluid indicators under the hood. The seat is adjustable forward and back, as well as for operator weight. The tilt steering is another nice comfort feature. My youngest son was 11 when I got this tractor and he had no problems running it - it really is easy to use!
So far, I’ve used my tractor for power and plumbing trenches, digging up tree stumps, material handling, roto-tilling, grading, landscaping, post hole digging and snow removal. It does all these things well and I am constantly finding new applications for it.
These machines are expensive and even used ones in any serviceable condition are several thousand dollars. Before purchasing one, do your homework. Don’t trust the salespeople - I was outright lied to by some. Be sure the one you get will do all that you want it to do and that parts and service are available. Many small tractor manufacturers have come and gone in recent years. Make sure you know the difference between gross and PTO horsepower ratings and that you’re comparing apples to apples. Also, compare hydraulic flow rates and pressures - the key indicators of how much and how fast fluid power attachments work. My overall advice would be to go with John Deere or Kubota, followed by New Holland or Massey Ferguson. I’m extremely happy with mine and for me there’s no other tractor color but John Deere green!
Recommended:
Yes
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ryansridge
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Member: D. McCandless
Location: Rural Pennsyltucky
Reviews written: 51
Trusted by: 316 members
About Me:
To insure success, try to eliminate failure.
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