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G/MAN
02-22-2007 13:41:56
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Re: 4450 pros and cons? in reply to chevydeere7, 02-22-2007 13:21:06
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They're as reliable as anything Deere has ever built, as long as they're properly operated and maitained. Deere's Waterloo works has produced VERY few lemons over the years. A couple models that were more problematic than others or had some ongoing issues, but for the most part the quality of their products has remained high and consisten. A 4440 is very hard to beat - maybe the best general purpose tractor overall Deere has ever produced, but I'd rather spend time in a 4450 any day. Nicer, quieter cab with improved instrumention (digital tachometer with the Investigator II package), better HVAC system, a better seat, and the list goes on. Whether the 50-series 466 is "better" or not is a matter of opinion. It's certainly better than the early 40-series engine with the cam-driven oil pump that could experience pump drive gear failure if the engine had lots of hours and a lot of low-temp cold starts with high loads on the gear thanks to cold, thick oil. The 50-series engines have the gear-drive water pump. Some guys hate them, but I've seen them last just as long as a belt-driven pump on a 40-series and longer. Yes, if the weephole is plugged, they CAN put coolant into the engine oil and cause crank and bearing damage, but it's rare. If you're watching your fluid levels regularly, you should catch it before it happens, or at the very least before major damage can occur. If I owned one, I'd simply rebuild the pump every 1500-2000 hours or so - doesn't cost much to do and the coolant should be drained and changed that often anyway. The 50s also have a better hyraulic system, mainly due to the SCVs - Pioneer couplers, release levers, fulling closing dust covers instead of rubber plugs, etc. I wouldn't be afraid of any 50-series tractor in good condition that's been taken care of. But then again I would say the same of a 40-series. As I said, Deere didn't send many lemons out of Waterloo.
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