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Ed
04-06-2002 21:02:51
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I had posted other items, but now after a while, I feel I need to straightin everything out. I have had 2 John Deere machines, one "used lease return" w/ 800 hrs supposed, and one new, both were set up w/ loaders and boxblade and Brushhog. I am, first and foremost, Hard to please, espcially, when spending large sum of money, I feel most people are prob. the same. The first, Used Lease Return, was picked up for repair 8 times in 2 months, but here is the rundown. It had a problem when I first got it, forward pedal was sticking, this is truly a saga to long to type, but for most part, it had a few small probs. when I got it, it took multiple trips for each one, and others were due to mechanic not checking machine before it leaves shop. I will say this, If you back into something solid, w/ box Blade or other attachment, somethings going to break!! I broke a rockshaft housing, I do not feel the stress applied should have broke it, I was coming down an embankment, the box bottomed out, lifted up until the upper link caused the housing to litterally explode. It was in the upper hole, by the Hydraulic fill opening, "I would advise every one to avoid using the upper hole, unless absolutely needed". I guess anything will break if you hit it hard enough, so no matter what type of tractor you own or will own, always remember the amount of power and enertia at your hands. Hit something hard, something going to break, and just hopefully, the thing you hit. If you dont have a warranty, one mistake could end your career. With the new machine, it was in shop 8 times, in first 6 months, and again, mostly due to their stupidity, and sorry to say, probably mechanics attitude. He seems to have the gift, to be able to excellant repairs, but geeesh!!!! Check to make sure its ok before returning it!!! I have had my first 2 months trouble free, 100 grueling hours, with out a breakdown!!!! The work I do is hard on a machine, I do light grading and land clearing, palmettos and such, trees up to 2 inch. I use the box w/ scarifers, I just back up, drop box, and move forward, it does it with relative ease, but it exerts a lot of force on attachments, I have bent the pins the go through the box attachment, 1" solid steel, snapped a turnbuckle, a draglink, broke a rockshaft housing "shouldn't have broke" and I'd be willing to bet, Kubotas are cast too, I let you know, Im gonna go look at em. Oh!! I had to have a rockshaft valve replaced twice on both machines, But I believe this was due to both defective parts or initial installations, and poor re-installation. Like I said, 100 grueling, gruelin, hours and no breakdown, it has finally won my heart, problem now, is I really think I need a bigger machine. And again, dont get me wrong, this machine has power unheard of for its size, maybe the machine has too much power for its attachments or attach. points?. Again, you need to remember the power at your hands. I work this machine so hard, I feel guilty, but I have no choice, I bought it to make money as well as the Glow on my face for just owning it! I have seen people trying to compare Kubotas to Deere, I was so frustrated at one point, I was calling Kubota dealers and I still plan to go look just so I can be an informed consumer and you never know, I may one day own a Kubota. I will say, one disturbing fact about Kubotas that has reached my eyes, is that they have the turning brake on the same side as drive pedals, what? this would never do, what, ya supposed to ride "side saddle?". And again, this is something Im going to check out for myself, if true, would be a big blotch on the K side, BIG. Got my new 4300 in Florida, $17,950.00 with 440 loader, Ive seen a little cheaper on net, but from what I have seen, this is smokin good deal in Florida. I probably should have kept the used lease return was a 99 model w/ 800 hrs. for $8000.00, I could have sold it for a bit more. It was wholesaled to a dealer and resold for $12,900.00 dernit!! Tradin My new one in on a 4600 hydro, they only want to give $13,500.00,,,ouch! 2002 4300, 430 loader, 200 hrs hydro 4x4,,,,$13,500.00??? anyone have an opinion on this? please reply, I think that sucks, basically, I be throwing away 6-7 thousand dollars. Just to get to bigger machine and at same dealer. seems to me, depreciation $1000.00, and $1000.00 profit margin on trade in would be handsome considering their moving another piece of equipment and what little profit they may make off it, he said he priced it at cost, forgot the figures off hand, but am going to retrieve them. Any body have a good number on a 4600 hydro w/ loader????
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