alternety

Found an ad and get to buy this tomorrow (8/2) if I want it. I have never owned a tractor. I want to move a bunch of dirt to level/grade/ etc. my yard (about 1 acre cleared). Then ongoing gardening, raised bed construction, driveway (300' gravel) maintenance. I was looking at smaller compacts.

The deal: 2002 4310, 1400 hours, FEL, BH, back blade, ehydro. Claims it is in very good condition. He is actually putting it on a trailer and bringing it here for me to see. He seems eager to sell. Price is $10,500.

I would very much appreciate input on if this is a good deal. Also any tips on what to look for when I see it.

Kennyd

The 4310 was arguably the best and most popular selling CUT JD ever produced. The price sounds OK, but not knowing it's history like was it a rental unit,was it used commercially, was it stored outside, is the paint in good shape, any dents or cracks in the bodywork, and maintenance history it's hard to know if it's a really good deal or not...

I suggest this:
-First, get the serial number and call a JD dealer, they can check if it was a rental and it'd warranty/service history if any.
-Look for oil leaks under the unit and at the wheels
-Look at the hydraulic oil to see if it's clean
-And all the general stuff you'd look at when spending 10k+

John Deere 4110HST
FEL, MMM, FEL Forks (homemade),I-Match, Ballast Box, #380 plow (modified to fit) Markham LD-48 Grapple, and lots of other STUFF.

Kennyd

I just re-read you post...I missed the backhoe the first time...this IS really a good deal then if the machine is not trashed/abused.

-Check to see if it's a 420 or 430 loader (430 is stronger)
-Check to see if it's a 47 or 48 BH (48 digs deeper and has more power)

John Deere 4110HST
FEL, MMM, FEL Forks (homemade),I-Match, Ballast Box, #380 plow (modified to fit) Markham LD-48 Grapple, and lots of other STUFF.

gunmaker

That is certainly a tractor capable of doing most anything you need on that size property, almost overkill.
The price of that tractor is quite the deal! I've seen similar units selling locally for $20K+. It strikes me as being too good of a deal, such that I'd want to see some paperwork on it to make sure of ownership and any chance of liens.
If anything seems hokey, drop a dime on your local PD and ask the officer to run the numbers to make sure the unit is clear.
If it's on the up and up, congrats!

JD 2520 w/46bh, 200cx loader, meyers 6ft plow
jd 425 w/54"mmm& 54"plow

alternety

There are also quick connects for the loader and hoe. There is a post hole digger with two augers that have not been used. These may or may not be useful to me. Tires are I believe R4 (not AG).

He has the title, which eliminates some ugly alternatives. I believe he is the only owner. It is hard to get in touch with him.

My take on this is that it is a very good deal based on what I have found doing searches on 4310s for sale on the internet. He says it is in very good condition. This implies to me that maintenance was also done. It was used for commercial work. He does concrete. If you are smart, work tools would be maintained. Yeah, I know not smart is sort of endemic. But, what the Hell.

I have to look at it and determine if I want it. On the spot. Scary. Many $100 bills involved. I don't like buying things I have no experience with.

Any other hints?

gunmaker

Well with the legalities out of the way, you're down to the condition of the unit.
225+hrs per year over 6 years doesn't sound too bad, provided the maintenance has been good. Should have many more years of good service, if continued to be maintained.
Consider the following:
New utility tractor: $20,000.
New fel & bucket $ 4000.
New backhoe $8000.
Back blade $ 750.
Post hole digger $ 750.
Conservative Total $33500.

Sounds like $10500 plus the cost of doing a full service on it could be worthwhile. You may just have walked into the unit that will last as long as you need it, good luck and don't forget to get the pics up when she's yours!!!

JD 2520 w/46bh, 200cx loader, meyers 6ft plow
jd 425 w/54"mmm& 54"plow

alternety

The loader is JD (version unknown) the BH is another manufacturer (I heard the vendor but did not store it in my deteriorating brain). Getting old sucks. Once upon a time I could juggle multi-variant system design processes in real time while listening to something else. Now it is a challange to figure out what day it is. Damn I hate this. You get old with all that knowledge; and then it goes away. Evolution has not done this right.

GreenWannabe

Yes, getting old is not for the faint of heart!!

Deanster

What I learned looking at used tractors was that you don't have much time to think it over. It may already be gone.

___________________________
Cub Cadet Yanmar EX3200, CL300 Loader w/ Rankin toothbar, Land Pride bucket forks, CB75 Backhoe w/ mechanical thumb, Woods LR72 Landscape Rake, Rankin RC20-72 rotary cutter.

PaulChristenson

Then you are looking at a BIG TOY...not that I'm against TOYS, but it is rather large for just one acre...

Paul in VT

I used to own an ant farm but had to give it up. I couldn't find tractors small enough to fit it.
-- Steven Wright