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SE MN | We had one we bought new in Spring of 1983, it was a late '82 model. Was a good tractor. It was always my favorite tractor at the time, but not everybody's! My dad always preferred the 4440 or 4450 MFWD to the 4840 if there was a choice. It was our big tractor until 1991 and then we traded it in 1997. It had power, but like everyone else says it is two wheel drive and has an 8 speed transmission. It is also a hard starter in the cold, harder than a 4440, but if it's plugged in it was fine. The 8 speed works alright if you are not pulling the tractor to the max, meaning that the gap between 4th and 5th gears can be reduced in lighter loads by throttling back in 5th gear...we did this alot. We had 20.8R38 rubber, which I think is the minimum of what the tractor should have for rubber...with 440lb weights and insides filled with fluid. 18.4R 42 will be less tire on the ground, but if you need to row crop it, then not much choice unless spending money on 46 inch tires. We ran ours until it had 6-6500 hrs and had very little trouble with it. Another thing I have been told (which makes sense to me) is that when you look at the largest row crop tractor they are often times pulled pretty hard because people would rather not have a 4wd tractor if possible. I am not sure if the same would be as true today, but I think in the 70's and 80's it would have been more likely. I have heard of a 4840 near us that was turned up a lot...maybe to 275 or so...had triples on it. A neighbor once bought a 2 wd 4850 that was turned up like that too.
In the end, if you like 4840's and want to take a chance, fine...I don't think the purchase price sounds way too high, but only time will tell that. Also, not much difference between a late and early one. FYI, for a modest increase in purchase price, maybe you'd rather buy this one:
http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=7344495
Edited by Jd7730 12/29/2012 10:11
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JD 4840 good and bands
