Just how comfortable are 4000 series Fastracs?

Thomas Simpson · Oct 13, 2018

We run a 4220 and it’s so much more comfortable than anything we have run. Had a load of demos this time to swap a nh and the most comfy was the deutz 7250 which was impressive. Tried an 828 and that was very good but the fastrac is better to drive. Had it with an 8 leg lds subsoiler with trio points on pulling potato land up, it pulled at 6-7k but wheel slip was at 8-16% compared to the 7250 which was 2-5%. You can get a 900kg weight block to go on the platform which would help. The jcb was lacking 26hp and 600kg.

Feldspar · Oct 13, 2018

Thomas Simpson said:
We run a 4220 and it’s so much more comfortable than anything we have run. Had a load of demos this time to swap a nh and the most comfy was the deutz 7250 which was impressive. Tried an 828 and that was very good but the fastrac is better to drive. Had it with an 8 leg lds subsoiler with trio points on pulling potato land up, it pulled at 6-7k but wheel slip was at 8-16% compared to the 7250 which was 2-5%. You can get a 900kg weight block to go on the platform which would help. The jcb was lacking 26hp and 600kg.

So for largely going on trailed sprayer and corn carting, you'd say 4220 then?

Thomas Simpson · Oct 13, 2018

We have a tri axle 20t trailer and of course you don’t fill it up on the road but it’s the most stable tractor to pull it with, we try every tractor on demo with the tri axle and none come close to it, the Valtra, deutz and John Deere were’nt safe with it but could be down to tyres even though we checked all tyre pressures.the Valtra and deutz had 650 mitas and the jd had 650 Mach xbibs. Would be a awesome trailed sprayer tractor there are a few using them, handy having 4wheel steer for turning at the ends and run the same tyres all year. We roll with ours on axiobib 600/70r30s at .8 bar and have been impressed how well they have travelled and not left much of a mark but most of our land is boys land .

Phil P · Oct 13, 2018

Thomas Simpson said:
We have a tri axle 20t trailer and of course you don’t fill it up on the road but it’s the most stable tractor to pull it with, we try every tractor on demo with the tri axle and none come close to it, the Valtra, deutz and John Deere were’nt safe with it but could be down to tyres even though we checked all tyre pressures.the Valtra and deutz had 650 mitas and the jd had 650 Mach xbibs. Would be a awesome trailed sprayer tractor there are a few using them, handy having 4wheel steer for turning at the ends and run the same tyres all year. We roll with ours on axiobib 600/70r30s at .8 bar and have been impressed how well they have travelled and not left much of a mark but most of our land is boys land .

8bar

, think you mean 8psi maybe

, unless you’re literally using as a roller

Thomas Simpson · Oct 13, 2018

.8 bar as above post.

Phil P · Oct 13, 2018

Thomas Simpson said:
.8 bar as above post.

Apologies 0.8 bar

though 116psi was a bit ott

Farma Parma · Oct 13, 2018

George Saunders on Utube loves his 4000series Fastrac
not much he doesnt do with it & it does it all v well id say.
Sat in one briefly at JCB HQ & thought this is a nice place to spend a day.

your correct tho Feldspar new rep tractors are just away in the clouds money wise & you often wonder why this is?
weve had the jump to control emissions excuses & mother earth reg changes. so why are they continuing to jump
year on year far far more than they have in the previous years?
but all farm machinery is the same, everything comes with huge price tags & the makers must think our farming returns
can just cope with this, well ive got news for them it cant for much longer.

Thomas Simpson · Oct 13, 2018

They will do most things if weighted right with the correct tyres, we also pull a 6 furrow kv and press, it’s brillant on the fert spreader, trailer, rollers. The new bkt force 710 tyres look a good option for the 4220, lower pressure but can a carry more weight.There is a premium for them over a nh, deutz and case but same price as a claas and John Deere. And then the fendts are even more expensive.

Mark C · Oct 13, 2018

Will7 said:
I never had a back twinge when putting 1500hrs/yr on a mf6290 in between bedding and feeding cattle. Now all I do is drive tractors for a lot less hours I get the occasional ache and twinge.

The reason: a lack of core strength

Perhaps try Pilates or yoga before spending £80k on a new tractor

This is possibly the best suggestion yet!

If you genuinely have a spinal problem , getting it fixed will give you a better quality of life than a magic carpet ride. I was in a similar situation in 2013. Demoed a fast Trac. Thought it was the solution to my problem then realised that it wasn’t going to fix my back, just make life a bit more bearable.

Went to see a Neurosurgeon Rodney Laing at the Cambridge Spire. Keyhole surgery and 24 hours in hospital sorted me out.

deere150 · Oct 13, 2018

Feldspar said:
Is the 3 air bag an option?

Yes, it was even on the profi plus when I priced last year

Wreckit Ralf · Oct 13, 2018

Contractor down our way swapped from a Fendt 718 to the 4220 Fastrac,

Farma Parma said:
your correct tho Feldspar new rep tractors are just away in the clouds money wise & you often wonder why this is?
weve had the jump to control emissions excuses & mother earth reg changes. so why are they continuing to jump
year on year far far more than they have in the previous years?
but all farm machinery is the same, everything comes with huge price tags & the makers must think our farming returns
can just cope with this, well ive got news for them it cant for much longer.

Absolutely.
Take a brand new New Holland T7.190 Power Command, it's the same tractor - same chassis, cab, brakes, suspension and gearbox from a 6080 from 10 years ago, the only difference is the engine emissions and some LED lights, that along with the upgraded seat and armrest (that you need to pay extra for).
So I can't understand why we're expected to pay twice the amount for the same tractor from 10 years ago, I even asked the rep and couldn't get a straight answer either. Look at the increase in technology in cars in the past 10 years and you don't see them with such a massive price increase, only in agricultural machines.

In fairness, the Fastrac is at least standard with the next increase the rest of the market will hit us with soon - ABS. I'm pretty sure we'll get hit with that next - that all new tractors must be fitted with it. So the prices will need to rise another 5-10%.

stevedave · Oct 13, 2018

Wreckit Ralf said:
Contractor down our way swapped from a Fendt 718 to the 4220 Fastrac,

Absolutely.
Take a brand new New Holland T7.190 Power Command, it's the same tractor - same chassis, cab, brakes, suspension and gearbox from a 6080 from 10 years ago, the only difference is the engine emissions and some LED lights, that along with the upgraded seat and armrest (that you need to pay extra for).
So I can't understand why we're expected to pay twice the amount for the same tractor from 10 years ago, I even asked the rep and couldn't get a straight answer either. Look at the increase in technology in cars in the past 10 years and you don't see them with such a massive price increase, only in agricultural machines.

In fairness, the Fastrac is at least standard with the next increase the rest of the market will hit us with soon - ABS. I'm pretty sure we'll get hit with that next - that all new tractors must be fitted with it. So the prices will need to rise another 5-10%.

Well it's raining out west so that's another 3%,and windy another 3%

Farma Parma · Oct 13, 2018

what i would like to see from the likes of any of the big farming machinery makers is the break even pieces of land for grain or amount of animals you need to make there shinny expensive metal they offer to us then become viable.
its a bad job when at just under 600ac here the job is about on its Arse to put it bluntly.
Iam a Tenant Farmer which does put me at a major disadvantage for a start but come on everything ni on doubling in last 10years
is killing any chances of us continuing.
I'll be taking the tenancy buy out before much longer.
New 175/200hp Tractors starting at £85/90k its just never going to happen iam afraid.
at £60/70k only a few years ago it was bad enough.
so were now forced to run stuff for longer 10,000 hours plus easily & in my case poss keeping them 20years
And a New 724 Fendt at £130k or £147k with all the toys i dont care what there resale value is at its just a bloody tractor.
which apart from looking like iam minted will not earn me a single penny more than what i currently use to do all land jobs

stevedave · Oct 13, 2018

We have run a Fendt for a few years (amongst other makes) the main reason being perceived reliability and we wanted one and any one who tells you the running costs are lower or deprecation is lower or it is more reliable is at best kidding themselves but to be fair if you had spent 20% more on a tractor that turned out to be the same as the competition you would make it out to be better than it was. Is a Fendt worth more than a NH, Case, MF, etc? Yes. Is it worth 20% more? No. the build quality and finish is better but that is about it.

Chae1 · Oct 13, 2018

I wish people would stop moaning about the cost of new tractors. If you can't afford them don't buy them then the manufacturers will do something.

stevedave · Oct 13, 2018

Chae1 said:
I wish people would stop moaning about the cost of new tractors. If you can't afford them don't buy them then the manufacturers will do something.

Think they are reasonable do you?

Farma Parma · Oct 13, 2018

Chae1 said:
I wish people would stop moaning about the cost of new tractors. If you can't afford them don't buy them then the manufacturers will do something.

we need to start an anti new buying club am deffo in.
Local contractor says its the farmers thats too blame using there subs to just line the machinery makers pockets
he aint far wrong, he has no subs, works long hrs & is just keeping he head above water.
No Subs. Newest tractor is 6years old. Max spend on any rep tractors is £35/40k & thats it.
Thats after he sells an older one.
The same lad spray's tens of thousands of acres with 3 older SP outfits & how anyone can justify
£150-200k new ones is beyond his back of fag packet maths.

fudge · Oct 13, 2018

The penny should drop with you chaps hire is the way to go. Farmers don’t have the work to justify ownership. Not yet the skills to maintain such complex machines. The real answer is to streamline your own operations and do far less hours.

Mouser · Oct 13, 2018

Chae1 said:
I wish people would stop moaning about the cost of new tractors. If you can't afford them don't buy them then the manufacturers will do something.

Only works if near enough everybody stops buying though.

Farma Parma · Oct 13, 2018

fudge said:
The penny should drop with you chaps hire is the way to go. Farmers don’t have the work to justify ownership. Not yet the skills to maintain such complex machines. The real answer is to streamline your own operations and do far less hours.

can we hire one for 600hrs a year but keep it all year

Just how comfortable are 4000 series Fastracs?

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0 %

Up to 25%

25-50%

50-75%

75-100%

100% I’ve had enough of farming!

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