Inherited a John Deere 4120 -- Self Maintenance or Dealer Service?
Hey everyone,
I recently inherited a John Deere 4120 PowrReverser Tractor, and it's a beauty with just 390 hours on it. It’s about to hit the 400-hour mark, which (if I understand correctly) means it’s due for some scheduled maintenance.
I called my local John Deere dealer to get a quote for them to come out and service it. They quoted $560–$580, which includes parts, but they also added the usual disclaimers about potential extra costs if they find issues.
Here’s the thing: the tractor runs like a dream. It was owned by a master mechanic who kept it in perfect condition, and I want to continue that tradition. But when I looked around online, I found the John Deere 4120 Engine Maintenance Kit here for about a third of the price.
So, I’m wondering:
- Is it worth doing the service myself to save some cash, or should I let John Deere handle it for peace of mind?
- Does the hydraulic fluid (or anything else) need to be changed, or is it more about just topping off fluids?
- Any tips or advice for someone new to maintaining a tractor?
I want to make sure I do right by this machine, but I also don’t want to throw money away unnecessarily. What would you guys do?
Thanks in advance!