540 for my c4

[c_silva88]

so yeasterday i was at my grandfathers and he was taking about how his machines to big for around his yard he then says he would trade me straight across for my treefarmer. his machine is diesel and the motors been rebuilt and the tires are about 25%. my question is what problem areas on this machine should i look at before doing the trade the last time i personally ran it was 2 years ago and since then he starts it every other week and runs it around the yard a few times and then it just sits till the next time he starts it or needs to move something.

[Woodhauler]

How is it overall? Sounds like a heck of a trade!  Looks like grandpop is helping you out!

[c_silva88]

overall its a nice machine only thing i know it definatly needs is a seal in the winch other wise the only thing i dont like about it is the steering  wheel set up jd uses

[logman81]

Bigger isn't always better, most of the wood where you and I live isn't very big. I would think that c4  would do a nicer job than a 540 I don't think thier would be much of a benifit.

[DDDfarmer]

Trade a treefarmer for a deere john ?  :D

[Kemper]

I have a 640 grapple & it's a hoss. It will pull just about anything. The engine has never given me any problems. It does have a few hydraulic leaks, but I sure would hate to let it go.

[tlandrum]

id definately swap the c4 for the 540. 

[treefarmer87]

never owned a jd, my TFs have served me well but alot of people have good luck with the deeres too. i prefer a steering wheel to a stick, my c6 has a wheel instead of a stick and i like it better.

[John Woodworth]

John Deere is a good machine but you have to understand you are stepping into a whole new price range when it comes to repairs, I used tolog for a man who ran 54's and a 640 and was his equipment mechanic at the same time and John Deere has it's quirks and most of them involve JD shop time. Fuel economy is another like with my Garretts with 6 chokers can pull as much as a  540 and on a 1/3 of the fuel and overall operating costs.