Off color John Deere 4400 combine opinions??

Hey everyone! I know this is off color but does anyone have any experience with a John Deere 4400 combine? We had a 6600 and still do have a 7700. 7700 is getting really tired. I found this little 4400 that looks pretty clean. It will be used for alfalfa seed and occasionally cut some hay barley seed. Any problem areas on these 4400s to watch for? This one does have the rotary screen for the radiator. It is also gas. I believe it's the GM 292.

Thanks!
Ben

Edited by baverwolf - 27 Sep 2016 at 7:28am

They are every bit as hard to maintain as the other 00 series. 

I had one in my earlier years. it was no piece of joy to work on, it got me thru a couple harvests until it burnt! to tell you the truth, the jd 45 combine was a lot better than that 4400 ever was! and I remember if I needed any parts for the 45, I just had to find a junked 4400 and the parts would interchange! yes they were negative ground. the 45 was positive ground.

I run a 4420 right now, and get on OK. Very few changes from a 4400 to a 4420. I'd think if you've run those others, you have as good of an opinion as anyone. I don't think it's that bad to work on, but I guess I don't know any better either.

Thanks for the replies guys. I do know the deeres aren't much fun to work on but as Tbone95 said I don't know any different. We have had pretty darn good luck with the 6600 and the 7700. I know Ill be downsizing greatly but we don't farm much anymore so maybe 100-150 acres at the most each year for alfalfa and possibly some hay barley seed or feed barley. Some years we probably won't even use it. I know Ill have to get an alfalfa seed screen for it for alfalfa. It goes in place of the sieves. I hope concaves are still available as I was hoping to put it through the shop some winter and go completely through it. If parts are hard to find maybe I should look elsewhere for another color. I guess I'm just partial to the deeres as they are what I've grown up with and gotten used to. They also seem to do a good job on alfalfa seed. Well I guess I just need to go look at it and decide. Thanks guys!

Edited by baverwolf - 27 Sep 2016 at 11:20pm

I watched two really super nice 6620 combine sell cheap. They were really nice and the owners live not far from me so I know they were in showroom condition. And that's no exaggeration. The owners are brothers and each kept their farm picture perfect. Anyhow the one sold for $5,750 and the other sold for $5,000. You couldn't have found nicer 6620 combines. That's what I'd look for if I were to stick with Deere. Otherwise I have a real nice L2 for ya.

Shoup has cylinder bars but no concave. I looked yesterday.

Gerald J.