Hitch Assist on John Deere 4R Series Compact Tractor

Hitch Assist on John Deere 4R Series Compact Tractor

By: Jared Torbert

One of many helpful features a John Deere 4R Series is equipped with is called “Hitch

Assist”. This feature allows the operator to move the tractor forward and reverse from the rear

fender area of the tractor. This feature comes in extremely handy since it beats having to

climb up and down into the tractor to position (and reposition) the tractor when hooking up

rear implements. The steps to use Hitch Assist can be, at first, confusing but are easy to

follow once you’ve done it a few times. Here’s a quick rundown of the engagement process

and operation.

When the operator is ready to engage Hitch Assist –

1. Make sure the Hitch Assist rocker switch (located on the floor panel next to the left-

hand side of the operator’s seat) is in the “OFF” position.

2. Hitch Assist cannot be engaged while the PTO is engaged, so make sure that is

turned off as well.

3. Engage the parking brake.

4. Move your range selector to range A with the engine throttle set to idle.

5. With the operator still fully in the operator’s seat reach down and activate the Hitch

Assist by turning the rocker switch to the “ON” position. You will know if you have done

this successfully if the flashers cycle on and off.

The operator can now leave the operator’s station. When doing so you will hear an audible

“Beeping” from the dash along with a display message stating that Hitch Assist is active. The

operator can now move to the rear of the tractor where the Hitch Assist control panel is. There

will be 3 buttons on this panel. One large, two smaller. The larger button is to engage the

Hitch Assist and functions as an operator presence monitor. The two smaller ones are the

forward or reverse travel engagement. In order to allow travel, the operator needs to hold

down the main Hitch Assist Engagement button along with the desired direction of travel

button. Be sure to hold down the Main Hitch Assist Engagement button the whole time the

tractor is in motion.

One last control and feature you will notice on the rear of the tractor is a turn dial with the

same icon as the rear 3-pt hitch you see in the operator’s station control. This is the Aux 3-pt

Hitch Control allowing you to raise and lower the 3-pt hitch from the rear fender area of the

tractor. Simply push in on the control and either rotate to the raise position or lower position

(left or right turn). The 3-point hitch will travel in the desired direction chosen, allowing you to

attach the rear implement to the 3-pt with ease.

Congratulations, you have successfully used your Hitch Assist feature on your John Deere 4R

Series Compact Tractor. These two features are just another way that John Deere has

simplified and improved overall functionality of their 4R Series making it easier on the owner

by saving time and frustration, thus getting you back in the seat quicker to get more work

done faster.