gamble77 said:
They are really different machines. The 790 is a budget no frills tractor with a standard straight geared transmission. The 3203 is a budget tractor also and has a simple 2-range hydrostatic transmission. The 3320 is a higher spec tractor with either a hydraulic shuttle shift clutch or E-Hydro transmissinon. There really ins't overlap if you crunch the numbers...
I have driven a 4710 with e hydro...how does shuttle shift work? Looks like the 3320 weighs more than the other two, where is the extra weight?
For one thing, they all use different engines. The 790 has a 82 cid engine, the 3203's is 92 cid and the 3320 is 101 cid (all rounded up).
The 790 is a great machine...but it's an old design (mid 80's). The hydraulic capacities aren't as high as the other two, but would be quite adequate for most residential or farmette needs. The gear tranny is simple and robust. It's lighter then the other two machines (about 2200 lbs without the loader). It's also considerably cheaper then the other two.
Using gears is easy. Loader work would be a bit slower, but unless you're planning on using the tractor commercially, that probably wouldn't be a concern.
A great tractor for an owner who likes keeping things simple or doesn't want to spend a lot of money.
The 3203 is closer to the 3320. However,
you cannot use the 3203 as a stationary power unit (couldn't run a
chipper or log splitter, for example). Looking at the specs, the 3203 is what I'd call a plain jane 3320.
I bought my 790 to have enough power to run a
chipper. That would require the tractor to operate as a power unit.
Since the 3203 is not capable of being used as a power unit, I wouldn't even consider that one...I wouldn't...doesn't mean you shouldn't.
The 3320 is the heaviest of the three (700 lbs over the 790, 200 lbs over the 3203). I'd guess a good part of that weight is the bigger engine (20 cid more then the 790, 10 cid more then the 3203) but doesn't put out much more HP then either. Deere doesn't list how much engine torque is produced but I'm sure the 3320 is quite a bit torquier then either of the other tractors.
The Power Reverser tranny has 12 forward and 12 reverse gears...quite versatile. Once a gear is selected, you use a lever to select forward, reverse or neutral. This is a nice transmission!
I looked at a 3320 last year. I'm quite happy with my 790's capabilities, but I really like that power reverser transmission. I strongly suggest you try it out!
I thought long and hard about trading up to that 3320. But, the 790 did the work...and it's almost paid off. Also, I have 2½ acres of my own plus a few acres I'm maintaining for a neighbor. I just don't need a bigger or more powerful tractor. And I definitely don't need the debt.
I know I'll get flamed for the next comment..but here goes. I also think the 790 will be operational longer then the other two...primarily due to it's extremely simplicity. I am one of those guys who really believes KISS.