3320 300 hour review

[Killer_B]

I have owned this tractor now for a little over two years. For me, this is a record. Here is what I took deliver of on 8/18/07:

3320 Hydro, Turf Tires
300 CX W/ 61" HD Bucket
72" MMM
3rd SCV
Remote lines for angle blade on loader
Cool brush guard
Auto cruise
Telescoping lower links
Rear work light

Total price $25,000.00, with 6% MI tax that's $26,500.00 OTD.

I did a 200 hour review on this tractor on 10/16/08 that can be found here.

Honestly, there is not much new to tell. The last year and approximately 100 hours have been nearly as uneventful as the first 200 hours. The tractor continues to perform beautifully. The only things I have done since my 200 hour report were to change the oil, oil filter, and the battery. More on the battery later.

Observations regarding this machine for anyone considering its purchase:

1. So far it continues to give the impression of a solid, high quality tractor
2. The smooth, linear nature of the E-hydro never gets old
3. The auto style cruise control is well worth the extra $85.00 or so
4. I like the telescoping lower links
5. I like the way the loader goes off and on
6. Even though the MMM goes off and on in under 7 minutes, I don't like doing it anymore
7. The turf tires get great traction on snow
8. The "light switch" nature of the electrically operated PTO seems fine on all implements except the brush hog- it bangs real hard when engaging
9. I don't miss the clutch, except for #8
10. The break pedals on the left side make much more sense than having them on the right (next to the hydro pedals) ala Kubota
11. This thing starts better in the middle of winter than a gas engine- no block heater needed

The only real problem I had was with the battery. It never failed electrically, but it leaked all over the place. I knew this was a common failure, and resolved to keep a close eye on it. But alas, I went about 6 months without opening the hood. Below is was I found. The fix was pretty straight forward: Remove the battery, treat with baking soda and a scotch bright pad, paint with satin black rustoleum, replace battery with Interstate unit for $72.00.

Overall, I have to say that I really like this tractor and seem to have finally found just the right porage.

KB

[JD755]

Like many of us I also have experienced the battery corrosion problem. I have done a lot of clean up in the past with my behind-the-dash battery location. The vent caps tend to weep acid in small amounts with the tilt angles and bouncing tractors have to sustain. I really minimized the problem by venting those caps away from the tractor with one common cap and a tube to below the tractor.

[Killer_B]

JD,

Where did you get that fancy cap? Do you think it would fit my new battery?

Thanks!

KB

[JD755]

My John Deere batteries always come with that tossed in the box. Sometimes the parts guy tries to throw it away when he hands me the battery. Since the battery already has the standard caps on it I expect he wonders why it is even there. I suppose there is some application for it that requires remote venting. I have never looked for them separately, but I would check the auto parts shops that sell batteries, or even stop by John Deere to maybe get one free before the parts guy throws it out. My battery is a TY6192.

[Cocre]

Thx Killer_B for the review. I own a 3320 that is approaching 400 hours, 215 of them mine. I too have had battery issues, but mine was not an acid leak, it just went weird on me. So a new maintenance free battery from NAPA now sits in its place. Lowering your RPM before engaging the PTO will take some of the bang out of it, but you probably know that already.

[Killer_B]

Cocre,

Any problems with yours other than the battery?

KB

[Cocre]

Originally Posted by Killer_B

Cocre,

Any problems with yours other than the battery?

KB

The LoadMatch began acting "funny" a few weeks back. After the Tractor got hot (warmed up, not hot) when the LoadMatch was engaged and the tractor was run below 1700 RPM the tractor would barely move. Running the RPMs up a bit and it was just like old. Another person told me they had the same problem and took it to the dealer. The dealer replaced the throttle position sensor and fixed his problem. I calibrated mine using the technical manual and it solved my issue. The sensor is probably going bad (heat related), it cost $85 and is simple to replace, but I will leave it be for the time being.

I have also rebuilt both stabilizer cylinders on the 447 backhoe. Simple job and low cost; under 2 hours and under $20 in parts (total). They had been weeping just about since I bought the tractor a year ago, but I was too lazy to fix them until a few days back. After looking at the rod end of the cylinder I believe the previous owner left the backhoe outside with the stabilizers up, exposed to the rain and elements. The inside of the cylinders were lightly rusted right down to where the gland o-ring sealed. I touch sanded the rust off and installed new o-rings and seals, and so far no more oil leaking. It was very minor leakage anyway, hardly enough to worry about.

Other than that it has been problem free. I love the tractor.

[WH401]

Thanks for the review. I too have a 3320 and just turned 100 hrs on it(90 of them by me). I also have had battery issues, though mine were further along than yours. I suspect it probably started around the time when the original owner bought it in 06. The caps leaked acid all over the battery compartment, like most have. So, I cleaned up the surfaces with a spray of baking soda and water, then hosed it off, allowed it to dry, and then treated it with a coating of fluid film. I haven't had a problem since. Eventually I plan to replace it with a sealed Optima battery, to rid me of this issue once and for all. Other then that though, it's been a great tractor, and has helped a lot by cutting my total cut time by more than half.

[BloomingtonMike]

I changed mine out early on. I am at 236 hours or so and bought mine in September of 2005 I guess with 19 hours.

Here is the battery I have in it now and since about 60 hours.

[nmu98]

Originally Posted by BloomingtonMike

I changed mine out early on. I am at 236 hours or so and bought mine in September of 2005 I guess with 19 hours.

Here is the battery I have in it now and since about 60 hours.

What model optima is that?