cathomps
New member
I have a 2008 3720 with 600 hours on it. The 3720 has R4 tires. I am looking to get a new tractor just to make sure I avoid any unexpected costs. My question is do I step up to the mid frsme 4020 series tractors? My biggest concern is will it be too big/heavy and create a lot more rutts and ground compaction?
Background....I live on the mid coast of Maine and have 10 acres. I also take my tractor a dozen times a year to my mom's place with 70 acres. I primarily use it for general grounds & forest upkeep. I have a 485 backhoe, harley rake, york rake, Wallenstien BX65 hydraulic chipper, 6' rotary cutter, forks and posthole digger. I also have a JD 2305 with 54"mower, front snowblower and bucket.
The ground here has a thin layer of topsoil and then clay. The clay is like a tarp under the soil which prevents water from draining. Even when you think the ground should be dry it is often still very squishy and driving a tractor over it creates ruts, especially on anything resembling a lawn. Often times I am not working "on the lawn" but I need to get "across the lawn" to get to a field to mow or tree to chip.
I consider myself an expert operator and the 3720 has stunned me with how versitile and capable it is. I am thinking about a larger tractor primarily because I could lift more and have a more stable stance. I do not do a lot of loader work but always seem to be trying to lift a rock or piece of equipment that's just out of reach of the 3720 hydraulics.
So here's the question....I know the 4520 is about 800 lbs heavier. I also think it has larger, wider tires. What guidance can anyone provide on how the 4520 compares to the 3720 with respect to rutting, ground disturbance, turning sod into mud etc? Does the extra weight make it worse or is the weight effectively neutralized by the larger, wider tires?
Having the 2305 also has been huge because I can do smaller things with it with less ground disturbance but it can't run the rotary cutter, harley rake or chipper and I do a LOT of chipping.
Chuck
Background....I live on the mid coast of Maine and have 10 acres. I also take my tractor a dozen times a year to my mom's place with 70 acres. I primarily use it for general grounds & forest upkeep. I have a 485 backhoe, harley rake, york rake, Wallenstien BX65 hydraulic chipper, 6' rotary cutter, forks and posthole digger. I also have a JD 2305 with 54"mower, front snowblower and bucket.
The ground here has a thin layer of topsoil and then clay. The clay is like a tarp under the soil which prevents water from draining. Even when you think the ground should be dry it is often still very squishy and driving a tractor over it creates ruts, especially on anything resembling a lawn. Often times I am not working "on the lawn" but I need to get "across the lawn" to get to a field to mow or tree to chip.
I consider myself an expert operator and the 3720 has stunned me with how versitile and capable it is. I am thinking about a larger tractor primarily because I could lift more and have a more stable stance. I do not do a lot of loader work but always seem to be trying to lift a rock or piece of equipment that's just out of reach of the 3720 hydraulics.
So here's the question....I know the 4520 is about 800 lbs heavier. I also think it has larger, wider tires. What guidance can anyone provide on how the 4520 compares to the 3720 with respect to rutting, ground disturbance, turning sod into mud etc? Does the extra weight make it worse or is the weight effectively neutralized by the larger, wider tires?
Having the 2305 also has been huge because I can do smaller things with it with less ground disturbance but it can't run the rotary cutter, harley rake or chipper and I do a LOT of chipping.
Chuck
