3320 for 2.5 acres way overkill or what?

[hodoms]

Well first of all using your logic why not look at 4000 series, 5000 series, or maybe 6003 series. Everyone has to set some sort of limit or we all will have 250hp row crop tractor. You were being a smart guy and I just point out the obvious or did that strike a nerve with you. You keep saying it grossly oversized, ok, but what is the appropriate size tractor for 2.5 acres and what is your exact reasons for choosing that size tractor. The truth is you probably don't know and you are basing you opinion on your value set, just like I already said. Your problem is that you find my reasons "invalid" because it is not what you would do, fine. You could just say you would not do it but to call my reasons invalid and assumes that the only valid reasons are one you "think" are valid. You are right on one think you said, that it's you opinion. I like you to list how much land and what are valid reasons to buy a 3320 or maybe a 2520. Then if I decide to go with the 2520 I can check your list to make sure my reasons are valid.

 

[the_sandman_454]

Tractor time can be fun and relaxing, but if you only have a limited amount of time to be doing work at home, then a bigger machine can increase your productivity per hour, as long as it's not too big to turn around efficiently, etc. For example if you pretty much live at work during the week and get maybe a day to work at your property during the weekend, having a bigger machine means getting more done or finishing projects you want/need to finish quickly.

I went with a 3520 for my 20A, and I'm seriously thinking I'd like to move up to a 5000 series just because of increased productivity with the loader for snow removal, moving dirt/soil amendments around and working that in, and various other tasks. It might be a little overkill, but it would likely also be a significant time saver, cutting a much bigger swath with a brush cutter, and so forth.

Then again in the future there is likely a possibility of buying the neighboring 40A parcel also.

I would say on 2-2.5A, if you feel pressed for time getting things done or want to be somewhat more efficient with your use of time, go for it. Maybe before buying, see if the dealer will allow you a chance to demo the unit on your property to make sure it meets your expectations of what you plan to do once you get it, and how it fits on the property.

 

[Mayor]

2305, 2320, or 2520 would meet your needs and then some. I also understand the 790 and 990 will now be listed as the 3005 and the 4005. All the tractors will be over kill but it comes down to your needs. If you going to cut grass with it 80% of the time then a smaller unit would work the best. If FEL work and Brush hog work is on your list for 80% of the time then the 2520, 3005, or 3320 would be my pick. I have a good friend with a 3320 on about 4 acres. He does a lot of work with it. FEL, brush hog, finish mower, box blade, york rake, and moving large boats around with it. For the size it feels smaller then it is. Everthing is so much faster for FEL work to box blade work. Put on a finish mower and the 2305 will run circles around it. Get what you want as you will have it a long time. As others said you can never have to much tractor and who cares what the people around you think. The first storm or project they have you will hear a knock on the door.

I have women on my street asking if I can come over with the unit (2305) and help with a project. I always give them a strange look. Hey I did not name it they did. For a block party I even filled the FEL up with ice for drinks. You will come up with so many uses.

 

[DayDreamer]

What was the purpose of this thread?

Obviously you don't get it and are not providing anything useful to it, so please move along and stop replying to this thread.

 

[orlo]

You've probably got way too much info (in replies on this thread but here are a couple more things)...

Accessories for the 3000 series are way more expensive than the 2000 series. More capable, but the price difference isn't what you would expect. You can get a snowblower for your 2000 series for probably $2300 bucks. You're up to almost 5k for one for the 3 series. (I know, I have one for my 2305 and one for my 3720). Loaders, mowers, etc. are much more expensive on the 3000 (and 4000 for that matter) than the 2000. It's not just the difference in the tractor price.

As i mentioned earlier also you'll need at least an 8000# tandem trailer (in my opinion to move a 3320 with a loader and ballast (I have a 10000# tandem to move mine). You could move the 2000 series with a 6000# trailer and possibly even a 5000# trailer depending upon what you have on it.

Anyway, if you do go with the 3320 you'll like it. It's a very capable tractor. The only reason I went with the 3720 from my 3320 when I got the cab was more HP to account for the a/c compressor, bigger alternator and hey, what the heck I went all the way to the 3720. I would have gone for a 4520 cab but I didn't think it would fit in my Garage...

 

[Shawk]

You've probably got way too much info (in replies on this thread but here are a couple more things)...

Accessories for the 3000 series are way more expensive than the 2000 series. More capable, but the price difference isn't what you would expect. You can get a snowblower for your 2000 series for probably $2300 bucks. You're up to almost 5k for one for the 3 series. (I know, I have one for my 2305 and one for my 3720). Loaders, mowers, etc. are much more expensive on the 3000 (and 4000 for that matter) than the 2000. It's not just the difference in the tractor price.

As i mentioned earlier also you'll need at least an 8000# tandem trailer (in my opinion to move a 3320 with a loader and ballast (I have a 10000# tandem to move mine). You could move the 2000 series with a 6000# trailer and possibly even a 5000# trailer depending upon what you have on it.

Anyway, if you do go with the 3320 you'll like it. It's a very capable tractor. The only reason I went with the 3720 from my 3320 when I got the cab was more HP to account for the a/c compressor, bigger alternator and hey, what the heck I went all the way to the 3720. I would have gone for a 4520 cab but I didn't think it would fit in my Garage...

Good points Orlo... those are things I considered too. Attachments are quite a bit more AND I would have also needed a new trailer along with a bigger vehicle to pull that trailer.

 

[RollTideRam]

I wanted a 3120 but settled for the 2520. It was a good tractor, but did not have the loader capacity that I wanted. Now I have a 3320 and I really like it. It is overkill for my 2.6 acres, but I also use it on family land (15 acres)that is around me. I will also use it on some land that our church needs to clear. I bush hog 5 acres for another man and hope to find a few more odd jobs for it. I already had a truck and trailer. I bought a 5' box blade, 6' rake,5' cutter and a light duty 4' grapple to use with my 2520. I'm still using these same implements on my 3320. I could go bigger, but each covers my tracks. I may end up with a mx5, instead of my lx5, but only time will tell on that.
Remember, your decision will only affect you and your family, not me or anyone else on here. I'm just glad your not buying an orange tractor. JC

 

[BloomingtonMike]

Too me it it is not the size of your land that dictates the size of the tractor but the size of your work and how fast you want to get it done. I own a 3320 on 6.05 acres. It is perfect for me and how I work. Sure other tractors can do the work as well.

I really liked the comment about buy the one you want now and in three years you will wonder how you got yours so cheap. That is SO TRUE. I am feeling that now. Great advice!

 

[garth466]

I have 2.5 acres and was in the same boat. I thought I only needed to 2320 or 2520, but didn't look too long at them. I ended up with the 3120 because it wasn't much more. Sometimes I wish I went with the 4120 now that I've used a friends a few times.

I did feel the need to upgrade my trailer after towing it on my 7000# trailer. I've got a 14000# 24' trailer now. I've never felt the need for any more power, but I come up with it's loader limitations a lot. After my slash is all burned, it might be overkill. I'm sure I'll continue to come up with reasons to keep it though.

 

[Superduper]

If the tractor can be operated without manueverability issues, then there is no such thing as overkill. Can the same job be done with less? Maybe. Is a 1/2" rachet overkill when a 3/8" rachet can do the job? Depends upon whether the 1/2" is too large to operate easily. Otherwise, it sure is easier to loosen and tighten that nut with the larger wrench.

Like you, I also entertained the 2520 but felt that it was overpriced for what you get. In fact, the quotes for the 2520 vs the 3120 which I eventually got was like $200 difference. Could be due to the fact that this dealer did not have any 2520's in stock (they sell a lot of BIG machines) but whatever the reason for the small price differential, it was clear to me that the larger frame tractor was a much better deal. When seeing and comparing both side by side, it is clear that you get much more machine for your money with the 3x20 series. Turn radius wasn't all that different and wheel base wasn't that much more too (see the specs) but the heft is clearly greater as well as the capability.

I also have a small parcel, even smaller than yours but when moving dirt, I knew right then that I wouldn't have wanted to go smaller. I've never regreted it even though I know that size wise, the 2520 was better suited for my plot. It's what I wanted and if I went smaller, I will forever wish I had gone larger. And no, I don't mow any lawns with it.

Don't let the "it's overkill" posts get to you. If it's what you want, if you can afford it, if you can manuever it on your place, then it's what you should get.