Buying Advice 3320 private purchase

sfloggie · Oct 29, 2010

Good Morning,
I live in SE VA and am looking at a private sell 4WD 3320 with 300CX and 448. It looks like new and has 253 hours. I have seen it but not tried it yet.

The owner is 72 and selling most of his equipment. He said he kept this in the shed. Not sure what he used the 253 hours for as there are no marks. There is no evidence of new paint.

He said he brought it for $27,000 3.5 years ago and is asking $22,000. He did all the services as he did not like the dealer service prices. I assume there was warranty work so I will ask today.

What is a fair range to look at as offers for a new looking piece of equipment?

I would make an offer subject to the dealer inspection. Not sure if that is normal, but what I do with used cars.

Thanks sfloggie

brucew44guns · Oct 29, 2010

If he gave 27K for it, he may also have paid sales tax of over 1500 + too. Ask about that if the new price included tax, and check prices of a new one of these. 250 hours on a new "over-the-road-truck" at 50 mph average is only 12,500 miles, about ready for the first oil change on one of those, so the tractor is like new for the hours unless he was pulling stumps the whole time.

sfloggie · Oct 29, 2010

He said he had several business of which one was plumbing and the other was commercial fishing. He moved it around where he was doing plumbing jobs.

I checked new JD 3320s with what he has on his and the list is $34,000. It appears from websites that his model (2006) is selling for between $25K-$27K which seemed strange as that is what he paid.

He is selling a new looking 30 foot (or so) panel truck set up for plumbing supplies and a 30 foot trailer with tool box he installed for the tractor. He is asking $3000 for the trailer but it is too big for me.

I brought 112 acres earlier this year from an estate and want to do some ditching, road work and other maintenance.

I want to clear a path through thick 10 year old scrub trees and will rent a 300 Bobcat with Forestry cutter for that.

Thanks for the help as I have not been on a farm in 40 years and did not listen when my Dad tried to teach me!

JDGreenGrass · Oct 29, 2010

Soiunds like a used machine in mint condition....just what you want to see in a used tractor.

Be prepared to pay top dollar as JD tractors hold resale value very well.

What I would do is get him down to his bottom dollar and then shop for a similar new tractor in the class of the 3320. Then, decide if it is worth it to you to buy new or used.

sfloggie · Oct 29, 2010

Will do..thank you.

foggy1111 · Oct 29, 2010

You can see lots of 3320's with prices at Tractorhouse.com You don't say what optional equipment you are looking at. Hydrostatic tranny? Remotes? Tires? and other that can add up fast. I think tractorhouse is a good place to get ideas on price range. I suppose that hoe will add about $5 k to the tractor price??

I started out wanting to buy a new 3320....until I got retail prices. Instead found a slightly used one (200 hours) such as your looking at. Mine was about 1/3 less price than new. I'm happy.

Pushing_Tin · Oct 29, 2010

I have a 2010 3320. I bought it in July and paid $24k. It has the 300CX, 60" brush hog, e-hyrdo, cruise, and deluxe brush guard. Hope that helps with the comparison. Don't forget to factor in 0% if you plan to finance.

Good luck! :thumbsup:

hilld · Oct 29, 2010

Can't go wrong with a 3320. I have had mine for 5 years now and love it. It got used more during the first couple of years during construction and landscaping, now primarily for maintenance tasks.

I did have a couple of warranty issues (nothing major) and did have to replace the battery this year. Only place I could find it was at the dealer and at $140, it was pricey.

sfloggie · Oct 29, 2010

It helps a great deal..thanks.

CinderSchnauzer · Oct 29, 2010

While you didn't mention other options, such as mid PTO / 3 rd SCV / tires / eHydro, the $27,000 seems in the ball park when compared to mine which is a 2008. The 448 BH was about $1,500 more than the 447 if I recall.

In my opinion the $22K asking is not a steal, but is not unfair either. My 3320 is just around 200 hours and except for one fluke thing with the tachometer there have been no warranty items.

I'd highly recommend the 3320 - assuming the tasks you have planned fall within it's capabilities.

sfloggie · Oct 29, 2010

Thanks for the extra info.
It does have ehydro and R4 tires. I am not sure about mid-pto. I meet with the guy on Sunday to go over all of the components. Very new with tractors so please tell me the importance of mid-pto.

I am looking at a new 3320 tomorrow so I have a better comparison. Appreciate all the information.

foggy1111 · Oct 29, 2010

sfloggie said:
Thanks for the extra info.
It does have ehydro and R4 tires. I am not sure about mid-pto. I meet with the guy on Sunday to go over all of the components. Very new with tractors so please tell me the importance of mid-pto.

I am looking at a new 3320 tomorrow so I have a better comparison. Appreciate all the information.

They made two sizes of R4 Tires and the larger ones are a little more desirable and cost a few hundred more (you can look up the two sizes of R4 tires on the JD website). The mid PTO is mostly useful with a mid-mount (belly) mower for mowing lawns, but also can be used with a dedicated front snow blower. I think it costs $500 or so and could be added at any time. The 3rd SCV offers a pair of rear remotes to operate a remote hydraulic cylinder....nice to have and adds about $350 in cost. A brush guard is common with the loader. A deluxe brush gaurd adds a few hundred more. With a backhoe....you will already have "power beyond" which is an option thats costs $500?? or so. Other items which are nice (but rare to find) are wheel weights, hydrualic lines that go to the front (for a grapple).

Lots of my numbers are sorta guess'es. YOu can look up actual costs on the JD website. Look at "build my own" (or something of that nature( under the 3320 catagory. It has all the current MSRP prices and details of these options. Likely your tractor will have a few of these.....it would be nice for you to be able to recognize them....and they do have value (at least to me).

foggy1111 · Oct 29, 2010

By the way.....nothing wrong with having a list of the common options.....and ask your owner to show you what is on the tractor you are looking at. Id make a crib sheet and put the current MSRP costs for them....and use them in my negotiating....as needed.

He likely had to do some soul searching on these options when he spec'd this tractor when buying it....so he will know what the options are...IMO.

Most of these tractors do NOT have a mid pto unless they are used for mowing lawns. Most buyers do not equip for too many things they don't have implements for. The front bucket will either be a 61" or a 72" bucket. A heavy duty bucket is preferred...but not a deal breaker. Ask him to show you....if he did some excavating work....he will know. For my needs (digging) I like the 61" bucket size. If snow or derbis needs...then guys like the wider bucket. The tractor with R4's is 60" wide....so either bucket works. (still.....I like the narrower one for your needs...as described)

Keep reading and asking questions.....your on the right path....and this sounds like a good deal for your needs...on a good quality tractor....with a fair price. Not always easy to come by. :thumbsup:

Pushing_Tin · Oct 30, 2010

Pushing_Tin said:
I have a 2010 3320. I bought it in July and paid $24k. It has the 300CX, 60" brush hog, e-hyrdo, cruise, and deluxe brush guard. Hope that helps with the comparison. Don't forget to factor in 0% if you plan to finance.

Good luck! :thumbsup:

Since you're looking at a new one I forgot to add that this package included the HD bucket, tooth bar and rim guard. Let us know how it goes.

sfloggie · Oct 30, 2010

Thanks for the replies..buying is a pain the the butt. The "gettin'" part is nice.

This 3320 will do fine for what I want to do. We have a 112 acre farm which has not been worked since 1971 except for the front 22 acres. That is farmed by a good local farmer.

The land is about two miles deep ending at the head waters of the Northwest River leading form the Dismal Swamp into the Chesapeake Bay (or there about). The river is about 60-90 feet across at the southern end of land.

My plan for the tractor is to connect the many sections of ditches to work better for the farmer and me. He did them them for his crops.but I need to make it work for me also as some ditches just end at odd spots and water runs across a road.

I plan on adding a mower at some point for the smaller scrub. One good post mentioned how he used the FEL to nudge the brush over which assisted with the mowing. I will use a tented Bobcat with forestry cutter for the big stuff. We "ground" a 2-3 acre area for a barn and open area leaving only mulch like material and no debris to include trees of nice size.

I will post the results and photos once I make a purchase and then some of the work.

Thanks again, sfloggie

sfloggie · Nov 1, 2010

Thanks for the help on this thread (especially Tom)and the several others that I was able to research as a newbe.

I brought the private sale JD 3320 with 235 hours, 300CX with 4-1 FEL, ehydro, 447 BH and one option item (blade). Next is to find a good used MX6 mower from research.

The seller was great. Paid $21,500 with seller paying for JD dealer maintenance and operational inspection, any repairs and delivery (1.5 hours away) Saturday.

Will send pictures of it and the work I will be doing (lot of ditching).

hilld · Nov 1, 2010

Congrats and don't forget to post pics.

foggy1111 · Nov 1, 2010

sfloggie said:
Thanks for the help on this thread (especially Tom)and the several others that I was able to research as a newbe.

I brought the private sale JD 3320 with 235 hours, 300CX with 4-1 FEL, ehydro, 447 BH and one option item (blade). Next is to find a good used MX6 mower from research.

The seller was great. Paid $21,500 with seller paying for JD dealer maintenance and operational inspection, any repairs and delivery (1.5 hours away) Saturday.

Will send pictures of it and the work I will be doing (lot of ditching).

WTG sfloggie!! Sounds like you made a very nice deal. So...the loader had a 4 in one bucket?? NICE!! That gives you some extras and hydraulic options you had not reported earlier. Pics will give more equipment details....but it sure sounds like a good find for your purposes. Congrats!:thumbsup:

Ask more about that MX6 before you buy. Given your situation, and tractor, Im not sure if an MX5 five footer wouldn't be better. (?)

IIRC you have some HEAVY brush...no?

foggy1111 · Nov 1, 2010

OH....and was thinking about your tractor purchase as I read another post about tractor roll-overs. :confused2: Not to scare you.....but you are a newbie......so be sure to read about operating and safety. Put on that seat belt....be careful around hills and PTO's. Lots to learn and know about. Don't get hurt on your new toy.....errrrrr Tractor