3520 Jd with graple question

[roermo]

I am going to trade up to a 3520 from a 4110, I want to add a grapple for handling my logs to cut down on the hand work and back aches.
Qustions 1: how much will this rig pick up in weight, I cut on down peacon wood.
Question 2: how much rear weight would I need. I hate to fill the tires.
Questions 3: would I be doubling my working lift power with stepping up to the 3520 from the 4110.

You folks here have been a lot of help. I am posting with this post my log pile, I heat only with wood the heck with our gas company.

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[lgcivttu]

That setup will move them fine, but the 3320 has a very compact wheelbase, so be prepared to put a lot of ballast on the rear of that rig.

 

[Rayder]

There are a number of variables that make your question difficult to answer. First, grapples vary in weight. I have a grapple rake that is in the neighborhood of 800 lbs. If you go with a grapple attachment for your bucket, then the weight will be significantly less. Also, remember that when you are hauling logs around, you really only need to curl them just off the ground to move them ... so while you may be able to move a certain log around, you might not be able to buck that log up onto an elevated surface.

I assume you don't want to fill your tires because you do some finish mowing and you don't want to damage your lawn? All I can tell you is I had my tractor for a month before I got the tires filled and the difference was remarkable ... highly recommended for what you are doing, unless you just have to have removable ballast.

On my 4320, the rear wheels can be modified to something like 8 positions ... I have mine set to almost the widest position. If that option exists on the 3000 series then do it ... especially for hauling logs where your weight distribution will often be out of balance.

Good luck.

 

[lgcivttu]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If that option exists on the 3000 series then do it ... especially for hauling logs where your weight distribution will often be out of balance.)</font>

The 3020s only have 2 position wheels. Basically all you can do is move the right side wheels to the left side and you only gain like 1.5" on each side, if that much.

 

[Rayder]

I was surprised to hear that the rear wheels couldn't be adjusted like the 4020 series, so I took a look at the manual online.

lgcivttu is correct on the industrial and turf tires, but if you get ag tires on a 3520, they do come with 8 position rear wheels, just like the 4020 series.

But considering that he doesn't want to fill his tires (assuming that he doesn't want to tear up a lawn), then he probably won't want ag tires. So the point may be moot after all.

 

[BloomingtonMike]

I just saw the R1 ag tires on the 3X20 series this week - My first impression - THIN THIN THIN! Wow. I couldn't believe the way the front tires in particular looked. I will keep my R4s with their minimal width changes. See these R1s in person before ordering them.

 

[roermo]

Thanks for your help here. Thinking about the graple and the add wieght, would i be better using a set of forks not to mention cheaper. I am thinking a set of forks with using my bucket 430. Or is there such an gismo.

Agian thanks thanks thanks from a newbee .(owned my 4110 for 12 months.)

 

[Rayder]

You said you were upgrading to a 3520. Have you given any thought to going to a 4120 instead? I think there would be roughly a 15% price increase between the two, but you would get substantialy more weight and a little more wheel base, plus a little more power.

You haven't mentioned what else you do with your tractor so maybe the large frame/extra weight won't work well with your other tasks.

I would think you could make the fork idea work for logs, but it wouldn't work as well as a grapple. My grapple rake has been extremely useful with logs and brush ... it cost me around 3K, but I feel as though I've got every cent out of it (and I've only had it about 9 months). OF course you can get a grapple for much less than 3K.

 

[roermo]

thanks rayrider:
I looked at the 4120 model and I am needing to stay with as small of tractor frame as possible but still do a big boy job. Thats where the rub is I guess. I use my 4110 to cut a small yard in town, cut 3 acres in country, do a lot of loader work at the river camp moving dirt off the road after floods. re working the yard from errsion etc. But the work a lot with cutting wood shoving it around and picking up large short logs to the spliter and us it to load into the truck. I also from time to time us it to work around other folks property. The other day pulled shrubs, metal fence posts. Used my blade to smooth out the holes from the shurbs. Heck even moved my woodstove out of my basement.

So I want power and the ability to lift weight but keep the size down and too the price.

I notice the 4120 was a good bit larger and I need to stay around 25,000 or under. back hoe, oh boy would love to have one but the price and how often I would use it would be limited would rather spend on tiller, box blade, grapple. I have a rake and back blade and fel.

Thanks for the imput.

roger

 

[Rayder]

Yes, I understand your decision. Tradeoffs suck.

I do have a backhoe and agree with your analysis. When I need it, I love it. But I can't honestly say that I get my money out of that implement ... I guess it falls more into the toy category for me (don't tell my wife I said that).

Anyway, best of luck with your difficult choice.