3520 or 4120 / 4320?

[JMER817]

Need some help guys...Can't decide between the two. Will be maintaining a total of 25 acres (mostly woods). Initially used to cut in some trails, after that only maintain. Brush hog 2-3 acres a couple times a year. Rototill / disc a 2 acre garden. Plow snow, landscape house etc. Property has some rolling hills. I like the 3520 based on price and should do everything I need. My only concern is the stability issues that I have read on this forum. I had the pevious version (4310) and yes it felt tippy to me. Looks like the tires sit a little wider on the 3520 now. I have heard that the 4000 series tractors feel more stable. They are wider but also sit taller (does this negate each other?) I do like the extra ground clearance on the 4000 series as well. HP power is higher on the 4000 series but maybe that is negated since the tractor weighs more (although geared lower) and larger attachements required to cover the wheel path (72inch vs 60inch rototiller, same with brush hog). Yes should be able to do more work in less time but not important to me. The only problem that I have with the 4000 series is the added $4-5K in cost.

 

[Mech]

Don't know much about the 4x20 series but I have a new 3520 Cab and with R1's set at their widest and filled it is very stable and there is very little level ground around here.



You can see that even with the fender extensions the wheels are wide.

 

[JMER817]

Mech,

What size box blade is on it?

 

[Mech]

72" box blade with 420 lbs of extra weight. I also have a 72" 4-in-1 bucket. If I fill the BB I will usually start spinning the wheels but the power with the turbo at 8600ft blows my 790 away.

 

[arlen4720]

I'm kind of partial to the 4x20's. They are 8" wider, 1000 pounds heavier, have all steel castings, and planetary final drives. They are more stable, and can be had with a self leveling loader (400cx).
Like you said, cost is always a factor, but when faced with the same decision as you, I went with an open station 4720. I would have bought a 5xxx if there would have been one with a hydro tranny.
If you are planning on getting a grapple, it is nice to have the extra loader lift...grapples are heavy.

 

[compact]

3520 is very maneuverable in woods and I don't find mine tippy. If you are going to plow any amount of snow you need some good chains on all 4's and it takes iron to move snow so 4xx would probably be better. I have a 74" sb1174 blower for my 3520 and it works very well - no snowbanks and the 3520 has plenty of power for the blower. I plowed snow with a 54HP and a 7 foot rear blade driving forward for 20 years on my 1/4 mile driveway and we get lots of snow here on the hill - tractor weighed 8500 loaded, had double diamond ice chains, and I wished it were bigger sometimes. Blower does the job faster with the little tractor. 3520 also handles a 6 foot light duty rc2072 quite easily. If I were going to skid out 2 1/2 foot diameter 25 foot pine logs I wouldn't suggest a 3520 (or a 4520 for that matter...). I flipped the front rims and set the rear r4's wide - works for me and I don't load my tires. I do have a nice set of ice chains which help a lot. Easy to tow the 3520 with a half ton pickup. That much said...sometimes I wish I had a 4xx tractor! Very happy with the 3520 though.

 

[jenkinsph]

JMER,
All of these mentioned are fairly small tractors so I wouldn't be concerned about over buying. Most tractors seem to shrink after you get them home. As far as stability goes my 4520 cab seems to be good with three wheel weights on each rear wheel. For it's size it does a good job imo.

 

[Spindifferent]

I've used both a 3520 and a 4120 to brush hog the same 15 acres of flat land with lots of trees and I prefer the 3520 for the maneuverability around the trees, fences, buildings, etc. No concerns at all about the stability of the 3520. Both tractors pull a 6 foot brush hog and both have plenty of power. The 4120 is definitely a bigger and heavier machine, but for brush hogging on flat land, there is no need for it, in my experience. The 3520 will likely save you a little fuel as well compared to the 4120.

 

[diesellineman]

I was in the same boat as you a couple of weeks ago. I decided to go with the 4000 series. I went that route mainly for the loader lift capacity, the extra weight, and better stability. Another plus is there is that there seems to be more leg room on the 4000, not a bunch but enough that you notice it.

 

[DrScarecrow]

I am in the same spot. I am upgrading from my 2520 to one of these other two machines. I am on 15 acres with a lot of woods. It's hard for me to decide because there is only a $3500.00 difference between the 3520 and 4120. I know the 3520 will meet my needs, but I want to future proof as well. Trading up takes it toll on the bank roll. With that being said, the new 3R series will be coming out in January are will have the tier 4 junk on them so Nows the time to buy before the order banks are closed.
Sure could use some of y'all's help!

Cheers!