Bob,
I am the proud owner of an '06 3320, and I had the same concerns you articulate. I too thought I might best avoid the potential issues a turbo adds, and the idea of a significantly larger displacement was attractive. Now my tasks are using the 300cx FEL( highly recommended over the lighter duty unit), finish mowing ( I use the 60" belly mount 7 iron- considerably more agile than the 72"), powering a hydraulic Danuser post hole digger mounted to my bucket, and light wood chipping with a 4" Patu DC40 chipper.I think there is no advantage to the higher power with the FEL- hydraulic output is the same on all 3 series and I think mine is awesome. Same thing with any hydraulic power unit like the Danuser. If you need more hydraulic HP, you have to go t the 4xxx series- but they are much bigger and way, way louder. Any finish mower 6' or less does not demand more than a 3320 can push out- even up a hill.
The deciding factor tasks that need hp- one is high speed road work, like trying to hold high speed up hills if you drive it a distance for transport ( I slow down in C range noticeably on a steep grade, or for power hungry PTO attachments like a chipper. As to that, I was looking for a chipper to clean up tree branches and brush; every one told me I did not have enough hp for a 6" pto chipper even though the Vermeer trailer unit has a 25 hp engine, same as my 3320 pto hp. So I found a used 4" Patu ( I really prefer the horizontal feed design of the Finish chippers, liked the 6" Valby 140 except for the price) and I can tell you the 3320 machine does not even slow down a bit while the chipper feeds in the 3-4" limbs that are about the smallest thing I don't cut up for firewood.
That said, hey, if one has the bucks the 3720 is awesome and the difference in PTO hp is awesome, and you get significantly more torque at lower rpm than the non-turbos. You would be told no problem to run a 6" chipper or maybe a big bush hog or Harley rake or pull a blade at high speed.
Any way, I am totally satisfied and saved a big bunch of cash from the 3720.
I will mention two other points. First, if it matters, the 3320 is quiet- the big block sound is a bit different, a lower note from the turbo's I listened to at the dealer. When the machine is being run with the mid mount say 150' away, the mower deck is louder than the motor. My neighbor, our homes are only 80' apart, has told me he is amazed at how quiet the machine is. It does not seem this way operating it, but others have told me this too and for me keeping good relations with the neighbors is important. Also, if you look up the gals/hr fuel consumption published by Deere and Yanmar for the 4 engines and divide the by the HP output, you will find the 3320 is the most fuel efficient by a small amount; I am extremely pleased with the fuel efficiency of the tractor.
A long rant but I live my green machine!
I am the proud owner of an '06 3320, and I had the same concerns you articulate. I too thought I might best avoid the potential issues a turbo adds, and the idea of a significantly larger displacement was attractive. Now my tasks are using the 300cx FEL( highly recommended over the lighter duty unit), finish mowing ( I use the 60" belly mount 7 iron- considerably more agile than the 72"), powering a hydraulic Danuser post hole digger mounted to my bucket, and light wood chipping with a 4" Patu DC40 chipper.I think there is no advantage to the higher power with the FEL- hydraulic output is the same on all 3 series and I think mine is awesome. Same thing with any hydraulic power unit like the Danuser. If you need more hydraulic HP, you have to go t the 4xxx series- but they are much bigger and way, way louder. Any finish mower 6' or less does not demand more than a 3320 can push out- even up a hill.
The deciding factor tasks that need hp- one is high speed road work, like trying to hold high speed up hills if you drive it a distance for transport ( I slow down in C range noticeably on a steep grade, or for power hungry PTO attachments like a chipper. As to that, I was looking for a chipper to clean up tree branches and brush; every one told me I did not have enough hp for a 6" pto chipper even though the Vermeer trailer unit has a 25 hp engine, same as my 3320 pto hp. So I found a used 4" Patu ( I really prefer the horizontal feed design of the Finish chippers, liked the 6" Valby 140 except for the price) and I can tell you the 3320 machine does not even slow down a bit while the chipper feeds in the 3-4" limbs that are about the smallest thing I don't cut up for firewood.
That said, hey, if one has the bucks the 3720 is awesome and the difference in PTO hp is awesome, and you get significantly more torque at lower rpm than the non-turbos. You would be told no problem to run a 6" chipper or maybe a big bush hog or Harley rake or pull a blade at high speed.
Any way, I am totally satisfied and saved a big bunch of cash from the 3720.
I will mention two other points. First, if it matters, the 3320 is quiet- the big block sound is a bit different, a lower note from the turbo's I listened to at the dealer. When the machine is being run with the mid mount say 150' away, the mower deck is louder than the motor. My neighbor, our homes are only 80' apart, has told me he is amazed at how quiet the machine is. It does not seem this way operating it, but others have told me this too and for me keeping good relations with the neighbors is important. Also, if you look up the gals/hr fuel consumption published by Deere and Yanmar for the 4 engines and divide the by the HP output, you will find the 3320 is the most fuel efficient by a small amount; I am extremely pleased with the fuel efficiency of the tractor.
A long rant but I live my green machine!
I have some slopes and in a case or two, I need to climb up the slope to mow. The other cases i can just go down the slope. I guess i will stay in using the A and B range, or get it turbocharged for real