3720 or 4120; What to buy!!!!

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Reading how much land you have and the tasks at hand, get the bigger machine. Definitely get the bigger frame. The 3720 is an awesome machine but your tasks will be better suited by the bigger frame.

The Yanmar's have proven themselves to be some of the best diesel engines in the world. They are a very big plus and should not deter anyone from buying the mid frame machines.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

That is what I wanted to say, but i thought I'd let Kyle LOOK smart today /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Dave52]

For the yard and the tight places I have a nice Kubota lawn tractor.

Still, what is bothering me most with the 4120 is the smoke at start up and the loud engine noise. I have read the posts on the 4120 smoke problem and with the money I would be spending should I take a chance. Also; with the level of engine noise of the 4120 I would need to wear hearing protection The 3720 runs so smooth and quiet.

I can't understand why there would be that kind of a difference between the Yanmar and JD engine.

I'm going to rent a 3720 w/FEL and brush cutter from the dealer for the weekend and see how I like it. The dealer said he would credit the rental money to the purchase of what ever tractor I decide to purchase.

I'll let you know what I think.

 

[jcmseven]

Dave,

If you do not feel it would tax your friend too much, consider comparing them on your property. The 4000 series machines are very nice, but are quite a bit larger than the 3000 series machines. This may not always be good. I have a 3720 and can say it has easily done anything I have ever wanted. Admittedly I do not tax it too much with what I have for it, but I cannot think of too many instances where the 800 pound weight difference would matter that much. Yes, the 400x loader does have a higher lift capacity, but the difference is not huge, and unless one is really doing consistently heavy work, I do not see the difference. As far as power goes, the 3720 if anything is overpowered. (yes, I said it -- as part of my 12 step power addiction program). The motor will easily turn big PTO attachments. I also have not used a 4000 series machine for finish mowing, but I can say the 3000 series are nearly as manuverable as a smaller sub compact and will tread lighter. I am not saying to get the smaller machine, just that you might be surprised by how much a high powered mid frame can do and also by the difference in size, be careful having too big a machine is almost as bad as having too small.

John M

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Good plan!

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I say "What Rockyridge said!"

Will your dealer let you rent a 4120 to compare it after renting the 3720?

I'd love a 3720 but I already have a 4310 and the trade up is probably around 6-7K.

 

[ddivinia]

The 4720 is loud. I have gotten to the point that I wear noise canceling headphones when I operate any of my equipment down to a weed whacker.

D.

 

[renz]

I'm not sure whether the smoking 4120's are prevalent, or maybe we only hear about the ones that smoke. My 4120 lets out a puff at its rev-up/rich start cycle, as designed, and that's the end of the smoke.

As far as noise - loud and diesel-clanky at idle, smoother and seemingly quieter at any revs above idle. Hearing protection: I think it's a good idea in any case, and I find it's less tiring having the protection on during longer work periods.

I couldn't be more pleased with my 4120, including its big frame and bulldog workability, using it for big granite potato-plucking, stump-plucking, and FEL-landscaping. And the machine size makes me confident that I can finish a project that gets unexpectedly large, tough or heavy.

As is often said here though, this is only my needs and experience talking, not yours.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

So how's it going?

 

[Dave52]

Well I spent about 10 hours on the 3720 this weekend. I cut lots of brush with the MX6 and fixed a washed out culvert with the FEL. It took me a while to get used to the hydro. It seemed to lack power when cutting on uneven ground but after an hour I got that figured out; (forgot to take it out of high range) When I put it in mid or low range the tractor met every challenge I gave it. LOTS OF POWER!!! I am going to go back to the dealership and try to make up my mind this week. It would be nice to try the 4120 but they don't have any in their rental fleet. I'll post what I decided and some pics of the new toy....tool.

Thank you so much to every one who posted and helped me make this major purchase decision......Dave