3720 Problem

   / 3720 Problem #1  

Roger2561

Silver Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2005
Messages
135
Location
New Hampshire, USA
Tractor
JD 4500
Hi all - Approx. a year ago a co-worker purchased a JD 3720 with cab, A/C, FEL, Rearmount snowblower, cab heater, 4X4. It has 150 hours on it. He has complained a couple of times of lousy fuel economy and smokey exhaust. I have never seen this - I'm taking his word for it. Let me add that this guy takes care of his equipment maticulously, never over works it. He has also complained that the exhaust "stinks", he was unable to give a better description of it. He also stated the other day he thought he saw raw fuel come from the exhaust pipe. It exhasuts below the engine. He also said the FEL frame had blackened due to either smokey exhaust or the unburned fuel. He called the local dealer from whom he purchased the tractor and they took it away to see what is going on. He received a call from them te other day and they report there is nothing wrong with it. He finds this unaccpetable as I do. I have 2000 JD 4500 that I purchased new in year 2000 and it has been running great since the day it was delivered. I don't know if the exhaust problem and fuel problem are "normal" for this tractor. Can someone offer any advise? Thanks, Roger
 
   / 3720 Problem #2  
I got a 3520...
-Soot on the loader frame is normal....More of a "Loader Frame Placement" issue then a engine issue..
-Smokey....I'd have to see it, its a diesel....smoke = normal...if its not burning oil, etc.. I wouldnt worry.
-I wouldnt say it has a fuel problem....theres been a few discussions about 3720's and their thirst, and the general consensus was that its normal... Mine drinks approx 1/2 Gal/hr, all depends on what kind of work your doing too....running the machine at Rated (PTO @540) RPM will make it drink alot more then when I'm just running it around doing loader work, etc..

Without seeing the actual machine to compare to mine because these are very subjective "opinions" on his part for lack of better terms, I'm thinking his expectations are just too high...its a tractor, not a BMW..(although when behind the wheel in a JD Cab, you can often forget that!)
 
   / 3720 Problem #3  
I completely agree. Soot on the FEL is normal. My 790 smokes quite a lot at startup especially if it is cold. The exhaust blows right on the FEL so soot there is inevitable. I'm actually going to try an exhaust extension to redirect it. I've considering getting an upright stack, wish they had never run it down under the tractor. I have a 790 and you have to work it most of a day to burn 5 gallons of fuel but I have no knowledge of the 3720 fuel consumption.
 
   / 3720 Problem #4  
Do you know what grade of fuel you are using?
 
   / 3720 Problem #5  
My JD 970 had a Yanmar diesel. My JD 110 has a Yanmar diesel engine, too.

A couple of things that I have noted regarding these engines -- they puff a nice black cloud on startup and they'll puff a good black cloud whenever they pull down under load (many diesels do this as well) when the governor overrides the throttle.

Consequently, the loader arm and the side cover on my 110 will get sooty over time.

It's not that big of a problem - IMO. I bought my tractor's with the idea of using them to accomplish work around the farm... and a power-wash and a swipe of wax cleans things up just fine.

One other thing that I've noted -- if I have too much PowerService in the fuel -- the tractor stinks more and the soot is "wetter". So, if you're using a diesel fuel supplement, that can have an effect on the exhaust, too.

Can't speak to the 3720's fuel use; my Yanmar's were/are very stingy on fuel. But, none of them were turboed/intercooled (some argue that this makes for better fuel economy), though.

AKfish
 
   / 3720 Problem #6  
Can't speak to the 3720's fuel use; my Yanmar's were/are very stingy on fuel. But, none of them were turboed/intercooled (some argue that this makes for better fuel economy), though.

Personally, I dont think that you could call it "better fuel economy"...but "more efficent".... gotta remember that HP = Fuel....a 3720 WILL Drink more then a 3320....
FWIW....Dealer told me they stopped stocking 3320's because they drank more fuel compared to a 3520...... 3320 has to have a BIGGER motor to make less HP then the 3520.
Without having any scientific knowledge to back my claim up...I bet the 3320 and 3520 drink about the same fuel...but you get more HP on the 3520.

All that being said....even with fuel at 4.00 gal, even IF my tractor burnt a whole gal an hour (it doesnt) I'd still gladly pay 4.00 an hour to get my work done in my own machine. Dont think you could rent or pay somone to do it for less then that.
 
   / 3720 Problem
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Do you know what grade of fuel you are using?

Adamls78 - I'm asking on behalf of my co-worker. I have a 4500 that I purchased in March of 2000 and I have not experienced any of the symptoms he's communicated to me.

I believe I heard him tell someone that he's using "offroad" diesel fuel. I don't know if that makes any difference or not. I have to admit, I'm a bit ignorant when it comes to different fuels.
 
   / 3720 Problem #8  
Personally, ....but you get more HP on the 3520.

All that being said....even with fuel at 4.00 gal, even IF my tractor burnt a whole gal an hour (it doesnt) I'd still gladly pay 4.00 an hour to get my work done in my own machine. Don't think you could rent or pay somone to do it for less then that.

No kidding, yeah, even adding in my own hourly rate, it is still cheaper. And i can start earlier without getting in trouble.
 

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