Age vs. Hours

Moxiechef · Jan 29, 2016

I'm looking at two JD 3320s and three 3033Rs. They all look(photos only so far) to be in good shape.

All are hydro and have all the same bells and whistles.

They are:

2010 - 3320 - 115 hrs - $17,500 + $250 delivery
2013 - 3320 - 377hrs - $18,000 + $750 delivery
2014 - 3033r - 6hrs - $21,200 + $500 delivery(one year of power train warranty left)
2014 - 3033r - 35hrs - $22,200 + $500 delivery(dealer demo, full Deere warranty)
2014 - 3033r - 410hrs - $20,500 delivered

I just have no idea how to value the hours vs the age. And if the 3033r is worth the extra money over the 3320.

Thanks,

JB

big bubba · Jan 29, 2016

is this from a dealership with some kind of warranty of sale?

ovrszd · Jan 29, 2016

Is warranty a deal breaker to you??

Moxiechef · Jan 29, 2016

I edited.
The 3033r with 35 hrs was a demo tractor for them. It's new, never titled, so it'll come with the Deere full warranty.
The 3033r with 6 hrs has another year of power train warranty.
The warranty is not that important. It's just reassuring.

Grandad4 · Jan 29, 2016

Even the ones with 3-400 hours are barely past a decent break-in period. Going purely by the hours, they're all virtually new tractors. There may be some features that make one worth more or more suitable for your needs. Also, perhaps there are some cosmetic differences... scratches, dings, a bit of surface rust, weathering, etc. Over 10+ years of ownership the differences in price are really trivial. As noted, warranty differences may help decide which is best. Your own assessment should guide you in making the final call. Go look at and drive them to see if one of them tickles your fancy more than the others.

ovrszd · Jan 29, 2016

Moxiechef said:
I edited.
The 3033r with 35 hrs was a demo tractor for them. It's new, never titled, so it'll come with the Deere full warranty.
The 3033r with 6 hrs has another year of power train warranty.
The warranty is not that important. It's just reassuring.

Then don't pay any attention to age. Look for the oldest tractor that has the features you require and is under the hours you feel good about. It will be the best tractor for the dollars spent.

Texasmark · Jan 30, 2016

Tractors aren't cars or trucks and shouldn't be thought of in the same mentality. Only bad thing I would have to say about low hours and old age is that if not properly protected, things sitting around and not running can develop things like condensation related problems in the metal, fluid contamination, and cracked rubber; things that wouldn't be present in well used things to the same degree, but the newer could have wear that the old didn't have. It's a toss to me.

I did buy a 1979 100 hp JD 4230D with cab in 2005 with 3900 hours. It's common for this tractor to accumulate 10k hours before overhaul so it was little used for the year model. Super buy. Bought an early '60's Ford 4000D 40ish hp, back around 2000 that had very low oil pressure. Hoped it's be a bad gauge or pressure relief valve but it turned out to be bad mains. But it had a loader and I sold it for half what I paid for the thing ($1000) plus the overhaul parts and got my money out of the deal after all.

So, like everything else, it just depends!

BleedingOrange · Jan 30, 2016

Having just traded in a slightly used compact tractor, on a brand new one, here is how my dealer works, and I think many others are the same.
They use age of tractor against you when your selling, with very little mention of low hours.
However, when your buying used, they constantly mention low hours, and never mention the year of tractor, and even if you ask, they tell you it,s the hours that are important.
Always seems to be a win-win, for the dealer.

jeff9366 · Jan 30, 2016

If outside stored age would affect tires, hydraulic lines and potentially wiring. Rodents get into tractor wiring.

If inside stored, especially with humidity control, age would have little significance.

sweettractors · Jan 30, 2016

Moxiechef said:
I'm looking at two JD 3320s and three 3033Rs. They all look(photos only so far) to be in good shape.

All are hydro and have all the same bells and whistles.

They are:

2010 - 3320 - 115 hrs - $17,500 + $250 delivery
2013 - 3320 - 377hrs - $18,000 + $750 delivery
2014 - 3033r - 6hrs - $21,200 + $500 delivery(one year of power train warranty left)
2014 - 3033r - 35hrs - $22,200 + $500 delivery(dealer demo, full Deere warranty)
2014 - 3033r - 410hrs - $20,500 delivered

I just have no idea how to value the hours vs the age. And if the 3033r is worth the extra money over the 3320.

Thanks,

JB

JB, With no more difference than that in pricing, I would go with the 2014 - 3033r - 35hrs. Ken Sweet

looch · Jan 30, 2016

Younger tractor with higher hours makes me think commercial use - which could also mean the owner was not the operator.

jodebg · Jan 30, 2016

Should the Tier rating be a consideration, as well?

ovrszd · Jan 30, 2016

sweettractors said:
JB, With no more difference than that in pricing, I would go with the 2014 - 3033r - 35hrs. Ken Sweet

That's $64 per hour. Wow. You can rent one cheaper than that.

If warranty is your reason for going with the newer tractor I say this. If you are buying a tractor that warranty is a critical item when looking at a tractor with less than 120 hours you are looking at the wrong tractor. Should be no need for warranty. If so, it's junk.

ovrszd · Jan 30, 2016

jodebg said:
Should the Tier rating be a consideration, as well?

Not to me, because if you hang around long enough you'll have a Tier IV tractor too. But for some, it's a huge issue.

prs · Jan 30, 2016

Low price or middle price with some warranty.

prs

Moxiechef · Feb 1, 2016

Thanks for the thoughts.

There is one more tractor that I'm looking at, 2010, 3520, 325 hours, $17,000 but unfortunately it's the furthest away at $1,250 delivery. I just hate paying that much for delivery instead of putting that money into implements.

Texasmark · Feb 1, 2016

ovrszd said:
Not to me, because if you hang around long enough you'll have a Tier IV tractor too. But for some, it's a huge issue.

Well I guess Tier IV isn't a big deal for me either. After I got my 2400 home I was looking it over real good and found Tier IV stamped on the engine ID plate. Hmmmmm! Thought the emissions were for 30 hp up and this guy is 24. But looking the engine over, all I found that my '07 Tier III (I think) 65 hp didn't have was a little tube going to a PCV valve (and the valve) on the valve cover. Don't know what's on/in the larger engines.

Texasmark · Feb 1, 2016

ovrszd said:
Not to me, because if you hang around long enough you'll have a Tier IV tractor too. But for some, it's a huge issue.

Well I guess Tier IV isn't a big deal for me either. After I got my 2400 home I was looking it over real good and found Tier IV stamped on the engine ID plate. Hmmmmm! Thought the emissions were for 30 hp up and this guy is 24. But looking the engine over, all I found that my '07 Tier III (I think) 65 hp didn't have was a little tube going to a PCV valve (and the valve) on the valve cover. Don't know what's on/in the larger engines.