Anyone have a 3320 or3520

[John Deere 3520]

I have never owned either of these--but I have had a 4310 (the predecessor to the 3320) and a 3720 (actually two of them). I really like the JD mid frame machines. They really give you about 90% the performance of the 4000 series tractors for less dollars (on average). They are great machines, and in my opinion the class of the compacts in this size. My opinion having owned a 3720 is that it is a great machine, but with the 3320 offering 8 pound/feet more torque than my 4310 did and only about that much less than the 3520, it would be difficult for me to justify the price of the turbo in that tractor. I loved my 3720, but if I were to go back to a mid frame again I would get a 3320. My only complaint about them is that they are a bit tippy in soft ground and on hills, not just side to side but also front to back (they will bob with a heavy load in the bucket). A cab, which by the way is really nice, will add to this as it substantially raises the COG for the tractor. Whichever you buy, run as much weight as you can in the tires or on the wheels or both to lower the COG. My tractor became pretty stable once I had loaded the rear tires and added the wheel weights, but it certainly was not before.

John M

Agreed we have the tires loaded on ours so far but dad ordered the wheel weights for it too you can never be too safe..

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Aside from power, the physical size has been perfect. Not too big, not to small.

I feel the same way and I've heard alot of people say the same exact thing. I call it the "Goldilocks" tractor...perfect size for what alot of us do & need in a tractor.

The loader and backhoe spool valves are a little dissappointing from a mixing standpoint, but not a big deal. I can't combines motions as easily as I've been able to with other equipment, but my technique has been getting better. Also a few threads on the mixing issue here as well.

I think the general consensus is the cab models blend just fine, so if you get a cab model this would not pertain to your machine. I know on my Cabbed 3520 blending & the float modes work perfectly.

One thing I kinda like about the 3x20 series machines...along with TBN....is it seems like alot of issues are not so much a problem as they are a "common occurance" and a quick search here will hook you right up...some of the few things on the top of my head: Cab Roof Seals & Poor AC/Heat, Ground Speed Sensors, etc..

 

[jeffster]

I have a 3520 open station with the 300cx and I love it. The only thing I would change is to go with R1s instead of R4s. The R4s are great if everything is perfectly dry, but they are totally useless in the wet here (lots of clay, mud and of course manure). My neighbor has a 4720, and while I like his tractor as well, it is a LOT louder than mine, so I am kinda glad now I went with the 3520. Bought it new and have 54 hours on it now.

BTW, was actually going to buy a 3320, but they had a special order 3520 that the customer backed out of, so they sold it to me for about $4k under list to get it off the lot, so in the end, it was cheaper than buying the 3320 I was originally going to purchase.

Oh yeah, on another note, it is a great tractor for the kids to drive. I have an 11 year old and a 12 year old and they are pros at driving this as it isn't too big, and it is darn smooth.

 

[Wesdor]

I purchased a 3520 with 300 CX FEL last March. At the time I had a 4310 and was worried that I would like this one as much. I am happy to report that this was a very good move.

The cab would be a nice addition, but if I read the Deere site correctly, it is only available with the hydrostat drive. I'm one of those old school people who like a gear drive - thus the E-Power Reverser was my choice.

The 3520 is a real work horse and I highly recommend it.

 

[jeffster]

Wesdor, I totally agree, mine is a PowerReverser as well and I love it.

 

[farmboy12]

Power Reverser as almost as easy to use as a hydro. I'm 13, I can drive the M4900 (orange) like nothing. I've taken out trees, dug post-holes, lifted 2,000lb+ pallets.

However, the hydros are also great for mowing. Our NH and Fords are all hydros, and are some of the best tractors ever. I have heard that the hydro trannies in Ford/NH go out at about 1500hrs, though. Not sure about Deere.

We've never looked into 3x20/4x20's, but we were looking at 2x20 series for me, and they looked great.


Kyle

 

[Nuru]

Hello, i had a 4310, traded up to a 3520 CAB, 300CX, 366 Front Blade, pallet forks, etc and it is very good. I have slopes and I made it more stable by using Turf Special tires which are wider than the stock R3s that can be ordered wit the units. My unit is very nimble on the slopes, which range between 12 and 25% grade. No major issues at this time and I do hope it stays that way. Good Tractor. Definitely get multiple quotes, and do not be shy about presenting them to your prospective dealers, as that seems to make prices move like no tomorrow.

 

[mdmjrm]

Hello,

I purchased a 3320 in October, 300CX, 72MMM, HLA Pallet Forks, TopNTilt, Diverter, Power Beyond, I-Match, Frontier Box Blade, Ballast Box. I opted not to spend the $400 to upgrade The drive over deck. Time will tell if that was a good decision. I have 31 hours on it right now after spending 2 hours yesterday plowing snow.

I originally wanted a 3520 and my salesperson at the dealer said with e-hydro and loadmatch you won't see much difference. He is probably right for the 2K upgrade. You run out of traction before power all the time. Mostly use it to plow snow, haul firewood, run a wood splitter, and mow on my 20 acres. I installed the PB, Diverter, and T&T myself.

No complaints so far. I did a lot of research before purchasing. I grew up in a Deere family but get employee pricing on New Hollands. I drove everything from a TZ26 "smaller frame" to a TC40 trying to go blue and save 2-3K. This may start a war but there is no comparison in my opinion in just ease of use. I can jump on my 3320 turn the key and it starts. The stars have to align to start a NH and the alarm still beeps at you.

Anyway you will not be dissapointed with either one. After many reservations about the purchase, my wife creates more work for it than I do.

 

[WH401]

Congrats on the 3320 mdmjrm, though after seeing those pictures all I can think of are those e-trade commercial's with the adult talking baby.

 

[Karl2]

The cab would be a nice addition, but if I read the Deere site correctly, it is only available with the hydrostat drive.

It is and initially that made me hesitate to buy a cabbed 4720 for commercial snow removal because I was used to clutch drive and thought it was important to have control over power distribution. But the dealer remarked that a tractor that has over 60 hp being used for snow removal will skid long before it runs out of power no matter how many gears you have. Turns out he was right and I also found that hydro is more convenient for the job which requires driving long stretches in reverse with your body twisted backwards one hand on the steering wheel the other on the SCV lever to aim the snow discharge. This only leaves your foot free for changing travel direction on the fly when you miss a spot, with PR that would require more time and effort for no added benefit.

My guess is that manufacturers have determined that cabbed tractors are more likely to be used for high-speed jobs which are those that benefit most from hydro tranny.