Anyone think they'll be updating the 3x20's soon?

[toddler]

Just asking because I consider the 3520 to be the perfect sized tractor for what I want. Sort of between the Kubota B's and L's, but at this point I'd take an L3540 over it because they appear much more stable on slopes due to simple width. If the L3400 had a mid PTO I'd look at that too.

Anyway, I don't know how long the 3x20's have been out, but JD has seemed to update their CUTs more frequently and if they come out with a 3430 or 3530 or 3630, that's wider than the 3520 is now, getting the deere over the Kubota would be an easy choice based on fit.

Just wondering if there were any rumors? If not, I may call an old buddy who works for JD in market research and design on their CUTs. (What a great job that is! They even got to put people on disguised tractors for opinions. Painted them all gray IIRC.)

Thanks,
Todd

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

If you want a wider 3520 get a set of wheel hub extensions.

Unverferth Wheel Hub Extensions

 

[toddler]

I seriously thought about that, and not to offend and 3x20 owners, but it seems like JD should be able to sell me a product that doesn't need aftermarket mods right out the door. And I'm sure it doesn't "need" those extensions for everyone. But it does for anyone who feels it's tippy or who has laid one out on its side.

I'm only starting my search, so there's no rush. Will probably put off the purchase until after the house is completed, but I was curious and hoping.

Todd

 

[keerym]

If your worried about width, you can flip the wheels around and have the rims dished out. This would give you a much wider stance and more stability. No spacers needed.

 

[toddler]

Hey Keerym,

I read a bunch of threads about the 3x20's on TBN and that doesn't seem to be the case. I'll be getting turf tires, and don't know how much difference that makes on reversing the wheels, but the threads I saw seemed to indicate it wouldn't make a significant difference on a 3x20. I think one poster also had issues with the valve stems or something when he tried it, and wound up getting a set of wheel hub extensions which were already mentioned. The posts did mention that the 4x20's are MUCH wider, but then I've blown past the L3240/L3540 in size, and those are really at the limit for me.

Liked the 3520 I saw at the dealers, but I won't buy it because it seemed top heavy and too narrow for its height. The L's seemed more stable. Even the B3030 seems more stable, but it's MUCH smaller. Why I'm looking for a green option between the two orange lines.

Todd

 

[orlo]

I have turf tires on my 3720 Cab (I also have 6" Unverferth wheel extensions).

On the Turf tires flipping the wheels makes a 'big' difference, 5"+ worth (combined). Flipping the R4's gives you only like 1.25", not even worth it.
I had R4's on my 3720 initially and my former 3320 and in or out didn't make much difference.

Why JD doesn't put a decent dish on the R4's is beyond me. I really don't understand why they don't offer 8 position wheels with the R4's and R3's instead of just with the R1's.

The Turfs are great on lawns, and also on ICE are hard packed snow covered ice are much better than the R4's I had ever were.

 

[toddler]

Hey Orlo,

I think the other thread said 4" combined, either way, 4" or 5" isn't bad, but given it's the max w/o the extensions, I still feel JD should have offered you more. You did too, apparently, but did you add the 12" of width beyond that 5", or did you add 12" instead of flipping the wheels?

I'm also, curious about what type of work and slopes made you want that much more width if you don't mind sharing that.

Thanks,

Todd

PS) Now that I'm in NC and not VT, ice traction isn't a big issue, but I do miss the white stuff a lot.

 

[orlo]

Toddler:

I am running with the 6" extensions in the Narrow position right now and I'm running about 67" of width on the outside. I also flipped the front wheels also.
I may try the wide rear position with the wheels flipped sometime but I haven't yet.

I actually ordered the wheel extensions with the offset of the R4's in mind (had them on my 3320, and the dealer delivered my 3720 with R4's until my R3's came in). I was pleasantly surprised when I got the R3's and they had much more width difference when swapped than the R4's.

One other thing that I'm sure you've heard also is that they 'feel' tippier than they actually are. The Cab adds about 600lbs up high so it definitely is a little tippier than my 3320 was but once I get used to it it's not too bad. When I first got it I was using a 72" (Wide) Grapple to grab trees with it with an 800lb stump grinder on the back for ballast with unloaded tires (now are loaded) and I had a few pucker moments but that was with 20' trees in the grapple wanting to tip the tractor sideways. I was up on 3, 2, or 1 (once) wheels several times dropping the grapple very quickly. No underwear changes required but close.

I've had no 'pucker' moments mowing on side slopes and very few 'pucker' moments loading and those were front/rear tip, not sideways tip. I do have a tilt-meter and have gone to the 15 degree mark several times without worrying. I also did so before the extensions but I'll admit I didn't feel as stable.

One thing the cab does do a lot more than the non-cab is rock side to side if you hit alternating bumps. I mow 7mph+ and the very few spots I have with a few minor 'drops' can get the tractor oscillating side to side for a few feet. Not a tipover problem but it can shake you around in the cab.

 

[toddler]

Awsome info. Thanks. Kubota's L3540 says it's min width is 60". If turfs are a little wider than Ags, it might be a touch more, but with those extra 12"s you're now a bit wider than an L3540 would be at min. tread. (don't actually know how wide the L can get with turfs and I'll probably get the wider turfs anyway.) This is good food for thought. $600 or so for the extensions . . . green . . . orange . . . turbo . . . displacement . . . 3520 . . . 3540 LOL

Thanks again,
Todd

 

[gamble77]

The new transmission will be coming out soon which has been discussed on the boards before (more like an automatic in a car)...other than that the 3X20's are super competative in the market.