Difference between 3032E and 3320

[fabsroman]

Some background about me. I am a guy that does most of the repairs on my cars, truck, home, guns, bows, boat, bikes, etc. on my own. With that said, I'm also an attorney/CPA in the middle of busy season. We ended up getting a really good deal on a foreclosed house in early January, moved in February 14th, got unpacked, and now I am neck deep in tax returns and legal work and trying to figure out what tractor I want for when the grass starts to grow.

We moved from a townhouse to a place with a 2 acre lot and trying to figure out which tractor to buy has been mind numbing because I have ZERO experience with this. Ultimately, I need something that will mow the grass and plow the 300+ foot driveway. I also want to use it with a post hole digger to install a fence on this property and possibly use a backhoe to pull some vegetation out around the house. The main use will be this 2 acre lot.

A possible/probable secondary use will be helping out on a 100+ acre farm that I hunt 6 miles down the road from here, possibly putting in goose/duck pits on that farm and another farm I hunt, and sometime in the future using the tractor to work on a farm that I intend on buying now that we have the single family home purchase out of the way.

Since I have no clue what I am doing when it comes to tractors, I would appreciate any and all advice provided. Just trying to figure out the difference between a HST, eHydro, and PowerReverser tranny tonight has given me quite a headache.

Read another thread that mentioned I might be waiting 6+ weeks for delivery of my tractor. That has me in panic mode.

Anyway, what would you guys suggest based upon the above requirements, and also with the knowledge that I am cheap, but don't mind paying for really good equipment that will last (e.g., guns, cars, bikes, truck, tools).

Oh yeah, I am leaning toward a John Deere right now, which is why I posted in this forum, but have also been looking at Kubota and New Holland.

 

[LD1]

Well, for starters you need to actually go to the dealer and see the tractors in person. While the tractors you are considering in your title (3032 and 3320) will certainly mow your yard, they arent ideal mowers. They are a little on the large side. They will cut ruts if it is a little soft and they arent as manuverable.

And since you are considering those two models, we'll start with that.
The 3320 is more expensive, but has more features. It is also bigger and about 900lbs heavier.

The 3032 is more of an economy line without as mant bells and whistles. But is cheaper as a result.

And I am not a JD expert so I could be wrong, but I dont think you can get a backhoe or mid-mount mower on the 3032, so that right there may be a deal breaker on that one.

As to the transmission questions. The eHydro and HST are hydrostat transmissions. Basically you have a forward and reverse pedal. Push the direction you want to go. There will also be a lever for low and high speeds. And sometimes a mid range as well. So you just select the range you want, and the F-R pedals do the rest.

A shuttle shift or power reverser type transmission uses a clutch and a gearshifter. but you also have a forward and reverse lever. Usually a Low and high range for forward. This is so you can still quickly shift from forward to reverse, just not as fast as a HST.

And I usually dont do this, but for the needs you describe, I'd suggest taking a look at the slightly smaller models like the 2x20 series. Since it sounds like your primary task is going to be mowing. But equipped with a FEL and a backhoe, the sub-compacts are still quite capable machines.

 

[fabsroman]

Well, for starters you need to actually go to the dealer and see the tractors in person. While the tractors you are considering in your title (3032 and 3320) will certainly mow your yard, they arent ideal mowers. They are a little on the large side. They will cut ruts if it is a little soft and they arent as manuverable.

And since you are considering those two models, we'll start with that.
The 3320 is more expensive, but has more features. It is also bigger and about 900lbs heavier.

The 3032 is more of an economy line without as mant bells and whistles. But is cheaper as a result.

And I am not a JD expert so I could be wrong, but I dont think you can get a backhoe or mid-mount mower on the 3032, so that right there may be a deal breaker on that one.

As to the transmission questions. The eHydro and HST are hydrostat transmissions. Basically you have a forward and reverse pedal. Push the direction you want to go. There will also be a lever for low and high speeds. And sometimes a mid range as well. So you just select the range you want, and the F-R pedals do the rest.

A shuttle shift or power reverser type transmission uses a clutch and a gearshifter. but you also have a forward and reverse lever. Usually a Low and high range for forward. This is so you can still quickly shift from forward to reverse, just not as fast as a HST.

And I usually dont do this, but for the needs you describe, I'd suggest taking a look at the slightly smaller models like the 2x20 series. Since it sounds like your primary task is going to be mowing. But equipped with a FEL and a backhoe, the sub-compacts are still quite capable machines.

Yeah, I have been looking at them some more since I posted that question, and the 3032E is definitely out because it cannot use a MMM or a backhoe.

Like you also mentioned, I am worried to death about tearing up the lawn with these larger machines because the lawn gets really soft after it rains. So, now I am back to square one and probably looking at a 2000 series Deere or BX Kubota.

Thanks for the info. I am sure I will have plenty of additional questions.

 

[LD1]

I am not sure what your budget is, and I didn't see you say how many acres you have (I'd assume a good bit considering a 300ft driveway), but you may also want to consider buying 2 machines.

A MMM is like a $3000 option on most of these tractors. And that would go a long way toward buying a Zero-turn mower. And they are MUCH quicker at mowing than any of these tractors will be. And you wont have to worry as much about tearing up the lawn. This may also allow you to buy a bigger tractor which will make plowing the drive and other chores easier as well as being a better help on the farm down the road that you mention.

 

[Zebrafive]

Ditto what LD1 said. A dedicated mower and a bigger CUT. You will be happier in the long run.

 

[Glen Watkins]

Yep sounds like you should get a zero turn for the lawn and you will be ready when that starts growing and then take some time and look tractors over some more and decide what you will be doing and the options you want in a tractor. Welcome to the Tractor Freak Forum!

 

[JiminGa]

I'd also recommend a two machine deal, a dedicated mower, maybe an x300 or something like that and a 3032e. I know you want a backhoe, but realistically I don't see the justification. vegitation can easily be pulled out with a chain and the 3032. the money saved in this setup will buy a lot of implements for food plots etc.

 

[JD3520Turbo]

I have a 3520, which is basically the same thing as a 3320 just with a bit more HP, but the chassis and all are the same.

I use a Grasshopper mower to mow my 3.5 acres and the tractor does all the rest of the chores. Works great, and I don't have to fiddle with taking the mower deck on and off. The zero turn mowers will mow circles around these tractors. They are faster and turn much quicker. Also, they don't tear up your yard as badly either, unless you hot rod them when you turn. The grasshopper is a 61 inch deck 24 hp Kubota engine.

I like these little 3020 series tractors over the lower cost counter parts because they have a nicer platform, 3 speed ranges instead of two and speedometers and cruise control for spraying. I am sure you are going to be spraying the yard for weeds and spreading fertilizer. You need to know your ground speed when spraying.
Also, if you get a front end loader, the ehydro is great for doing loader work. That is what I use mine most for.
I chose the 3520 over the Kubota, because I don't like the heal-toe-hydro that they have. I like the two pedals.
Good Luck with your choice. I am sure either one will do the job

 

[DrainPondDesign]

Let the games begin!

Visit each tractor dealer within reasonable distance keeping in mind that they will need to come to you or the tractor must go to them for future service. Tractors can last a very long time so you may be entering into a long relationship with a dealer.

Explain to each dealer your land, what you would like to do with it and ask them for their equipment recommendation. Same land, same requirements so each recommendation should also be similar. (Our JD dealer came to our property to determine what we needed and demonstrated it on site.)

Come back to TBN and search each manufacturer's forum for repetitive problems about each machine. If there are problems then ask the dealer about them and evaluate them when you test drive that machine. (This is the fun part).

Get to know your new neighbors, what do they use and think of the equipment and dealer?

Consider renting occasional use equipment like post hole augers or hire a local contractor, it's not just the cost of purchase but you have to provide storage for it as well.

This should be a rational decision making process where you are comfortable with your choice before making the purchase.

Enjoy!

 

[1ID]

I love my 3320, but I would not mow my ball diamond with it. I originally was looking like you are, to get one machine for both purposes. Both the Deere and Kubota Dealers told me the same thing after I mentioned pulling average size disks and plows. They both said you will rut the grass. I think I received great advice and have been very pleased. I think you should really think about two dedicated machines. Ymmv.