Fuel usage - 3x20 vs 4x20 series.

[JDTank]

Those who have 3x20 and 4x20 series tractors, most notably 3520 vs 4520, is there a significance difference in fuel usage between them? How many hours of operation do you get on one tank of fuel?

I know once one steps into the 4x20 series your running a 4 cylinder now vs a 3 cylinder in the 3x20.

The gain in HP from the 4320 to 4520 is significant enough that I feel it is worth the extra money to step up to it.

For the last year now I have been fighting with the choice of either a 3520, or 4520. I know with the 4520 I would never be short of PTO HP or lifting power. However, I also know the 3520 is likely perfect for my needs.

I only have about 4 acres to worry about anyways. bush hogging twice a year, blading, moving horse manure, post hole digging, branch clean up with a grapple, and that's about all I need to do.

 

[jcmseven]

I have had a 3720 and a 4520 and found them to be very close in fuel consumption by the hour. I have had two 3720's and both burned about 1.25 gallons per hour in my use. My 4520 was 1.75 and 2.00 gallons per hour under heavy work. I would say this would be the worst case scenario. The Powertech engines use fuel, slightly more than the Yanmar, per hour, but they have a ton more power and the 4000 series tractors will do most tasks faster than the 3000 series, so actual fuel burnt per project would likely be much reduced. Just like when my dad complained about the amount of fuel his new (that I bought him) 950 JD ZTR burned v. his previous X360. He said,"It burns a gallon and a half per hour, where the other one only burns 3/4 gallon per hour while mowing" While it was true the amount of fuel burnt was more by the ZTR, the fact it could mow their two acre lawn in about 45 minutes, v. the 360 taking about 3 hours to do a similar quality job, the per project fuel use was 1.25 v. 2.25 gallons doing this task. The same I found applied between the two similar tractors I had.

John M

 

[JDTank]

Very good information, thank you for that!

In all reality, I am still leaning towards the 3520. For almost half of the year the tractor will only be used for a 3 or 4 hours per month. Not to mention, I don't have any tasks that require the kind of power the 4520 offers, but as you said, a bigger more powerful machine can make an easy task, extremely easy.

When I think of how much money it costs to step into the 4000 series platform, it's about $7,000 in my area. That's a cab or a backhoe on a 3520. The 3520 is already stretching the budget, never mind adding optional valves and other things.

In the end, if I found a good deal on a used 4520 or 4720, I would take that, but if I can't find a used one, looks like I would have to settle for a 3520.

 

[greg_g]

I traded in a 35hp loader tractor and a 45hp utility tractor for this 3720 cab w/loader, both open station shuttle shift tractors. John Deere claims 44hp, but I sure as **** don't know where they're hiding. I too would have preferred a 4x20 series, but it wouldn't fit through my shed door because of the cab height. Now I wish I had the 4x20 and a bigger shed. That said, both are quite a lot of tractor for just 4 acres.

//greg//

 

[KML]

Is the cost of fuel usage between the two machines going to be noticeable? Maybe if your in business and really racking up the hours and have to bid jobs competetively but I've never even noticed my tractor fuel bill. If the bigger machine used 5 gal more a month is that going to be a problem? 10?, 15?
For my money, I'd get the right machine for the work and environment you have.

If you have wide open spaces then either would do you well and a 4 series sure is one heck of a nice machine but if you have any wooded areas the size might be a problem. I demo'd a 4520 on my property before I bought my current 3520 thinking I'd "go big or go home" but found it was just too dang big to access the wooded/hilly areas I have.

If you have a freindly dealer in your area see if you can try each machine out on YOUR property for a day or two. The dealer here has no problem doing it even with new machines. This time of year is pretty slow in the tractor world so it would be the time to ask.:thumbsup:

 

[rasimmo]

Maybe you could check out the 4105. I believe it is the same engine as the 3520 with a few more horsepower. The 4105 uses the 300cx loader also. The price is about the same.
The 4105 is not avaliable with cab and has a few less comfort items. It is a really nice tractor if you wanted to get the larger machine and a few more horsepower. Having the same engine, the fuel consumption should be close.

 

[jenkinsph]

Performing the same tasks, I don't think you will notice much difference in the amount of fuel used. Some tasks may be cheaper with the smaller machine and some may be cheaper with the larger machine. I would put the fuel concern aside and choose the correct machine for your needs and wants. I would be inclined to think a 3520 would be all you need for 4 acres.

 

[sunnyside360]

I currently have a 3720 cab and a 4320 OS tractor. The 3720 is used mainly for mowing about 6 acres of lawn with 72" mmm, clearing snow from about a half mile driveway with 59 front mounted snow blower, and some light bush hog work.
The 4320 is used for heavier bush hogging, FEL work, backhoe work, grapple work, and maintaining deer plots.
I don't see much difference in fuel usage between the two tractors. I wouldn't want to part with the 3720 cab tractor because of the heating and A/C system. I also would not want to part with the 4320 OS tractor because it is capable of doing more work. If I had to go down to one tractor, I would get either the 4520 cab or 4720 cab tractor to do all the work described above but I have a lot more acres to maintain.
For 4 acres, I would go with either the 3520 cab or 3720 cab. However, if you are planning to expand your acreage in the future I'd go with the larger 4520 cab tractor.

 

[JD 4520]

I wouldn't make my decision on fuel usage in your case rather the right equipment for the task at hand and the future. Look at www.tractordata.com and see what stats on fuel consumption they have but again I wouldn't base this purchase decision on fuel. Sounds like the 3x20 is the right choice for you and spend the excess on needed implements to make the work easier.

 

[JDTank]

It's hard to change one's attitude though, I have always been "buy the best or don't buy anything at all"

However, buying more machine then I will ever use is a large chunk of wasted money. I could have a lot of implements for that extra cash.

The other thing to consider is the bigger the machine the bigger the expenses. Tires, filters, pumps, almost every part is bigger, and therefore more expensive 95% of the time. Not to mention you move into bigger implements which cost more to purchase.