Oil & Fuel Is it complicated to drain fuel tank on 3320?

[madmax1]

Hey all,
Looks like I will going to pick up my new (to me) 2006 JD 3320 300sx loader lightly used 27.5 hrs (that is correct 27.5 hrs) and from what I gathered from responses here on another thread is that the fuel will need to be drained - most likely a fuel filter too.
The tractor had been been serviced - new oil and oil filter, new fuel filter, top off coolant, lube lots of points + misc then it was parked in an enclosed storage unit and 5 1/2 years later I'm closing the deal on it. I went to look at it in the storage facility and when I popped the lock and rolled up the door there she was starring at me with those big white 60 watt eyes (not sure of the wattage) and 5 1/2 years of dust.:drool::drool::drool::drool::drool::drool::drool::
You have to understand I have not owned a tractor before, but I think I understand how the saying "bleed green" comes about. This tractor was dirty, but she was brand new under that light coat and I'm telling ya there is just something about this tractor that gets me excited and I want to be seen driving it.:dance1::dance1::dance1: I have to say too that the Green color is just BADAZZ.
Ok where were we - oh ya so once the monies and papers have changed hands I'll be heading back (3.5 hrs away) to get her loaded on an 18' car hauler (also part of the package) and before I try driving her around I want to make sure she has good fuel. So is there much to draining? I didn't see specifics in online manual. Can I drain into gas can or do I need Depot 5 gal buckets or smaller? I saw into tank and it is most likely 80% full or more. I used flashlight to look into tank and fuel didn't look bad, but what do I know.
Any help would be greatly appreciated

By the way, has anyone had an ultimatum given to them "Honey it's either me or that #@%& tractor" 18 miles an hour loader high to the sky off into the sunset???? LOL Really.

Max

 

[Wagtail]

Congratulations, Mate.

It should be a simple matter of disconnecting the fuel line that leads to (what I call) the "OH **** There's water in the diesel!!!" catcher. The owners manual will have a section on changing the fuel filter & it's in there. It's a simple gravity bleed.

According to TractorData (a VERY handy website to bookmark) your full fuel capacity is just over 13 US Gallons. You could collect it or just let it drain onto a bad, sandy area of your property that won't leach into a water source.

TractorData.com John Deere 3320 tractor information

Have fun!

 

[beenthere]

Tank looks like this (from jdparts) and shows lower level hose that you can disconnect.

(be careful not to wipe the dust off, as it will scratch the paint. Blow it off and then wash it with plenty of water. )

 

[Cocre]

There is a drain at the bottom of the fuel bowl. You can connect a small diameter hose to it and valve the flow (it will be slow) on and off. Probably have about 10 gallons of fuel at 80% full. Take a new (or known good battery). 3320 2006 OEM batteries are notoriously bad. My 3320 has been the perfect compact tractor.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Tank looks like this (from jdparts) and shows lower level hose that you can disconnect.

(be careful not to wipe the dust off, as it will scratch the paint. Blow it off and then wash it with plenty of water. )

Check and see if there is a drain cock on one of the lower points of the tank. Mine has one Where Part no. 11 is in your diagram but it looks like yours is just an equalizer tube between the tanks low points.
There should be some provision for draining condensation and sediment from the tank which you can slip a hose on without disturbing the line between tank and filter.
Great find by the way. Just do some projects for your wife and she'll be fine with it. One twitch of her car out of a snow bank or a garden bed tilled to perfection and "Our tractor" will become an asset.

 

[madmax1]

Congratulations, Mate.

It should be a simple matter of disconnecting the fuel line that leads to (what I call) the "OH **** There's water in the diesel!!!" catcher. The owners manual will have a section on changing the fuel filter & it's in there. It's a simple gravity bleed.

According to TractorData (a VERY handy website to bookmark) your full fuel capacity is just over 13 US Gallons. You could collect it or just let it drain onto a bad, sandy area of your property that won't leach into a water source.

TractorData.com John Deere 3320 tractor information

Have fun!

Thanks for the response Wagtail and the link.

Max

 

[madmax1]

Tank looks like this (from jdparts) and shows lower level hose that you can disconnect.

(be careful not to wipe the dust off, as it will scratch the paint. Blow it off and then wash it with plenty of water. )

beenthere thanks for pic - is this out of a 3320?

Max

 

[madmax1]

Check and see if there is a drain cock on one of the lower points of the tank. Mine has one Where Part no. 11 is in your diagram but it looks like yours is just an equalizer tube between the tanks low points.
There should be some provision for draining condensation and sediment from the tank which you can slip a hose on without disturbing the line between tank and filter.
Great find by the way. Just do some projects for your wife and she'll be fine with it. One twitch of her car out of a snow bank or a garden bed tilled to perfection and "Our tractor" will become an asset.

That's what I would think - they would put some simple "turn here knob" to drain out junk and stuff from the bottom.
I like your way of thinking - now if she asks me to dig a 6' deep hole that's not a good thing, right? LOL
If I told you what I'm paying for the tractor, box scraper, 9" auger (all with the paint barely smudged) and car hauler trailer your jaw would hit the floor.

Thanks for the response vtsnowedin.

Max

 

[madmax1]

There is a drain at the bottom of the fuel bowl. You can connect a small diameter hose to it and valve the flow (it will be slow) on and off. Probably have about 10 gallons of fuel at 80% full. Take a new (or known good battery). 3320 2006 OEM batteries are notoriously bad. My 3320 has been the perfect compact tractor.

I read somewhere on this site about a battery went bad and leaked to the tune of replacing metal brackets and all. I got lucky - when I came down from cloud nine and started looking the tractor over I lifted the hood and the battery was as dead as Hmmmmmm Elvis, but no leakage. I did pick up a different battery similar specs and sizing.
Do you think the fuel could actually be ok? Looking into the tank with flashlight didn't show any stuff or 5 1/2 years sitting don't even chance it???
Another question - is it ok to drive it out of storage unit to trailer then get it back home and have it serviced?? or again don't even chance it drain it and replace it???
My wife tells me sometimes "I've told you not to ..........." I guess it takes a few times being told something for it to click

Thanks for response.

Max

 

[beenthere]

Yes, the tank schematic is from jdparts for the 3320. Should look exactly like that. Poke around at that site, and as well, get yourself a copy of the service technical manual for the 3320. Well worth the few bucks..
And...
I wouldn't trust the fuel even if it did "Look" good. At a minimum, drain the bottom of the tank.. keep it in a bucket or old fuel can so not to dump it on the ground. Just not worth the risk...IMO. If there is sludge and bad fuel with possible algae, I wouldn't want to push it into the fuel pump and injectors.

I would also have picked up a Deere battery of the same rather than one with "similar" specs and sizing. Not much room for error if it is like my 4300. Deere products are good. Scrimp somewheres else.

But it sounds like it is yours to do with what you want.