JD 3120 - looking to trade up

[slate mike]

I need a bigger tractor to handle 1 ton pallets of wood pellets and am wondering how to price this rig. It has-
2005 JD 3120
loaded tires
4WD
300CX FEL
Frontier (Woods) 3 pt - 6' -finish mower
JD hydro control front snow plow
100 hrs.
I put this on the JD thread and got no answers at all. Hoping someone here can help me out. Thanks.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Try a search on "300cx lift capacity"

Here's one in particular that seems to ask exactly the same question. I'd answer directly, but never tried to lift and move 2K with my FEL.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ating/136934-questions-3x20-300cx-owners.html

Think I'd want to see an actual demo before purchasing.

 

[pitt_md]

I just read that the 300CX can lift 1200 lbs. at full height. The whole package seems a little lite in the loafers for moving 1 ton pallets around. I would just call a JD dealer and get the real specs.

 

[WH401]

I agree with Pitt, moving 1 ton pallets around with a 3120 is going to be a chore, not to mention dangerous. It'll probably move them, but probably not very high off the ground. I don't think it would lift them out of the back of a pickup. What are the details on the tractor you have now? If you have around the same size tractor than a 3120 wouldn't be that much of an upgrade. If you want something worth while that will move 1-ton pallets than I would at least move up to a 4k Series tractor, or take a look at the 5k Series as you get more capability for a lesser price.

 

[Baucom]

I believe the OP already owns a 3120 and is trying to figure out how to price it for sale/trade to buy a bigger tractor. Sorry I can't help with the pricing, other than to say price out similar rigs and attachments somewhere like tractorhouse.com and see what kind of prices you find in your part of the country.

 

[Gittyup]

Have you thought about using your 3PH. It has a higher lift weight capacity. Can't lift as high. I use a 3PH mount set of forks with their own cylinder. I can lift to about 5' high with mine. Might let you keep the tractor you have.

 

[stravis]

Gittyup has a good point. I've used a scissor type bale spear on the back of a tractor before which allows higher lift. In my case it was about 7-8 feet and could easily lift a bale out of the back of a truck. Do they make scissor type forks for the 3ph?

I know that's not what your asking, though.

 

[slate mike]

Stravis - Sounds like an option, but i don't what "scissor type forks are." The idea of using the 3 pt hitch sounds good if I can get it high enough to lift a pallet off the back of a pick up or trailer. Thanks for all the good ideas.

 

[Gittyup]

I have an old worksaver brand with its own cylinder. On the back of my 25 hp tractor, it will easily reach into a pickup bed. The lift has a capacity of 3000 lbs, which is more than my 3ph. The combination of 3 ph lift height and the lift cylinder on the forks lets me get into a truck bed. I picked it up used for $500. New, I think they cost about $2500.

However, you need two sets of rear remotes and a hydraulic toplink. Use the hydraulic toplink controlled by one set of remotes to keep it level and the second remote controls the lift.

Once you have the remotes and the hydraulic toplink, they can be used with other implements to make them more effective, like boxblade, scraper blade, rake, log splitter, etc.

If you look online, there are a few mfrs of new hydraulic fork lift models that mount on the 3ph. Might at least be worth looking at.

Also, I think I've seen threads where industrial forks have been salvaged and modified for 3ph mount. Some go really high (like 9').

 

[slate mike]

Thanx, Gittyup. I'll look around for a solution. Appreciate the input.