JD 3x20 cost v benefit comparison + street prices!

[jeffinsgf]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( oh yeah... if I dont go with the BH (and by the way which one and what is a good street price for it?), will a mini track hoe be as good at pushing and tearing out stumps or is its weight a limiting factor? )</font>

Just like HP, if you buy the smaller backhoe (447), every time the hydro limits cut in you'll kick yourself for not getting the bigger one (448). If you do happen to find a 4410, then you can choose from 4 backhoes -- 47 (too little) 447 (still too little) 48 (my favorite and what I own) and the 448 (the new big boy -- more streamlined than the 48). I paid 7,500 for mine. Now, should you buy one or rent a mini track hoe?

That depends on what you intend to do and how long you intend to do it. If it is strictly a matter of clearing some land and getting the stumps out, then renting a mini track hoe makes a lot of sense. I don't think anyone here with a CUT and backhoe attachment would try to convince you that it is the equal of a mini track hoe. However, it gets back to the argument of being able to do what you want to do when you want to do it. If you're a hard core do-it-yourself'er, like many of us here, and you have dreams of waterfalls, sprinkler systems, retaining walls, and koi ponds, then it might make more sense to buy the backhoe.

 

[jeffinsgf]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( hey one tune,...Do need to order one, due to options I want, so still having them on the assembly line is important. )</font>

Not necessarily. Most of the options that have come up in this and previous discussions are dealer add ons. All you really need from the factory is the engine and transmission you want and it would be best if it had any of the "e" options you want. The dealer can add almost anything else (hydro SCV's, PB, etc.) .

 

[rockyridgefarm]

hey, the 'e' options are just switches.. I did them all by my little self!

 

[jeffinsgf]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( hey, the 'e' options are just switches.. I did them all by my little self! )</font>

Funny, when I wrote that response I almost queried you by PM about that issue. I thought those were simple plug and play deals, but I wasn't sure.

 

[BillyP]

Bart, on the JD 3x20 cost v benefit comparison, have you ever thought about it this way. Start with the most hungry HP/Torque implement you will ever use and start your tractor HP/Torque search from there? Then maybe add say 10% for typographical errors. Just a thought... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Lawnjocky]

Seasalt
At the risk of being the dummy on the board I would like to comment on your thread. My answer to you question's in the last paragragh are.
It sound's like your having a lot of fun comparing models and trying (subconsciously?) to justify buying the 3720. The price/value comparisons also make me think of buying something because it's on sale whether you need it or not. I chose the 3520 based on what I needed it to do (60%) and past ownership of other sizes (40%). The 3720 is the best value but only if you can afford it and need it. For some of us that extra $2000.00 is the difference between buying or doing without.

Other comment's
As far as resale value any JD will hold it's value as well as or better than other brands. When it comes to individual models future market forces will likely be the deciding factor. But with resale in mind, the bigger tractor will do a smaller tractor's work in less time thus keeping hours off the meter and increaseing resale value.

If I were you I would buy the 3720 for the following reasons.
1. You have proved it's the best value
2. The bigger machine will work faster. Depending on how valuable your time is this could be important.
3. Safety. Most of the time having to big of a tool is better than to small.
4. I think I read where you can afford it. This will save possible regrets later. With the CUT's all having the same physical size, parking and going around things does'nt matter in the choice so get the big dog.
5. Bragging right's. I have been told little boy's never grow up, their toy's just get bigger. Might as well go with it and enjoy.

I would also like to say thank you for the two threads. Some of it went over my head but it was all very interesting to read.
Lawn

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I dunno about dumb, you sound pretty wise to me...

 

[seasalt]

Good thought BillyP, now tell me what he hungriest implement might look like and I can do this deal quickly. Dont really have the foggiest except some input that said if you dont have at least 20 at the PTO you can forget 5 foot or better implements. I am ordering a 5' BB to work sandy loam and what we call locally a "gumbo" mix which is **** for clay and soil mixed together. Brush hogging? dont have any idea what I might one day want or need. Minor now as undergrowth is limited to seeding/ saplings - most trees in my forest are TALL so undergrowth is limited on my present property.

Fatal mistake would be ending up wishing for more. Am I OK or not - that is the $64,000 question! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[seasalt]

Thanks Lawnjockey,

you are very kind. You also probably have me pegged and are not the only one!

Called my dealer this afternoon to ask him if all my 11th hour paperwork went in on the 31st for 36 mo of free money etc. Yes - fine.
Then told him I was thinking of upgrading my order. He said my tractor (quoted to arrive in 10 weeks) arrived YESTERDAY (after barely 8 days) and he is just waiting on my PHD. ****! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Told him I was thinking of upgrading to the 3720 and he said that is a lot more tractor...?! Said I would loose the financing and he didnt need another 3320 on the lot (especially with a mid PTO that I ordered). Told him to think about it and we would talk tommorrow.

Dont think Deere is going to want a customer to have anything he doesnt want and I am not sure the mid PTO is a big downside to him selling it, but I have to firm a decision and work the situation.

Advice anyone?

signed,
Sticky

 

[rockyridgefarm]

<font color="green"> I am ordering a 5' BB </font>

You might want to settle the tractor question before actually ordering attachments. I need a 66" blade to cover my tracks, which could easily be the same if you get the larger R4s...

 

[454shooter]

Bart, I just cleared about a 1/2 acre of my property of trees. I started out by cutting down the tree and leaving an approx. 6' stump and then digging it out with the hoe. Then I progressed to backing up to it (if pine or less than 10" or so normal tree) with the backhoe and pushing it over with it. As I have become even more lazy ( I mean efficient) I just push the large pines over with the fel ( I have the 300CX w/73" HD with toothbar). The weight of the tree coming down is an excellent root removal system. Once it is down I just hook into it with the toothbar and lift. I started a large pile of trees to burn and the 3720 with 300CX had no trouble whatsoever in lifting any of them. I now am just backing into them and hooking a chain around the backhoe bucket and dragging them to another part of my property.
I highly recommend the 448 and 18" HD bucket. While I do wish it had even more power, it is my guess that John Deere has them set at a power that limits the chances of damaging something. I have found that you just can't hook a stump and remove it. You have to break the roots around the tree and work at it but they will come out.
As for any other projects - I have only had it since June but have used it a lot in place of a shovel.
Well gotta go - the wife wants to have a beer and get in the hot tub. I must obey.
/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Shooter

 

[jcmseven]

Seasalt,

I have had both a 4310 and a 3720. I have used a 3120, 4410, and have "test driven" a 3320. There is no question to me that if it fits remotely into your budget a 3720 is the way to go. This is perhaps less so maybe in your case because you live in a flatter area, but my 4310 really struggled with the hills and loader/PTO work here in our area. It was a really nice machine, but where I live and what I was doing with it, I seemed to find its only weakness: power/weight ratio. When I traded, it lasted on my dealer's lot 3 days. I spoke with the new owner and he loves it. He does box blading, loader work and mows a fairgrounds with it and says no power problems. My dealer is also two hours from here and it is board flat there. You certainly want to make sure you have enough power for any job you wish to do. The 3720 I currently have will work circles around the 4310 I had and easily does everything I need it to do. It also to this point (78 hours) burns about 20-25% less fuel per hour than my 4310 and about the same as my 595 garden tractor! I also have the knowledge that if I find some property to buy or move, or wish to tackle a bigger project in the future, the likelihood is great the machine will do it. The other thought, I suppose, is to decide which transmission you want. I find the ehydro very handy here in the mountains, but in the flat you may be able to do just as well with the Power-reverser. The manual transmission is easy to operate and less expensive. It also gives you a little more PTO power for use and many users think it is more responsive. This means a tractor with less HP, say a 3320, would perform maybe a little closer to a 3520 in responsiveness and "power to the job" (It just does not have the turbo, which really helps lower end performance). As far as the backhoe goes, I do not have one, but those that do love them it seems. I have adopted the philosophy that one can rent a lot of compact excavator time for the cost of a backhoe, but it might not be a bad idea if you order your tractor, to get the hydraulics you need factory installed. It most of the time will save some money and time if you get one later. There is no way I could justify a backhoe for my personal use, no more than I could use it. But, as Jeff said, these are not merely utility machines for most of us, but rather recreational/utility machines, and having fun with a backhoe may be worth some extra ching.


John M