Purchase Advice/Opinions on 3x20 series

[JDGreenGrass]

I would think the 3320 and it's reputation will do everything you would ask of it.

Or, step up to the 3520.

I don't think you need to go to a 4x20 series. Save your money.

 

[JDTank]

I would think the 3320 and it's reputation will do everything you would ask of it.

Or, step up to the 3520.

I don't think you need to go to a 4x20 series. Save your money.

I think your absolutely right!

When I started seriously crunching numbers last night, it just does not pay to step up to the 4000 series, especially for me. In total I have about 4 acres that i am responsible for, and that's it. Half of my tasks, once they are completed the first time, they will not be done again for quite some time. Not only that but, once you do them once, you need half the HP to do them on a maintenance kind of schedule.

The money saved buying a 3x20 series unit over a 4x20 series unit buys a whole lot of implements.

Now, hopefully I can scoop up a nice used 3520 or 3720 for a good deal!

 

[jcmseven]

JD Tank, you make an excellent point in my opinion. I have had tractors as large as a 4520 in my stable. At the time of initial purchase, this machine was exactly what I needed to accomplish big jobs, but at some point unless one has a lot of land or operates a hobby farm, neither of which I do, one simply starts graduating into more steady state jobs. I operate my 2320 which does a fine job for this current purpose where before it likely would have not filled the bill.

John M

 

[Craig B]

JDTank,
If it is any consolation, I started this thread for some experienced input and I still haven't decided which tractor is for me.

I am planning on waiting until spring and I am still in the decision mode.

The local JD dealer as well as folks on here told me a 3038e or a 3320 would run a 6 foot rotary mower just fine. I am leaning towards a 3520 or 3720. The 4120 is bigger and beefier for only a little more $$.

 

[Craig B]

foggy1111 What grapple did you purchase? I was thinking about one yesterday when looking at all the brush in my woods that needs to be cleaned.

A grapple is now officially on my want list!

 

[foggy1111]

foggy1111 What grapple did you purchase? I was thinking about one yesterday when looking at all the brush in my woods that needs to be cleaned.

A grapple is now officially on my want list!

I bought the Markham / Gator 48' grapple. Works good....from the limited hours I have used it so far. (I'd buy the same grapple again.)

Another point on tractor size....if you buy a big tractor you are faced with bigger, heavier, implement sizes which cost LOTS more than small implements. Five foot implements are reasonably priced....and make short work of small jobs IMO. :thumbsup:

I can buy allot of small implements for a low price (new or used).....and if I don't need em anymore......there will be lots of buyers for em. Not the same deal with the bigger stuff.

 

[JDTank]

My property has more or less made the choice for me. I finally took some time, went out with a tape measure and evaluated all my tasks on my property here. When I actually took a good long hard look from a realistic perspective, a 4000 series machine would work, with problems. A 3000 series machine would work, very well, with minimal problems.

I have to many areas that a 3x20 series would fit through perfectly, and a 4x20 series would plow down things I don't want plowed down. Also, the weight is a huge issue. I would say 5 or 6 out of the 10 places I NEED to get to first with a tractor, the 4x20 series would sink or leave deep ruts. One example of this is I have an old garden shed, about 20 feet wide, 10 feet deep and 9 feet high. This shed was placed on soft ground by the previous owner of the property, and it has actually sunk, the entire shed, about 3 feet down. It is old and rotted, but the area in front of the shed, is very nice finished lawn. I need to be able to get the tractor in front of the shed to load scrap materials and use a grapple to remove large sections or do a tear down. With a 3x20 series machine, I know the grass will survive. If I go bigger, I will have that nice big heavy machine for destroying the shed, but I will ALSO have a rutted lawn.

The more I have thought about it the more sense it makes to go with the 3x20 series machine, especially when I only have 4 or 5 acres that I have to take care of.

 

[jenkinsph]

JDTank,
I would think there are a few one time tasks for the larger tractors and maintenance could be done with smaller equipment afterwards. This has been mentioned several times already. Something to bear in mind though is that the larger tires on the 4000 series will spread the weight out more so I wouldn't think there will be much difference in rutting the lawn.

I would recommend the 3720 without ballast in the rears and add the wheel spacers if needed for slopes. Add a heavy implement to the rear for fel work which can be removed when mowing.

The best way to go would be to have a separate mower and tractor but I think you will find that once you get the property in shape there will be much less tractor work.

 

[JDTank]

May I ask why you say without ballast? I always liked ballast in the rear tires, it keeps the tractor from bouncing around to much and just feels more stable IMO.

There will definitely be a riding mower to maintain the areas that are taken under control, once they are. The 3520/3720 I am shopping for is mostly bush hogging, loader work, cleaning up fallen trees, moving manure piles, driving 3/4 inch fence posts, tearing down old buildings, that kind of work.

In the JD brochures they list the weight of the 3x20 series as 2,900 lbs, is this WITH the loader?

 

[foggy1111]

May I ask why you say without ballast? I always liked ballast in the rear tires, it keeps the tractor from bouncing around to much and just feels more stable IMO.

There will definitely be a riding mower to maintain the areas that are taken under control, once they are. The 3520/3720 I am shopping for is mostly bush hogging, loader work, cleaning up fallen trees, moving manure piles, driving 3/4 inch fence posts, tearing down old buildings, that kind of work.

In the JD brochures they list the weight of the 3x20 series as 2,900 lbs, is this WITH the loader?

Nope. That's the bare tractor weight. IRRC a 300 loader adds about 900 lbs (I'm not sure if you add extra for a bucket?) .....and fluid in the rears adds another 800 lbs.

With a few more options.....and fluid in the rears your weight is a bit over 4500 lbs....plus any implements.....and an operator.

Rear tire ballast made a huge difference in my tractor from a "bounce" standpoint in transit....plus its required for proper FEL operation....and much safer from a tip standpoint to boot!!