Purchasing a 3320, questions & concerns

[hamdog]

I'm looking to sign papers on a 2007 JD 3320 with 750 hours on it. It has a canopy with the work lights, rear remotes, and brand new 300cx loader. The original owner was a older farmer who used this tractor for loading sawdust and feed on a small 40 head dairy farm. He traded it in for a used one identical but it had a cab. It shows the normal wear from being used, but no scratches, cracks, etc. Seems to have been well maintained.

The dealer is asking $18,900 for the tractor. I can probably get hime down to $17,500-$17,900. what are your thoughts on the price and hours on the engine? Are there certain things i should look for before I purchase. This is in northern vermont.

Also can I operate a hydraulic post driver with this tractor or should I look at a larger tractor. I need to put up a lot fencing this spring. Primarily the use of this tractor will be for loading compost, taking care of our garden, brush hogging and every day landscaping around the house.

Thanks!

 

[hamdog]

I forgot to mention that is will be used to plow or snowblow a 300 ft long driveway with large turn around area.

 

[JimRB]

I have pounded posts using a Shaver on my JD 870. I tapped in to the loader circuit by disconnecting curl control and plugging in the post driver. Yours is better set up with rear remotes and has a bit more power than my tractor.
JOHN DEERE 3320, Used JOHN DEERE 3320, JOHN DEERE 3320 For Sale At TractorHouse.com - Page 1

 

[sunnyside360]

It doesn't sound like you are taking much of a chance on the condition of the tractor since it wasn't used hard. I'd inquire about the maintenance and try to bargain on the price. The JD 3x20 series are very good tractors. My 2007 3720 is coming up on 500 hrs and has been rock solid. I use it mainly for clearing snow on about 1/2 mi driveway, spraying, light rotary cutter work, and to mow about 6 ac of lawn. Good luck.

 

[hamdog]

I have pounded posts using a Shaver on my JD 870. I tapped in to the loader circuit by disconnecting curl control and plugging in the post driver. Yours is better set up with rear remotes and has a bit more power than my tractor.
JOHN DEERE 3320, Used JOHN DEERE 3320, JOHN DEERE 3320 For Sale At TractorHouse.com - Page 1

I checked out tractorhouse. There are some pretty good deals in other parts of the country. Unfortunately New England has a high cost of lively and everything including vehicles, homes, equipment, etc is expensive. The resale on equipment is ridiculous. I wish I could come up with the extra $6k to buy a new 3320.

The resale value on a John Deere amazes me.

 

[Martian]

Seems a fair price to me. I have a 3120 I'm trying to sell but wouldn't be looking for quite that much if you were interested. It does have one rear remote to run a hydraulic auger but I would recommend a 3PT PTO auger either way though.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/private-party-ads/226966-john-deere-3120-only-154-a.html

 

[hamdog]

All,

What things should I be looking at to make sure the machine was well maintained. The dealer has no maintenance records of the tractor but guarantee me the owner takes really good care of his equipment. He has bought and traded in several pieces of equipment over the course of many years.

I had to pick on the salesman a little and tell him he was the worst salesman ever (I personally know him). I went in on friday with the intent of buying this used tractor and kind of new I was not 100% yet so he would not fill out the paperwork and told me to go home and think about it over the long wknd. He assured me he would hold the 2007 for me until I made up my mind.

The 3320 is the perfect size tractor for what I want to do. I just am not sure if I want to buy used or new.

The 2007 with 750 hours, ehydro, canopy, working lights, rear remotes, brand new 300CX loader with new quick attache front hydraulic snow plow or new rear snowblower for 19,931 w/out tax. 72mos @4.5% ($337/mos)

I can buy (have not negotiated on this price yet) a 2011 3320 ehydro with mid pto, no canopy, mid pto, 300cx load, front snow plow or rear snow blower for $28,691 w/out tax. 72 mos @2.9% ($434/mos), 3 year warranty.

The $434/mos would be tough to make but we can make it work. The 337 would be no problem. Ive talked to others who say buy the cab if your going to go new but that adds another at min $7,000 payment would go up another $100/mos.

My plan is to have this tractor handle my needs for the next 4-5 years then when we finally purchase a large piece of land and expand our small farm business to purchase a 4000 or 5000 series tractor with cab and keep the 3320 .

Sorry for the long post but I'm having a hard time of whether I should bite the bullet and purchase new or buy the used 2007. We are finally getting a bit of snow up here and a plow or snow blower is going to be needed soon. Thanks and happy holidays!

 

[Martian]

All,

What things should I be looking at to make sure the machine was well maintained. The dealer has no maintenance records of the tractor but guarantee me the owner takes really good care of his equipment. He has bought and traded in several pieces of equipment over the course of many years.

I had to pick on the salesman a little and tell him he was the worst salesman ever (I personally know him). I went in on friday with the intent of buying this used tractor and kind of new I was not 100% yet so he would not fill out the paperwork and told me to go home and think about it over the long wknd. He assured me he would hold the 2007 for me until I made up my mind.

The 3320 is the perfect size tractor for what I want to do. I just am not sure if I want to buy used or new.

The 2007 with 750 hours, ehydro, canopy, working lights, rear remotes, brand new 300CX loader with new quick attache front hydraulic snow plow or new rear snowblower for 19,931 w/out tax. 72mos @4.5% ($337/mos)

I can buy (have not negotiated on this price yet) a 2011 3320 ehydro with mid pto, no canopy, mid pto, 300cx load, front snow plow or rear snow blower for $28,691 w/out tax. 72 mos @2.9% ($434/mos), 3 year warranty.

The $434/mos would be tough to make but we can make it work. The 337 would be no problem. Ive talked to others who say buy the cab if your going to go new but that adds another at min $7,000 payment would go up another $100/mos.

My plan is to have this tractor handle my needs for the next 4-5 years then when we finally purchase a large piece of land and expand our small farm business to purchase a 4000 or 5000 series tractor with cab and keep the 3320 .

Sorry for the long post but I'm having a hard time of whether I should bite the bullet and purchase new or buy the used 2007. We are finally getting a bit of snow up here and a plow or snow blower is going to be needed soon. Thanks and happy holidays!

750 hours is not terrible, it's not great either though. Depending how many hours you'll be putting on it it could affect resale more. Putting a lot of hours on means more trouble as well and with any tractor new or used comes problems, but new you have a warranty and used you do not. The warranty itself may be worth $100/month. But if you can't afford it you can't afford it. I would try to go new but if stretching that much makes you uncomfortable the used will work

The cab is more upfront but it also means more resale down the road. If you have allergies or such it is really nice. That is the only place I have gone wrong. With that said you will be able to handle yourself without a cab, your just a little hotter or a little colder but you'll survive.

He can come down on that price right a couple grand and I'd thought they had 0% right now? I would go snowblower - moves snow a lot better. How much more was it for a front blower?

 

[hamdog]

Martian Tractorman,

Thanks for the reply. I really don't know how many hours I will be putting onthe tractor. I guess I will be putting on a 100 hrs/year on the tractor. Its hard to guess. This year I have a mile or two of fencing I need to put up for beefs cows hopefully using a hydraulic post driver.

I think the 0% is for either 48 or 60 mos but I will question it right now. I would love the cab that way I can store outside for this year and not have to worry about getting on a ice cube in the winter but it is for the most part way out of budget for us right now but hopefully will be in the budget for a future 4000 or 5000 series purchase.

 

[sunnyside360]

I think the 0% is for either 48 or 60 mos but I will question it right now. I would love the cab that way I can store outside for this year and not have to worry about getting on a ice cube in the winter but it is for the most part way out of budget for us right now but hopefully will be in the budget for a future 4000 or 5000 series purchase.

It's 0% for 60 mos until end of January, 2012.

Special Financing Compact Utility Tractors JohnDeere.com

 

[Martian]

Martian Tractorman,

Thanks for the reply. I really don't know how many hours I will be putting onthe tractor. I guess I will be putting on a 100 hrs/year on the tractor. Its hard to guess. This year I have a mile or two of fencing I need to put up for beefs cows hopefully using a hydraulic post driver.

I think the 0% is for either 48 or 60 mos but I will question it right now. I would love the cab that way I can store outside for this year and not have to worry about getting on a ice cube in the winter but it is for the most part way out of budget for us right now but hopefully will be in the budget for a future 4000 or 5000 series purchase.

I completely understand that - I've made that reasoning multiple times now - but the next will definitely be cabed.

I didn't realize you were going with the 72 months - 2.9% sounds reasonable then.

New is nice and that way you can get exactly what you want but the used will suit you fine. I'd be leaning new because of the warranty and knowing who else ha used it and how it's taken care of (no one in this case vs an unsure service record.)

 

[hamdog]

Martian TractorMany,

I agree with you 100%, the hard part is talking the wife into spending an extra $8k-$9k on a new one...hahaha. I'm very particularly in maintaining everything I own. That is why the salesman made me really think about it over the wknd. He know I would be questioning the used purchase.

Sunnyside 360, you are correct, thank you!


Is there really any tests or visual inspection you can do to make sure the machine was maintained like it should? I could have the dealer contact the gentlemen who previously owned the tractor to see if he can give an accurate maintenance schedule of the tractor. But then again its word of mouth.

 

[Martian]

Martian TractorMany,

I agree with you 100%, the hard part is talking the wife into spending an extra $8k-$9k on a new one...hahaha. I'm very particularly in maintaining everything I own. That is why the salesman made me really think about it over the wknd. He know I would be questioning the used purchase.

Sunnyside 360, you are correct, thank you!

Is there really any tests or visual inspection you can do to make sure the machine was maintained like it should? I could have the dealer contact the gentlemen who previously owned the tractor to see if he can give an accurate maintenance schedule of the tractor. But then again its word of mouth.

I bought a 3120 3 years ago, went through the same thing. I bought new then. Right now I'm upgrading to a 110 tlb for a little more power but am looking used because I'd be saving a lot more. But I am like you I have to keep my stuff clean and well maintained.

I'd for sure ask to talk to the original owner. You can just size up if he's the type to take care or not. It is just word of mouth but it makes me more comforted to know who owned it. Even a large company vs a homeowner.

Be sure to check the hoses, tires, look at the engine. They can do an oil check for you as well to see if it is good and has been replaced recently. Be sure to drive it too. Test everything. Ask for a 60 day warrantee as well.

 

[Johndeere3720]

If he kept it up like they said he did then it should be a tight machine. My Dad and I (well mostly me) put 1200 hours on his 3720 since 2005 and used it daily to feed horses. That tractor never had a problem, always ran great, operated smoothly. I love to maintain equipment, so I always kept up on the grease and always made sure it had the right amount of fluids. He recently sold it and is planning to upgrade in the near future. I would check all the fluid levels, make sure there are no loose pins, inspect the underside for any damage, test drive it, and then you shall be able to decide whether it is the tractor for you or not.

 

[hamdog]

I test drove it, crawled all over it. It is clean, no scratches. The original owner is a 72 year old farmer who has 40 head dairy farm. He used this tractor everyday for sawdust and feed. It was always kept under cover and supposedly the dealer knows him well and he maintains all his equipment, now how regularly he maintained it is unknown. The only reason he traded it in was becuse the dealer had a 2007 3320 with a cab with 350hrs on it. He wanted a cab, so he took the loader off his put it on the cabbed tractor. I should have jumped on the cab tractor but was to late.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

As someone who originally purchased a new 2008 O/S 3320 and then decided Cab was the way to go - if I lived in Vermont - seriously consider how to go with Cab in the first place. A/C in the summer is sooo nice and since we still have green grass, haven't had a chance to check the heater operation.

Based on prior experience freezing my butt off with the O/S I'm almost looking forward to some snow.

FYI - for comparison, the 2007 I purchased came with 253 hours, eHydro, Cab, 300CX FEL, Rear Snow Blower, Backhoe for $27,500 this spring.

 

[Martian]

I do agree with Cinder though, you may be able to find a good used with a cab for a decent price. But then we are back in the same situation so I'd still be leaning towards new and when your ready to start farming get a 5085m with a cab.

 

[hamdog]

I do agree with Cinder though, you may be able to find a good used with a cab for a decent price. But then we are back in the same situation so I'd still be leaning towards new and when your ready to start farming get a 5085m with a cab.

The decision does not get any easier.......ahahaha. Its such a tough decisiong. It took me almost 6mos to figure out the size tractor I needed for my first purchase. I wonder how long it will take me to figure out if I want to purchase new or used and whether or not I need a cab.....lol.

I agree a cab is nice, really nice. But I don't have a problem dealing with the cold or heat. I think being 26 years old and an avid outdoorsman helps me deal with the weather hahah. The only issue I will have this winter with an open station is the fact I do not have a shed or lean-to to put the tractor under,but will be building one this spring. I might be able to deal without one for one winter...haha.


Thanks everyone for all the information. You all have been more than helpful. Thank you!

 

[sunnyside360]

Is there really any tests or visual inspection you can do to make sure the machine was maintained like it should? I could have the dealer contact the gentlemen who previously owned the tractor to see if he can give an accurate maintenance schedule of the tractor. But then again its word of mouth.

I always felt that if equipment is in very good condition on the outside it's a good indication that the previous owner maintained it properly. I'm sure there are exceptions but........
I'd ask the dealer for the owners name. I have done this and I've had others call me about my trade-ins.

 

[Martian]

As sunnyside said MOST of the time that it's cosmetically good it will be well taken care of. 750 hours definitely isn't near it's end of life of a well taken care of - it has thousands of hours to go. I wouldn't be afraid to buy the used if its in good shape but I'd feel more comfortable new - but saving a lot of $$$ is a good thing in my book. Go try out the used one and see how it goes.