Buying Advice Trade 4310 for 3520 with 448 BH?

[KML]

Ok, in the what the heck am I thinking category....

A few months ago I bought a 2004 4310 with 853 hrs for $9k even. Added a new 300CX and was out the door after taxes, 3rd SCV, etc for $15,300.

Well, my dealer just traded for a really clean 2007 3520 with 690hrs, a 300X, 72MMM, and a 448 BH. He's asking $19,995. Sounds like a great price to me!

He shot me an offer of my tractor + $7,900 for the 3520. I'd be paying a $3k "idiot tax" for trading so soon. ($12k for my trade, but it is at 994hrs now)

The offer I have in mind is:
- Trade my tractor for the 3520 + $5,500
- Swap loaders. I want to keep my new CX!
- He keeps the belly mower, I have NO use for it. The 4310 is setup for one.
- Work a 3rd SCV into the deal, need my HTL!

That puts me into the 3520 for ~$21,500 with taxes:confused2:

I don't NEED a BH but sure would like one. Third tractor from this dealer and I trust that if there is a problem with the tractor he'll take care me as he has in the past.

Maybe I'm just trying to rationalize this but I'm thinking this would be a $37K tractor new and even if I'm in it for $23K I'm in good shape. Not as good as if I had bought it out right but...It's 3 years newer, has less hours, a BH, and is the current model.

Have I lost my mind? On the plus side - the tractors are so similar my wife probably wouldn't notice anything but the BH....:thumbsup:

I guess it boils down to: Is the 3520 with BH worth $21-23K from a solid dealer?

 

[RoyJackson]

The 3520 has a few more HP (engine and PTO) then your 4310...one advantage.

If you don't need a backhoe..well, it would be a very expensive addition that may set around for a long time.

Only you can make the determination about trading up...and I suggest you follow your plan:

The offer I have in mind is:
- Trade my tractor for the 3520 + $5,500
- Swap loaders. I want to keep my new CX!
- He keeps the belly mower, I have NO use for it. The 4310 is setup for one.
- Work a 3rd SCV into the deal, need my HTL!

And see how the dealer responds...can't hurt a thing and won't cost you any money if he declines your offer.

 

[KML]

Update:

Talked to him and the loader swap is no problem, no change in price. He said he figured I'd want to keep the 300CX from the get go.

Told him I had no use for th 72"MMM, said he didn't either.

Already has the 3rd SCV.

He's said they have room in the price...It's on it's way out to my place for a look see.

The more I think about it, the more i'm inclined to do it. A BH was in the plans in the future anyhow. Rarely see them used and they aren't that much cheaper than new when you do see them. I figure a new BH is $8k plus ~1K to get it on the tractor.

The newer tractor, lower Hrs, and more power are just bonuses!

One thing that concerns me is the turbo. Seems like a more "complicated" engine is more source for trouble down the road. Any one have issues with them when the hours get up there?

 

[JiminGa]

keep the oil changed on time and don't baby it, the turbo should not give you any trouble.

sounds like a great deal to me, you'll love having the hoe around!

 

[RoyJackson]

One thing that concerns me is the turbo. Seems like a more "complicated" engine is more source for trouble down the road. Any one have issues with them when the hours get up there?

I doubt you have a lick of trouble with the turbo as long as you operate it correctly, shut it down correctly and maintain it correctly.

 

[AKfish]

Sounds like a really good deal... Hard to pass up - one of those times when you're lookin' at your feet to see if you'll be kickin' yourself later on - if you don't make a move..

Roy's got a point - let the engine idle for a few minutes before shut-down - especially during the summer, etc. And as JiminGa mentioned, clean oil... The turbo bearing's will last for several thousand's of hours of trouble-free use!

Good luck.

AKfish

 

[Martian]

If you have the money to spend I would go for it. You will be happier down the road. And be sure to keep the backhoe as they are a very nice toy!:thumbsup:

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Sounds like a good price to me for the TLB part. If you don't want the MMM and neither does the dealer and there is no change in the price - take the MMM. If nothing else with all the mounting hardware you should be able to sell it to someone with a 3x20 and offset some of your up charge.

 

[Martian]

Sounds like a good price to me for the TLB part. If you don't want the MMM and neither does the dealer and there is no change in the price - take the MMM. If nothing else with all the mounting hardware you should be able to sell it to someone with a 3x20 and offset some of your up charge.

Someone will surely be looking for it and expect around 1000 on craigslist. Someone would be looking for it.

Does the 3520 have a cab?

 

[JDTank]

I would definitely go with it 100%, that is a good price. That backhoe alone is almost $9,000 if I remember correctly. A backhoe is one of those things that you know you shouldn't buy because the price is just so insane it doesn't make sense. But, once you have your own at your disclosure, what you can do is endless.

I wouldn't worry about the turbo at all. Turbochargers are the simplest most efficient way to get large amounts of air into an engine. The bearings in today's turbo's are leaps and bounds over turbo's even from the 1980's. Unless you worked the tractor hard and were using boost for a good period of time, you could shut it down almost immediately.

I would find a way to install a boost gauge on it, as well as a oil temperature gauge, but I am the type who loves to have a gauge for everything. Every gauge tells a chapter of the story of how your tractor is running and feeling. My guess is it hardly get's any boost anyways in such a small engine, probably 5 PSI.

I had a 2004 Kenworth W900L with a C15 Accert Cat engine in it when I used to own my own semi and was long hauling. I hit 50 PSI of boost with that twin turbo setup. When I sold the truck in 2010, I had 1,300,000 KM on it, and still the original turbo's!

 

[KML]

Thanks for all of the advice:thumbsup:

I don't know why I was even worried about the turbo, my daily driver is a 7.3PSD that's at 190K miles with no troubles. Just new to tractors with turbos.

I just got back from playing with it-

It's a little rougher than my 4310 but nothing big, a few scratches in the hood and the like. Nothing I'm worried about. I know it's only 6HP more on paper but man that thing has PEP! Much more responsive than my 4310!

Where we're at now is we swap my 300CX, loaded rear tires and air ride seat, he orders me the diverter kit (for my TnT:thumbsup. I give him my tractor plus $8900 (He gave me $400 off of the diverter). Told him I'd let him know by Monday but I (subconsciously) parked my truck in front of my trailer when I got home

 

[Martian]

You'll definitely be happy with it. The xx20 series is a lot nicer than the xx10 series. If you wanted a backhoe alone for your 4310 you would be the same price as what your getting a whole new and newer tractor and a backhoe with more options and a nicer tractor. Definitely worth the money.

Be sure to post pics when you get it!!

 

[KML]

Ok folks, I haven't bought it yet but have had some time to play with it.

There are a few things starting to worry me, First is a surge at idle after for the fist 30 sec to a minute when its cold. Throttle doesn't like to go straight to position. You have to overshoot where you want it and let it settle back. May well be connected to the idle issue. Governor spring maybe. Any ideas ?

Second is the parking brake in inop. feels like the linkage is off.

And third - It was owned by a guy that does construction and used it in his business. Had more than one operator and the prior owner is a bit of a turd.

It looks like it had maintenance done on it (greased often for sure) Filters have been changed at least once (they are hastings now) but it does look like it was used to "get the job done".

Other than the mentioned issues it checks out well but I'm going to have think on this one for a while.

 

[Martian]

Ok folks, I haven't bought it yet but have had some time to play with it.

There are a few things starting to worry me, First is a surge at idle after for the fist 30 sec to a minute when its cold. Throttle doesn't like to go straight to position. You have to overshoot where you want it and let it settle back. May well be connected to the idle issue. Governor spring maybe. Any ideas ?

Second is the parking brake in inop. feels like the linkage is off.

And third - It was owned by a guy that does construction and used it in his business. Had more than one operator and the prior owner is a bit of a turd.

It looks like it had maintenance done on it (greased often for sure) Filters have been changed at least once (they are hastings now) but it does look like it was used to "get the job done".

Other than the mentioned issues it checks out well but I'm going to have think on this one for a while.

The "surge" when it is cold is completely normal. I have 3120 and when it is cold it will idle about 2-3000 RPM's higher than usual until the engine warms up. Kind of like an automatic choke. The parking would be a bit of a concern but I'm sure you could get it worked into the deal to fix. Couldn't cost much at all if its just the linkage and the breaks still work. As far as the guy being in construction I wouldn't let that worry me. Construction equipment tends to be serviced more than residential equipment as they don't want to avoid down time. They just tend to have more dings and dents.

I wouldn't let these scare you away if this is all that's holding you back.

 

[KML]

Couldn't resist, the 3520 has a new home!

 

[AKfish]

Lookin' pretty good! :thumbsup: The backhoe doesn't appear to have very much use at all.. paint's still on the bucket and the dipper/boom hasn't got scratches and mud all over 'em!

Can't tell if you've switched the loaders out, yet.

My 5075M has that annoying "fast idle surge" at startup, too. Takes some getting used to -- and as the temps get cooler into the fall the lag before it finally throttles down takes longer, too. PITA!

Congrats!

AKfish

 

[YesDeere]

Nice!!! Looked into trying to do the same swap. Couldn't make it work. Glad you did. Enjoy

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

What a nice machine. Enjoy!

 

[Martian]

Have you had to chance to put it through its paces? Know you've had it for a little while. Just wondering how it stacks up to the 4310. Also wondering how much your loving that backhoe?!:thumbsup:

 

[KML]

Thanks everyone!

As far as putting it through it's paces... I was lucky to get it off the trailer and my 4310 to the dealer before leaving to visit family in Minnesota for thanksgiving. I'm sitting at my brothers kitchen table typing this....

Probably be another day or two before it comes out to play but I'll give a full report