Questions for the JD CUT experts

[RMF]

Great forum...thanks for all your insights.

I am doing an exhaustive search for a used tractor down here in NC. I am trying to not go over 10 years old and no more than 600/700 hours.

I would like the HST, 4x4, a 300cx type of loader (not sure of equivalent on some of the below models) and R4 tires. Mostly going to be used for tilling and subsoiling 2 acres, seeding 5 acres of pasture, clearing out 3 acres of woods, and box scraping about 1000 feet of driveway. I will be running over the finish yard to get from A to B so thus the R4 instead of Ag tires. I will probably want to add a chipper, so if it is a pain to get off seat PTO then please let me know your comments. If I add a backhoe later or happen to find one that is used, what is the minimum model that has a HD setup?

I looked at the e series earlier this week. I forget to ask the dealer but can you get a heavy duty bucket for these?

My current list of potential tractors (please chime in with any I left out)

4310
4410
4300
4600
3203 (can you get a HD bucket for this?)
3120
3320
3520
4105 (is this too much tractor for 10 acres?)
3032e series
3038e series

are any of the 790/990/3005 HST?
one more question....what is the difference between HST and power reverser?

Thanks much for any input,

Bob

 

[RoyJackson]

None of the 790/990/3005 tractors have HST.

Based upon your list, I'd suggest a 4300, 4310 or 4400, 4410 for older machines. You'll want one with a 430 loader (for equivalency with the 300cx loader). Good luck finding one of these, BTW...good machines and lower hour used ones sell fast (been pricing 4300/4310 machines myself). They aren't cheap, either.
The newer machines would be the 3320 or 3520.
All could handle a backhoe.

The 3032E and 3038E tractors don't have off-seat capability if you want to run a chipper. You can work around this by putting a weight (bag of sand) on the seat. Some folks jumper the seat switch...I wouldn't suggest this but I wouldn't buy a 3032e or a 3038e tractor either (can't get a gear transmission).

Don't discount a gear transmission...especially a reverser transmission. Most of the work you describe lends itself to the more robust gear transmissions.

 

[kennyd]

None of the 790/990/3005 tractors have HST.

Based upon your list, I'd suggest a 4300, 4310 or 4400, 4410 for older machines. You'll want one with a 430 loader (for equivalency with the 300cx loader). Good luck finding one of these, BTW...good machines and lower hour used ones sell fast (been pricing 4300/4310 machines myself). They aren't cheap, either.
The newer machines would be the 3320 or 3520.
All could handle a backhoe.

The 3032E and 3038E tractors don't have off-seat capability if you want to run a chipper. You can work around this by putting a weight (bag of sand) on the seat. Some folks jumper the seat switch...I wouldn't suggest this but I wouldn't buy a 3032e or a 3038e tractor either (can't get a gear transmission).

Don't discount a gear transmission...especially a reverser transmission. Most of the work you describe lends itself to the more robust gear transmissions.

Exactly what I would have written, great job Roy:thumbsup:

Welcome to TBN Bob

 

[RoyJackson]

Exactly what I would have written, great job Roy

Thanks, Kenny...I just was a bit quicker to post, but I know you'd have written similar recommendations.

 

[AKfish]

All the machines in your list would do a fine job on 10 acres - even the 4105.

I noted that you are considering a backhoe in the future. I don't believe that you can get a JD hoe for the 4105, 3032e, and the 3038e. You might be able to find another brand of backhoe to fit these model of tractor's, however. Wood's, etc.

My last tractor was a gear machine with a synchro transmission. It was a great tractor and for loader use - the synchro transmission made shifting between gears and between forward and reverse - a snap.

I'm a real believer in the "more Hp is always better" school of thought. And the gear machines offer more Hp/dollar invested.

One of the best things you can do -- is try to test drive and spend some time learning the pros and cons of the models that would likely fit your needs and budget.

Some machines are likely to be more comfortable and easier to work than others for you.

Best of luck.

AKfish

 

[Egon]

I have a JD 4200 HST with attached no. 7 backhoe. It would suffice for the tasks you mention.

Can't comment on the other tractors you have listed.

 

[AKfish]

I have a JD 4200 HST with attached no. 7 backhoe. It would suffice for the tasks you mention.

Can't comment on the other tractors you have listed.

Egon -- are you Green?? What have you done with your 'Bota?

Hah, you still have snow..?!? Ours has been melted for weeks.... (in my mind's eye - this is Hawaii). :thumbsup:

AKfish

 

[Egon]

The Little Mule was exchanged for a little larger JD with a backhoe several years ago. The picture is from last winter. Our snow is gone.

 

[AKfish]

Snow gone..! No way - - March here is going out like a Lion!

Cleaning the horse corral last night in a snow storm.

Very pretty today, though. Blue skies and pure white landscape.

AKfish

 

[farmeratheart]

I don't know which way you're leaning, but the following is currently posted on CL ...

2003 John Deere 4310 4x4 Tractor

It's for a 4310 with many of the "Bells & Whistles" ...

Good Luck

 

[RMF]

Thanks guys for the help......just purchased a 3320 with 300cx loader. Dealer is ordering a 61 HD bucket (with toothbar) and it is on backorder, but they are loaning me an old 71 HD bucket that has no predrilled holes for a toothbar. My question is can I take a magnetic drill and simply make the holes myself to retrofit a toothbar? They offered to give me the bigger bucket at the same price and offered to have it sandblasted and painted (it has been sitting on the yard for two years and has a little rust). If I can make it work I may want the bigger bucket. Any thoughts on this? My concern is that I am going to get spoiled with the bigger bucket while I have it.

Thanks

 

[foggy1111]

What are you going to do with the bucket? I assume being you want a tooth bar that you plan to dig with it and do general clean-up?? If so.....I wouldn't be in a rush to get the wider bucket....as your going to have a tough(er) time with ground penetration. As long as your as wide as the tractor I think you should have an adequate bucket size. my .02 cents

 

[RMF]

With the bucket I will be

-moving compacted piles of compost/dirt/mulch from various areas of the property to a 1.5 acre garden

-moving dumped gravel around on a 1500' driveway

-transporting 5' (or 6') cut sections of downed trees to the firepit

 

[jenkinsph]

With the bucket I will be

-moving compacted piles of compost/dirt/mulch from various areas of the property to a 1.5 acre garden

-moving dumped gravel around on a 1500' driveway

-transporting 5' (or 6') cut sections of downed trees to the firepit

I think either bucket will work for you without a toothbar for the indicated tasks. A full load of gravel might be too much for your fel but fixing a 1500' driveway with 3/4 full bucket loads is doable and should wind up that work rather quickly. Moving compost for a 1 1/2 acre garden would definately be better with the larger bucket and the larger task by far. You can move the logs in either bucket but would be much easier with forks.

I don't have a toothbar on my 110tlb and haven't seen the need for it yet but I have used them on other backhoes and larger loaders. Sounds like you have the opportunity to try the 71" bucket without it first.

I would love to have a magnetic Bux drill and drilling the bucket lip with it would be the easiest way to do that. Make sure the bucket is reinforced if you go that route.

 

[RoyJackson]

I think either bucket will work for you without a toothbar for the indicated tasks.

I dunno...that cutting edge of a loader bucket doesn't do too good when the material is dried out and clumpy. Ballast on the 3ph will help a lot but the tooth br would break into that material a lot easier.

 

[deputy11]

I did get the wider bucket for my 3520. The 300cx will handle it full of gravel but travel low, slow and ballast the rear. It does work out better for high volume compost and the long tree branches. What is said about digging is very true, wider is not better but plan to use scarifiers on box blade to chew things up first for the few times I need to dig down.

 

[Nuru]

Yep Roy, wider bucket and a tooth bar will do the trick.