Buying Advice 2720 or 3720

[ctcrtaja]

Again thanks everyone for the feedback!!

 

[PioneerMan]

Hold on let's not give the guy bad advice. Could a 3000 cut run a 12 foot mower? I don't think my 4320 could handle that...

 

[ctcrtaja]

I think the 3520 cab with the 72 inch is the way I am going to go.
I hope it cuts real nice. My land is open with some slope.

Thanks for all feedback.

 

[sunnyside360]

I think the 3520 cab with the 72 inch is the way I am going to go.
I hope it cuts real nice. My land is open with some slope.

Thanks for all feedback.

You can't go wrong with that decision. Also, the 72" 7-Iron mmm is very good. I have the standard older 72" 7-Iron deck but I'd get the newer drive over deck if I were buying another new one ---- quick easy on/off. Lots of posts here on tbn for that mower.

 

[jd3020u]

Loader capacity is what made my decision easier for a 3720 that is mainly a lawn mower. You can't really have to much lift as long as you can still maneuver. I have a 72 mmm (non drive over) that works great other than the minimal lift height.

 

[ced]

How about a 4210 with a 72" mid mower? I just happen to have one for sale. I took me about 5 hours to mow my 10 acres, very square and flat with no obsticles. I need to get rid of this thing before winter storage. 560 hours, turf tires

 

[ctcrtaja]

Thanks again for all the input.

 

[jcmseven]

I think you will happy with a 3000 series and how it mows. They are large machines, but maneuver well for their size. With turf tires, even loaded, they will not damage your grass. It is true that a ZTR will cut your acreage faster, but your proposed machine will be quite fast and should be able to mow about 2-2.5 acres per hour if the grass is not too heavy, plus you can do other things with it. All things equal the 3000 series also should have about twice-three times the engine lifespan of a high-end gas powered ZTR, and probably 20% longer than a diesel-powered one, though this of course would be variable. I have had both machines and prefer the tractor-style by a slight amount, though I enjoyed my last JD 950 ZTR. I do not think you can go wrong here.

John M

 

[bruceha2000]

How about a thought from left field.

If want a tractor, you want to be a farmer.
If you want to be a farmer, you want crops, or animals on pasture, not lawn.

Buy the 3520 you have your eye on and see what you can do to make a good bit of the 10 acres productive. If it is just going to be an estate lawn, you can pay someone to mow it REAL nice for the rest of your life for less than the price of a 3520 Cab and you can do something else with your time; you are looking at a $30K tractor

 

[ctcrtaja]

I do plan on some farming but I would never state that because I would not want to offend real farmers who dedicate themselves to that hard work.

 

[jcmseven]

Bruce has a good point, but from my end, compact tractors do not fall into the domain of estate farming or crop work solely. In fact, the majority of them in my area and those I have had have been used mainly for landscaping work, posting, grading, material handling and mowing and snow removal. I, like many others, cannot justify financially having an expensive tractor strictly based on how much I use it. I could almost pay someone to work on my property part time and come out ahead--but that is not the point for me. I enjoy doing these projects myself and I enjoy the time on my tractor and the productivity it provides in addition. In essence, my tractor is a toy with a purpose and many of us are like this. It sounds as though our OP has decided in his mind he wants a tractor. If this decision has been finalized in his mind, then we are charged with giving him opinion on the machines he is considering. Having had both two 3720's and a 2320 (never had a 2720), I can say that if he wants to stick with a tractor style machine and do other tasks, the 3000 series is a good choice for his size property and what he wants to do. If he enjoys spending A LOT of time on his tractor, then a larger 2000 series such as a 2720 would be also possible. I have been impressed with how they mow. I also agree with Bruce that in today's economy it may be reasonable before making a large-dollar purchase, looking for ways to diversify its use may be necessary.

John M

 

[jenkinsph]

The vast majority of us buy tractors because we want them, has nothing to do with making money. If I wanted to save money I would live in town in an apartment, but that is too miserable an existence to me.

That said I do operate tractors in my business which helps defray the costs, and is a lot more fun than being a full time building contractor. I enjoy building up new landscapes and gives me a feeling of accomplishment.

 

[Gizmo2]

The vast majority of us buy tractors because we want them, has nothing to do with making money. If I wanted to save money I would live in town in an apartment, but that is too miserable an existence to me.

That said I do operate tractors in my business which helps defray the costs, and is a lot more fun than being a full time building contractor. I enjoy building up new landscapes and gives me a feeling of accomplishment.

Good post. Extremely hard to make money with a compact tractor. Oh sure from time to time you may be able to make a little. We need a tractor and the added benefit is we save money from time to time because we do not need to hire the work done.

 

[bruceha2000]

I do plan on some farming but I would never state that because I would not want to offend real farmers who dedicate themselves to that hard work.

Point taken. No matter how much I manage to do with the land we are buying, I would not list my profession as 'farmer' even after I retire from my desk job. My grandfather was a real farmer, 50 years. I just hate to see farms turned into giant lawns rather than growing something, even if it is 'just' horses for pleasure.

I'm not expecting to recover the up front cost of the property and tools to make it productive. I am hoping I can manage enough out of the property to pay the taxes and utilities. If I make more, it is gravy. If not, I'm still living 'free'. I will have my retirement money (company and personal) and SS if it still exists in 10 years. I can choose to live where I am now and pay ever increasing property tax and utility bills from that money or have a property than can 'assist' with the bills and feed the family, at least to some extent. Might be necessary if the economy of this country and the world stays in the toilet and the 1% become the 0.5% while the rest slide.

 

[Martian]

Some great advice has been given so far, heres my two cents though. Ten acres is a lot of lawn to mow. Where are you located? Is it dryer or more tropical for how often you will have to mow your lawn? Mowing that lawn a lot will be a good 8 to 9 hours. Best don't expect to do that in a day. Want to be sure to split it up into sections and do a little at a time. Also depending on your climate its a lot of time to be out in blistering heat and during the winter the freezing cold. In your shoes I would be looking at a 3520 with a cab with a 300CX fel and a 72D mmm and either a snow blower or rear blade for the winter. Be nice to be out of the elements.

Or I would get a 2720 and a ZTR mower. I would probably lean this way as I think one of you main concerns is mowing and a ZTR will cut mow time in half. Plus you can have two knew toys instead of one.:thumbsup:

 

[watersniper]

Or I would get a 2720 and a ZTR mower. I would probably lean this way as I think one of you main concerns is mowing and a ZTR will cut mow time in half. Plus you can have two knew toys instead of one.:thumbsup:

This is what I just did. I ordered a 2720 and a Z655. They wrapped it all into one deal. I can't wait to get both!

 

[dmay]

I will be buying my first "big" tractor. I am not sure on what model to purchase. I have 10 acres mostly flat with a slight slope here and there that will need to be mowed (want the cut to look nice).
300 yard driveway to snowblow/plow. Minor trench digging and gravel work.

Main purpose of tractor - mowing and landscaping. I would like something that cuts the grass nice. Thanks for all your feedback in advance.

The question 2720 or 3720 JD?

I'd say if you just want one tractor:

3x20
Cab
Turf tires
300cx FEL
72" MMM
59" QH SnowBlower
rear tire chains for winter/dirt
iMatch
Ballast box
Box Blade
Landscape rake

And if you really want to get your lawn cut quick, add a zero turn mower to your fleet and get two mowers working in tandem. :thumbsup:

 

[JiminGa]

the 3520 cab tractor with one of these ought to cut down on mowing time:Woods Equipment Company - Turf Batwing - Commercial

 

[Martian]

This is what I just did. I ordered a 2720 and a Z655. They wrapped it all into one deal. I can't wait to get both!

Sounds like the best deal and you get the best of both worlds. Be mowing in half the time and you get two new machines!!

 

[JDTank]

This is what I just did. I ordered a 2720 and a Z655. They wrapped it all into one deal. I can't wait to get both!

Post pictures and videos please! I am looking into a zero turn as well as a 2520 or 2720, so the more information the better!