2720 vs 3120

   / 2720 vs 3120 #1  

JDGREEN4ME

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2002
Messages
2,162
Location
Southeast PA
Tractor
John Deere 2520, John Deere X534, GT 225, GT 275
I am in the market for a new tractor, I had a 4115 and was looking to move up to the 3000 Series. I believe the 2720 is rated higher in torque and horsepower yet the 3120 has better lift capacity at both ends, plus it is only $200 list more than the 2720. Looking to add a backhoe in the future and you can put a 447 or 448 on the 3120 which is a plus there.
 
   / 2720 vs 3120 #2  
Good "head scratchers" ..... The 2720 has the very same 100cu.in. engine that powers the 3320.

Should have more "umph" than the 3120.

Do you need the bigger footprint of the 3000 series? Likely be able to power a 5' mower all day long in - high range - with the new 2720!!

Some poster's hereabouts have opined that JD would be better off by discontinuing the 3120...

AKfish
 
   / 2720 vs 3120 #3  
AKfish said:
Good "head scratchers" ..... The 2720 has the very same 100cu.in. engine that powers the 3320.

Should have more "umph" than the 3120.

Do you need the bigger footprint of the 3000 series? Likely be able to power a 5' mower all day long in - high range - with the new 2720!!

Some poster's hereabouts have opined that JD would be better off by discontinuing the 3120...

AKfish

If I recall correctly, the 3320 has a 130 cu. in. engine. The 3120, 3520 and 3720 have a 90 cu. in. engine, the 3520 having turbo aspiration, and the 3720 adding an intercooler and boosting the pressure.

Carefully examine your needs. I went through a similar process with 3520 vs. 4120, and chose the 3000 series for better maneuverability on our wooded, sloped lot. I am glad I went that route. This tractor has served us very well, and will continue to meet our growing needs.
 
   / 2720 vs 3120 #4  
AKfish said:
Good "head scratchers" ..... The 2720 has the very same 100cu.in. engine that powers the 3320.

Should have more "umph" than the 3120.

Do you need the bigger footprint of the 3000 series? Likely be able to power a 5' mower all day long in - high range - with the new 2720!!

Some poster's hereabouts have opined that JD would be better off by discontinuing the 3120...

AKfish

Thankfully, JD didn't discontinue the 3120 before I bought one.

I bought one to harness the power of the 300CX FEL and haven't been disappointed.
 
   / 2720 vs 3120
  • Thread Starter
#5  
I know the 3120 has the 3 range eHydro and the 2720 only has the 2 range hydro. My 4115 only had the 2 range and for my use I don't recall any problems but I have read on here guys who prefer the 3 range set ups.
 
   / 2720 vs 3120 #6  
tuolumne said:
If I recall correctly, the 3320 has a 130 cu. in. engine. The 3120, 3520 and 3720 have a 90 cu. in. engine, the 3520 having turbo aspiration, and the 3720 adding an intercooler and boosting the pressure.

I don't know which is correct, but my JD literature doesn't agree with the above. It shows the 100.1 cu. in. Yanmar 3TNV88 in the 3320 and 91.5 cu. in. in the 3120, 3520 and 3720. JD specs show the same Yanmar 3TNV88 above in the 2720. With 1000 lb. less tractor to haul around the 2720 ought to have plenty of grunt. 2320 is plenty for what I need right now, but that doesn't mean I don't have tractor envy for the 2720.; 3xxx chassis is too big for my tasks.
 
   / 2720 vs 3120 #7  
First off, I'm sure you have reflected on what you want the upgraded tractor to do, however, I'd suggest you need to share that with TBN members before anyone can provide objective input. The 3x20 series may simply be too large for your purpose.

I made a 2320 / 2520 / 3320 comparison and price aside it was no contest, but keep in mind attatchments / accessories will probably be more expensive for the 3x20 series.

Compare FEL specs, compare 3 PTH specs, compare BH specs, compare attatchments - both range of availability and specs, check seating / other ergonomics. Check 3 range eHydro vs 2 range. eHydro is more than just another range.

Will slightly greater gross & PTO power on 2720 offset weight advantage of 3x20. For your needs will the greater power even be noticable?
 
   / 2720 vs 3120 #8  
The 2720 looks to be a 2520 with a larger engine. The 3120 is not even in the same size/class. I'd say it all depends upon what you want the tractor to do. Haven't heard too many 2520 owners complaining about lack of power. A more common complaint is the 2 speed hydro and the 2720 comes with the same 2-speeder. Putting power to the ground is hard enough as it is with the 26.5hp on the 2520. Bumping that up to 31hp isn't going to mean the tractor will do much more work unless you have some power hungry pto implement. It could even be 310hp and if you can't put that power to the ground, it won't make a bit of difference. I take that back, if you have lots of hills, then the extra HP will be welcomed. A few extra hp will also mean more zippy transport performance. You mentioned backhoe work is in the future. If that is the case, then the 3120, even with less torque will be more than enough for hydraulic related work and the 1000 lb extra tractor ballast will be a huge plus to keep the hoe from tossing the tractor around.
 
   / 2720 vs 3120 #9  
Superduper said:
The 2720 looks to be a 2520 with a larger engine. The 3120 is not even in the same size/class. I'd say it all depends upon what you want the tractor to do. Haven't heard too many 2520 owners complaining about lack of power. A more common complaint is the 2 speed hydro and the 2720 comes with the same 2-speeder. Putting power to the ground is hard enough as it is with the 26.5hp on the 2520. Bumping that up to 31hp isn't going to mean the tractor will do much more work unless you have some power hungry pto implement. It could even be 310hp and if you can't put that power to the ground, it won't make a bit of difference. I take that back, if you have lots of hills, then the extra HP will be welcomed. A few extra hp will also mean more zippy transport performance. You mentioned backhoe work is in the future. If that is the case, then the 3120, even with less torque will be more than enough for hydraulic related work and the 1000 lb extra tractor ballast will be a huge plus to keep the hoe from tossing the tractor around.

Well said, I agree 100%. I will also add that the 2720 does not have a upgraded hydraulic pump, so all the loader and 3PH specs remain the same as the 2520 at 5 GPM for the implements. So, if all you needed was increase in PTO HP to run say a 3PH chipper but need the small footprint...then the 2720 may be good for you. But I agree with the other posters...it's not worth the money over the 2520 IMHO.

JDGREEN, Could you possibly tell us what you need the machine to do for you? And what you felt the 4115 was lacking?

When I was looking to buy the 4110...I looked very hard at the 4115 also, but just could not justify the extra HP for the money when all the other specs remained equal-like the lift capacity (FEL and 3PH) and the hydraulic pump output. The next logical step up for me would have been the 4210/4310, but with only 2.36 acres it just seemed to big for my needs(NOT wants:))
 
   / 2720 vs 3120 #10  
kennyd said:
Well said, I agree 100%. I will also add that the 2720 does not have a upgraded hydraulic pump, so all the loader and 3PH specs remain the same as the 2520 at 5 GPM for the implements. So, if all you needed was increase in PTO HP to run say a 3PH chipper but need the small footprint...then the 2720 may be good for you. But I agree with the other posters...it's not worth the money over the 2520 IMHO.

JDGREEN, Could you possibly tell us what you need the machine to do for you? And what you felt the 4115 was lacking?

When I was looking to buy the 4110...I looked very hard at the 4115 also, but just could not justify the extra HP for the money when all the other specs remained equal-like the lift capacity (FEL and 3PH) and the hydraulic pump output. The next logical step up for me would have been the 4210/4310, but with only 2.36 acres it just seemed to big for my needs(NOT wants:))

KennyD, you missed being in the Overkill Team by that much! I got 2.25 acres and I went for overkill but I am not saying that I am always sensible. Plus some of those grocery loads my wife brings home are pretty heavy:D Plus with the cab, you can't hear the hollering as much:rolleyes:

3320 (1.6L, 97.6 cu), 3520/3720 (1.5L, 91.5 cu) are the specs I found.

JDGREEN4ME, looks like you are leaning towards the 3x20 series, power to spare and the size to boot. It might be overkill, but the one time you need the Ok, it will be there.
 

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