3320 Questions

[RFB]

Sirs,

I currently own a Kubota L5030 HSTC, and "Household 6" likes it very much to the point of talking about missing out on all the fun when I am using it.

I am considering a tractor for her, and she likes the size profile of the Kubota B3030 HSDC (cab with hydro trans).

I have zero knowledege regarding John Deere, but in perusing their site, I see a model 3320 that seems like a close comparison to the B3030.

Are there any Deere 3320 owners here that could give me their perspective of the 3320, and a knowledgeable comparison to the B3030? (I am not trolling for a "mine is better" type post.)

Intended use will be light FEL use, front-mount snow blade or blower work, 3 pt rough mowing/brush cutting, maybe some light tilling. All with A/C and heat

Thanks

 

[tglass]

Probably not much help, but I looked at most of the different brands before buying mine (3320 cab). Most were cheaper, and a few were built a little heavier. The Kabota was a toss up, but the Deere seemed to be easier to change the loader, (don't use it much but it's only a 5-10 min hookup when I do). Small things like that made the choice for me.

 

[Mike5252]

You might want to take a look at the 2520 as well. I know the total HP is off a couple (26.5 v. 30) but from just looking at the Kubota specs, the 2520 seems also to match up pretty well to the B3030 (overall size, hydraulics, loader capacity, top speed, to name a few). I'm not familiar w/ the 3000 series pricing, but suspect the 2520 would also be closer to the B3030 price point.

As the proud new pappa of a 2520, I was very impressed w/ its specs.

Happy shopping.

 

[orlo]

Hi:

I have a 3320 (also a 2305). Both great machines. I can't compare it to a Kubota but I use it for loading, mowing, some brush cutting, Implement (Box/grader/landscape rake) work, etc. I have the larger R4's (loaded, maybe an extra 940lbs). They don't dig up the grass much except if you turn sharp the front tires will (or if your in 4wd). I have the 7 Iron 72" MMM. If I was doing it over again I'd consider a RFM since the dealer lent me one while I was waiting for my MMM and the cut quality was superb and it was a lot easier to manuver than I would have anticipated. The MMM is great, but it's still 'low hanging fruit' if you want to do anything rough. It's a little more work to take off than the 62" MMM on the 2305. Still reasonably quick, but if I was taking it on and off every week I'd use a RFM instead.

I take it you are looking for a cab tractor due to your AC/Heat comment. I would go with the 3520 if I was getting a cab. The reason (Nobody advertises this) is that with all the extra stuff to support a cab (A/C compressor, larger Alternator, etc.) you are going to grab a few HP off of the engine as compared to a non-cab model run run that stuff. (The A/C compressor even when not running still produces a tiny bit of drag from the clutch), when running it can be significant.

I think you'll love the 3320. I still would prefer a mechanical hydro (like my 2305) over the E-Hydro but you do get used to it pretty quickly and the cruise and loadmatch is nice.

I have the 300CX loader with the 62? (Maybe 61)" HD bucket with replacable edge. It works well also and has plenty of lifting capacity.

Anyway, my two cents.

 

[RFB]

Cab is an absolute. I will not buy a tractor without: 1. A hydro trans 2. A cab with heat and A/C.

I have banged big diesel gears for many years, and love auto tranny's in my cars and tractor. Too bad they (major mfg's like JD and Kubota) do not make tractors in the 75 Hp range with hydros, but it seems like they are sneaking up as time goes by.

Although I use R1's on my 5030, we will probably go with R4's on the new one (3320 or 3030).

I need to get me to a JD dealer to actually sit in one.

Thanks so far for the input; keep it coming.

 

[BleedGreen]

RFB,

Mike is correct (see previous post) that the B303 is much closer in specs to the 2520. I understand that you need a cab - which means that the 3320 is the smallest Deere unit you can compare it to. Just remember that the 3320 is a slightly larger, and much heavier tractor than the B3030. Also, Deere feels that the 32.5 hp (3320) is the smallest engine they want to put a cab on - which is why the 29.5 (3120) does not have a cab offered.

Here are some numbers for you to crunch...

3320 Cab - 32.5 hp Direct-Injected Diesel; 11.8 gal Fuel Tank; 3 Range eHydro transmission w/TwinTouch pedals; Helical Gear Final Drive; Open Center Hydraulic System with 13.9 gpm total flow; 2,200# three-point lift capacity @ 24" behind link ends; OSHA, SAE & CSA certified cab; 80 dba noise rating in cab; 68" wheelbase; Unballasted weight - 3,570#.

B3030 HSDC - 30.0 hp Indirect-injected Diesel; 8.1 gal Fuel Tank; 3 Range hydrostatic transmission with treadle pedal control; Spur Gear Final Drive; Open Center Hydraulic System with 9.1 gpm total flow; 1,676# three-point lift capacity @ 24: behind link ends; OSHA certified cab; 85 dba noise rating in cab; 65.6" wheelbase; Unballasted weight - 2,271#.

Obviously I am biased towards the Deere (as I have been selling them for 15 years) but I am in no way knocking the Kubota, as they make a fine product as well. IMHO most of the ladies that I talk with prefer the TwinTouch pedals over the treadle pedal, but you and your better half need to drive both of them and make your own decision... I am more than happy to answer any other questions for you, if you want. Good Luck with your purchase, you really can't go wrong with either unit...

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Like Bleed Green said the 3320 and 3030 aren't really comperable machines. The JD is larger, stoughter and just not related. I recently purchased a 3320 and I looked at NH tc30's-34da, kubotas and masseys. The others all could do all the same jobs as the deere but in operating the different brands there was just no comparison to the deere. Go green you won't be disapointed.

Matt T.

 

[DrainPondDesign]

Hi,

My wife test drove both the Kubota B3030HSDC & JD 3320 w/cab after lurking on Tractor By Net(TBN) for a year reading complaints and praise for both units.

We found the B3030HSDC lighter built than the 3320 and the seat less comfortable but the clincher was the noise in the 30303 cab and engine vibration transmitted through the control levers & pedals numbing my wife's feet.

From other's TBN posts we did not get the same "warm fuzzy feelings" about factory support for the Kubota as we did for the JD so finally despite the higher cost we purchased the JD 3320 cab model.

Other than a little practice the 3320 is now just sitting in the garage with a front mounted blower waiting for the first heavy snow so I can't comment on durability.

A New Holland 40hp cab model just became available as we were ordering and we were unable to test one but you may wish to look at that model as well.

Bill
Owls Head, NY
"Ice Box of the North"

 

[RFB]

BleedGreen,

If I understand you correctly, then I am not doing apples v. apples regarding model comparison. Based upon that, what is the closest model (in Orange) that compares to the 3320 (both in performance characteristics and price).

Thank you very much for the elaboration in you post, and to the others here as well.

 

[JasonMac]

I have the 3720 Factory Cab Tractor. I have yet to see another tractor company make a cab as nice as the John Deere Cabs. My father in law bought a kubota cab model about a year before I got mine, (because JD at the time didn't have compact cab tractor models available).. needless to say he tells me everytime he see's my tractor that he wished that he had waited. He is very happy with his tractor, but he really loves the JD Cab a lot better than his Kubota Cab. He also likes the look of the JD a lot better, he always said that nothing on the JD Cab looks like an after thought, as the Kubota has a lot to it that does look like after thoughts.

I have to agree with him, not just because I own one, but because I have tried a lot of them, and I come to the conclusion, nobody makes a better Cab than JD on the smaller Compact sized tractors.

I love mine, you will especially love the Air-Ride Cloth seat if you decide to get that too.

As far as treddle pedals vs, Twin Touch Pedals, I'll take the Twin Touch any day over the Treddle pedal.

Oh, and how could Iforget to mention the biggest design flaw in the history of tractors? The independant brakes on a Kubota are virtually useless! Yes they work, but do you have two right legs? Neither does anybody else. And yes, I really do use my turn brakes a lot. Especially while scraping and peeling snow when my fronts are lifted off the ground, I can steer using just my brakes. On a Kubota you can't do this. So yes, the Kubota turn brakes are virtually useless. But the JD'S work great.

 

[Mike5252]

The Kubota web site has a competitive comparison between the L3130 and the 3320 that is probably just what you are looking for. The L series frame will be much closer in size to the 3320.

 

[RFB]

Mike,

thanks for that direction; I noticed that for hydro trannys (both Deere and Kubby)
that the Kubby has 1 less net PTO HP (24K/25JD) even though they both have the same for gear tranny PTO HP (25.5)

Cab and hydro are both must haves for my purchase. I wonder why, at least superficially, that the JD seems slightly more efficient with the hydro?

 

[swines]

Mike,

thanks for that direction; I noticed that for hydro trannys (both Deere and Kubby)
that the Kubby has 1 less net PTO HP (24K/25JD) even though they both have the same for gear tranny PTO HP (25.5)

Cab and hydro are both must haves for my purchase. I wonder why, at least superficially, that the JD seems slightly more efficient with the hydro?

Before Neil from Messick's jumps in with the quick bash...JD's lying about their numbers...(there, we got that out of the way).

OR, the JD hydrostatic system is a newer design than Kubota's and is slightly more efficient. I'm sure in the next iteration of Kubota's products they will have addressed this design issue.

 

[papafoxtrot]

Oh, and how could Iforget to mention the biggest design flaw in the history of tractors? The independant brakes on a Kubota are virtually useless! Yes they work, but do you have two right legs? Neither does anybody else. And yes, I really do use my turn brakes a lot. Especially while scraping and peeling snow when my fronts are lifted off the ground, I can steer using just my brakes. On a Kubota you can't do this. So yes, the Kubota turn brakes are virtually useless. But the JD'S work great.

Whoa,

Help me here. Am I to understand from this post that the 3X20 CUTs have separate L/R braking? I've never caught that in any of my reading the manual or anywhere. How are they operated? How did I miss this? OK forget that last one I'm sure the Mrs. will let me know that one :<)

 

[DrainPondDesign]

JD 3320 feature.

My wife & I were looking for a new 30hp tractor with cab that would front mount a 5' snow blower which narrowed it down to the JD 3320 & Kubota B3030HSDC because of local dealerships. The new 40hp NH cut may be in the same price range but it was not available at the time of our purchase.

In addition to the features mentioned in the first reply the JD HST has "Load Match" which compensates for our lack of experience by automatically gearing down as load increases (i.e. FEL digging) to where the wheels will spin and not stall the engine.

If the Kubota offered this feature it was not mentioned during our test drive but you may wish to ask your dealer.

Hope this helps

Bill

 

[orlo]

Whoa,

Help me here. Am I to understand from this post that the 3X20 CUTs have separate L/R braking? I've never caught that in any of my reading the manual or anywhere. How are they operated? How did I miss this? OK forget that last one I'm sure the Mrs. will let me know that one :<)

Yes, there is a 'joiner' in the break pedal that you can flip up and then operate the left/right brake pedals independantly. Not sure about the 5000 series, but out of the 2000, 3000, and 4000 series the only (Current) JD CUT that I know of that doesn't have this feature is the 2305. Even the 2320 and 2520 have independent L/R brakes.

 

[RFB]

Bill,

Would you mind me asking how much you paid for the 3320?

Thanks

 

[BleedGreen]

DrainPondDesign & RFB,

This may be more info than you really wanted, but I hope it helps! Deere is the only manufacturer of CUTs that has an "electronic" Hydro - everyone else's is linkage controlled. Not to beat a dead horse, but I really think you will prefer Deere's Factory Cab (from what I have been told, Kubota's cabs are made for them by the Curtis Cab Company and installed on a standard Open Station tractor) as well as the eHydro transmission with the TwinTouch pedals...

eHydro™ transmission

The 3x20 Series tractors are available with an exclusive 3-range electronic hydrostatic (eHydro) transmission.
- Fluid under pressure transmits engine power to the drive wheels through a pump and motor
- Provides high torque for start-up
- Reduces powertrain shock loads
- Sauer-Danfoss supplies both the pump and motor. This assures that the components are matched to each other, providing maximum efficiency.
- The electronic hydrostatic transmission is ideally suited for jobs where productivity is a must, such as loader or mower applications.
Twin Touch™ foot controls allow selecting both direction of travel and speed with a touch of the toe.

Key features of the eHydro transmission are:
Infinite ground speeds, even at full throttle, allow the operator to match the speed of the tractor to the job
1) No clutching for fast and easy direction changes
2) Twin Touch foot pedals for quick and easy forward/reverse operation
3) Cruise control is standard equipment
4) Cruise control switch is located on the right-hand console for easy access
5) Cruise control is electronically engaged and disengaged and allows for more precise setting of speed.

Sauer-Danfoss eHydro transmission:
Sauer-Danfoss eHydro transmission is used for reliable operation. Durability features include:
1) Large forged trunnion shaft with larger support bearings to reduce vibration and noise.
2) Center section made from durable cast aluminum, which is 10% stronger.
3) Transmission oil cooler cools transmission oil for longer transmission life.

Key John Deere advantages:

Twin Touch foot controls:
John Deere's Twin TouchTM foot controls offer several key advantages over competitive HST models tractors. These are:
- Some competitive hydrostatic tractors use a treadle pedal (toe-heel) design foot control for operation of the HST
* Requires the operator to use both toe and heel to change direction, resulting in increased operator fatigue
- Certain competitive hydrostatic tractors locate their individual turning brakes on the same side as their treadle pedal
* This configuration makes it virtually impossible to operate both the turning brakes and HST pedal at the same time on competitive models
* This configuration also makes it difficult to ''inch'' tractor forward or rearward (i.e. when attaching to implements)

Standard cruise control:
A ''true-speed'' cruise control allows the operator to maintain a consistent speed over uneven terrain. It is standard equipment on 3120-3720 Tractors with eHydro transmission. Cruise control is electronically engaged and disengaged and is located on the operator console to the right of the operator.
- Maintains desired forward speed without pressure on the foot pedal
- Cruise control is set by engaging the switch when the desired speed is reached
- A speed sensor also allows the tractor to maintain preset speed driving up and down hills
To disengage the cruise control:
1) Apply pressure to the turn brakes opposite the eHydro pedals, or
2) Disengage cruise control switch, or
3) Briefly depress the reverse control pedal

Safety features of the eHydro transmission include:
1) The tractor will start with one or both foot pedals depressed, but it will not move until both pedals first come to neutral
2)The tractor will come to a stop if the operator leaves the seat but the engine will not shut off unless the PTO is also running

LoadMatch™ power management system:
LoadMatch is a standard feature of the eHydro transmission.
- The LoadMatch switch is located on the left side of the steering column.
- Activating this switch will automatically match the output of the transmission to the load on the tractor.
- If torque requirements increase significantly, the electronic hydrostatic transmission will reduce the tractor's drive speed to compensate for the increased load on the transmission, maximizing torque to drive wheels and minimizing stalls.

Standard MotionMatch™:
- The new enhanced MotionMatch is now adjustable and a standard feature of the eHydro transmission. It gives the operator the ability to select rate of deceleration. It is integrated into the instrument panel with 8 total settings available.
- For operators desiring frequent changes between short and long rollout, the MotionMatch switch, which is included in the automotive-style cruise upgrade, can be installed.
- Allows operator to instantly change from short to long rollout and vice versa
- Can be set to provide smoother, softer response for mowing or a sharper, more aggressive response for loader work

Last Updated : 12-Oct-2006

 

[Kahuna]

If anyone is still keeping track, I vote for the 3320. I bought one back in October and am 100 percent satisfied. I looked at the Kubota, New Holland, Case CX and Rural King (Chinese tractor).

Only the John Deere had the features I was looking for. The Load Match to me is reason enought to go with the Deere. It works fantastic, especially for any loader work. I also like the Speed Match and optional automotive style cruise. I have also found the platform, pedals, and other controls have the most comfortable placement.

The New Holland and Kubota have the rocker style hydro control which I feel is reason enough not to even consider those models. I am a tall person and for me the rocker is extremely hard to negotiate. It wears out my leg, ankle, shin and just gives me that uncoordinated feeling. The 3320 has a seperate foot switch for forward and reverse. You keep your heel on the platform and move your tow from pedal to pedal, a very non-stressful, coordinated, easy move.

The New Holland and Kubota were all in the same price range as the Deere. The Case IH was about $2000 higher. The Chinese tractor is about half price of anything else but it is the old adage you get what you pay for. I know people who work at Rural King and these tractors are total junk. Everyone comes back for something and most need repairs before they are sold. However, they are cheap and the city farmers think they are getting a deal.

I have two JD dealers in my area. One dealer has about 8 stores spead over about a 100 miles and his price was about $1000 higher that the JD dealer 10 miles from my house, they only have the one dealership but will negotiate where the big dealer gives you his price with the take it or leave it attitude.

 

[kude]

I have a JD 3520 cab. I like the extra power of the turbo. Rototilling is easy with this setup. I have a grapple bucket on the CX FEL. I have knocked down dead trees and picked them up for the burn pile (not huge trees). Mowing in the heat with a/c and a radio is great. Doing winter work in a heated cab is great. I don't know anything about the Kubotas.