Buying Advice 3320 with a 485 BH

[Rob-D]

Anyone have experience with the 485 hoe on a 3320? I was wondering if it was too big. It weighs 500 lbs more than the 375 hoe which seems better suited for the 3320 although Deere shows both work with the 3320 on the attachments page.
Rob

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I've got a 3320 with a 448 which is the same as the 485. The hoe is a good fit for the tractor and also gives you options if you upgrade. If you get a 485 be sure to get the new thumb option for it since the dipper is different. The only real down side to the BH is once you done with it you won't use it all too often. If I did it again I think I'd save my 8k and buy a used mini x. But you won't find a better fit and finish of the detachable hoes then the deere setup.

Matt

 

[Rob-D]

Thanks Matt,
I had the 46 on my last tractor that my nephew is taking. I liked it and I do a fruit orchard so it was used a lot for planting and moving trees. It was a little bit of a pain to put on and take off because it had the under carriage. Do the 3320 hoes run off the 3PH? I have the I-match. Would you know if that make it easier or harder?

Best,
rob

 

[Millalien]

I agree about the 448/485 hoe - it's a good match IMHO for my 3320. The mount/dismount is a bit of pain, the rock shaft arms don't lift the hoe onto the pins like their supposed so you end up having to fiddle with the stabilizers and the dipper to position the BH on the tractor frame. It's not a big deal once you get the hang of it.

You will need to remove all the 3 PH stuff. The BH is frame mounted and does not run off the PTO - you need a rear hydraulics kit. I use the BH more then I thought I would and I generally mount it in the spring and it stays on-board until late fall when I set up for plowing and don't do any digging for a few months. If I switch implements a lot and needed light duty digging capacity I'd probably be a little more irritated about the mounting thing. But even if it quickly lifted the BH into position, I'd still need to remove and re-install 3 PH parts if I was changing up implements - it's not as easy as dropping one and picking up another.

But overall, the capacity upgrade is worth it depending on what you're doing. I've beat the crap out of mine ditching and pulling stumps and the only problem's been a hydraulic fitting on the upper arm that failed somehow. It was a cheap and easy fix. A friend of mine was ditching with a 3320 and the smaller BH and bent his stabilizer arms, which are constructed entirely differently then mine.

I don't know if the thumb option was an option for the 448; had I known about that I would likely have gotten it. I have a grapple bucket and can live without a thumb on the BH, but it would be handy for tree and stump removal just the same.

I often wish for more buckets - I have the standard 12" with teeth and I'd almost rather have a 6" with teeth and a 24" for grading.

 

[Rob-D]

Thanks,
I know what you mean about the buckets. I had a 13" on my 46 hoe and there are times when I wanted larger and smaller. (The 6" would be great for running lines and well pipe.) I might pick one up.
Sounds like the 448 is about the same install as the 46. I had to juggle around the stabs. and the bucket to get it on. Once I got the hang of it I was ok but the first time I did it I spent an hour figuring it out.
What will the thumb do for me, not familiar with it?
Rob

 

[zr2blz]

==>> The mount/dismount is a bit of pain, the rock shaft arms don't lift the hoe onto the pins like their supposed so you end up having to fiddle with the stabilizers and the dipper to position the BH on the tractor frame. <<==

This is 5 min adjust and then the rock shaft only is needed. My 447 comes off and on faster then putting all the 3 point stuff on / off. I have a 16" bucket and also wish I had gotten a 9" as I've also done lots of elect / water / gas lines. Get the 485, it is a better unit compared to my 447. 500 lbs extra is no big deal and if you have loaded tires the 485 will lift the rear and hold it better. I run my backhoe at around 1,000 rpm and got close to 5 hours on 1 gallon fuel digging 2-3' trench in dirt (no rocks / roots).

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Agree with others. If the rock shaft is properly adjusted R&R is very simple and quick. You need an option called "Power Beyond" to run the BH. In addition to extra dig power the 485 will give longer reach and deeper digging by approx. 12"

In some cases, not sure how effective the extra power would be, since I find that even the 447 BH can drag the tractor backwards - digging out stumps / roots for example.

If you ever see a 3x20 Cab series in your future, I think only the 475 BH will fit a Cab model.

 

[Rob-D]

Thanks guys,
I'll go with the 485. I know about the power beyond from my 2320 but still don't know about the 'thumb'.

Zr2, I know what you mean about running the tractor at low rpms, it sure sips fuel, but I just read somewhere that Deere says to keep it at 1600 or above to prevent engine problems.
Rob

 

[AKfish]

I have found that a thumb is what can make your BH attachment a "must have" tool! I use it to load and unload trailers with trees, brush, stumps; lift implements and materials such as pipe, fence posts, etc.

It will reach back into places that you can't get the tractor and loader. You can place and retrieve things out of the way - down in a ditch, etc.

And if you plan to do much of this - gotta have it!!! :thumbsup:

AKfish

 

[Rob-D]

Woe, hold on to your hats! Thumbs up to the thumb! I was thinking it was some kind of control knob. What planet am I on?

Is that a Deere option?

Hey Fish, is your dog smelling your tractor's butt?

Rob