3720 cab vs open air

[TC33DA]

I am looking at buying a new 3720. The question is cab or no cab? I don't use it everyday just play and small farming. I am not sure I want the cab, but realize this is the chance to get it. Later is not an option if I want the JD cab with a/c. What are the pros and cons other than the money.

 

[radman1]

I used rotary mower today for 7 hours on JD 4520 with cab. 95F, full sun and humid. Grass, dust and bugs in the air. Cleaned out rear cab filter 1X and cleaned out radiator 2x. I would have paid twice the amount for the cab. Clean, quiet and radio tunes.

The only real cons are cost, obstacles such as trees and is your storage shed tall enough. All the other cons are minor.

 

[RoyJackson]

The only real cons are cost, obstacles such as trees and is your storage shed tall enough. All the other cons are minor.

"Cost"...that's a pretty big obstacle for a machine that's only used occasionally.

 

[jenkinsph]

I would go with the cab, much more comfortable. Rarely do I hear of someone trading down to get an open station tractor, but this forum is filled with people who want to upgrade to a cab.

 

[kromc5]

I am looking at buying a new 3720. The question is cab or no cab? I don't use it everyday just play and small farming. I am not sure I want the cab, but realize this is the chance to get it. Later is not an option if I want the JD cab with a/c. What are the pros and cons other than the money.

I would suggest to go to a JD dealer and try both. Yesterday we purchased the 4320 with cab and it is very nice. Tested both and decided to hold off on the loader just to get the cab option.

 

[doall]

1 con I can think of: if the ac goes out you won't be able to use it. big oven.
but I wish I had one.

 

[sunnyside360]

I am looking at buying a new 3720. The question is cab or no cab? I don't use it everyday just play and small farming. I am not sure I want the cab, but realize this is the chance to get it. Later is not an option if I want the JD cab with a/c. What are the pros and cons other than the money.

Go for the cab. I've been in your shoes and only wish I had one years ago for staying warm in winter handling snow, keeping cool in summer while working, keeping flying insects and dust at bay, and it's great if you have allergies. Deere makes the best cab tractors in the 3X20 class, IMHO. I test drove them all before buying a 3720 cab tractor in 2007. I'd recommend you test drive also.
The only issue I've had was a leaking air seal which caused the heat and A/C to be anemic, but that was fairly minor and covered under warranty.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

No brainer...get the cab.
When I was shopping for mine I was debating the same thing. Really I should say I wanted the cab but getting the cab meant pushing my garage build out a little further because I was using the 0% APR, 100% Down payment plan..... Tried to justify the O.S. to myself by saying the same things...its only a toy, I love being outdoors, I love the smell of dirt, etc... but in the end when speaking with my dad his exact words were "If you cant afford a tractor with a cab, dont get a tractor at all."...listened to his advice and there is not a day I havent loved it....Actually, just yesterday I started official work on the pad site for my garage :thumbsup:

Another benefit I saw is SWMBO can snowblow the driveay for me when I'm at work. Even this winter with her being pregnant...its not a big deal to be in the cab. I joked about it all the time..."yep I'm making my pregnant wife snowblow the driveway today"....my buddies would laugh when they saw the expresion on other people's faces...then I'd explain that its prolly 80 degrees in the cab, she's listening to her favorite radio station and snowblowing 74" in a single pass.

 

[Rob-D]

I understand and respect everyone's views on getting a cab and I guess I would have if I had done commercial work but for me I opted not to get one. I do fruit trees and I'm in and out of the seat constantly, I don't think a cab is good if you're doing that. I'm not spending hours on end plowing fields, most of my work is clearing, pulling stumps and so forth. I do bush hog an 8 acre field but it's easy work and usually take only a few hours.

Also if I had gone with the cab I would have gotten a bigger engine for the extra stuff it needs to run although you're getting the 3720 and I'm getting a 3320 so this isn't an issue with you but I figure with the extra money for the engine and the cab I could get several implements.

The cab raises the center of gravity and I'm told the 3x20 series already has issues in this department. I'm in a hilly area and I want all the stability I can get.

The other thing is that I'm in a lot designing on the computer and when I get out, winter or summer, I want to be out and in the fresh mountain air. I sat in the cab and felt cramped and isolated from things, sort of like a car as opposed to a motor cycle.

Also I'm mostly retired now and have the luxury of sitting out storms before I plow which I know a lot of people don't.

I understand the thinking and the bug and dust issues so you have to evaluate your needs:

Do you mow a lot of landwhere you'll be in a dusty field all day long several times a week?
Are you in a really hot or cold area where your tractor will sit because you just don't want to go out in it?
Can you afford the extra money or would it be better spent on implements?
Is your area hilly where you might be in danger of tipping or is flat as a pancake?

Rob

 

[joes_427_vette]

It would now be first on the option list. It was available from the factory when I purchased the TC 55 NH but down the road its either aftermarket cab or trade for one.
I just put a canopy on my 4110 and can't believe the improvement. No sun beating down and it seems the breeze flows through to make it even cooler. No factory cab available for this model either. JD keeps changing their numbers so frequently I don't know what designation a comparable cab model would be.
* Down side..... gotta watch those tree branches !

 

[TC33DA]

Thanks for the feedback. The biggest concern is stability. I am not extremely hilly but do have some hills. The dealer said to fill the tires and use common sense. My JD1050 was never an issue with the hills but it had a much wider stance and no cab. I saw a post with 4" spacers for the rear tires and claimed they made the difference. They were even JD yellow. I am in no rush, just want to make the right long term choice.

Thanks

 

[jenkinsph]

Well you can add the wheel spacers to widen your track but I would consider a 4320 cab too. Not much more money and alot more tractor. More stable with a wider stance I am very satisfied with the 4520 cab.


I looked at the configurator before posting this and noted the deletion of the power reverser tranny on the 3720. Something I predicted way back on one of the hydro vs. gear threads

 

[deputy11]

The only big downside I have had from switching to the cab after many years of using the open station is: I'm putting lots more hours on my new tractor than I ever did before. But, I'm getting so much more done around my place than I thought possible because it is so much more comfortable and fun to boot!!!

 

[Rob-D]

Thanks for the feedback. The biggest concern is stability. I am not extremely hilly but do have some hills. The dealer said to fill the tires and use common sense. My JD1050 was never an issue with the hills but it had a much wider stance and no cab. I saw a post with 4" spacers for the rear tires and claimed they made the difference. They were even JD yellow. I am in no rush, just want to make the right long term choice.

Thanks

I'd be careful about wheel spacers. The further you move the wheels out the less weight the axles can take. Make sure it stays within Deere's specs, you might ask them.

The 4520 might be better for you, for me it's too big though, just my preference.

Rob

 

[KennedyDiesel]

If they had kept the same loader joystick and 3pt position control I'd have given it more serious thought, but I just did not like the feel of the cable units on the cab model. I often wish I had a cab when using the harley rake on a pasture etc or when moving snow, but I'm off and on a lot also and like to be able to see and feel what is going on better.

One of each would be awesome...

 

[dmay]

As long as you have no height or obstacle restrictions that would make a cab out of the question, then it truly is $$$. A factory 3720 cab is ~$7,000. If you need it, money well spent. However IMHO their are only two justifiable needs. Weather or health. Got allergies, get a cab. Too hot or too cold to tolerate, get a cab. Are you sure you can't tolerate? Too hot, get a canopy $500 and a cooler full of pop. :drink: Too cold, get a snowmobile suit and helmet $500. Get a soft cab w. heater $1,500. Got an extra $7,000 kicking around, ok, get a cab.

What about we the change the title from 'cab vs open air' to 'cab vs second honeymoon vacation'. Happy wife, happy life. OK if I had a cab, I'd be happy to. But eventually you have to come out of the cab and go inside. :laughing:

 

[dieselfreak]

As long as you have no height or obstacle restrictions that would make a cab out of the question, then it truly is $$$. A factory 3720 cab is ~$7,000. If you need it, money well spent. However IMHO their are only two justifiable needs. Weather or health. Got allergies, get a cab. Too hot or too cold to tolerate, get a cab. Are you sure you can't tolerate? Too hot, get a canopy $500 and a cooler full of pop. :drink: Too cold, get a snowmobile suit and helmet $500. Get a soft cab w. heater $1,500. Got an extra $7,000 kicking around, ok, get a cab.

What about we the change the title from 'cab vs open air' to 'cab vs second honeymoon vacation'. Happy wife, happy life. OK if I had a cab, I'd be happy to. But eventually you have to come out of the cab and go inside. :laughing:

And you better factor in the cost of hearng protection, or hearing aids later onin life. Those soft top cabs are brutal for sound.

df.

 

[WV John Deere]

I just got a 3520 w/ cab so, other than a couple more horses, it's the same machine.

Pros: Comfort, comfort, comfort.

Cons: More $$$, a little more top heavy, view is good but not as good as an open station (not a big deal though), you can't fold the cab like a ROPS if height is an issue, cost of AC/Heat repairs in the future.

Just my :2cents: but I don't regret the decision to get a cab. I had the wheels turned out and the rears loaded to help w/ stability. Just keep your head in the game when on hilly ground and you'll be OK. The AC is a blessing when raking hay, loading round bales and mowing grass. Heck it's a blessing to just run the tractor in the summer. Hope it snows again like it did last winter, I'm ready with the heat

 

[Rob-D]

I just got a 3520 w/ cab so, other than a couple more horses, it's the same machine.

Pros: Comfort, comfort, comfort.

Cons: More $$$, a little more top heavy, view is good but not as good as an open station (not a big deal though), you can't fold the cab like a ROPS if height is an issue, cost of AC/Heat repairs in the future.

Just my :2cents: but I don't regret the decision to get a cab. I had the wheels turned out and the rears loaded to help w/ stability. Just keep your head in the game when on hilly ground and you'll be OK. The AC is a blessing when raking hay, loading round bales and mowing grass. Heck it's a blessing to just run the tractor in the summer. Hope it snows again like it did last winter, I'm ready with the heat

WV- did you get the 59" blower. I want one but it's another 5 grand!

 

[TC33DA]

WOW Great feedback.. I searched on the JD site for the overall height of the 3720 with cab, Does anyone have that measurment? My shelter is exactly 8 feet tall. Hope that is tall enough.