3720 Feels Tippy

[RoyJackson]

The 3720 is ALOT MORE stable than the 2520 IMHO... It is a lot wider, BUT the 300CX lifts alot higher than the FEL on the 2520, so.... using it normally, you would be very happy with the 3720.... I think this guys issue is the MX5 rotary cutter on the back. That is not a good rear ballast... To high with too much movement when he hits holes and rutts...

Yep...concur...after all, the 3720 is a real tractor...
Heeheeheeheehee!

 

[wayupnth]

For clarification, I am not using the MX5 as a ballast. I have a ballast box filled with concrete but I have not done a great deal of work with the FEL so I haven't used it much. The majority of the work I have done has been bush hogging so that is what implement has been on the most. I have even noticed the uneasy feeling riding on a paved road with a backhoe on, simply from the natural crown in the road. I guess I need a tilt meter

 

[Chris2520]

The 3720 is ALOT MORE stable than the 2520 IMHO... It is a lot wider, BUT the 300CX lifts alot higher than the FEL on the 2520, so.... using it normally, you would be very happy with the 3720.... I think this guys issue is the MX5 rotary cutter on the back. That is not a good rear ballast... To high with too much movement when he hits holes and rutts...

Well , I haft to disagree with you on this whole statement. first off i have seen a 2520 and a 3720 side by side. and its not much wider at all . a little but not much. and a 3720 is higher off the ground. and the weight is not that substantial. so i would haft to disagree. i feel there is no way a 3720 is more stable on hills than a 2520.

Even so , if i bought another tractor. it still would most likely be a 3720
and a 448 hoe.....

 

[RoyJackson]

For clarification, I am not using the MX5 as a ballast. I have a ballast box filled with concrete but I have not done a great deal of work with the FEL so I haven't used it much. The majority of the work I have done has been bush hogging so that is what implement has been on the most. I have even noticed the uneasy feeling riding on a paved road with a backhoe on, simply from the natural crown in the road. I guess I need a tilt meter

Yep...a tiltmeter would be nice. Now, this isn't going to prevent a roll over...but I think it'll help instill confidence (and prevent you from getting into a situation you don't want to be in!).

One thing...when I suggested getting those tires filled. It takes a certain amount of inertia to roll a tractor. Adding weight as low as possible adds to the resistance to rolling over even though you may feel uncomfortable. One thing our illustrious Moderator, Bird, did was park his tractor on a slope, get off and give the machine a good shake. The tractor didn't budge...even though it was on enough of a slope to give Bird a bad feeling. After reading Bird's post, I did the same thing on a slope I was scared of. The tractor didn't roll over...not even close. Now, I'm still nervous going across that slope (and I don't too often...no use tempting fate), but I do have more confidence.

And, as long as you're belted in and the ROPS is up, even rolling probably wouldn't injure you.

Also, one poster mentioned checking your tire pressure...that would be a good idea...all four tires. Even a low front tire makes the tractor feel mushy.

 

[Chris2520]

For clarification, I am not using the MX5 as a ballast. I have a ballast box filled with concrete but I have not done a great deal of work with the FEL so I haven't used it much. The majority of the work I have done has been bush hogging so that is what implement has been on the most. I have even noticed the uneasy feeling riding on a paved road with a backhoe on, simply from the natural crown in the road. I guess I need a tilt meter

How long have you had this tractor. you say you feel uneasy on paved road with the hoe. . some reson you just seem nervious. have you had some incident with the tractor that has caused you to feel like this. or have you just never been on hills on a tractor. i am a little confused..

Chris.......

 

[RoyJackson]

Well , I haft to disagree with you on this whole statement. first off i have seen a 2520 and a 3720 side by side. and its not much wider at all . a little but not much. and a 3720 is higher off the ground. and the weight is not that substantial. so i would haft to disagree. i feel there is no way a 3720 is more stable on hills than a 2520.

That depends on the tires, Chris. The 3720 can be as much as 17" wider then the 2520. And those larger tires, especially when loaded, are really heavy.
Personal experience...my 790, even though it was considerably (6-8 inches at the seat) taller then my first tractor (670...close in size and weight to your 2520), feels a lot more stable. Of course, this is a subjective "seat of the pants" feel. Both machines had filled tires, but there was much more weight in the taller 790 tires.

I drove a backhoe (a Ford and a real one, not a 3PH type) for about a year. Even that machine tended to "wag" it's tail on paved roads, especially at higher speeds (20-25 MPH road gears). That Ford weighed close to 3 tons.

 

[wayupnth]

I have about 50 hours on the tractor and no, I haven't had any problems. I have seen a friend with a 3520 lift one wheel off the ground just backing up a small, very benign hill and turning the steering wheel. I guess all the weight of the tractor was on the front wheels and as soon as he turned the steeing wheel, the tractor almost tipped. FEL empty and down. This was on my property on a hill that I think most wouldn't have thought anything of. He was backing up a 2-3 foot high embankment (not very steep) on solid lawn that leads to the driveway. When his back wheels were on the driveway and the front was still at the bottom of the small hill, he turned the steering wheel and one rear wheel came right off the ground. Thankfully, he didn't tip. That was enough to have me wondering. He has a lot more experience than I do.

I do need to check the tire pressure. I haven't done that in a while.

 

[kude]

I have a 3520 cab and know that tippy feeling. As time goes on that paranoia diminishes, but the manuevering issues are still there. I take it easy on any incline especially when turning. I won't use it in the ditch going parallel to the road, that I reserve for the 755.

I got to say one thing about the 3520, it made me fill any holes or low spots where it feels tippy with earth.

 

[orlo]

Hi:

I have a 3720 cab and know the feeling. ;O) I'm getting loaded R3's swapped on but for now I have unloaded R4's that the dealer delivered it with waiting on the R3's. I had the pucker factor a few times when I was using the loader with a grapple with an 800lb stump grinder on the back. The loader is very strong and it's easy to lift one of the rear wheels off the ground if the loader is unbalanced (I was lifting tree trunks). More than once I downed the bucket as fast as I could, even having it very low to begin with.

I am getting 6" wheel extensions to bring the width out to 72" since I want it to feel as stable as it possibly can. Once you get used to it it's not as unstable as it feels. I wouldn't dare use my loader without a lot of ballast or my 1000-1100lb ballast block on the back. Even with loaded tires if you don't have ballast you can lift the rear easily.

When mowing with the loader on (no bucket), unloaded R4's, and th 72"MMM (about 450+lbs way, way down low) I've had it tilted about 15 degrees (about the max they recommend for CUT's - BTW I have a tiltmeter). I'm always nervous, have it in 4WD and am ready to cut down the slope at the slightest sign of tilt but it seems stable. I do agree with Roy, anything about 10 or mroe degrees and it feels funny. Moreso with the loader.

I find particularly bothersome the way the 3000 series can 'rock' if you hit a series of holes or bumps.

 

[wayupnth]

Well I'm glad that I'm not the only one who feels that way. I agree that there is a huge amount of rocking when hitting bumps. Like yours, my tractor is also about 60" wide but if I were to add extensions I might want to consider just moving up to a 4x20. The local dealer is going to drop off a 4320 and let me try it so I can decide (pretty nice, huh?) I need to get a tiltmeter.

Orlo, what do you think of the stump grinder? Does it work as well as the online video shows? I am considering one.