3720 Stability

[Sledge]

I have been lurking in this forum for years and have finally decided to join. I currently own a Ford 8N tractor and would like to upgrade to a new John Deere. I cut about 3 acres with a finish mower and occasionally cut about 5 rolling acres with a brush hog. I need a loader for moving firewood. I also want to use the new tractor for clearing snow. After doing all the research here, I decided to test drive a 3720 cab. I was a little disappointed in how this tractor rode. It seemed a little rough. I don't think that I could pull a finish mower as fast as I could with my 8N since it seemed to bounce around alot. This tractor had the large R4s. Would R3s ride better? Would an air ride seat help? I had the dealer lower the tire pressure but this only help a little. Would a 4x20 tractor ride better? and would this be too big?

 

[VTjohndeere]

A 4x20 tractor is probably a bit bigger than you could justify for your amount of acreage, although they are great tractors. I have a 3520 open station (w/backhoe)and a 3720 w/deluxe cab with air ride seat. The air-ride seat is a nice option if cost isn't an issue. I use the smaller R4 tires (which will give a slightly lower center of gravity and they have the highest load rating). I have the rear tires ballasted and 3 wheel weights on each rear wheel with the rear wheels set at their wide setting. I do a lot of road work, brush mowing and snowplowing and feel that this combination works well for me with either tractor. Also, use of the large R4 tires prevents the use of chains, due to the tighter rear wheel/cab clearances. Also, I feel that the larger footprint of the larger R4 tires doesn't help traction either. The smaller R4's with chains in the winter will provide much better traction. There are a lot of threads on TBN discussing the advantages and disadvantages of R1, R3 and R4 tires. When I bought the 3720 cab, the dealer switched the large R4's that were on it to another unit he had with small R4's at no extra cost to me.

 

[charleyfarmall]

The wheelbase of the 8N is 70 inches. The wheelbase of the 3720 is only 66 inches and that's what you were feeling. You are right, you will be bounced around a lot more on the Deere because of the short wheelbase.

The wheelbase of the 4x30 Deere is 71.5 " and will be more comfortable. I wish it was 75 inches like most of the competition....

 

[Deere Dude]

I have a 3720. For $350 to get 4" of spacers for each rear wheel and another 2-300 for Rimguard or some other liquid weight will make it seem like a whole different tractor. I have large R-4s and have no problem in the snow without chains in SE Wisconsin, but other maybe have higher expectations and need chains. I was determined to get chains but after two winters, decided against them. Air ride seats are great. Like floatin' on air. Good luck.

 

[Red Horse]

I have been lurking in this forum for years and have finally decided to join. I currently own a Ford 8N tractor and would like to upgrade to a new John Deere. I cut about 3 acres with a finish mower and occasionally cut about 5 rolling acres with a brush hog. I need a loader for moving firewood. I also want to use the new tractor for clearing snow. After doing all the research here, I decided to test drive a 3720 cab. I was a little disappointed in how this tractor rode. It seemed a little rough. I don't think that I could pull a finish mower as fast as I could with my 8N since it seemed to bounce around alot. This tractor had the large R4s. Would R3s ride better? Would an air ride seat help? I had the dealer lower the tire pressure but this only help a little. Would a 4x20 tractor ride better? and would this be too big?

3720 will do what you need-no question. I have an open 3320 and it has been great. I used to mow about an acre with a rear mount Land Pride and never noticed any issue. I recently bought a low hour 4720 cab and that too is a great machine. It had R-3's but as its primary use will be firewood, snow plowing, moving dirt, I got a good deal on a new set of R-4's and they are much better for that application.

I'm not sure what VT-JD is talking about smaller R-4's, but the stock R-4's have a larger diameter than the stock R-3's. If you go to Titan tire's website it gives you all the dimensions.

I never mowed with an 8N but I wouild not worry about a 3000/4000 doing a great job. Speaking of old Fords, I worked my way through school working for a contractor and one of our machines was a Ford I think 640 or 840 with an Eimco driving front axle. This was in the mid 60's when 4 WD TLB's were unheard of. That little Ford would work-no problem loading 6 wheelers-but for sure, my 4720 wouild run circles around it and I think the 3320 would probsably outload it as well.

 

[greg_g]

Even after 980# of RimGard in all 4 tires, my 3720 cab still goes up on 3 wheels occasionally. Damned unstable tractor; narrow track, short wheelbase, high center of gravity. Bad combination. I had little choice, because it was the only cab available at the time that would fit under the headers over my shed and barn doors. I didn't go the aftermarket spacer route yet, because I read of some concerns of stress on the aluminum/alloy axle housings. So I'm currently awaiting word from the JD dealer as to what I/we/they can do to widen the track and improve stability - without affecting the warranty.

Short of that, MF now has a CUT cab that is short enough. Also has a wider track and longer wheel base. The final solution might eventually be to trade the JD in on a Massey.

//greg//

 

[sunnyside360]

I have been lurking in this forum for years and have finally decided to join. I currently own a Ford 8N tractor and would like to upgrade to a new John Deere. I cut about 3 acres with a finish mower and occasionally cut about 5 rolling acres with a brush hog. I need a loader for moving firewood. I also want to use the new tractor for clearing snow. After doing all the research here, I decided to test drive a 3720 cab. I was a little disappointed in how this tractor rode. It seemed a little rough. I don't think that I could pull a finish mower as fast as I could with my 8N since it seemed to bounce around alot. This tractor had the large R4s. Would R3s ride better? Would an air ride seat help? I had the dealer lower the tire pressure but this only help a little. Would a 4x20 tractor ride better? and would this be too big?

I have a 3720 cab tractor with air seat, smaller R4 tires, fluid in rear tires. It is used primarily for snow removal in winter on half mile asphalt driveway and mowing about 6 acres of lawn in summer plus some bush hogging large fields. Some of my lawn is very steep so I added 2 inch wheel spacers on each rear wheel which made a world of difference in reducing the pucker factor and a better/smoother ride. I've had many other tractors over the years and none compare to this 3720 for the work it is used for. In addition, this 3720 is a 2007 model with 500 plus hrs with never a mechanical issue. I can't comment between the standard seat versus air ride seat but I have no issue with the air seat comfort.

 

[Deere Dude]

I didn't go the aftermarket spacer route yet, because I read of some concerns of stress on the aluminum/alloy axle housings. So I'm currently awaiting word from the JD dealer as to what I/we/they can do to widen the track and improve stability - without affecting the warranty.
//greg//

I'm curious to where you read that spacers were stressing the axle housings with 2-4" on each wheel. Was it on this forum and people just suggesting it might, or is there actual evidence or reports of anyone having a problem with them.

I talked to a dealer before I got mine and they were pretty much clueless as to what I was considering. Maybe they didn't want to stick their neck out for an unknown.

I just went ahead, because of good reports on this forum, and never regretted it. I still would like to know if anyone heard of anyone else with problems caused by extensions. Maybe I'll start another thread on that subject just for mine and others peace of mind.

 

[greg_g]

Lots of stories about cracked differential/axle housings on small John Deere, although none specifically mention wheel spacers as the direct cause. Some were steel, though most were aluminum. My axle housings are aluminum, so I think I have cause for concern. Pushing a R4 rim and tire filled with 400# of liquid ballast four inches out adds to the stress on the outside axle bearing. That stress is transferred directly to the axle housing. Whether or not it's beyond design stress is the answer I'm waiting for from my John Deere service manager. If they have no solution, I'm not going to endanger my warranty by adding spacers. I'd rather trade it than break it. Simple as that.

//greg//

 

[sunnyside360]

I still would like to know if anyone heard of anyone else with problems caused by extensions. Maybe I'll start another thread on that subject just for mine and others peace of mind.

Quite a few folks here on this forum have the spacers on their 3x20 and 4x20 tractors and I don't remember seeing any issues. I have the spacers installed on both my 3720 and 4320 tractors and all is good. I have a JD 485 backhoe on the 4320 which at times probably generates a lot of stress on the rear wheels when the stabilizer arms aren't anchored well.