3720 Stability

[Sledge]

I was able to drive a 4720 cab with an air ride seat at Rosseels this weekend. This tractor was a little larger than my 8N but it wasn't too bad. The turning radius was fairly tight and visibility was good. I know that this size tractor is a little larger than one would typically buy for finish mowing 3 acres and brush hogging maybe 5-7 acres but is it really too much? Maybe a 4320 or 4520? I walked around my property today and the areas I brush hog are somewhat hilly with a few ditches around. I would definitely need wheel extensions if I bought a 3720. After driving around the 4720 the 3720 next to it seemed kind of small.

 

[shortthrow50]

It's all what you want man. I thought I went a little overkill for mowing 9 acres. I bought a 3520 cab but haven't mowed yet cause I just got it.

 

[Deere Dude]

I was able to drive a 4720 cab with an air ride seat at Rosseels this weekend. This tractor was a little larger than my 8N but it wasn't too bad. The turning radius was fairly tight and visibility was good. I know that this size tractor is a little larger than one would typically buy for finish mowing 3 acres and brush hogging maybe 5-7 acres but is it really too much? Maybe a 4320 or 4520? I walked around my property today and the areas I brush hog are somewhat hilly with a few ditches around. I would definitely need wheel extensions if I bought a 3720. After driving around the 4720 the 3720 next to it seemed kind of small.

There is a cost to every decision you make. A 4XXX Series is quite a bit more expensive and if you can justify it, great. I bought a 3720 and was considering a 4XXX series for a few minutes. Personally I really like the smooth running 3 banger over the 4 cylinder in the 4XXX series tractor. I was concerned about the wheel base and it did seem to hop around a bit. After 4" of wheel extensions and fluid in the tires, it settles it right out. I am sure with a 4XXX series, fluid would also have to be added anyway, for using a FEL.
For me, the 3XXX series was a good move. I think if I had it to do over again, I would consider the 3520 or the 3320. Anyway, I hauled and dug and landscaped some good sized hills of dirt and dug down some good sized trees and hauled dirt for the root balls I excavated. I was able to pull a medium 6' Frontier Box Blade that had dirt over the top of the box and the leading edge of the dirt was about the center of the rear tires. It just pulled it happily across the lawn.
I am happy with the 3XXX series. Would a 4XXX series do all of that stuff and would I take one. No doubt I sure would. After working the daylights out of the tractor, it doesn't seem to small to me.
I have 4 acres with a huge berm half way around it I have been moving and raising some lowland with it.

 

[Doug Archer]

Just a thought, I called two John Deere dealers only to find out that John Deere does not sell spacers for these machines. Interesting that they sell so many optional parts for these machines but no spacers. I can only guess that the reason they do not sell these spacers is that they would, or could create problems with bearings or axles. After market spacers at $400 plus for a set on the rear would be a money maker for Deere so there has to be some good reason Deere has choosen to not sell these spacers. Very costly to replace an axle you can bet on that. Try switching your tires/rims from side to side you will gain 3.5 inches total tire track on the rear and about 8 inches up front. This is recommend by dealer with no problems and full warranty. I have done this with my 3720 and it made quite a difference on my rolling property for me. I run chains all winter on all 4 wheels. I now have clearance needed on the rear right for the hydraulic lines. I have a backhoe on the rear and am not wanting to take the chance of the extra weight/stress on anything that may break. If using just for light duty work like grass cutting then maybe it would be a good option to use the spacers.

 

[beenthere]

I added spacers on my 4300, at 2" for each one. Works great.

But if I had a backhoe, I likely would not push the tires out with spacers. Deere might just figure that spacers are outside the box, as you elude to.

 

[Nuru]

I went with Turf special tires that I bought for a very good price. search for spacers and you will find some threads where a number of us have discussed spaces and wider tires on the 3x20 series units.

 

[greg_g]

Never got any support from dealer regarding spacers. My R4s were already the widest tires available (from JD), and I had already reversed the rims. That didn't help at all. So I plowed ahead with the spacer idea. Got a 4" pair of machined aluminum spacers for the rear, and a pair of 2.5" machined aluminum spacers for the front. Now the outside to outside measurements are identical front and rear. Been over two years like that now, spacers have proved to be a big time stability assist, and there's no apparent excess strain on the rear axle housings. Plus the tire spacing now puts them at almost the same width as my front bucket.

//greg//

 

[Nuru]

Yep a lot of forum members have used spacers and are very happy with them. I got my tires for a great deal and they increased the stability of my unit significantly.

 

[TCowner]

Greg, I have spacers on the rear of my 3720 but not on the front. Where did you get your front spacers? Thanks
Terry,

 

[greg_g]

Same place as the rears: MotorSport via eBay. After buying the 4" for the rears, I emailed him to make me 2.5 inchers for the front.

//greg//