3720 vs 4120

fluffyone · May 3, 2006

I had but decided to buy a 3720 but i went to another dealer and he tried to move me to a 4120. In fact the 4120 with a loader and 72 mmm is 2000.00 less than i was quoted on the 3720.

Question is on the 3 cyl vs the 4 cyl john deere which is the best and why?

i have about 30 acres and will mow about 18. the loader will be used about the pond and along the road way to fill in the drainage ditches.

one of my concerns was the weight on my yard leaving ruts, the dealer selling the 4120 assures me this will not happen as this is what he has.

Both dealers (about 100 miles apart) treated me very nice. they both when out of there way to help me and explain their position.

NOw i need your imput.

3720 with loader and 72 mmm 27500
4120 with loader and 72 mmm 26200

rockyridgefarm · May 3, 2006

Power to weight the definate advantage is the 3720. But the difference is probably minor, the tire contact patch is greater for the 4210.

I would probably go with the 3720, because I like the Yanmar engine.

But, if you are really got some big material handling needs (like round bales) the 4120 is the winner.

BloomingtonMike · May 3, 2006

So you mention mowing. Will the larger frame with the 4X20 be a hinderance here at all for you? Also are all other options equal like 3rd svc? I believe the 3720 is a few more HP than the 4120 but I definately like the larger frame for that size property. I am suprised to see MMM on your list but I also have the 72" MMM 7-iron on my 3320 and love it!! Get the 7-iron whichever model you choose. The rims are a bit nicer on the 4X20s as well. What else do you plan to use the tractor for? That will help us steer you in the right direction. Also where will you be storing it - dedicated barn/shed? Can you fit a 4X20 in your storage place OK? Are you getting R4s?

jcmseven · May 4, 2006

This question is right up my alley!! I have had a 4520 and a 3720, and tomorrow am picking up my second 3720. My opinion is this: both machines will do a fine job. The 4120 is a much larger machine. One does not appreciate this until you put them side by side. I loved my 4520, but it was too big to get in many of the places I needed to go, but it was powerful and stable. I felt like it had the same power "feel" as the 3720, except in a larger package. The 3720 Yanmar engine is great. Not as torquey as the PowerTech, but quite powerful, and quiet. It also does some better on fuel and will last forever. If you have some flat ground, open spaces and do not have to haul your tractor much, I would get the 4120, as the larger size might let you run some larger implements. But, if you will need to spend time on really delicate grass, and have any tight spots, the 3720 is more manuverable and I think is easier to see around when working. It is also less of a pain to haul, because one can carry it on a 7000# tandem trailer, rather than either running close or needing a larger heavier trailer. I think the 3720 will feel more powerful simply because it is a lighter machine with more HP, but the 4120 is no slouch here. I went back with the 3720 for these types of reasons.

John M

RogerH · May 4, 2006

Another thing to consider is the mid mount mower lift mechanism is different between the 3000 and 4000 series tractors. The 3000 mower lift is an independent cylinder. The 4000 mower lift uses a linkage that operates off the lower links of the three point hitch. This may or may not be an issue depending on whether or not you want to use the three point hitch for other purposes while the mid mower is installed.

fluffyone · May 4, 2006

I plan on using this tractor mainly for mowing. But i will use the loader alot around the pond and i would like to move some terreces and use the dirt to fill in some ditches that will make my mowing a lot easier. i also will use it for digging post holes and pulling a few tree stumps. And then i know i iwll find many other uses for the tractor. i am a little concerned about the weight of the 4120 on my lawn. My soil is heavy clay.

Can any one tell me the difference of the yanmar engine and the JD engine. I was shocked to hear that the yanmar was the better one. But once again i am new to this.

BTW i am taking this into Kubota country i hope i do not get embrassed.

Thanks for all your help

ddivinia · May 4, 2006

I have a 4720 with a 400X loader with R4 tires and it does not tear up my yard at all. I was concerned about tearing up my lawn also - doesn't happen to me.

I debated the 3000 vs. 4000 also. The 3000 with the Yanmar engine is MUCH quieter. Is it a better engine, I am not sure. There is not doubt that both are excellent products. With that said, I would not plan on driving the 4120 without hearing protection. Yes, it is that loud. I keep a pair of ear protectors on the tractor so I dont have any excuse not to wear them.

The extra size you get with the 4120 can be good and bad.

Have you considered a rear finishing mower instead of a MMM? You should probalby consider it since the price will probably be cheaper and it will end up being easier to pull on and off. You will want to pull the MMM off when you are doing other things (I found out the hard way).

D.

rebel300r · May 4, 2006

I have the 4120 with MMM and second Rogerh's comment. The lifting mechanism on the 4120 is pretty ugly, limits my use of the 3 pt and I ended up redesigning it. I love the tractor but sure don't like the MMM lift design.

Scott

rockyridgefarm · May 4, 2006

I am shocked about the the mmm on 4020 series. I thought that was a mistake on the first post but I guess not. But I doubt that there are as many mmm's on 4020's as 3020's

Also, I don't think that a 3520 is out of the question. It should be well up to the task, and allow for more, um, tools...

Yanmar engines: Deere has had a very long and enormously successful relationship with Yanmar as an engine, and sometimes complete machine, provider. Diesel and some gas LG equipment, Diesel front mowers, and ZTR's Diesel Gators, tractors: x50 series, x70's, x90's, 4000's, 4010's, 2210, 2020's, and 3020's are some that come to mind.

In addion to being extremely quiet and reliable, they are self bleeding, so that you don't have to prime them.

fluffyone · May 4, 2006

I went in looking at a 3320 and the salesman said i needed at least a 3520 but he said that it was best to figue out what i need and then buy one size up, so the 3720.

Then i go to the local dealer and he also is very helpful and seems to know what i need and he said the 4120. I am concerned now about the linkage on the mmm for the 4120. how is it different from the 3720?

Also can you set a stop so the deck will go back to the same cutting height each time?
Also on the rfm will it be as easy to cut with as the mmm? and will it cut as well as the mmm?

right now i am leaning toward the 3000 series. I ddint know that the JD engine was not self prmming.

once again guys thanks for all your imput. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

NoMo · May 4, 2006

( i have about 30 acres and will mow about 18. )

If you are thinking about mowing 18 acres, you sure don't want to do it with a 6' lawn deck. Seat time on the tractor is fun, but not THAT much fun!

For comparison purposes, I cut 10 acres with an LX6 cutter behind my 3520. Even with no trees or obstacles to maneuver around, it takes at least 6 hours to get it all cut- and I'm not worried about a lawn-like presentation!

fluffyone · May 4, 2006

LX6 is that a bush hog?

Thanks
DC

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

NoMo · May 4, 2006

Yes, that's the Deere "light-duty" 6-ft cutter/shredder (bush hog).

LX6 info

mike223 · May 4, 2006

I went to the Deere dealer yesterday and drove a 4120. Very nice tractor. Ergonomically, I liked it better than the Kubota M4800. How does it stack up against the M4800 in the larger HP versions of the 4X20 series? They gave me the spec sheet on the 4X20 series, and they all have the same engine displacement, but more HP/Q. Are they just adjusting fuel input, or electronics or what to get more from the same displacement? Also I noticed that they are turbocharged, which is, to me at any rate, one more thing to go wrong. Any disadvantages in turbo v normal aspiration at normal altitudes, i.e. below 1000 MSL?

fluffyone · May 4, 2006

Good question, i never thought of that, the turbo charge and more to break. I am still not sure though why the yanmar is better than the JD. you would think they would their name on the better motor. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

rockyridgefarm · May 4, 2006

The entire 4x20 line is exactly the same except for fuel delivery. I do not believe that there are engine electronics involved.

I don't know that the Yanmar is a "better" engine. I prefer it. Some prefer the PowerTech. But the Yanny is quieter.

fluffyone · May 5, 2006

OK Guys dont get upset, just set me on the right path. I stopped by yesterday and left my chain saw for a new chain. This happens to be the local kubota dealer. So while i was there i was drawn (couldnt help it) to look at the orange tractors.

He had a Grand L 4310 with a loader tha was nice. with the set up i want it is 2500.00 less than JOhn deere.

so guys tell me the difference. Orange vs Green.

thanks
Wish i had not stopped but i did /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

ddivinia · May 5, 2006

Did you drive it? Whenever I drive a Kubota it seems like everything is an after thought. With that being said, maybe $2500 fixes that for you. You might take that bid back to JD and see if that gets you some extra points off if you really want the Deere.

Also, try not to underbuy on this project. Sure, small seems like a good thing until you have to spend 2X the time doing soemthing or you can't do it all. I found that out the hard way.

D.

BloomingtonMike · May 5, 2006

LoadMatch and the ehydro layout are worth $2500 easily to me. It is 90% of how I use the tractor effectively.

fluffyone · May 5, 2006

what is load match and the e hydro? i thought that hyrdo was the same. yes i did drive the kubota and i didnt like the pedal for forward and reverse, and i didnt like the control location for the loader.

i am going to the JD dealer in the morning the 4120 is supposed to be in today.

keep talking to me /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif