4720 vs 3720, should I upgrade? :)

[jd3020u]

Orlo, How big of hills do you have to mow? I'm looking at getting an open station 3720 or 4410 and saw your tractor could use more power sometimes. I've got at least an acre of hillside that I mow. Of course a good grounds keeper mows in a new direction every week so sometimes I go straight up.

Do you have the loader on when you mow?. I don't know how many pounds you have in your tires, but the loader and cab would be about 1400 lbs. heavier right off the bat.

I've thought about the 4610's or 4520's too. The bigger the tires the smoother the ride I've always said. I think the ePTO would be sweet sometimes too. I'm split on the smaller size for loader work in tight areas or the bigger stance for a more stable ride. I worry about compaction after while though. And after rebuilding the engine balancer in my 3020 I'd like to stick with a naturally balanced engine. Something about adding more unbalanced parts swinging around to cover up vibration just doesn't seem right! I have a 3pt blower already but I wish for a front mount if I ever found a good deal.

Also, what size are your rear tires? The 43x16-20's would have the effect of gearing the trans up versus the 15.00-19.5

Tim

 

[jenkinsph]

Tim,
I have had a 3020 and now have a new 4520 and can tell you that a better match for your 3020 would be a 5xxx machine.



Steve

 

[jd3020u]

Steve, I won't be replacing the 3020. Its one of 937 diesel utility versions made. I nearly have everything overhauled as needed from front front to back. I'm hoping for paint this winter. I've been using a 13'5" flex-wing with it this summer to get the engine broke in and to check for leaks. The engine barely notices the steepest part of my hill, and with the PowerShift trans its pretty close to driving a hydro. This combination while fun, is just to big and heavy for continued mowing on my lawn. I got a good deal on the flex-wing since it needed some work so I plan to sell it next spring to help pay for the next tractor.

Tim

 

[jenkinsph]

Tim I am well satisfied with the 4520 cab tractor, with weights and no loader its close to 5500 lbs.

I mow about 1.6 acres with an L130 riding mower in a little over 2 hrs, that is a smooth yard with frequent cutting.


Steve

 

[orlo]

Orlo, How big of hills do you have to mow? I'm looking at getting an open station 3720 or 4410 and saw your tractor could use more power sometimes. I've got at least an acre of hillside that I mow. Of course a good grounds keeper mows in a new direction every week so sometimes I go straight up.

Do you have the loader on when you mow?. I don't know how many pounds you have in your tires, but the loader and cab would be about 1400 lbs. heavier right off the bat.

I've thought about the 4610's or 4520's too. The bigger the tires the smoother the ride I've always said. I think the ePTO would be sweet sometimes too. I'm split on the smaller size for loader work in tight areas or the bigger stance for a more stable ride. I worry about compaction after while though. And after rebuilding the engine balancer in my 3020 I'd like to stick with a naturally balanced engine. Something about adding more unbalanced parts swinging around to cover up vibration just doesn't seem right! I have a 3pt blower already but I wish for a front mount if I ever found a good deal.

Also, what size are your rear tires? The 43x16-20's would have the effect of gearing the trans up versus the 15.00-19.5

Tim

My hills aren't very big and slow me down maybe for 7-8 seconds per swipe when I have to slow down in Mid range from maybe 5-6mph to 2-3. I also turn at the top. It's a tiny hill (Maybe 8-10 feet elevation gain) but it's probably 25%-30% at points? I mow the top couple of rows across, then when I get maybe 15-16% I start mowing up and down. Not a big area so I can't really justify it as a 'need'.

I do find in general that the hydro's seem to suck up quite a bit of power going up hill. On level ground I never slow down from just mowing with an 84" RFM. I have a post where I ran a 15' batwing (over this same hill too, but I'm sure I was in low for the hill with that). On level ground with 2 weeks moderate growth I could mow at a good speed with the 35pto HP.

I mow with loaded R3's (Not super large), about 800lbs of load, a Cab, and the loader frame (no bucket) - about 1100lbs. I'm running just shy of 6000lbs (3600+800+1100+ME(220)+misc) when I mow right now.

I don't have many obstacles and mow over 5+ acres in usually 1.5-1.45hrs unless I'm bagging or something. Sometimes I can mow even faster. I mow faster with the 84" RFM than I do with my 72" MMM.

If I end up getting the 4720 it would probably be 20% need, 80% want...

I honestly think the biggest thing I'd notice is the additional lift on the 400CX especially when I use the grapple. The auto-leveler would be pretty sweet also.

 

[jd3020u]

I agree with the hydro taking a lot of power. If an open tractor starts at 2900, then with maybe 700 for the 72 mmm, plus loader mounts and me, there should be about 2000 lbs difference. That could definitely change performance for me. I have more than 10 feet of elevation change so I can't be bogged down much or I'll be mowing all night.

My yard is 6 acres minus the driveway, shed, trees, and house. I need about a 1.5 hrs using the 3020 and following up with a smaller mower. Two machines make it take longer by the time I get everything parked. My old 420 with a 72 mmm at 4.25 mph takes 2.5 hrs.

I recently rode with a guy in his Cat 420 tlb while he was pushing dirt from our basement. He just hit the pile with the bucket and Cat had its way. All that power sure makes things fun! That's the 80% want factor.

 

[jenkinsph]

I agree with the hydro taking a lot of power. If an open tractor starts at 2900, then with maybe 700 for the 72 mmm, plus loader mounts and me, there should be about 2000 lbs difference. That could definitely change performance for me. I have more than 10 feet of elevation change so I can't be bogged down much or I'll be mowing all night.

My yard is 6 acres minus the driveway, shed, trees, and house. I need about a 1.5 hrs using the 3020 and following up with a smaller mower. Two machines make it take longer by the time I get everything parked. My old 420 with a 72 mmm at 4.25 mph takes 2.5 hrs.

I recently rode with a guy in his Cat 420 tlb while he was pushing dirt from our basement. He just hit the pile with the bucket and Cat had its way. All that power sure makes things fun! That's the 80% want factor.

If the mechanicals on that tractor are in good shape I think you will be amazed how much fresh paint, new seat and some fenders would make. I also suspect you could pull that batwing without rear ballast no problem either. Nice tractor


Steve

 

[jd3020u]

I've been working for two years off and on getting every thing restored. It doesn't look like much yet but my stack of receipts is impressive! I'm rebuilding the seat suspension now and the fenders will be next.

It doesn't even no the batwing is back there, much better than my 1020 could muster.

A demo 3720 is probably the only way I'll know for sure if its what I want. 3520's are the biggest I see locally though.

Tim