Have a 3320 vs. 4120 question

[DennisH]

First off let me say up front that my seat time in tractors is about 30 minutes north of zero. However, I'm in the need of a tractor to take care of a 7 acres that will be my new home site. 5 of the 7 acres are older pasture that will be mow-able lawn at some point and the rest is wooded. The tractor I buy will be used for moving dirt, box blading, bush hogging, etc in the early 1-2 years and finish mowing in the later 3-4 years and beyond.

I have been looking at new tractors and drove three tractors yesterday.

3038e - Seemed to shake a lot and the hydro was noisy
4005 - Ran out OK, didn't care for the manual shift option.
4120 - Completely different tractor, like going from a good Chevy to a Cadillac.

I'm really liking the twenty series tractors and feel that the 3320 would do anything needed on 7 acres while the 4120 might be a little overkill.

Here's the rub, first round prices are as follows (both have eHydro):

3320 w/ FEL - JD build your own price is $25,349, dealer quoted price is $22,738 or 10.3% discounted.

4120 w/ FEL (Dealer demo with 30 hrs) - JD build your own price is $32,418, dealer quoted price is $22,500 or 31.0% discounted.

The real deal is the 4120, do you think this tractor is more than I need? Also, my brother has a JD 870 so I'm familiar with that size, where would it fit into the 3000-4000 twenty series line?

Thanks for any insight you guys can provide.

Dennis

 

[jenkinsph]

I would much prefer the 4120 size for the landscape work and dirt moving. Would consider an rfm to use for mowing and a riding mower for close work. The 400X or CX loader, 6' or 7' boxblade, 7' landplane grader will all work well with this size tractor.

The 3320 is a little small for the initial work but would work well for the maintenance of the finished property. The 10% off price you have is not much of a discount, I would expect closer to 18% off when buying new.

Consider that a few years from now that either tractor would have maybe 500 hours on them and at that point the 4120 will be worth more than the 3320.

If you can buy the 30hr 4120 for the same price that would be my choice and I would plan to add a nice ztr or riding mower after the landscaping work is completed. Nothing wrong with having a 4120 available when needed to handle driveway repairs and other tasks.

 

[RoyJackson]

Here's the rub, first round prices are as follows (both have eHydro):

3320 w/ FEL - JD build your own price is $25,349, dealer quoted price is $22,738 or 10.3% discounted.

4120 w/ FEL (Dealer demo with 30 hrs) - JD build your own price is $32,418, dealer quoted price is $22,500 or 31.0% discounted.

The real deal is the 4120, do you think this tractor is more than I need? Also, my brother has a JD 870 so I'm familiar with that size, where would it fit into the 3000-4000 twenty series line?

Thanks for any insight you guys can provide.

Dennis

The 870 is about the same size and PTO HP as the 3320. If you think that 870 would handle your needs then you have something to compare to.

Both the 3320 and 4120 would work fine with your 7 acres. I'd buy the 4120 though, since the out-the-door prices are comparable.

 

[radman1]

I had a 3720 and now 4520. If you plan to have a nice lawn around your house, the 4120 is probably a bit too large IMHO. Quite a bit a weight on the grass. Turning and scuff marks could be more of an issue. Even the 3320 is on the large size but better suited for that task. Not too many people use a 4x20 series for mowing a lawn every week.

Otherwise the 4120 will do everything else as well or better. The price on the 4120 is stellar. I assume it is been sitting on the lot for 1-2 years for the dealer to mark it down that much? That price is probably near his cost.

Ideal world - get the 4120 and zero turn or small rider mower for the lawn.

 

[RoyJackson]

If you plan to have a nice lawn around your house, the 4120 is probably a bit too large IMHO. Quite a bit a weight on the grass. Turning and scuff marks could be more of an issue.

Good point about the weight!!
I went from a 2200 lb 790 (with a 5' RFM and R-4's) to a 3000 lb 4400 (7' RFM and filled turfs). I actually got a better cut with the 790/industrials/5' mower. The 4400's weight compresses the grass enough where it doesn't spring back up. Reckon I'll replace the 7' mower blades with high lift types sometime...but I have a yard, not a lawn (put it this way...my place would be Home and Garden's "Before" pictures).

 

[DennisH]

jenkinsph - A ZTR mower would be a nice finishing touch to the toy barn in the end.

Roy / Radman - I agree also that the 4120 would be the way to go as things play out now.

I priced out a 2720 and at a 10.3% discount that comes in at $16,686. A 2000series just seems too small for some reason. Almost like a riding lawnmower on steroids.

I agree with jenkinsph that 18% seems more in line as a discount but hey what do I know. Anyone out here in 2010 getting 15-18% off a new tractor?

 

[DennisH]

Roy, my concerns also on the weight and mowing. My brother has a 870 w/ 6' finish mower he uses on 6-7 acres and a JD rider mower he uses around the house on about 1 acre.

Guess the real question is what weight class tractor is a one size fits all for mowing without tearing up the grass.

 

[jenkinsph]

Dennis,
I purchased my last new tractor (2009 4520 cab) last summer for 18% off and also used the 0% for 48 month financing. I haven't seen any reason to expect that things have changed given the state of the economy.

I do landscape work as part of my business and use an 8' landplane and various other implements to get lawns smooth. When everything is done you should be able to use a ztr mower and get good cuts in record time. The 4120 and proper implements along with the ztr should be ideal unless you have steep slopes. A good quality ztr will be the best cut in the shortest time spent mowing and since this is a repetitive task it is worth noting.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

If I were you I'd be scheduling delivery of that 4120 before someone else does :thumbsup: Thats a great deal on a great machine. I echo what the others say about getting a dedicated mower when the time comes. Myself, I own a 3520 Cab and I have a F935 for mowing duties.

 

[DennisH]

While I analyze this from all directions I have to keep in mind that I will be trailing this tractor back and forth to the land for a few months. I can leave the attachments there but I wouldn't leave the tractor.

My car hauler trailer has a 16' flat deck plus 2' dovetail, (2) 3500 pound axles with 1 brake axle so I can safely trailer a 5500 lb. load.

The 4120 weights 3700 lbs + 1100 lbs. for the FEL = 4800 lbs. so far so good.

My trailer is 84" between the fenders but the JD 4120 brochure showes the rear tire measurement to be 91.4". The operator manual shows the R4 tires (17.5L-24) at a wide setting to be 75".

Can anyone clear this up? At 91.4" that is a show stopper for the 4120 as I don't want to invest in another trailer.