Have a 3320 vs. 4120 question

[DennisH]

For what it's worth I'm waiting on the "official job offer" paperwork that will relocate me from JAX FL to Huntsville AL and into a new tractor. Had I had that in hand last Wed I would have owned that 4120 for $22.5K

As for future implements I see myself needing a 4'-5' BB, 6' Land Plane, 6' landscape rake, 5' bush hog, 6' finish mower just to name a few. The BB and bush hog I have covered from dad.

I see the next 6-9 months being mostly getting a driveway in (outsoruce) and lot and lots of clean up of undergrowth, fallen trees, and general upkeep (bush hogging).

 

[msmud]

Good discussion on this topic, as usual on the Deere pages.

Dennis, I would look at Deere's implements PDF where they list the recommended tractors for the various implements you have listed and find "the least common denominator." I think you'll find for your implement list that you sho' don't need to spend 22.5K to buy a tractor to work those implements.

In fact, the 3032E would cover your list, and I just got a price quote of $12900 here in Mississippi for the 25 PTO HP 3032E plus hoodguard, plus weight bracket extension plus TEN 70# front end weights, plus 100# rear wheel weights each side. I doubt you'd need all the weights I need for a 6' hog so it could be even a little cheaper than that. For comparison purposes, the 30 PTO HP 3038E I just bought was $13,500 before tax for it, hoodguard, frontweight bracket and EIGHT 70#suitcase weights. I choose to do without the rear wheel weights.

Tim

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I think you'll find for your implement list that you sho' don't need to spend 22.5K to buy a tractor to work those implements.

Tim, Before I could reccomend a 3032 or 3038 (Both great machines, my reasoning will unfold below), I think I'd suggest heading on over to the Bobcat side. I dont think 13k will buy more tractor then what you'll get with a Bobcat CT230. I've driven my brothers...my only complaint is the Treddle pedal. I'm just a fan of the 2 pedal JD Design.

Bang for the buck, I dont think you can beat the Bobcat offers currently.

 

[AKfish]

I dont think 13k will buy more tractor then what you'll get with a Bobcat CT230. I've driven my brothers...my only complaint is the Treddle pedal. I'm just a fan of the 2 pedal JD Design.

Bang for the buck, I dont think you can beat the Bobcat offers currently.

Bobcat have anything in the 60hp range..?

I'm lookin' around!

AKfish

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Bobcat have anything in the 60hp range..?

I think the CT450 is the largest one they offer at 49hp....

 

[Nitro-Fish]

Good discussion on this topic, as usual on the Deere pages.

Dennis, I would look at Deere's implements PDF where they list the recommended tractors for the various implements you have listed and find "the least common denominator." I think you'll find for your implement list that you sho' don't need to spend 22.5K to buy a tractor to work those implements.

In fact, the 3032E would cover your list, and I just got a price quote of $12900 here in Mississippi for the 25 PTO HP 3032E plus hoodguard, plus weight bracket extension plus TEN 70# front end weights, plus 100# rear wheel weights each side. I doubt you'd need all the weights I need for a 6' hog so it could be even a little cheaper than that. For comparison purposes, the 30 PTO HP 3038E I just bought was $13,500 before tax for it, hoodguard, frontweight bracket and EIGHT 70#suitcase weights. I choose to do without the rear wheel weights.

Tim

Lets see.....we're talking about taking a 2175lb. machine and making it a 3075lb. machine....@ 31.4hp in order to get it to do the things it needs to do as opposed to taking a 3700lb machine @ 43hp to do the same work......hmmm. I guess it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out which one will do the job with less strain to the equipment huh?

 

[Nitro-Fish]

For what it's worth I'm waiting on the "official job offer" paperwork that will relocate me from JAX FL to Huntsville AL and into a new tractor. Had I had that in hand last Wed I would have owned that 4120 for $22.5K

As for future implements I see myself needing a 4'-5' BB, 6' Land Plane, 6' landscape rake, 5' bush hog, 6' finish mower just to name a few. The BB and bush hog I have covered from dad.

I see the next 6-9 months being mostly getting a driveway in (outsoruce) and lot and lots of clean up of undergrowth, fallen trees, and general upkeep (bush hogging).

If you stick with the 3320 series machine, you will probably want a minimum of a 5' BB, (my 6' is fine behind the 3320), the land plane @ 6' will be a little narrow behind the 3320 only in turns; the 5' bush hog will just cover the width of the tractor with R-4's, the 6' finish mower won't be a problem for the 3320 either, I also opted to purchase a 6' bucket to accompany the 5' one for the 300CX FEL and it handles it with ease. Just remember, if you step up to the 4120, you should be looking at implements 1' wider, as the 4120 has a wider stance. Any time you can have more HP to perform the same tasks, the higher HP machine will not work as hard!

 

[DennisH]

I have a deal pending with Coker Tractor in Arab AL for a 3320.

3320
eHydro
300CX
upgraded FEL bucket
R4 tires (larger size)

 

[msmud]

Nitro Fish,
If you compare the weight/hp ratios of the 3032E and 4120 tractors, bare or loaded, you see that the ratio is either more favorable for the 3032E (unloaded) or about the same (loaded) between the two tractors depending on the attachments chosen. And if you compare the ballast needed for the RC2072 I just bought for the 3038E with weight of driver and hog compared to the equivalent numbers for the 4120, it is clear the 3038E moves less weight per hp. By your logic, my 3038E would have LESS drivetrain strain than the 4120 if loaded with similar equipment.

Perhaps you are really making an argument about axle capacity. Here the 4120 shines with a great excess of capacity relative to the E series. Yet, I have tried to load each of my axles well below the rated maximum capacity. I haven't read of any users describing axle failures in the E series tractors so far, nor have I read of axle failures in the 2x20 series tractors, those tractors whose axles are most similar to the E series in load capacity.

"Strain" is not a valid reason for chosing among these tractors for the average user. In fact, it is a difficult idea to prove at all in these discussions. If the gentleman from Alabama buys his 3320 (or even a 4120 for that matter), I think he will join my mother in having a very reliable tractor with nice amenties like loadmatch, motion match, etc--but not one subject to "less strain" than the E series!
Tim

 

[RollTideRam]

I have a deal pending with Coker Tractor in Arab AL for a 3320.

3320
eHydro
300CX
upgraded FEL bucket
R4 tires (larger size)

These are nice people. It is the only small family owned dealer left around here. JC