I would like the group's opinion....

[jcmseven]

I would like the group\'s opinion....

Hello, fellow posters. I have a quick question. As most of you know, I just sold my 4520 and have ordered a 3720 which is due to come in in about two weeks (it was supposed to have been here but has been delayed by shipping). I really enjoyed my previous 3720 and look forward to getting this one. My wife, conscientiously, has put me on a tractor "budget". I have a limit to what I can now spend on machinery and remain living. In the past, I have used my tractor to maintain my property (about five acres--mostly wooded with a long gravel drive to box blade); my parents property (formerly twelve--now six) in the northwest mountains of NC and their home in my old hometown (mostly mowing). My dealer and I decided that rather than getting a RFM for my new ordered machine, I would just get a ZTR (757) to mow with. Man, what a difference!!! I went ahead and picked up the ZTR, it mows great!!!!! I can now take it to my various mowing sites and not have to haul any tractor unless I need it for bucket work. Thus, I will not likely be doing any PTO work with any new machine I get. The question then comes: do I really now need a 3720, or could I get by with say a 3320? I had a 4310 and thought it was pretty weak on my hills, but a solid machine. I know the 3320 has about five more lbs. feet torque than did my old 4310, and about the same as a 4410 did. The big question to me, does the group think I could do the loader work I need and the box blading I need with a less powerful machine now that I have a dedicated mowing machine??? My dealer might be happy with this too, as he has four 3320's on the lot he would like to rid himself of and could probably cancel his order on the other before he takes delivery. (He also has a 3720 cab tractor on the lot--but I hesitate to even comment about that one, so I won't). As you all know, I am a power junkie and would like the most powerful machine I can afford. Unfortunately, due to travel distance I might not be able to try one first, so I have to go on my recollections of the 4310 I had. I was just thinking how happy my wife would be with me if I came in UNDER budget!!!

John M

 

[johndeere_2210]

Re: I would like the group\'s opinion....

Like yourself, budget begins to play a role and for myself, I got a ZTR and love it as much as you indicate and couldn't think of going back to a tractor for general mowing.

Having said that, I would not discount the 3320 and it should do essentially anything you want (you are not wanting to take advantage of the PTO hp anyway, so why pay more for PTO hp when you are not using it, just a question?). Again, this is not to deminish the 3720 at all, but rather adjust the machine to what you are doing in reality. If you plan to run big PTO implements out the back and haul materials which tap the limit of the 3320, then I would get the 3720, but I would not over buy for the sake of over buying.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Re: I would like the group\'s opinion....

John, as your good friend...

NO!!!

You may consider the 3520. I will let you go that far. But a 3320 is asking TOO MUCH.

The 3320 does have the 3tnv88, but its performance is closer to the 3tne84 than the 3tne88 that the 4410 sported. My take is that the 3120 is an improvement over the 4210. The 3320 is a very slight improvement over the 4310. (but likely uses more fuel to do so...) the 3520 is an improvement over the 4410 (but with smaller displacement.) and the 3720 has to be amazing.

If you can't demo a 3320 before deciding, then the least you should go is a 3520. Why make her happy briefly, only to have to go back and upgrade later?

 

[ddivinia]

Re: I would like the group\'s opinion....

I bought a 757 last year and love it - it is a mowing machine. Since the 3320 and 3720 are the same physical size and you probalby don't need the extra HP and the fact that your dealer might make you a deal, and you can sell it to your wife that you are saving money - sounds like an all around win.

What do you plan on getting accessory and option wise on the 3320?

Did you sit in the 3720 cab? They are really nice...

D.

 

[beenthere]

Re: I would like the group\'s opinion....

I think you should come to grips with your wishes and be happy. WOW. 4310, 3720, 4520, order 3720 and in the meantime buy a ZTR. Now you are second-guessing your decision again.
As an amatuer analyst, I'd say you may only be happy with the 3720 (but given your history, I doubt that). I'd say for sure, you won't be happy with the lesser hp 3320, but sometimes I am wrong /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I wish you good luck, and can't fault your wife for putting you on a budget leash of some kind. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[jcmseven]

Re: I would like the group\'s opinion....

I spoke with my dealer this AM. He is calling JD to see if they would "let him off the hook" on the 3720 anyway. If not, that means he would have the buy the tractor to sell it and that is not what he should do. On the 3720 I ordered I got the air ride seat, third SCV, and 300cx loader, 2060 box blade. Since many of these options are dealer installed anyway, it is not problematic for my dealer to change them over. I really like the 3720 cab tractor he has on his lot, but that defeats the purpose, as it is quite a bit more expensive. I like the cab tractors, but I also like being outside and they shield one from the great outdoors, sometimes good, sometimes bad. I also cannot fit it in my garage, which means parking it outside unless I can build a building, which of course the extra money for a cab tractor prevents me from doing. I know I like the 3720 because I have had one, but I am trying to reconcile whether the extra power and cost is worth it now since my hourly load is going to be cut in half on whichever machine I get. I know my old 4310 did a good job with all I needed, it just struggled transporting heavy things like rock, etc. around the trails and roads near my home. Since I do not have a lot of that type work still to do, I brought this question up for discussion. I definitely am going midframe, though. Mike, I also think a 3520 would fit my needs well, but unfortunately, for whatever reason they are very difficult to find here. They are also so close in price to the 3720, I would feel compelled to go with the 3720 anyway. My dealer does not have one of them in stock, nor does he expect to get one in the near future. As always, thanks for the help here.

John M

 

[jcmseven]

Re: I would like the group\'s opinion....

Beenthere,

You are a keen observer, but I think the choices have very little to do with not being satisfied. There are a couple reasons I have been able to trade often. First, I lot of my decisions have been related to frame size. When I bought the 4310 I had never owned a tractor of that physical size. I discovered fairly quickly that the 32 hp of the 4310 coupled with its weight and the type projects I was doing at the time, did not go well. I ordered the 3720 which was great!!! The ONLY reason I sold it was because I could get into a large frame cheaply (for them) and I had a buyer right then for my mid frame. The 4520 without a doubt was the best tractor I have ever owned, but it literally was too much tractor. Given the number of tiny mountain roads I haul the machine on with my truck and trailer, I felt it a hazard and also found myself not going to those places I needed to mainly because of worry of hauling. This is why I went back to a midframe. So, in essence you are right, I have had a lot of machines, but the only one I would say I was not happy with would be the 4310, not because I did not think it a good machine, it just did not have what I needed. The others were mainly trades of convenience and opportunity. The reason for the ZTR: simple, I could get one for just a little more than a nice RFM with the above trade and it is a dedicated mowing machine. Plus, I need to try all this stuff so I can report to the group. See, I am doing it for you guys--really.

John M

 

[beenthere]

Re: I would like the group\'s opinion....

Sure sounds like you are having fun. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Now, what is the difference in hp between the 4310 and the 3320? Don't think too much. Enjoy that 3720 with the bells and whistles. I'd like those too.
I agree with the mid-size of the 3x20's being easier to haul around.
I'm in a dilema (and have been) with my 4300 being only 32 hp, and wanted to move to the 4400, then the 4410, and then to the 3520, but now thinking the 3720. But the old 4300 just keeps on doin' what I need to do on my 22 acres, and it has the mechanical engagement of the PTO, the standard ROPS which fits in my garage, and is my pal. Having a hard time trading up, even though my dealer says he has a waiting line for the 4300 and 4400's. I do too much work in the woods to even think about going to the cab, although it sure looks great and would feel awesome when the temps are -15° F and the wind is blowing snow at 25 mph. and the 1/4 mile road needs to be plowed out. Want to get the tnt as well, but have not seen the Deere version on a tractor yet. Anyone have pics of "how neat it is" ?

 

[Stretch]

Re: I would like the group\'s opinion....

Didn't read thru all the responses but here is my mowing history (5 Acres):

5 years ago
Mowed with a Polaris ATV with front mount 60" mower. This worked great on the wide open areas but not to practical around the trees. ATV was fun to ride. (5 hours to mow)

3 Years ago
Bought a John Deere 2210 w/ 62MMM and FEL - Great tractor, cut mowing time down to 3.5 – 4 hours. Did all kinds of jobs around the house.

1 Year ago
Bought a Dixie Chopper 60” zero radius mower. Wow, for mowing zero radius is the machine, cut my lawn in 1.5 hours. Transports easy, fun to run. Didn’t use the JD for mowing any more, just yard work.

This year
Traded in the 2210 for a 790 – wanted a heavier tractor for yard work and added a brush hog. Bought some beef cattle and need to move round bales. Found the 790 to be cost effective and tough enough for everything I need to do. Looked at 3000 and 400 series but could not justify the cost.

Just my 2 cents. Right tools for the right jobs