JD 300 series loaders

[GreatWhitehunter]

Hello all, this is my first post on this site. I'm happy to be here. With that said I recently purchased a 3320 with a new 300x loader. I inquired about the 300cx loader(the one I really wanted). The dealer I'm getting it from said the 300x is the best match for the machine. I don't entirely buy that as JD wouldn't make it an option if it will damage the tractor. I think he just didn't want to swap the loaders as he arealy had the 300x on the machine. Since I'm new to this.I like your opinions on this matter. I also plan on adding a 448 hoe in the spring. I'm going to be using this machine to move about 10 large rocks and then doing some landscaping. I did research this before I made the purchase but I want to ensure I picked the right machine for the job.

Thanks
Matt Traficante

 

[JimParker]

Matt, there are several threads that talk about the 300X vs. 300CX on this forum. Look in both the JD Buying and JD Owning/Operating areas. The general consensus seems to be that the 300CX is a much better FEL than the 300X, and well worth the small upgrade charge. I'm looking at the same combination you are (3320/FEL), and the dealer (who has proven to be pretty honest in 10 years of dealings) made the same recommendation as the folks on this forum: go with the 300CX and don't look back. Hopefully, it's not too late to swap them out!

Good luck!

 

[kennyd]

I think he just didn't want to swap the loaders as he arealy had the 300x on the machine.

Go with your gut feeling...get the CX

 

[YM2610D]

I recently purchased a JD3720 and the dealer first asked what I would be doing with it. I told him working raw land, moving downed trees, bush hogging, boxblading roads and trails through 22 acres and he recommended the 300cx as opposed to the 300x. I am not disappointed with it's capabilities but, being new at tractoring as a whole, I have alot to learn. Right now I'm experiencing a problem with it but, I'm almost sure it's of my own doings. I posted that in another thread started by Buckie. If the suggestions made by my fellow TBNers don't take care of the problem, I'm sure the dealer can. (for a price) Best of luck whichever way you go. Tom

 

[JasonMac]

I know I'm repeating myself here, but I've said it before, and I'll say it again..."They Shouldn't Even Make A 300x Loader"! Why so somebody can save $400.00 to $500.00 and totally regret later.

Also don't you think it would be cheaper for JD, just to eliminate the 300x and concentrate on getting the 300cx out for a little less money...

I don't care what they say, it has to cost way more to build a totally separate loader in the long run, vs, just jigging everything up and building the better of the two loaders.

If anything they should eliminate the 300x, keep the 300cx, then offer a 300cxsl (self leveling loader) now that would make sense..

I can't understand who in the right mind would walk into a dealer and say hmmmmm, no I think I'll take the X over the CX..

I can understand being mislead by the dealer..... but I can't understand why someone who is aware of the fact there is a better loader would choose the inferior upon brand new purchase.. It baffles me as to why someone would cheap out on the most important implement there is, especially on a machine that is going to cost over $25,000.00!

And then of course these El' Cheapo people aren't thinking of resale value down the road.... (yeah I would have bought that used tractor "IF" it had the 300cx Loader)....

 

[poconoJD]

Matt,
Spend the extra few hundred. I have a 3320 with the 300cx and it performs terrific. I also have the 448 on mine as you mentioned about getting and it has also done very well for me. I've popped rocks out bigger that the front can pick it up, but with the 4x4, I can push them out of the way.

Enjoy!

 

[Willl]

Boy, I'd hate to hear what you all think of the 300 plain-jane loader.(no X or CX)

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Well' I don't like the implecation that I'm cheap. The fact of the matter is that the loader was installed by the dealer and I had no control over that. It was absolutly nothing to do with money. The question I was asking was if the 300cx was worth the aggrevation of the swap. I can always get the cx if I don't like the x. I didn't choose that loader it was already on the machine.
I will be getting the cx one way or the other. Thanks for all the feedback.

Matt Traficante

 

[JasonMac]

Well' I don't like the implecation that I'm cheap. The fact of the matter is that the loader was installed by the dealer and I had no control over that. It was absolutly nothing to do with money. The question I was asking was if the 300cx was worth the aggrevation of the swap. I can always get the cx if I don't like the x. I didn't choose that loader it was already on the machine.
I will be getting the cx one way or the other. Thanks for all the feedback.

Matt Traficante

I wasn't saying you were cheap.... sorry for the misunderstanding....

However you were being wrongly mislead by a salesman that should know better, and by a sales man that was told to get rid of the 300x to a guy that might not know the real difference between the two.

But, what I was saying about being cheap, is when a person fully knows the difference between the X and the CX... and then settles for the X to save a little fool money... yeah, now that's being cheap....

I can understand if somebody is getting an extremely sweet deal on a tractor because it happens to have an X on it, sure take it...

But who in their right mind would ever order up an X brand new, on a 3000 Twenty Tractor, right from the get go?

Sorry for misunderstanding me, but go back and read what I wrote again, and you will see where I mention Mislead People, and Cheap People... they both have one thing in common, they usually regret the 300x... and the cheap people always, always regret trying to save a few hundred bucks in the end...

 

[JasonMac]

Also, don't settle for anything less than a heavy duty bucket.. their is a world of difference between the two..

The Non Heavy Duty's Warp Out pretty bad... look on ebay for used pictures of JD's with Regular Buckets and you will see what I mean.. most of them are bent and warped along the top foil of the bucket.. A HD bucket won't do that, unless you do something real extreme with it....

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

The salesman didn't mislead me at all. If you look at my first post you will see that the loader was already on the machine. I asked the dealer if he could swap the 300x with the cx as I knew that was the loader I wanted. But since the machine already has the x he didn't want to swap it for me as he wants to deliver it to me and doesn't want to wait for the cx to come in. I'm
simply going to call my local dealer and buy the cx. I want all the lift cap. I can get and I also plan on getting a grapple,forks and an HD bucket. As I mentioned previously I'd like everyones thoughts on the 447,448 Backhoes.
Good,Bad,Indifferent, give it too me straight like,dislikes etc. Does anyone has a mechanical thumb on there CUT? I plan on getting one when I get the BH. And info or pics would be super helpful.

Thanks
Matt Traficante

 

[JasonMac]

I would have to say he was trying to mislead you by saying the 300x is the best match for the machine.

I would have asked him, how is lower lift capacity and lower lift height a better match for a machine that can handle the superior loader with no problems at all.

I think many would agree the 300cx is the better match for the machine, and the 300x is the better match for him because he wants to get rid of a loader most people don't want.

 

[BloomingtonMike]

Just to reply because of the group I am one of the few that own the 300X.

I bought a 36 hour used 3320 with the 300X from my dealer. No choice on the 300CX.

So far I have used the 300X like it was a CX and even found a way to add the hard oil lines for my 72" Front Loader mounted JD Blade.

Get the CX if possible - $500 is change with the price of these machines. If not possible to get a CX, get the 300X and don't look back.

Not one person here has ever owned a 300X and then took just the loader back to get a 300CX. Most have never seen or used a 300X and likewise most dealers have never compared the two side by side as well.

I fill my bucket heaping full with rocks, dirt, etc - no problems on the 300X. Also (please sit down for this one) I just use the regular 61" general bucket with no tooth bar. Imagine the thought.

People here have beautiful Machines - Jason makes great advice. Just wanted it to be posted that the 300X and standard buckets do just as much work as the 300CX and HD buckets - in fact lifting faster I believe but could be wrong, but suffer an inch or two in lift dump height.

You will love whatever FEL you end up with. I would venture a 300 loader is also equally as nice if we could here from an owner.

Now the 200 series loaders are all - junk --- Just kidding everybody!!!
My next FEL upgarde will be to the 400 series loader!!

 

[JasonMac]

300cx on a 3000 Twenty Hinge Pin Height of 102.5"
300x on a 3000 Twenty Hinge Pin Height of 90"

about a foot difference on clearance.

Lift Capacity to full height

300cx (1598 lbs)

300x (1360 lbs)

238lb difference in lift capacity.. not a huge difference there.

 

[JasonMac]

However in the Sae Carry Position (59" above ground line)

300cx (2125 lbs)

300x (1700 lbs)

Now that is a pretty substantial difference... especially when lifting solid objects with bucket hooks and chains.

The difference is 425lbs more you can lift off the ground and lift to a height of 59"

 

[slaveToHorses]

...As I mentioned previously I'd like everyones thoughts on the 447,448 Backhoes.
Good,Bad,Indifferent, give it too me straight like,dislikes etc. Does anyone has a mechanical thumb on there CUT? I plan on getting one when I get the BH. And info or pics would be super helpful.

I have the 447 on my 3720. You can see pics of it in my gallery I think...
I looked at 447s and 448s side by side at the dealer and saw them both mounted on 3x20 machines. The 447 is targeted at the 3x20 and the 448 is targeted at the 4x20s. But the 448 will fit on the 3x20. The difference is the reach. I felt the 447 was the better match in terms of size and flow rate. Also the 3x20 had a bit more trouble loading the 448 than the 447.
But a lot of folks here felt different and have 448s on their 3x20s.

It is a nice little backhoe. It fits very snug with the tractor and that is good from every perspective except access. It's a pain to get up in the seat and off. Since you can't spin the tractor seat around like a real TLB, you have to get on and off the tractor and backhoe alot. The "step" they provide in the backhoe frame is useless, at least on my tractor (with the large R4 tires), because it is obstructed by the tires. I have the stabilizer guards on my backhoe and they protect the hydraulic hoses almost completely, but are slick and they didn't bother putting a step on them, sigh.

The controls are nice and the visibility is pretty good.
It is very solidly built.
Access to the grease fittings is far superior to most tractor mount backhoes, much better than previous versions.
Travel lock is very solid and easy to engage/disengage, no pins! But you only have the option of locking both swing and dip, you can't lock them independantly.

You probably can find more info from a search on this site and/or make another post that has something about backhoes in the title

Have you looked at the 110 TLB? From what you are describing it sounds to me like this might be a better fit, though more expensive...

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I'd love the 110 but I can't afford that and it's also way too much machine for my property. I really feel the 3320 with the 300x and 447 backhoe will be more than enough for anything I may need. I really researched this before I purchased and considering I was locked on getting a NH TC30 this JD is definatly a step up. I'm sure I'll be happy with my choice. I looked at your pics
and was impressed with the stumps the hoe was removing. I appreciate all the feedback I've recieved. Now I have to decide what type of trailer to get. I'm torn between a 5k flatbed and a 7k dump trailer. I'll be posting that in the trailer discussion forum.


Thanks
Matt Traficante

 

[slaveToHorses]

... I looked at your pics and was impressed with the stumps the hoe was removing.

Hey Matt, don't jump to conclusions Those pieces I was carrying with my hoe were cut just above the stump. The actual stumps are still in the ground. I could dig them out with my hoe (I have before) but it takes quite a bit of time. It can't just lock onto a big root and pull it out of the ground. The 3x20 series doesn't have the flow rate or the weight to do that. It takes a D-9 size track hoe with the help of a very large cat to get the bigger ones (like that maple) out of the ground. I know this from experience yanking up old growth fir and huge maple stumps. With a 447 or 448, you have to dig out around them until you get out to the smaller roots. It can be done but it takes a while. Just don't expect to lock onto a stump and yank it up or you will be dissapointed.

You will enjoy your 3320/447 though. You will never regret purchasing it. They are really great. I also was all set to get a NH (a TD45) until we did a working comparison. Both are great machines, neither perfect, but the JD was the clear winner.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Slave, I didn't think you were pulling them up from the ground. I'm new to tractors but not equipment. I previously had a cat 310 excavator with a thumb and even with that you couldn't just grab a stump and remove it. But anyways I'm super happy with the purchase. I plan on buying a some acrage in NY in a few years so I'll be using the JD to do some light clearing and probably mowing. The only drawback I 've seen so far is JD's lack of info (online) for their attchments and the high prices at my local dealer. I think I may try another dealer in the area.

Matt

 

[slaveToHorses]

OK good, you know what to expect.
Yeah, shop around for sure!
I found a 110 advertized across the country for low price for a friend of mine.
He figured that even with shipping it was WAY less than what the local dealer wanted. The local dealer ended up matching the price!

The JD website used to be MUCH better. They have taken all the good info off the site. I am not sure why. Even the dealers have a hard time getting info. The new site seems to be run completely by marketing wankers that have no idea what it is they are selling. The configurator is a nice idea but it isn't complete.