John Deere 3520 with Cab on Order

coglesby · Oct 24, 2009

I am new to TBN. This is an excellent forum for tractor lovers. I ordered a new JD 3520 (R4's) with deluxe cab and 300cx FEL on 9/25/09. It should arrive 11/12/09. The tractor and FEL costs $28,000. I currently own a JD 4310, R4's, PR transmission, and a 430 FEL. It has been a very good tractor but I wanted to upgrade to a cab. The summers here in SE Georgia get pretty darn hot. My dealer allowed me as much on a trade in as I was asking for a sale price. Needless to say, I am anxious to receive my new tractor. My order included the radio mount and speaker kit. My plans are to install a Sony MEX-5100 Bluetooth stereo. This is a single DIN unit. Can I expect installation problems? Is the top of the cab hard to remove for the radio installation? If anyone has experience with this, I would appreciate some info and pics if possible.

Spudland_Dave · Oct 24, 2009

Congrats!

Radio...I'd get the dealer to install the Radio for you. My dealer gladly installed my Kenwood unit for me. Pretty much the only deal was I needed to supply everything "ready to go"....which really just consisted of getting the correct harness for the unit. Search past threads and you'll see plenty of posts with the PN#'s and everything needed.

I've never removed the roof myself, but I dont think its rocket science...2 person job for sure though. Why i'd reccomend the dealer doing it would be to make SURE the cab roof seals are 100% Perfect...again, numerous posts here about Cab Roof seals and the consequences in regards to cab HVAC.

coglesby · Oct 24, 2009

Thanks for the information Dave. I'll take your advice and ask my dealer if he'll install my radio.

deereboy72 · Nov 6, 2009

lets see the pictures when your new tractor arrives congrats on the purchase

coglesby · Nov 7, 2009

I will post pics when the new tractor arrives. After waiting this long, I am a little anxious. I used my 4310 last weekend for the last time. It has been a very good tractor but I am ready for a cab. As the old saying goes, "Good Things Come For Those That Wait".

ChuckinNH · Nov 7, 2009

You will love that cab! Worth waiting for, and worth treating yourself to.

Johndeere3720 · Nov 7, 2009

Good luck with the new 3520, you deserve it. Will you miss the 4310?

coglesby · Nov 7, 2009

I will miss the 4310. I am a little concerned that I may not like the E-Hydro transmission on the 3520. My 4310 was a hoss with the electric power reverser. I grew up on a farm where we run all John Deere equipment and I'm accustomed to "gear to ground" performance. As a teenager, I remember when we bought a tractor (a 4840) with the hydraulic shifter transmisson back in 1980. I had been operatng 4020's, 4320's, a 4030, and a 4630 before we bought the 4840. It took some getting used to, but over time I learned the benefits of having one. One thing I am sure of is if it is John Deere green, it has been thoroughly tested and the quality will be top of the line. By the way, I enjoy the discussions in this forum. No one understands why big boys need their toys until they get bitten by the "tractor bug".

Spudland_Dave · Nov 8, 2009

coglesby said:
...I'm accustomed to "gear to ground" performance.

Dont worry about it...I'm from the same background and the ONLY reason I got the eHydro in the first place was because the cab was a must have...
almost 2 years later, I'm a eHydro believer... I've never ran out of power, only traction.

jenkinsph · Nov 8, 2009

I would not be suprized if the PR tranny is eliminated and we are left with only hydro tractors in the CUT division. Just not much need for it anymore.

Steve

coglesby · Nov 8, 2009

I was in the same situation Dave was in with the options requirements. I had to get the E-Hydro if I wanted a cab. I may have made a mistake in my order because I didn't include the Auto Cruise feature. I was not informed by my dealer. I have learned more about this particular feature since I placed my order. I believe I will be able to install this later myself if I am not satisfied with the standard cruise.

IMO, I don't believe JD will phase out the PR transmission since a lot of new buyers are not familiar with the hydro's. I guess time will tell.

jenkinsph · Nov 8, 2009

Clint, I installed the upgraded cruise myself and it was only a matter of removing the standard switch and replacing it along with an additional switch or two. Pretty much plug and play, for the $100 bucks it is worth it. Most of accessories like this are boxed separately and are ordered up by the dealer to install when your tractor arrives. So, I don't see where adding this to the order would be an issue.

Steve

coglesby · Nov 8, 2009

Thanks for the info Steve. My tractor should be here Thursday so I'm going to call my dealer tomorrow and have the auto cruise ordered. It should arrive by the time I get the tractor. I'm still debating whether to perform the radio installation myself. I know the dealer could do all of these things but I enjoy small projects like this. I figure it will help me learn a lot about the tractor.

Does the auto cruise kit come with tech instructions?

sunnyside360 · Nov 8, 2009

coglesby said:
........ I'm still debating whether to perform the radio installation myself. I know the dealer could do all of these things but I enjoy small projects like this. I figure it will help me learn a lot about the tractor.

If you install the radio yourself, be careful you don't damage the roof seals when removing and installing the roof top. Damaged seals will affect the efficiency of the AC and heating system. Don't ask how I know. It's been thoroughly documented here on TBN.

jenkinsph · Nov 8, 2009

The auto cruise comes with instructions, very easy to do.

As mentioned above the radio install may get more hairy, it isn't that the radio is complex but there have been many people here with sealing problems for the ducts.

Now being a retired broadcast engineer, I don't need a freakin radio.

Steve

deereboy72 · Nov 13, 2009

any chance of getting pictures before you get your new tractor dirty?

coglesby · Nov 14, 2009

Went by the dealer yesterday on my day off and was disappointed to find out that for some reason my order was frozen. It was supposed to be received on 11/12. Dealer has not found out what the problem is. Kind of ironic, I only live 60 miles from where my tractor is being built in Augusta, Georgia. Been waiting since 09/25 when I placed my order. I plan to take photos when I do receive it. Hopefully by the end of next week.

Karl2 · Nov 20, 2009

coglesby said:
Went by the dealer yesterday on my day off and was disappointed to find out that for some reason my order was frozen. It was supposed to be received on 11/12. Dealer has not found out what the problem is. Kind of ironic, I only live 60 miles from where my tractor is being built in Augusta, Georgia. Been waiting since 09/25 when I placed my order. I plan to take photos when I do receive it. Hopefully by the end of next week.

Did you get it yet?

I thought JD CUT's were built in Japan? Or is it just the engine?

deereboy72 · Nov 21, 2009

just the engines are built in japan but they are good engines

coglesby · Nov 21, 2009

Deereboy72/Karl2 - Still no 3520 with cab. I went by the dealer yesterday and he has received a shipping order number. Should be in next week. Dealer has the auto cruise kit, imatch, and loader ready for installation when the tractor is received. I have been put on a temporary assignment with Operations Oversight at work that requires some long hours. I may have to work through the holiday this week so I might not be able close the deal until the first week of December. My dealer is a great guy and has provided great service with my 4310. I know the delay is not his fault. I will take as many photos as I can when it gets here. Any particular shots you all would like to see?