Keep my 2320 or upgrade to 3320 ??

[bill1369]

Hi Guys,

Got a little decision I am going to need to make and would like to here some of you guys chime in.

Currently have a 2008 2320 (Bought new) with 200CX Loader and 54" MMM. I use almost everyday at our horsefarm. Mowing about 5 acres in the summer, clearing snow in the winter, Hauling manure wagons to back compost pile, dragging riding ring, and other odds and ends. Put a Curtis Hard cab on it with heat. Has about 700 hours on it. I really like the power in the small size of my 2320...I can get into the craziest places with it.

Friend has a 3320 that he is looking to sell. 2007 with factory Cab AC/Heat (don't know about radio). Mower (not sure size or if MMM). About 1600 hours on it and he bought it used (so I can't be sure what previous owners did to it).

He wants $16,000 for it.

He is bringing to the property for me to use for about a week to see how I like it.

I will most likely need to sell the 2320 if I want the 3320. (Not sure what the local market is yet for my 2320)

For the tasks I described.....am I a fool to not go with the 3320? Or should I just keep my known tractor? I hope to learn a lot on the week trial....but wanted to get some insight here.

Thanks!
Bill

 

[RoyJackson]

That 3320 would sure be a good fit for the tasks (and your acreage) you described...but this "...the small size of my 2320...I can get into the craziest places with it" might be the issue. You need to determine what is more important to you.
The hours indicate that 3320 has been used a lot in the last 3 years or so.

 

[dmay]

Have you encountered any task that your 2320 could not perform for you?

You mention having horse property, mowing 5 acres and clearing snow. What is the total size of your property?

I'm guessing with a 2320 you feed small square bales. Correct? Any thoughts for moving to large square or round bales? This would be one reason where a 3320/300CX would be a better fit.

You've owned your tractor since new. Probably kept it in great repair. You've used it almost every day and put on 700 hours. Your friends 3320 past is unknown but with only one extra year of age has over twice the hours.

If you do go the 3320 route, I'd make sure I talked with a few dealers. Get a price for trading your 2320 in on a new 3320. What would that cost? 0% financing? Compare to your friends $16,000 cost less whatever you feel you may be able to sell your 2320 privately.

 

[Gizmo2]

If no radio, forget it.
Tough call.

 

[3nickles]

i suspect with 50% more ponies it will feel like twice the tractor and you won't be able to give it back,

 

[bill1369]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Good idea to check about trading in the 2320 for a new 3320 especially with the 60 month 0%. If I like his 3320....I will go see what kind of deal a dealer can give.

As far as a task the 2320 can't perform.....I can't load (loader height) 1-ton Ford 350 type dump trucks that come for compost. I can only load pick-ups and dump trailers. This is really annoying because on a horsefarm...the more compost you can get rid of the better My friend told me the 3320 should easily load small dump trucks

Property size is 13 total acres. Back 8 acres is hay field that a neighbor with hay equipment cuts and bales for me.

Front 5 acres is where the house and barns are and that is the acreage I take care of with the 2320.

Yeah....I am really worried about the amount of hours on his tractor....plus he bought it used....so it is a BIG unknown as to the abuse, use, maintenance of the tractor before he had it.

~BILL

 

[DAY]

It sounds like you are talking yourself out of the bigger machine.

As for loading taller trucks, why not build yourself a little ramp to get your rig up to dump level on the F350s? Like a loading dock for fork lifts to get in and out of different sized trailers.

 

[castiman]

I personally wouldn't buy it with that amount of hours unless I knew who the first owner was and how many hours did it have on it when your friend got it and what he paid for it, however to buy that same set up new I have to believe your looking at least 36,000. You bought your tractor new and you know how it's been used and maintained. If there's any way you can swing it, if it was me I would keep your tractor and use it for everything but loading trucks and buy a new tractor, a 3320 or maybe one of the lesser price 3000 series if they would work for you with just the loader. Remember no interest for up to I believe 72 months depending on the dealer.

 

[dmay]

It sounds like you are talking yourself out of the bigger machine.

As for loading taller trucks, why not build yourself a little ramp to get your rig up to dump level on the F350s? Like a loading dock for fork lifts to get in and out of different sized trailers.

Great idea. Just start two horse compost piles. Grade one to be your ramp to dump the other. :thumbsup:

 

[pdp11]

Last year, before I did the deal on my 2520, I sat down on a 3520 just to see if I'd regret not having the larger machine. While the 3x20's are fine tractors, and I liked them from the seat, I could readily see that it was just a bit too big to get into some of the places I wanted to go.

Since I planned to use my 2520 for mowing (no, a separate mowing machine was never a viable consideration), I needed to get behind trees and around objects that the larger tractor would have made more difficult. The difficulty comes not just from the length and width, but also the height when operating around trees. I've been very pleased with how maneuverable the 2520 is, and that was a selling point for me.