My first post and new tractor ideas......

[carl6583]

first off, let me say I'm a long time "lurker" finally getting around to actually posting.

Next, let me say I've been around agriculture all of my life, grew up on a farm, farmed on my own for years, whether it be as a full time vocation or as enjoyment/tax shelter. I've owned something from all the current major manufacturers, and some now defunct (Allis Chalmers, IH, White, Deutz Allis). I've farmed corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and cattle in central Georgia, eventually just raising purebred Angus and some commercial cattle. Now, I still fool around with 50 head or so and bale a little hay, but I've got a need for a small tractor and can't find any solid information on them that isn't, or doesn't seem, biased.

I'm looking at a 3320 Deere, to raise a vegetable garden, pull a finish mower, do some light spraying around the house, and for my son to use to clean his horse stalls, and use on his small acreage. Acreage mowed would be 3.5, vegetable garden about .5 acres, and I just want something easy to use, that will take the burden of small jobs off my bigger tractors. Thanks for any information, and good farming.

 

[ddivinia]

Welcome - it sounds like you sized up your needs nicely.

Enjoy,
D.

 

[deerchop]

I have the 3520 which is just a couple more horses than the 3320 and I would think the 33 would do what you are looking at. So far my 35 has done everything that has been asked of it from pulling a MX5 brush cutter to a 2 bottom breaking plow, and that is with the hydro tranny. I broke up a pasture that had been in grass for the last 20 years with cows and planted a 5 acre garden with it this year using a 1 row covington planter and covington side dresser and cultivator with no problems at all. The 33 should do the same and I highly recommend the hydro just for ease of forward and backward for mowing and loading. It takes a little getting used to on the hydro if you have not used one but once you get used to it there is nothing else like it. If you have any more questions, load em up and I will check back later.

 

[Ordite]

Like you, I am a new member to TBN and enjoy the information and ideas available on this forum.

I purchased a used 2007 JD 3320, E-hydro, with CX FEL, 150 hours. I looked at Kioti, Kubota, TYM and a few others. For what it's worth, I am very satisfied with my choice and was able to purchase the JD for slightly less money than Kioti and Kubota quotes for new machines in the same class size. I guess the biggest influence in my choice is the fact that there is a JD dealer less than a mile from my house with parts and service there for the long term. Kioti dealer was 175 miles away, was involved with other lines of equipment and service department appeared to be relatively small.

No complaints on the 3320. It seems to be very economical from the standpoint of fuel consumption.

 

[JiminGa]

well, I could go two different ways on this, sounds like you won't be doing any real heavy work, basically garden tractor stuff, so with that thought, you could do the work with a 2000 series about as well as the 3320...on the other hand a cab is real nice on them 100 degree days in central and south Ga. if it'll fit where it needs to get a cab 3520 would be real nice mowing 3.5 acres in the heat and humidity, course like I said, a 2000 series will cut grass just fine. the 3320 may be the sweet spot for you. I have a 2305 that surprises me with it's capability all the time.

 

[wolc123]

I think you are on the right track with the 3320 by the sounds of your tasks. Cleaning out the horse stalls will pretty much rule out a cab, but on a small tractor like that, I think a good canopy is a far better option anyway. Sitting under a canopy is much closer to sitting in an AC cab than it is to an open tractor in terms of operator comfort when out under the hot sun. The canopy will not rob any hp running the AC and can be removed quickly for getting into the barn. And of course the $3-4k cost savings aint such a bad thing either, nor is the lower center of gravity.

 

[AKfish]

Welcome to TBN, Carl.

I see danger on the horizon with that 3320... the tractor will breeze thru the work you've outlined and sure as the sun comes up -- you'll be branchin' out just seein' what that tractor will really do and before you know it -- you'll have all kinds of projects lined out!!

AKfish

 

[texasjohn]

Carl, welcome..good to have you.

With 50 head to look after, seems to me this defines what you need.

I wouldn't mess with cattle without round bales or anything less than a 50hp tractor, 4wd, cab, fel, bale spike and 3ph bale fork. I DO know that everybody's situation is different and you already know how you want to run your operation.... I've discovered that HYDROSTATIC and a CAB are wonderful to have.

On small acreage, I'll let others make their recommendations.

 

[Nuru]

Yep, the 2000 series will work, the 3000 series will get it done faster, Cab will let you avoid the weather. if you can get the cab, I would go for it, either 3320 or 3520, will be fine with the 300CX loader.

 

[deerchop]

I just read about the round bales and thought I would add this. My 3520 with the 300cx handles round bales fine. We have 80 acres round baled each year and from time to time I have to move them if they are somewhere I don't want them to be. My tires are loaded and the 3520 moves them with no problem.