New Toy Tractor On Order For Christmas

[CinderSchnauzer]

After following many threads on TBN since May 2006, checking manufacturers websites, visiting green, red, 2x orange, blue & burgundy dealers, getting prices and taking demo rides I ordered a tractor today:

JD 3320 w/Open Station, eHydro, R3 Turf Tires, Mid PTO, Dual Mid & Single Rear SCV, I-Match

300 CX FEL, w/61" Bucket, Ballast Box, Hood Guard

447 Backhoe w/13" Bucket, Power Beyond

7-Iron 72" MMM

Tentative delivery date is towards end of December.

JD Configurator price came to US$ 34,072. Today's "Buy" exchange rate as of 11:25 EST is CDN$ 1.0037 = US$ 1.0000, so for anyone comparing CDN / US pricing, for all practical purposes at that moment, they were equal.

A number of Internet sites offered fairly aggressive pricing and for a while that was a tempting option. In the end, I'm pleased I was able to work with a JD store, a few minutes down the road to come up with a deal we could both live with, thus keeping $$$ circulating in the local economy.

Thanks to all on these forums who have assisted either directly or indirectly in the decision making process.

 

[gunmaker]

I'd appreciate knowing what deal was made generally. I'm now talking to my dealer about trading my 2520 on a3320. Craig

 

[chipsndust]

Merry Christmas Cinder
Post some pics when your new tool arrives!

 

[BloomingtonMike]

Curious why the 447 and not 448?

Also if you do not have it, go back and give them $80 for the auto cruise option. Works great while mowing.

Also consider the set of hard lines down the loader arms for the 3rd valve and if you can spring for it NOW IS THE TIME to get the selectable 4th and 5th rear control valves installed as it should not cost any more shop time since they will be doing the Power Beyond and 3rd valve and mid pto installs. Otherwise the install can definately affect the selectable control valve purchase price latter on - wish I would have ordered it to begin with!

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Curious why the 447 and not 448?

Let me put it this way. This project started out as "needing" a riding lawn mower and somehow, over time, drifted considerably up the price scale to "wanting" a JD 3320. I'm not sure if I'll ever dig a 92" hole with the 447 let alone a 105" hole with a 448. I know the specs are greater but I couldn't convince myself to spend the extra $$$ for the 448. If you are aware of any "fatal flaws" associated with the 447, as compared to the 448, please let me know.

I've got a secondary list of small items, including the Automotive type cruise control that are being discussed with the dealer.

Thanks for the tip on the hard lines and extra valves. I'll take a copy of your post and discuss that with him the next time I drop in, since although things are in motion - nothing is carved is stone yet.

 

[aesanders]

So what are you gonna be using it for? Curious, since you started out looking for a lawn mower now have a 3320 with backhoe..

P.S. Congrats..

 

[gordon21]

Reconsider the 13" bucket if you can still change the order. That is a tiny bucket. If all you will use it for is breaking stump roots, then you are OK. However, if you want to dig holes, then move up to the 16" at minimum.

The 13" bucket holds exactly 1 cubic foot according to the JD spec chart if heaped. Level across the rim is only .75 cubic foot.

The 16" bucket holds 1.25 cubic feet heaped and .94 level across the top.

To put this in perspective, the typical homeowner computer tower is almost exactly 1 cubic foot in size. The bucket you ordered, if heaped up, will lift up a pile of dirt the size of a home computer tower.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

What will I use it for? Other than just having fun with it, I will probably sell the smaller riding mower and only cut with the the JD. Plan to use a 60" power angle front blade (which I already have) and the FEL for snow removal. I have about 9,000 SQ FT gravel drive / parking that needs ongoing maintenance. For the FEL / BH there are a few landscape ideas and a couple of trenching projects. Future additions could be a BB and Core Aerator.

Thanks for the input on 13" bucket. I actually considered a 9" bucket first since there are a few things where I don't need to go very deep and thought something with a bit of finesse would work better. Thought if bigger deeper holes came up then I'd consider a 20" or 24" for those jobs. Maybe that thinking is off base. I'd be glad to hear any further input on bucket size.

 

[putt_putt_green]

Cinder,

You should get a bigger bucket. If you have clay, it will stick in the 13" bucket. I have the 447 hoe with a 16 inch bucket. If I had to do it again, I would get the nice size up bucket (20"?).

The reason I chose the 447 hoe over the 448 hoe were
1) The lighter weight makes it easier to haul on a trailer
2) The lighter weight makes it so I can put it on wheels and push it to a corner inside the pole barn. I don't think I could push 1500 lbs, but 1000 lbs is a breeze .
3) I really don't have a "need" to dig holes, just a want.
4) The 447 hoe should stress the tractor less (paranoia on my part).
5) The price difference.

 

[gunmaker]

Based upon past experience, and my current 46bh w/13" bucket, I would consider the 16" at the minimum, but lean toward the 20".
On the new 3320 I'm looking at, I'm considering the 18" HD bucket for the 448bh as a minimum.
Thanks again for your help!