Thinking to trade F2880 for F3680

[Rip]

Have not posted for a bit, but all going well with F-2880 w/60" deck on my steep Tasmania property....but ran across a clean '08 F-3680 with a 72" deck and got to wondering....More Power! Wider Cut! Who wouldn't? When we got this place, I took a gamble (with JTs helpful encouragement) on a well-used F-Series and it has served my needs and exceeded my expectations, so now thinking about trading up.

The 3680 I am looking at is one model year older ('08) and 2650 hours, but looks much cleaner than mine did when I got it, so may have lived a smoother and better cared-for early life. It also has the dual brakes option....assume it would still have the Diff Lock also? Have yet to get eyeballs on it or review service records, but wondered if JT, Dan, or others may have some particular pointers to watch for on this model?? Local dealer support has been good as many municipalities use these.

New ones are WAY too $$$, especially in OZ, plus do not want to deal with the digital dash or emission stuff all for ~75-100 hrs/year. I would swap over my 3" wheel spacers, loaded tires, aluminum canopy and extra rear counterweight. Thoughts??

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

First F was a F2680e which I sold and a year later bought back for my level property and then later traded it to a ZD326. Also owned two F3080s and still own one of them for my home hillside and trails mowing. Sold my level rental property and brought the ZD326 home and used it some last month for some final season mowing.
I don't know of any special issues witht he Fs other than what I've mentioned in other posts. Don't mow really high grass that can string around the drive axle bearing and destroy it two times. My current F3080 also had a manuf defect that would occasionally cause it to not steer for a few seconds on turns but eventually got dealer to replaced seal in rear wheel hyd cylinder which fixed that problem. Currently have one blade free wheeling which has happened before and just tightened down the washer covering the blade and took care of that. Great and dependable machines if taken care of and I use mine without babying it. The 4wd does give me a sense of security on steep hills going up and down that the 2wds just doesn't. Rarely, almost never change the 4wd selector to steeper but sometimes engage the diff lock if a wheel gets off ground and loses traction. GO MACHINES!!! The tires turf tread doesn't do well in mud or wet grass but guess one needs to stay off wet grass and out of mud with them.

 

[Rip]

Thanks, John....know most folks who have used these machines continue to give them high marks, just giving folks another shot at giving me a heads-up to something that may have slipped by me before jumping on another one.

How do you feel about the rear-discharge vs side after some extended usage?? This one is SD, but should I hold out for a rear one? Has anyone gotten creative and turned a side discharge into a rear?? There are times when I do not get around to mowing when I should and can get high....I normally only cut it to about 4 in....a "Mowed Paddock, not a Golf Course", as I say. Does the rear discharge leave less windrows and clumps?

Should get some more info from the dealer in a couple days and see where it goes.

Happy T-Day to all!! Cheers from DownUnder.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I'm a rear discharge lover and side discharge hater.:cool2:
If the grass is cut at normal levels I think the level spreading of the clippings is always better with the rear discharge. Cutting high grass will leave one center row with rear discharge no matter what direction you go but the side discharge also leaves windrows and requires planning of your direction to keep them from growing to enormous as the pile up on themselves.
If any wind is blowing the side discharge is terrible about blowing cut grass on ones self. Side discharge requires using one side of deck for close cutting where rear discharge uses both/either sides of the deck for close mowing. I insisted on rear discharge for my ZD326 with much resistance from the dealer and glad I stayed firm because it's the best for me even after a couple years use.
I bought a sall Kubota Zero turn which only came in side discharge. My wife hated it so I installed mulching kit which included a block plate for discharge and took care of the grass blowing all over so there are ways to "fix" the side discharge.:laughing:

 

[jcummins]

I get into heavier/taller grass at times with my F3680. With a 72" deck I'd want no less HP than I have now. I bought what became available in the used market, would have bought either rear or side discharge. I dislike the side discharge too...BUT with the taller grass it's probably a better solution for me. I'm wanting to put a side discharge blocker on for those instances where the wind is wrong, and it blows grass all over you.

 

[Rip]

Thanks, (both) John.....I am also limited in what comes available used in our small and remote market, but glad to hear your ongoing preferences for the rear discharge....I doubt a mulching kit is available for these side discharge models, but sure one could fabricate something....could be a cheap experiment.

Wind is near constant here and can only hope for a stiff breeze versus a full gale many times, so I have a mowing uniform (including full goggles) that I can shake out when done and then straight in the shower. I am well past the tall grass (hay fields) stage at our place now, but the clumping and/or windrows often an issue as it keeps growing while I have to wait for it to dry out enough to even attempt to mow.

Latest...this other machine and another like it have already been snapped up, so have my dealer going to put me on the top of the list next time one comes around....the various municipalities often trade them in on known schedules....maybe a rear discharge will be up next! Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've owned the F2680e and two F3080s and wouldn't pay a dollar more for more HP. Well, maybe I'd pay a dollar so I could say I had it.:cool2: Have never lacked power in either model and I've cut 4' high thick grass but have had to slow down which I believe any model would require. I've looked at the higher HP model when I've bought (All of them available and not a this is what's available only option) but with my ownership experience of the other models and the additional cost it has never been an attraction to me. To each his own knowing what their needs and wallet is/are.

 

[Rip]

I know what you mean, John....the wider mower deck would be the main attraction but I do bog and have to slow way down mowing up-hill in the heavier stuff as it is, so 8 more horses would not be wasted. Anyway, since this one got away from me, will have to bide my time until another suitable machine becomes available....hopefully with rear discharge!

Happy Thanksgiving! Rip

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Happy Thanksgiving! "Good things come to those who wait". ....."He who hesitates is lost". :laughing::confused3::cool2:

 

[Rip]

Really feel for all of you folks in or near Gatlinburg with all the fires raging.....having lived (and to a lesser extent still) in major wildfire areas and having had to evacuate in the face of several, I sort of know what you are going through....our best wishes for those having lost loved ones and homes & cabins!

One of my wife's long-time friends had a cabin there....gone. Sort of ironic that the Great Smoky Mountains got their name due to frequent haze, not actual smoke....I spent some good time there in the late '60s and early '70s...still have dozen or so pottery pieces from Pigeon Forge...very unique clay there.

Best wishes...hope the rains come soon....take care!! Rip