Which one would you buy....?

JD333 · Sep 18, 2014

Hi folks,

I'd like to gather some opinions.

Though this is probably not a very common issue, it happens to be mine right now. I bought a 2009 3520 last week. Tractor has 600 hrs on it, 375 b/h, loaded tires, CX loader, and is in "good" condition. No broken plastic but some peeled paint and surface rust in spots. No warranty. Purchase price was $25,000. Now, upon doing some regular maintenance and learning my machine, i found that the inner air filter was not installed and have no idea how long it has run this way. Though the tractor seems to run fine, it just doesn't sit well knowing that the filter was missing. I have an opportunity to purchase the following....

2012 JD 3320 w/...

- CX Loader
- Pallet Fork attachment
- 100 hrs
- 3 yrs left on warranty
- Loaded tires
- Used by homeowner for mowing, yard work.
- New condition. No rust, no dents, breaks. Ready to go.
- Price: $21,000

After doing a lot of research about the two, I am genuinely torn at which to settle on. (Yes, I did research before I bought as well) Obviously, I would only keep one, and use the backhoe with the one I kept. I am wondering more about which would be best for my intended use. I have about 50 acres of sloping/flat terrain, and would use it mostly for yard work, occasional log hauling, building some trails, etc. As far as PTO work, it would only see a tiller in the spring for about an hour and a 5'-6' bush hog about twice a year for a 4-5 acre field. So not a lot of PTO work. Most of the work would see tractor running at 1400-1700 rpm unless using PTO. Is the 3520's additional 4 HP worth it on the low end. I have nothing to compare the two as I am a first time owner of this series JD. So, which would you choose given all the above info? Do I keep the one in my garage, or opt for a newer, lighter used machine with TWO air filters and sacrifice a few ponies. Thanks for your input. Great site and the tractor world is a fun one!!

-Jake

doxford jim · Sep 18, 2014

If in doubt, doing a cylinder pressure test (for bad valves/rings) might help ease your fears. You don't know how long the filter has been missing, so you are just guessing really. Perhaps a look inside the intake manifold might help too. Look and see if there is any dirt buildup inside. Another check would be to get an engine oil analysis done on the oil in the tractor. This should tell you if the is any silicon or other contaminants that should not be there - usually somewhere $35 - $50 price range. Blackstone is a name that comes to mind for oil analysis.
Check out the machine you have first and seek opinions - you are going to put yourself through a lot of anguish otherwise.

doxford jim · Sep 18, 2014

If in doubt, doing a cylinder pressure test (for bad valves/rings) might help ease your fears. You don't know how long the filter has been missing, so you are just guessing really. Perhaps a look inside the intake manifold might help too. Look and see if there is any dirt buildup inside. Another check would be to get an engine oil analysis done on the oil in the tractor. This should tell you if the is any silicon or other contaminants that should not be there - usually somewhere $35 - $50 price range. Blackstone is a name that comes to mind for oil analysis.
Check out the machine you have first and seek opinions - you are going to put yourself through a lot of anguish otherwise.

CinderSchnauzer · Sep 18, 2014

IMO, it's hard to make a rational decision based on "what if" and "maybe something happened" It's like buying insurance - only a good investment if you need it - otherwise a total waste of money. Does the newer tractor have Power Beyond? Who is going to remount the BH to the newer tractor? What is the resale value of the 3520 without the BH? Probably $5K - $6K less. You have more land, but sounds like your uses are not real power extensive. I doubt you would miss the 4 HP given your uses.

Gary Fowler · Sep 18, 2014

I think I would remove the suction hose downstream of the filter and take a look at the inside. IF it is clean, then no issue. The inside filter does nothing unless the outside filter has a broken and leaking paper filter. Look at the filter closely to see if it has any broken paper. If not, you are probably good to go.

You could do oil analysis, compression tests etc. but if you just run it a few hours and make sure it isn't using oil, then it likely is not a problem.

JD333 · Sep 18, 2014

I can mount the back hoe myself. New tractor does have Power Beyond. I would only need to recuperate the cost of the 3320 with the sale of the 3520 less the back hoe. So, as long as I get $21K out of the 3520 sale, if thats the route I choose to go, I'll be into the newer tractor with less hours and a warranty for the same $. As doxford jim says, i'll be putting myself through a lot of anguish with the doubts of the 3520 engine. and there is also a 500 hr difference in engine use to consider. Hmmmm.....

bigcut · Sep 19, 2014

JD333 said:
I can mount the back hoe myself. New tractor does have Power Beyond. I would only need to recuperate the cost of the 3320 with the sale of the 3520 less the back hoe. So, as long as I get $21K out of the 3520 sale, if thats the route I choose to go, I'll be into the newer tractor with less hours and a warranty for the same $. As doxford jim says, i'll be putting myself through a lot of anguish with the doubts of the 3520 engine. and there is also a 500 hr difference in engine use to consider. Hmmmm.....

JD, I think we all would be interested in the results of the analysis, should you decide to have it done. In addition, interest in whatever decision you elect to make and reasons why. Interesting post.
John

JD333 · Sep 20, 2014

Ok, so the big decision.

After reading a lot of posts on the two models and their advantages/disadvantages, I realized that no one can actually go wrong with either tractor. The bottom line in everyone's final decision hinges on a few major considerations; affordability, intended use, prior use (if any), and any particular aspect that makes the buyer just feel right about buying. For myself, I have a great tractor in the 3520. More than likely, the air filter issue is probably not one at all, but when you get a bad feeling, it usually doesn't go away. My follow up service with this tractor has been awful from the gentleman I bought it from, which has nothing to to with the machine, but everything to do with the attitude that I want to have about purchasing such an expensive toy. I want to smile when I see my tractor, not be angry at the situation surrounding it.

So, yesterday, my wife and I took a 3 hour ride to eastern Maine where the 2012 3320 sat in a heated, well-lit garage. The owner was a down-to-earth guy with no real preference whether he sold it or not. He was just advertising because he was building a new house and could use the money. The tractor has been used only for mowing and moving lobster traps around the yard with the pallet forks. And.... it had both air filters installed. 105 hrs and nothing "wrong" with anything. Ready to go.

I decided that with my never having a tractor ( for any long period of time, anyway) before this, I really have nothing to compare the power of the 3320 and 3520, except for each other with about 30 minutes seat time on the 3520. Almost all of my intended use will be operating below 1800 rpm. So, essentially, I'll be using a 3120, since the turbo has minimal effect until the engine is operating in a higher RPM range, where the mean effective pressure developed by the engine is actually doing its job at peak efficiency driving the turbo. Very rarely would I ever see or need this kind of HP, in fact, never. What sold me on the 3320 was the knowledge of it's history directly from the owner and the low use, coupled with a higher displacement engine for a higher useable power ranges where I'll actually be using it. Will I notice the difference? Probably not. Will I smile when I go into the garage? Yes. Because I feel I made the right decision based on fact, use and preference. Now, I realize that not everyone will find themselves in such a scenario, and I'll admit, I wish I would have settled on the 3320 in the first place, but with the addition of the back hoe, 3rd SCV and mid PTO on the 3520, these items can all be swapped out to the tractor I keep and I can still recover the money that I spent on the 3320, perhaps even come out ahead to buy an implement. This is why the 3520 was purchased in the first place.

Settled price on the 3320 was $21,000. Loaded it last night with the help of my wife and drove 80 miles before blowing 3 out of 4 tires on the trailer and having to call a tow service at 2:00 in the morning to haul my new tractor AND trailer to a repair shop, where the tires will be replaced on Monday and I get to finish what I started. It was a pretty wild night... all for ANOTHER tractor!! All in all, I think I'd do it again. It'll be a fun story to tell the kids someday. Thanks to everyone for their opinions and advice. I'm sure the 3520 will make someone a fine machine. As for me, I hope the 3320 suits me to the extent of the effort I put into acquiring it.

-Jake