L3400 for Hay

[dig_n_it]

Ok here goes. We have 30 acres 10 of it woods. 1400ft driveway. I am trying to buy a new tractor that I can use to plow for 2-3 acres Make about 5 acres of hay build our barn and all the other things that you do on a small hobby farm. I want to know if the L3400 will be large enough or should I consider the L4400. I am trying to take advantage of the 60 mon. 0 intrest that Kubota is offering until the end of the month. WIth that said if I get the L3400 I can afford the FEL and maybe the BH. What I really want is the
L4400 but it would be awhile before I could get the FEL and even longer before I could get th BH. I also have a lot of ditches to dig for the water and electric to the barn and have an old pond that we would like to fix. We burn about 5 cords of wood a year and the BH will help to remove the stumps for the place. I guess my main question is will the L3400 be enough tractor for my plans or should I get the L4400 and be patient for the options. And because I am buying soon any recent price help would be appreciated.

[LiamC]

Not at all an expert, but haying takes a larger tractor. The typical small square baler and mower conditioner are run behind 40hp+ , 2 tonne+ tractor. Another thing to note is that cheap balers require fiddling. Getting your own hay for free is generally much more costly than buying. Lots of satisfaction if you d.i.y and get it right.

[dig_n_it]

Thank you. I have heard that its cheaper to buy just wasnt sure. I guess then the L3400 should be enough to do what I will need otherwise.

[pitt_md]

Originally Posted by dig_n_it

Thank you. I have heard that its cheaper to buy just wasnt sure. I guess then the L3400 should be enough to do what I will need otherwise.

dig_in_it,
another option to look at is if you have your own land plant the hay and contract someone to cut and bail it for you. I have horses and planted some of my own land in alfalfa-grass mix. I get enough off of it to pay for the harvesting and fertilizer every year and feed my horses for the winter. I have hay left over in the spring and sell it. Your not going to get rich this way but if you don't count the time I put into it you get your hay for free. It beats the heck out of paying a few thousand dollars every year for hay.

[art]

Let's see, for making hay, mower conditioner to cut it, tedder to spread it to dry, rake to make ready for the baler, and a couple of wagons. Better make the storage shed a little bigger and do you have enough room to maintain the extra equipment.

[veresjwv]

Originally Posted by dig_n_it

Ok here goes. We have 30 acres 10 of it woods. 1400ft driveway. I am trying to buy a new tractor that I can use to plow for 2-3 acres Make about 5 acres of hay build our barn and all the other things that you do on a small hobby farm. I want to know if the L3400 will be large enough or should I consider the L4400. I am trying to take advantage of the 60 mon. 0 intrest that Kubota is offering until the end of the month. WIth that said if I get the L3400 I can afford the FEL and maybe the BH. What I really want is the
L4400 but it would be awhile before I could get the FEL and even longer before I could get th BH. I also have a lot of ditches to dig for the water and electric to the barn and have an old pond that we would like to fix. We burn about 5 cords of wood a year and the BH will help to remove the stumps for the place. I guess my main question is will the L3400 be enough tractor for my plans or should I get the L4400 and be patient for the options. And because I am buying soon any recent price help would be appreciated.

Dig N It, I own a L3400 and everything you are looking for with the exception of the hay it will handle fine. The FEL has done everything I've asked of it (with-in reason) Moving logs, Hauling fire wood, plowing 3 acres of land, brush hog 3 acres. Pulling out tree's up to 3" round. I absolutley love it!!
What ever you decide definetly go HST, with a loader. I am sure you will be happy with either... Good luck

[etcallhome]

Originally Posted by veresjwv

Dig N It, I own a L3400 and everything you are looking for with the exception of the hay it will handle fine. The FEL has done everything I've asked of it (with-in reason) Moving logs, Hauling fire wood, plowing 3 acres of land, brush hog 3 acres. Pulling out tree's up to 3" round. I absolutley love it!!
What ever you decide definetly go HST, with a loader. I am sure you will be happy with either... Good luck

Tree's up to 3" round Did you mean 3" inches or 3' feet

[veresjwv]

Originally Posted by etcallhome

Tree's up to 3" round Did you mean 3" inches or 3' feet

3 Inches round - wrap a chain around the bottom of the trunk and pull!! If I could maintain traction it would probably pull out larger trees. I am trying to clear some old pasture land. (no backhoe)
It has no trouble lifting 3 foot round logs about 5 to 6 feet long with the loader.

[ovrszd]

A smaller tractor with attachments will do more work than a larger tractor with nothing. Not sure you would get much use out of a bare L4400 sitting in the driveway with nothing to attach to it.

[aczlan]

For comparison we have a L3830 with loaded rear tires which we use to bale hay with. We use an older NH 200 series baler (IIRC) with a kicker on it and we pull a wagon behind. It has been very stable and has been adequate for baling, even with a full wagon (150-200 30-40# bales) behind the baler. It looks like a L3400 would be close to 1000# lighter and 1-3 HP less at the PTO. Would it work for hay? Probbaly, if properly weighted and as long as you are haying on flattish ground (or with a smaller load on the wagon).
Would it be ideal? Probably not, but if that is what you can afford, it should be workable.

Remember, a tractor with a loader and BH is MUCH more useful than just a tractor.

Aaron Z