Miguel00
New member
Hi all, This is my first post (and a long one) having joined the list to better educate myself on the most appropriate tractor for our needs over the long run. I mean that literally, has anyone succeeding in buying a tractor at 50 that met their needs until retirement and beyond? ?r are the seasoned owners getting a good laugh at that one?! I'm trying to be stone cold sober about what I need without either over or under buying. I've learned a lot reading similar posts and responses but thought it wouldn't hurt to throw my hat in the ring.
The reason for a tractor now is managing our 10 acre home in North Central VT, for general land management, light logging, grading/possibly snowplowing the 1200' steep driveway, and landscaping/terracing for berries n fruit trees. In the longer term, we'll increasingly use it on a 35 acre family property in SW NH - again for general land management, grading/snowplowing, landscaping and construction of small house (all sand/gravel at house site) but with the possibility of small scale farming in the future. This parcel has 11 acres of highly productive hay field (continuously hayed since mid-1800's) and 24 acres of woodlands and grown up former pasture. There are 3-4 acres of prime ag soils on 0-4% slopes, the same again on 4-10% slopes and similar slope breakdown on the remaining productive, but sandy soils. The same farmers been haying/grazing his sheep for almost 30 years and he's going strong in his late 60's but if his son doesn't pick up where he left off I would need to find someone else (not easy) or mow/hay it myself w/my son and brother-in-law etc. I know it would take both a serious commitment and cost a pretty penny for all the equipment and infrastructure (barn, equipment shed etc.) required to make that happen but itç—´ where we plan to semi-retire/retire and something I've be looking to pass on to my kids and their kids.
My tractor experience is modest having used my grandfathers 1950 Massey Ferguson some in my teens and more recently my buddy's late 90's L2600 for ~100 hrs logging our property (plus some landscaping). I was amazed what I could do with a 26hp tractor! At the moment I've thinking either the L3800 or L3540/L3940 would be sufficient. I've heard again and again on this list and from friends is when in doubt go bigger but here's where I'd like y'all to weigh in.
Where is the sweet spot in terms of price point and functionality for what I'm looking to do now while keeping my options open? I can see by the specs that the grand series has a heavier frame/FEL capacity etc. vs. the L3800 and are also more comfortable for ones later years, but is it worth it for 5-25 hrs use a week? Will I want that mid-mount PTO for anything but a front mount snow blower not available on the L3800? Any issues with 3 vs. 4 cylinders other than power? Aside from the huge cost of a cab, how do folks feel that got one and wish they hadn't or didn't get one and wish they had? Is it true you can't add one after-the-fact? I've heard contradicting statements on this point. With a temp range of -30 to 95 degrees up here it's a consideration. The sun shade would be a reasonable compromise and help with sun/snow/rain but also heard it makes it louder somehow? Does exhaust sound bounce off the ground?
Snow blower vs. blade - thoughts? - We occasionally get some 30" dumps but more often storms are less than 8-14"...of every consistency you can imagine from powder to glop.
Thoughts on the 7.7 vs. 9 backhoe? Does the 7.7 do 95% of what you want w/lower price/weight ?r bigger is better? Will be moving rocks, digging ditches, removing stumps, landscaping etc
How about hauling? Can you haul these models with a V6/6500lb towing capacity or do you need a V8 once you add up the trailer, tractor, bucket and backhoe?
On the cost end, for the folks who ended up with a price 12-15% off list, was that a cash deal or the standard 60 month 0% financing? Has anyone gotten an even better deal with cash up front? Any better time of year to buy like late fall or winter?
I'd be OK going used but a deal could turn into a nightmare quick and while I'm an engineer brain I'm no mechanic. Only buy used from a dealer once they certify it? ?or roll the dice to save some dough?
In terms of running costs has anyone kept track of what the average annual maintenance cost is? Is there much of a difference between the L3800 and L3540/L3940?
OK, I'd better stop while I'm ahead and thank you for your patience with this long question. Regards, Mike
The reason for a tractor now is managing our 10 acre home in North Central VT, for general land management, light logging, grading/possibly snowplowing the 1200' steep driveway, and landscaping/terracing for berries n fruit trees. In the longer term, we'll increasingly use it on a 35 acre family property in SW NH - again for general land management, grading/snowplowing, landscaping and construction of small house (all sand/gravel at house site) but with the possibility of small scale farming in the future. This parcel has 11 acres of highly productive hay field (continuously hayed since mid-1800's) and 24 acres of woodlands and grown up former pasture. There are 3-4 acres of prime ag soils on 0-4% slopes, the same again on 4-10% slopes and similar slope breakdown on the remaining productive, but sandy soils. The same farmers been haying/grazing his sheep for almost 30 years and he's going strong in his late 60's but if his son doesn't pick up where he left off I would need to find someone else (not easy) or mow/hay it myself w/my son and brother-in-law etc. I know it would take both a serious commitment and cost a pretty penny for all the equipment and infrastructure (barn, equipment shed etc.) required to make that happen but itç—´ where we plan to semi-retire/retire and something I've be looking to pass on to my kids and their kids.
My tractor experience is modest having used my grandfathers 1950 Massey Ferguson some in my teens and more recently my buddy's late 90's L2600 for ~100 hrs logging our property (plus some landscaping). I was amazed what I could do with a 26hp tractor! At the moment I've thinking either the L3800 or L3540/L3940 would be sufficient. I've heard again and again on this list and from friends is when in doubt go bigger but here's where I'd like y'all to weigh in.
Where is the sweet spot in terms of price point and functionality for what I'm looking to do now while keeping my options open? I can see by the specs that the grand series has a heavier frame/FEL capacity etc. vs. the L3800 and are also more comfortable for ones later years, but is it worth it for 5-25 hrs use a week? Will I want that mid-mount PTO for anything but a front mount snow blower not available on the L3800? Any issues with 3 vs. 4 cylinders other than power? Aside from the huge cost of a cab, how do folks feel that got one and wish they hadn't or didn't get one and wish they had? Is it true you can't add one after-the-fact? I've heard contradicting statements on this point. With a temp range of -30 to 95 degrees up here it's a consideration. The sun shade would be a reasonable compromise and help with sun/snow/rain but also heard it makes it louder somehow? Does exhaust sound bounce off the ground?
Snow blower vs. blade - thoughts? - We occasionally get some 30" dumps but more often storms are less than 8-14"...of every consistency you can imagine from powder to glop.
Thoughts on the 7.7 vs. 9 backhoe? Does the 7.7 do 95% of what you want w/lower price/weight ?r bigger is better? Will be moving rocks, digging ditches, removing stumps, landscaping etc
How about hauling? Can you haul these models with a V6/6500lb towing capacity or do you need a V8 once you add up the trailer, tractor, bucket and backhoe?
On the cost end, for the folks who ended up with a price 12-15% off list, was that a cash deal or the standard 60 month 0% financing? Has anyone gotten an even better deal with cash up front? Any better time of year to buy like late fall or winter?
I'd be OK going used but a deal could turn into a nightmare quick and while I'm an engineer brain I'm no mechanic. Only buy used from a dealer once they certify it? ?or roll the dice to save some dough?
In terms of running costs has anyone kept track of what the average annual maintenance cost is? Is there much of a difference between the L3800 and L3540/L3940?
OK, I'd better stop while I'm ahead and thank you for your patience with this long question. Regards, Mike
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