Advise, advise, advise (please)

[Arky217]

(Moderator, since this post involves a Kioti as well, I also posted it in the Kioti forum. If this is a no-no, please delete the Kioti forum post. Thanks, Arky)

Boy, this tractor buying decision is getting old; I'll probably be too old and feeble to climb on a tractor by the time I decide what to buy !

I think I've got it narrowed down to one of two brands, however; either the Kubota or the Kioti.

Today, I stopped by a Kubota dealer just to see what trade ins he had.
There was a L3430 about 4 years old that has 400 hrs on it.
It looked in very good shape, like it had been stored inside. The R1 tires look like new. What really impressed me, however, was the GST transmission. I had read about them, but until today, had never tried one. I was pretty set on getting nothing but an HST tractor, but now that I've actually driven one with GST, I'm thinking that I would rather have the GST. One thing that I had always assumed was that you still had to use the clutch to operate the shuttle. Not having to use the clutch at all and having the benefit of no HST power loss appeals to me.
Actually, I'm beginning to think that I would prefer the GST even if there were no HST power loss.

The L3430 tractor, however, does not have a loader. The dealer has it priced at $11,500, and will put an Ansung SSQA loader on it for a total price of $14,900.

Are these prices high, low, or about average ?

The only thing about the Ansung loader is that it attaches to the mid and front of the tractor only and doesn't have the reinforcing bars that go to the back of the tractor like the Kubota loaders do. The dealer says that he can't get a Kubota loader for this model. He also says that even if he could get a Kubota loader, that the tractor is not stout enough for the 7xx series loader and that it is limited to the 5xx series loader. However, I have read about a lot of L3430 tractors on here that have the 7xx series loader on them.

Anyone know what model Woods loader is recommended for this model tractor, and about what it would cost ?

The dealer has priced me a new tractor, L3240 (about 1 hp less) with GST trans and Kubota loader for $21,210.

So, the question is; which would be the better buy ?

The used L3430, 400 hrs, Ansung loader, no warranty for $14,900 ?
Or a new L3240, 0 hrs, Kubota loader, warranty for $21,210 ?

To complicate things, a Kioti salesman calls me today and tells me he has a special deal on a new DK40SE with a 12/12 shuttle transmission and 401 loader for $18,500.
Five more horsepower, bigger tractor, much more powerful loader, and even a few bells and whistles that the new Kubota doesn't have. But I really don't think I want a clutch transmission.

Decisions, decisions, decisions !

Somebody, anybody, help me out of this tractor overload !!!

Thanks,
Arky

[kubotafan]

I would inquire at another Kubota dealer about available loaders. It would give you a chance to see if he is shooting straight or shooting bull.

[TripleR]

About all I can do is empathize with your situation, deciding on a tractor purchase is really a hard one. I own several and all I can say is that I will never buy another tractor with a clutch no matter the price. I know nothing about Kioti products good or bad; well it is orange...

[MessickFarmEqu]

Originally Posted by Arky217

The dealer says that he can't get a Kubota loader for this model. He also says that even if he could get a Kubota loader, that the tractor is not stout enough for the 7xx series loader and that it is limited to the 5xx series loader. However, I have read about a lot of L3430 tractors on here that have the 7xx series loader on them.

Your dealer is wrong. The LA723 is still available and will fit that tractor just fine.

[kubotafan]

Originally Posted by Arky217

The dealer says that he can't get a Kubota loader for this model. He also says that even if he could get a Kubota loader, that the tractor is not stout enough for the 7xx series loader and that it is limited to the 5xx series loader. However, I have read about a lot of L3430 tractors on here that have the 7xx series loader on them.

Somebody, anybody, help me out of this tractor overload !!!

Thanks,
Arky

Originally Posted by Kubotafan

I would inquire at another Kubota dealer about available loaders. It would give you a chance to see if he is shooting straight or shooting bull.

Originally Posted by MessickFarmEqu

Your dealer is wrong. The LA723 is still available and will fit that tractor just fine.

I think you should forget the dealer you were dealing with and find another dealer who is willing to give you more reliable information and maybe not trying to dump something on a novice customer.

[TripleR]

I agree with the others, just because someone sells tractors doesn't mean they know anything about them. I go out of my way to avoid dealing with one in my area.