Montana 3940?

[HK45]

Hey everyone,
Im new to the forum and had a few question about a Montana 3940 vs. the farmtrac 390. I already owned a farmtrac 360 a few years ago and loved it, powerful and could work all-day great machine. Since looking at the two and reading, it seems that they are the same tractor, but farmtrac痴 390 seems to have a better lifting rate and weight痴 more. Why is this if they are the same tractor? I do like the Montana 3840 weights and more pto power, but where I live is kind of hilly and I've been reading a lot that hydro is better for hills. Also how many have owned a farmtarc 390 or Montana 3940 I would like to know the feed back on them since I知 a little worried about going to Hydrostatic. Thanks

[mwb]

I purchased a new 3940HST in Dec 2007 an I already have 65 hours on it (all snow removal ). I am very impressed with the machine and I recommend the HST; I upgraded from my old Ford 2000 gear to the HST and the HST is way more productive and very simple to operate. I think the only time you might want to not have HST is if you do a lot of long heavy pulls like plowing. Here is a list of my likes and dislikes (opinion):

Like:
Loader is strong
mitsubishi diesel is a beautiful engine - strong, smooth and quiet
tractor includes options (like rear hydraulics)
HST is very nice especially where aux equipment load down (snowblowing)

Dislike:
loader did not include a grill guard (before I could make one I managed to smash the plastic grill and had to replace it - at less than 5 hours on the machine )
Rear mounted fuel tank reduces visibility of hitch
3pnt lift arm does not have an easy height adjustment; my old tractor can be adjusted from the seat (hand crank)- the 3940 you have to get off and adjust the nut manually. This makes hooking up implements much more difficult.
PTO switch can be accidently bumped 'ON' with your knee - very dangerous
Side by side forward/reverse pedals are nicer than having to lift your leg to use a front to back rocker type (like Kubota).
Brake pedals are on the LEFT - you can use them! Kubota HST has them on the right with the HST pedal which is usless.
Glow plug light is not visible in daylight - I will modify mine to a LED
No service manual available - I am going to post a new thread here next and see if anyone knows of one.

Overall I would highly recommend this tractor; the main concern I have long term is the lack of service info available. I believe that the new R series is even nicer

P.S. I am not knocking Kubota - family member bought a 3400HST at the same time I bought my 3940 - the 3400HST is a very nice machine also.

Cheers,
Mike

[HK45]

Thanks for your info and time, but i think I'm going to go with a case. Good luck with your new tractor

[Maka]

Hi HK. What swayed you towards a Case? Just curious as we don't have any Case dealers out this way and I don't get to see thier compacts very often. Does't Shibaura make Case? We sell ASV and the 50 and 60 hp machines are Perkins engines manufactured by Shibaura so I think Shibaura is good stuff. Just wondering why you went Case.

Maka