Comparison 3940 vs 3300

[Granite Tractor]

I came home from my local dealer today ready to finalize deal on a 3030 (paperwork will be ready tomorrow).

Then I talked to a neighbor who has owned several Kubotas (including a 30hp model; not sure which one). He currently has a L3940.

Based on what I'm planning to use our tractor for (see this post), my neighbor is concerned that I'll be disappointed with the 3030.

He has similar land - more mowing, less snow removal from driveway.

Specific concerns he raised with a 30 hp tractor:
- not enough power to mow tall grass without slowing down considerably
- not enough power to mow grass while going up steep hills
- not enough power to clear deep snow without getting bogged down
- rear hitch not standard design; requires buying Kubota attachments (or Land Pride) made for the B series
- PTO design requires running tractor at full RPM

I'm new to tractors, so I have no idea how to evaluate any of these potential issues.

He has offered to let me try his tractor on our land, which would be great, except I have no point of reference to make a comparison.

I hate getting rushed into a decision (I've been looking at my options since October, but 0% finance ends this month).

I'm considering just holding off on a purchase altogether until i have cash saved up to buy tractor outright or Kubota offers 0% financing again (assuming they will do that again).

Problem with that is that while I'm saving/waiting, I'll be shelling out considerable money for someone else to use their tractor to mow our fields, grade our driveway, and plow.

Any advice greatly appreciated. If I skip a cab on the 3940, I can get price close enough to my budget that the cost differential between the two tractors is reasonable.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I came home from my local dealer today ready to finalize deal on a 3030 (paperwork will be ready tomorrow).

Then I talked to a neighbor who has owned several Kubotas (including a 30hp model; not sure which one). He currently has a L3940.

Based on what I'm planning to use our tractor for (see this post), my neighbor is concerned that I'll be disappointed with the 3030.

He has similar land - more mowing, less snow removal from driveway.

Specific concerns he raised with a 30 hp tractor:
- not enough power to mow tall grass without slowing down considerably
- not enough power to mow grass while going up steep hills
- not enough power to clear deep snow without getting bogged down
- rear hitch not standard design; requires buying Kubota attachments (or Land Pride) made for the B series
- PTO design requires running tractor at full RPM

I'm new to tractors, so I have no idea how to evaluate any of these potential issues.

He has offered to let me try his tractor on our land, which would be great, except I have no point of reference to make a comparison.

I hate getting rushed into a decision (I've been looking at my options since October, but 0% finance ends this month).

I'm considering just holding off on a purchase altogether until i have cash saved up to buy tractor outright or Kubota offers 0% financing again (assuming they will do that again).

Problem with that is that while I'm saving/waiting, I'll be shelling out considerable money for someone else to use their tractor to mow our fields, grade our driveway, and plow.

Any advice greatly appreciated. If I skip a cab on the 3940, I can get price close enough to my budget that the cost differential between the two tractors is reasonable.

You know your neighbor and you don't know me but I disagree with most of what your neighbor said. I've had 2 B size tractors and one L size tractor and several BX's. A BX and a B will cut tall grass on flat or straight up the side of a mountain if it can get traction. Don't have to run full out but even if you do, so what. Don't do snow so I don't know about that. The B has a 3ph like any other tractor. Think your neighbor knows his tractor but nothing about the other Kubota models.
If you have a need, what difference will it be if you buy now at 0% and pay monthly pmnts or save monthly pmnts till you have enough to buy it? Also, prices have continued to go up so it could cost you a few thousand and at least several hundred dollars more in a year or two.

 

[Granite Tractor]

You know your neighbor and you don't know me but I disagree with most of what your neighbor said. I've had 2 B size tractors and one L size tractor and several BX's. A BX and a B will cut tall grass on flat or straight up the side of a mountain if it can get traction. Don't have to run full out but even if you do, so what. Don't do snow so I don't know about that. The B has a 3ph like any other tractor. Think your neighbor knows his tractor but nothing about the other Kubota models.

Thanks very much for prompt response. I should be clear - the fact that I know my neighbor doesn't necessarily mean I agree with him Very nice guy, generous, but we have some rather strong differences of opinion on a range of topics, so I guess it shouldn't be a surprise that our choice of the right tool for a job might be one of those differences.

If you have a need, what difference will it be if you buy now at 0% and pay monthly pmnts or save monthly pmnts till you have enough to buy it? Also, prices have continued to go up so it could cost you a few thousand and at least several hundred dollars more in a year or two.

Primary difference is if I buy now to take advantage of 0%, does the B3030 meet my needs. Your feedback supports what I've heard from other B owners - thanks for adding another voice to this discussion.

 

[ethiojazz]

So you are indeed talking with your neighbor about the right items but definitely from a different frame of reference...

There are three main points as I see them...

1. Weight... Good for implements that are ground engaging... Bad if you are worried about tearing up land. Can be addressed with a type of tire.. but means sacrificing traction so make your choices there... A good compromise seems to be Industrial (R4) tires. Filled.

2. Implement use.... Reading where you started it seems that the B3030 was a downward compromise... Yes you get a cab but a smaller frame.... I can see what your friend is talking about especially if you are clearing the 1/2 mile driveway with a snow blower. Definitely the lift and carry capabilities of a heavier duty FEL is also of consideration. I dont know what your neighbor means about the PTO implements except for size.... While you maybe able to handle a 5ft bush hog with the B series, you may indeed have to slow down to allow the implement not to bog...

3. Cost... Need I say more...

You had started with a quote for L3240 (which is what I am getting BTW) but I may have to agree with your neighbor that undersizing may end up disappointing,,,,

Good luck in your decision...

 

[Granite Tractor]

So you are indeed talking with your neighbor about the right items but definitely from a different frame of reference...

2. Implement use.... Reading where you started it seems that the B3030 was a downward compromise... Yes you get a cab but a smaller frame.... I can see what your friend is talking about especially if you are clearing the 1/2 mile driveway with a snow blower. Definitely the lift and carry capabilities of a heavier duty FEL is also of consideration. I dont know what your neighbor means about the PTO implements except for size.... While you maybe able to handle a 5ft bush hog with the B series, you may indeed have to slow down to allow the implement not to bog...

3. Cost... Need I say more...

You had started with a quote for L3240 (which is what I am getting BTW) but I may have to agree with your neighbor that undersizing may end up disappointing,,,,

Good luck in your decision...

Thanks for input. The same salesman I'm currently working with is the one who quoted me an L3240 last year. At the time, based on what I had read from 3030 owners, I thought that was more tractor than I needed. But he is also the salesman who has been selling to my neighbor for years.

If I did go into the L series instead of the B, what is the primary difference between the various L models (3240 vs. 3290 for example)?

I started looking through the website last night on this, but there are a lot of models.

 

[PHILIP8N]

If I did go into the L series instead of the B, what is the primary difference between the various L models (3240 vs. 3290 for example)?

I started looking through the website last night on this, but there are a lot of models.[/QUOTE]

I assume you meant L3240 and L3940? Go to your dealer and get the sales brochures for the tractors you are looking at. The back specification pages do a good job showing the differences. I think the web site is a little weak in this area. I also have a nice .pdf specification sheet for a L--40 series tractors, not sure where I got it. If you p-e-mail me I will send it to you. Philip.

 

[ethiojazz]

Thanks for input. The same salesman I'm currently working with is the one who quoted me an L3240 last year. At the time, based on what I had read from 3030 owners, I thought that was more tractor than I needed. But he is also the salesman who has been selling to my neighbor for years.

If I did go into the L series instead of the B, what is the primary difference between the various L models (3240 vs. 3290 for example)?

I started looking through the website last night on this, but there are a lot of models.

Sorry Got distracted.... The L series is getting into frame size and capabilities of a true tractor... Difference between 3240 and 3540 is engine therefore performance... Same frame etc... L3940 and L4240 (I believe but have never seen them together) are on a larger frame but main difference is engine between them I believe...

Implements also get expensive (on the cost piece) which is why I wanted to stay with L3240. Finally the FEL performance starts approaching the performance of a skid steer which I think is the ultimate FEL machine but I also need the PTO for bush hogging/tiller and other tools...

Good luck on your decision...

 

[davatk]

Sorry Got distracted.... The L series is getting into frame size and capabilities of a true tractor... Difference between 3240 and 3540 is engine therefore performance... Same frame etc... L3940 and L4240 (I believe but have never seen them together) are on a larger frame but main difference is engine between them I believe...

Implements also get expensive (on the cost piece) which is why I wanted to stay with L3240. Finally the FEL performance starts approaching the performance of a skid steer which I think is the ultimate FEL machine but I also need the PTO for bush hogging/tiller and other tools...

Good luck on your decision...

I agree with John Thomas for the most part, although it does depend a lot on how much land you have, and what type of work you intend to do. I have a B2630 - same footprint and hitch as B3030 and my implementes are standard size, so that shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Granite Tractor]

I agree with John Thomas for the most part, although it does depend a lot on how much land you have, and what type of work you intend to do. I have a B2630 - same footprint and hitch as B3030 and my implementes are standard size, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Thanks very much to everyone for the great input; not sure how I can ever
repay it other than to pass along what I've learned here to others.

To add some detail to my prior posts on other threads about how this tractor will be used.

My wife and I are in the process of purchasing what will soon be an 11 acre property in southern NH. This property has been in my wife's family since the 70s (she grew up there), and we're purchasing it now that her parents have both passed away. Property is gently sloping with a few steep areas (heading down to a pond), and has mature landscaping. We absolutely love this place, and enjoy working on it. We plan to live here until we die (which hopefully is 50+ years away).

We don't plan on farming, owning horses, or making any major changes to the landscape of our property. We'll thin out some of the wooded areas, and would like to someday get the lawn and possibly fields in better shape.

I estimate about 7-8 acres of property are fields which we're planning to use brush mower to cut monthly. Ideally this is a long afternoon so I can get lawn mowed in same day (that's about an hour).

1/2 mile long dirt driveway, level in places, slight to moderate incline in others. i don't think anyone would describe it as steep.

needs for tractor (needs in the sense of if we don't do this with our tractor, we have to pay someone else to do it with theirs):

• cut field (not finish mowing)
• grade driveway
• remove snow from driveway (prefer snowblower to avoid tearing up fields along side of driveway)
• applying dust control

We have two young children, I work fairly long hours, and life is short, so our time is very valuable to us. I've reached the point in my life where paying more for something than I need to (from a strict get the job done perspective) is something I'll consider if it saves me time that I can put to some other use.

anticipated uses once we have one:

• pulling dead trees from wooded area to burn pile
• turning over compost pile (leaves from lawn in fall)
• digging fence post holes for fence
• applying fertilizer to field/lawn
• potentially rototilling garden, although for the size of garden we'd have, a tractor is probably overkill

 

[davatk]

Thanks very much to everyone for the great input; not sure how I can ever
repay it other than to pass along what I've learned here to others.

To add some detail to my prior posts on other threads about how this tractor will be used.

My wife and I are in the process of purchasing what will soon be an 11 acre property in southern NH. This property has been in my wife's family since the 70s (she grew up there), and we're purchasing it now that her parents have both passed away. Property is gently sloping with a few steep areas (heading down to a pond), and has mature landscaping. We absolutely love this place, and enjoy working on it. We plan to live here until we die (which hopefully is 50+ years away).

We don't plan on farming, owning horses, or making any major changes to the landscape of our property. We'll thin out some of the wooded areas, and would like to someday get the lawn and possibly fields in better shape.

I estimate about 7-8 acres of property are fields which we're planning to use brush mower to cut monthly. Ideally this is a long afternoon so I can get lawn mowed in same day (that's about an hour).

1/2 mile long dirt driveway, level in places, slight to moderate incline in others. i don't think anyone would describe it as steep.

needs for tractor (needs in the sense of if we don't do this with our tractor, we have to pay someone else to do it with theirs):

• cut field (not finish mowing)
• grade driveway
• remove snow from driveway (prefer snowblower to avoid tearing up fields along side of driveway)
• applying dust control

We have two young children, I work fairly long hours, and life is short, so our time is very valuable to us. I've reached the point in my life where paying more for something than I need to (from a strict get the job done perspective) is something I'll consider if it saves me time that I can put to some other use.

anticipated uses once we have one:

• pulling dead trees from wooded area to burn pile
• turning over compost pile (leaves from lawn in fall)
• digging fence post holes for fence
• applying fertilizer to field/lawn
• potentially rototilling garden, although for the size of garden we'd have, a tractor is probably overkill

Well, in my opinion, the B series should do just fine for what you need to do, and is also small and nimble enough to be used for yard mowing. I am also going to PM you with some other information that may be helpful.

Dave