Kubota L3800 vs Grand L series

[k0ua]

You asked for someone to comment on the Regular HST so here it is. I love the regular HST. My property is very hilly and I operate in Low about 90 percent of the time, there are only a couple of places I can use M at all mostly on the road. and H is useless for anything around here. The amount of control and safety you have with a HST is wonderful. That said I have looked at the HST plus and some of its features look very useful. I think a lot of it would depend on your property and what you were using the tractor for. I am about 80 percent loader work here. The main reason I dont have a Grand L with HST plus is simply the money.

James K0UA

 

[nybirdman]

I own/have owned both,an L3130 with-HST,,currently an L4240 with HST+
Both are good,HST+is great...most of my loader work is done in Medium range and up shift,down shift with the plus feature:basically gives you six speeds.
With the plus you also get stall guard,auto-throttle...both good features.Tried and true system,I wouldn't have anything else..

 

[TripleR]

I have a 03 L5030 HSTC and really like it. I honestly can't think of anything I could do with a HST+, I can't with the regular HST; no "transmission envy here". As mentioned, I was in the process of buying a L40 Series though and like the features.

We have 300 acres where I live and two other farms within 6 miles with terrain from very steep hills to flat land with open ground and heavy woods, so I use all three ranges every time I have it out.

I think the bottom line is that while the HST+ has some really nice features, you will be able to get the job done with and be happy with either. For me the "bells and whistles" of the GL such as flat, larger operator station, tilt steering wheel, improved 3-point etc., were worth the price of admission. If those are not important the L00 is a great, reasonably priced work horse.

 

[jgheck]

Thanks Triple R, that is kind of what I am thinking. I am not sure of the difference yet in the cost of the GL40's compared to the standard. I would definitely get the GL if they sold it without the HST+. I do not need a computer to control the engine speed, etc...
I do like the simplicity of the Standard L series but then again it seems to be a completely different frame, hydraulics, wheel sizes, FEL. I still have to weight through all that. I appreciate the help from you experience Kubota owners.

 

[jgheck]

Thanks James K and Birdman, both of your comments are very helpful. I am thinking of the future as well. I am thinking on getting a backhoe for it as well. I need to know if I will have enough hydraulic output with the standard L series. I think if I get a backhoe I would get the bigger one that Kubota offers. Any ideas about that?

 

[jgheck]

Grandad, I did not know that the MX series used the same platform as the GL40's. I will check into that. I also did not realize that the HST+ has been out for a number of years. That does make a difference as well. I just wonder how much expense it will be to replace the computer down the road. Mechanically I can do most repairs, with the electronics you really only can replace the components and they are generally very expensive. So many things to consider.

 

[Grandad4]

Grandad, I did not know that the MX series used the same platform as the GL40's. I will check into that. I also did not realize that the HST+ has been out for a number of years. That does make a difference as well. I just wonder how much expense it will be to replace the computer down the road. Mechanically I can do most repairs, with the electronics you really only can replace the components and they are generally very expensive. So many things to consider.

Just to be clear, the MX is not the exactly the same platform, but it's darn close. If you put an MX4700 next to a GL4740, you'd see they are virtually the same in many respects. The MX is a bit longer and wider but has the same wheelbase. The MX has a different engine and 26 inch rims vs. 24, but they both have the same hydraulic capacity and lift the same on the 3pt. They weigh within 100 lbs of each other.

I don't have one, but the MX has always looked to me like a really nice no-frills tractor in a little larger size than the standard Lxx00 models. Now that it has a standard HST option, it's even better. It also has the large loader like the large Grand L's.

 

[_RaT_]

I have owned the L3830 HST and now a L3940 HST+. There are two things that I use on the HST+ that are nice, auto throttle and the up/down shift range lever for the two medium ranges I stay in 90% of the time for loader work. I do not use stall guard nor auto up/down shift. Those are just not needed for me as I think both react much to slow for the way I operate a tractor. I also own a L4850 which is shuttle shift tractor and for brute power, the HST's are not going to out perform it which is good for most anything on the rear that involves dirt moving or ripping. On the other hand, the HST and HST+ are superb for loader work. The HST's from Kubota are as bullet proof as they come.

 

[jgheck]

Grandad, I did take a look at the specs on the M series. They are close, but not sure I need that big of a machine. RaT, I am getting positive feedback on the reliability of the HST+. My concern is how expensive are these going to be to repair down the road. The Standard L's and other series that have the HST seem to be very good machines from what I have heard and I probably would be very happy with one of those. One thing I did like on the Grand L's though is the better seat. It has armrests. I could not find that as an option for the regular L series tractors. Maybe someone would know if you can get the better seat for the regular L's. You that have the standard L's could comment on the comfort of the seat. Many of you have spent many hours in them from what I have read. Thanks to all of you that take time to give your advice. Hopefully I will be able to give some good advice in the future. I am new to this forum and am learning a lot from all of you. JH

 

[crazyal]

I really think you are over estimating what is controlled by a computer on the HST+ transmission. The auto throttle is not controlled by a computer, just a cable attached to the HST pedal. H-DS seams like it just diverts some of the hydraulic fluid. I'm not exactly sure how the stall guard works but since you can turn it off even if it died it wouldn't need to be fixed.