Kubota L3800 vs Grand L series

[kuboman]

It really is hard to pick the right "one" tractor. When my father in law retired, he bought a new tractor 2WD with and less than two months later, he traded it in for another one but with 4WD and FEL. A few years later, he decided to buy one with a cab. We went over the brochures and against my advice, bought a smaller than recommended tractor and traded in his old one; again against my advice. Less than two weeks later, he traded his new 70 HP one in on a bigger one with shuttle shift. A couple of weeks later went back and bought his old one when he realized one tractor was not a good fit for all he had to do.

There are no "universals" in buying tractors, but I have seen far more people buy too small than buy too large. Our needs are so diverse, we have to have multiple tractors which is much easier than buying one tractor to "do it all".

If you are concerned about physical size, the L3240/L3540 are a really nice, compact size with pretty good power.

Good luck, we all know how hard this is as I have almost bought the wrong tractor a couple of times.

Well said. Could not agree more. I have traded 4 times in the last 2 years and each time I went up in size and hp.
Also keep in mind it is not the end of the world to discover the one you bought just does not do it for you and trade to a different one, enjoy the journey.:licking:

 

[beppington]

Ecoslik, thanks for the information. I guess I am feeling much better about the Grand L's after all the positive comments.

IMO, if you aren't feeling good about the Grand L's, you just haven't read enough or gone & tested one out. What's not to like.

 

[ecoslik]

The extra adjustability of the 3pt linkage on the Grand L's is especially helpful when hooking up and you do not feel like lifting/pulling/pushing/nudging into position a 500# to 2000# attachment.
-- At 39, sometimes I feel like I have to do that because I can.

-- At 39, sometimes I like to be able to make some easy adjustments afforded by the Grand L's 3pt linkage and skip the back breaking part also!!

Sometimes before I owned the tractor in my signature, I would use my neighbor's 2800 or the previous property owner's MF. Both are very basic tractors compared to the Grand L's, especially one with the HST Plus. All tractors seem to give me a smile, but I sure have a ton of fun every time I use our (grand) L5740 HST (Plus).

I wrote a couple threads about buying this 5740 used together with a whole mess of implements. I am thrilled with getting so much (although used) for equal to or less than what we would have spent for a new but basic 2800 GST without any implements.

 

[jgheck]

TripleR, I will have to actually do some test drives on these tractors. Is the 3240 and 3540 big enough to take the larger backhoe? I understand that there is not one best tractor. I need to figure out what size would suit my needs best.

Kuboman, I know what your saying that I may have to buy and buy again. I hope I don't have to do that. This is why I am trying to do my homework now.

Beppington, I am reading each day and your correct I need to drive some of these.

Ecoslik, I hear you about the hookups on the 3 point hitch. I have almost 20 years on you and it would be nice not to have to work quite so hard when there are options that make life easier. I know everything is a trade off.

Thank you all for the advice I do consider everything each of you says and with all that I hope to make a good decision. JH

 

[ecoslik]

If I had to make a trade off because of cost ... I would choose some sort of filled tires over other features or models! Ballast makes a huge difference in utility and being able to grab the tractor for quick work.

 

[devildog1]

[quote=kuboman;2263214]Well said. Could not agree more. I have traded 4 times in the last 2 years and each time I went up in size and hp.
Also keep in mind it is not the end of the world to discover the one you bought just does not do it for you and trade to a different one, enjoy the journey.:licking:[/quote]
I hear you , I to have traded up,:confused2::confused2: this will be the third time for me when my new Grand L 3540 arrives in March.:thumbsup: Each time I went up in HP and in size and with premium options. From a BX23TLB to a B3200TLB to the latest and I know this will be my last trade up,the Grand L3540.I really enjoyed each tractor that I owned and each had features that I enjoyed but for me I just wanted more. Believe me I have studied specs sheets read reports and reviews, measured just to make sure I picked the right tractor for me. It is a journey and you just may get it right the first time but----------?
DevilDog

 

[jgheck]

Devildog, You had the TLB's and now traded up to the 3540. Do you have a backhoe for that or do you still have your TLB's? That is one thing I would like to get is a backhoe. I think I should just get it right away as I know there is work that I want to do with it. I think also I should get the larger one. The BH92, unless there are some other makes that would be easy on and off and be better built. Any thoughts on that. Would your 3540 be enough tractor for the BH?

 

[TripleR]

TripleR, I will have to actually do some test drives on these tractors. Is the 3240 and 3540 big enough to take the larger backhoe? I understand that there is not one best tractor. I need to figure out what size would suit my needs best.

Thank you all for the advice I do consider everything each of you says and with all that I hope to make a good decision. JH

There are many people on here who know way more about back hoe attachments and performance than I, so hopefully I can help you with this. When I need backhoe stuff done, I rent an excavator and put my son on it. I haven't used a backhoe in years and that was our old Case dedicated back hoe; just don't have much use for one anymore.

My recommendation or suggestion for the smaller GL models was based on your concerns of "buying too big". I don't believe any smaller tractor will ever approach the digging ability/utility of a bigger model. If you could put a stronger hoe one, it will just push your tractor around.

I am 64 years old and retired. I use several tractors on different farms from flat to hilly and woods to open fields, so what I find important or useful will not apply across the board.

I have posted this before.

If you can pick a tractor with:

1. Just the right horsepower, no more no less.
2. Just the right weight, no more no less.
3. Just the right loader/backhoe performance, no more no less.
4. Just the right tires.
5. Just the right transmission for ALL of your needs.
6. Just the right price, no more; don't worry about the "less" part, won't
happen.
7. Just the right size; not too big and not too small, just right.

If you can do all this and more that you aspire to in your tractor selection, you can retire from your present job and become a very successful tractor consultant.

 

[jgheck]

tripleR, thanks for the comments. I know there is no perfect machine, but I would like the tractor I get to be able to handle a backhoe. I am not doing any large scale work or commercial work. This is all for my own use. I can take longer to do the work, so it is not that I have to be the most efficient. I just retired so have the time, but don't want to use my back as much, so that is why I want the machine. I also have thought maybe look for some older tractors, not the CUT's, for much less $$$. I feel the time I spend here researching will help me so I don't make a stupid decision. I have made too many of them in the past. Thanks for your help.

 

[bigbull338]

an get the biggest hp tractor you think youll ever need from the start.i see where most here have traded up every 2 or 3yrs,for 3 or 4 times.im just an old cattlemen so i dont understand trading up all the time.