Kubota L3800 vs Grand L series

[TripleR]

I generally agree, but when you make this buy/lease computation, you always need to factor in resale or residual value on the owned BH. The cost difference isn't 10G's vs whatever it is to lease one, but, say 50% or 60% of that (5Gs to 6Gs) factoring in resale after, say, 10 years. Use whatever numbers you like, but you get the point.

Good point, everything should be considered when making decisions on equipment purchasing and leasing.

Sometimes it is difficult for a new owner especially one with little experience to make a well informed decision when looking at all of the nice shiny equipment. Add into the equation all the members telling them how bad they "need" a backhoe attachment and it is even harder.

The good news is that a backhoe can be added at a later date if it becomes indispensable or makes more economic sense.

We have owned a Case backhoe for years and don't use it enough to keep it running. Fortunately we bought it used and my brother fixed it up and it has more than paid for itself.

All that being said, I still look at backhoes every time I go to my dealer; just something about them.

I also accept it always isn't about money and everyone has to seriously consider all factors.

 

[jgheck]

CHD that is a good point. I wonder how many people actually sell them after they have them. I haven't seen many for sale. I was told to buy a portable backhoe from Harbor Freight and use that. I don't know how well they are built and don't think that would be as convenient. Maybe that would be a good question to put out there.

 

[montelatici]

I really liked the Grand Ls and considered one of the smaller ones L3540. At the time I was looking at it at my dealer's lot he had just received a bunch of L3700SUs. It looked quite a bit more plain Jane but it looked about the same size and I think we were talking almost $8-9 grand less in price.

Of course, though the L3700SU had the same HP and PTO power as the Grand, it weighed about 1,000 pounds less and the FEL of the Grand could pick up 200 lbs. more.

I didn't think that I would need the weight (in fact I didn't want a real heavy tractor) and the 200 lbs. more capacity on the FEL wasn't worth the difference in price. So I went with L3700SU which I am very happy with.

But, the Grand is a really luxurious tractor compared to an SU.

 

[crazyal]

I often decide with little or no forethought to do a project just because I own my case BH and got the urge. If I had to rent I most likely wouldn't do it.

 

[montelatici]

I often decide with little or no forethought to do a project just because I own my case BH and got the urge. If I had to rent I most likely wouldn't do it.

Me too.

 

[Johnbro]

That's a real good point to consider. I may have to do that.
What does it cost to rent for a week?

IIRC it was about $500 plus fuel for a U35 which is about an 8000 lb machine, can pick up about 4000 lbs. Thing is, they're so darn productive that I got an enormous amount of work done with it--dug a pond, a long french drain, a fire pit, dug out about a million rocks, made a culvert, etc.

 

[jgheck]

I will look at the 3700SU and do some comparisons too. I can get by without all the bells and whistles. I just need the tractor with a good FEL and would like a BH as well. The 3700 may be the way to go. I am still checking on the 3400 and 3800 as well.

 

[jgheck]

Montel, I was doing some reading on some other threads and some said that the L 3700 SU is no longer available. I still see it listed on the Kubota site though. I was wondering if you know if they are still available? I don't see much difference between this and the L 3800 either. Looks about the same machine. Any information on that would be appreciated.

 

[TripleR]

I am sure there are some L3700's on dealer's lots, but all I saw at mine were L3800's.

 

[jgheck]

Triple R, your probably correct that there are some available on some lots, but do you know if they have discontinued the L 3700. It did not look like they were available for very long if they are discontinued. I believe the L3800 is a new model.