L3240 vs. L4400

[LD1]

LD1 maybe this tractor might lift them.

Maybe just a tad overkill there Those things are rated to lift almost 8k lbs.

I say two sets of forks and lift two at a time, side-by-side:thumbsup:

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

mguitas, yeah not found out yet, but i was trying to get an idea what the tractors could lift if i needed to lift something similar...or wider like a small cabin if the pallet forks were long enough, but im unlikely to be moving brick in loads really...

 

[TripleR]

My opinion only, but "bells and whistles" or "fancy stuff" often seems to carry negative connotations.

I have used everything from the bare bones 8N and 600 Series to our M8540 and the added features of more expensive tractors with added features, often incrementally increase productivity.

As mentioned, if you are only going to be in the seat a short period of time depending on what you are doing, a basic, bare bones tractor will be fine. I will spend several days at a stretch putting in some long hours and my productivity is increased by those "bells and whistles".

Some such as the /HST plus can increase productivity in short term jobs with a FEL and some distance to travel between pick up and dump site.

For those who belittle the "bells and whistles", not that anyone on here has, go climb up into an Ag tractor and look around.

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

I value everyones opinion in this forum ...im learning a great deal. Im probably going to use whichever tractor I chose for a few to every days per week at first but then ease off to a couple days pw in our winter or later on wont be using it too much after i have done most of the grunt work on my lot. But im sure i'll find more things to do to make life easier for us.

My thinking is I have to get the most out of the tractor i choose and not overspend and not end up getting into an electronic nightmare situation. Luckily my dealer is only a mile down the road but i dont want to be visiting him if i can avoid it...Look like its going to be the L4400 HST 4 WD 4FEL & BH92 model just a matter of price, but i would have loved an MX5100 or a 60HP without the L40 but we dont have one here in Australia. I'll just have to be happy with the 4400...unless something tells me otherwise between now and deal time. There is so many tractor temptations around...lol

 

[LD1]

I dont belittle bells and whistles, and there is indeed no doubt that they do increase productivity in a given size tractor.

It is just differences in opinion and style. For me, I perfer a gear tractor. So the bells and whistles that go along with a HST are moot.

My point being that in my price range when shopping, I wanted the MOST tractor for the money, NOT the most bells and whistles. And in order for me to get the bells and whistles, I would have had to get a Something like a B2620 or B2920. And there is no doubt in my mind that for what I do, A "basic" L3400 is more productive and more capable than the "deluxe bell & whistle" B series.

So IMO, comparing similar sized machines, yes the bells and whistles tractor is going to be more productive.

BUT...when comparing similar COST tractors, the economy machine is going to be more productive IMO. Because you get a larger (heavier, bigger, more lift capacity) machine for the same dollar.

So when one is comparing similar sized machines and asking "is the extra $$$ worth it", that is something they are just going to have to decide for themselves by trying out the machines. Because to some, the fancies are worth the extra jack, for others, they are not.

When one is comparing on cost alone, It is a different story. Because the question becomes do you want to sacrifice machine size/capability to get them fancies.:confused2:

But I do agree, if you plan on sitting and operating this machine all-day, everyday, I would want the one monst comfortabally to operate and the most ergonomic.

But if just ocassional work (like myself) I want the biggest beast I can afford and am willing to give up the extras to get it.

GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA: The L4400 is quite a workhorse and I dont think you will be disappointed. In reality, a set of pallet forks on a SS QA (that removes the bucket), you are probabally looking at a pallet lifting ability of ~1800lbs in the real world. Because they are a little underrated (and rated to max lift where capacity drops a little). Plus with a SS QA, you are removing the bucket and bringing the work closer to the pins.

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

Thanks for your comments LD1.

Sometimes i feel like im being too greedy trying to get the highest HP for similar money, but in this case the MX5100 avail in Aust only has the add on TITAN BH and is just a put off for me. It looks too flimsy for my liking. Whereas the BH92 on the L4400 looks just what I need with hydraulic thumb. And im not hearing any bad news at it it in any of the forums.

I visited a relative yesterday who lives in the Brisbane Ranges in Victoria Aust on 50 Acres of the toughest driest landscape [bushfire prone] heavily wooded land but he now has 2 huge dams full of water which took 2 -3 years to fill up and has some good vegie plots on it . He showed me his L245d old Kubota tractor and hes been very happy with it tho he suggested i go for a 45 HP because he says his wheel base is too short and the back goes up on bumps?

 

[LD1]

I am not sure what you have avaliable down there, or what your budget is, or even what your intended uses are going to be, but it sounds like the BH and FEL are going to be used alot on your new machine.

If they are avaliable, have you looked at the L39 or L45 dedicated TLB machines. I know they are going to be more money, but they are WAY more machine. and a loader that has a solid 1000lbs of more lift capacity than the L4400, and a MUCH stronger hoe, as well as a machine that is built for the hoe to be used all day every day for its entire life.

Just another option for you if avaliable.

Just plugging in some basics (without going through every option)

The L4400 w/FEL and BH MSRP ~37.5k
L39 TLB...............................~41.5k
L45 TLB...............................~44.5k

Again, I dont know all of your plans, but if the BH and FEL are going to main uses, I'd really look into the TLB's if avaliable.

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

We only have the following range to choose from...


Sub Compact Tractors 18-25HP
Compact Tractors 23 - 33HP
Premium Compact Tractors 26-30HP
Premium Compact Cab Tractors (New) 30HP
L-Series Standard 34-44HP
L-Series Standard (New) 32-38HP
L-Series Grand (New) 35-57HP
M-Series Standard 50HP
M-Series Standard HST 50HP
M-Series Standard 67HP
M-Series Standar Hyd Shuttle (New) 67HP
M40 Series Deluxe 60-95HP
M40 Narrow 85HP
M96SHDM 95HP
M-Series Standard 105HP
M-Powershift 97-135HP

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

In Aust they have introduced a NEW B26 26 HP with FEL & CURVED BH and they want $50K about $5000 more than im looking at the current offerings with more HP...not sure why it is but they might be similar workhorses like your suggestions...

 

[Grandad4]

GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA, one other detail about the loaders and lifting material that may not be obvious to everyone. All these tractors have a pivoting front axle to allow them to operate over uneven terrain (compare that with a fork-lift, for example, with fixed axles front and rear). That makes lifting and moving heavy items using the FEL a bit of a tricky proposition. The heavier the load, the more crucial it is for it to be perfectly balanced, the terrain flat and smooth. Having a heavy backhoe on the rear helps considerably, but one still must exercise great caution.