Snow L3240 vs. L3940 for Front Snow Blower on Hills | Recommendation Needed

[jsuomi]

We are considering buying a Grand L 3240 or 3940. We would like a front-mount (mid-pto) snow blower, front end loader, removable forks, tiller, & rear-mount cutter. We live on a hill with a 700 ft gravel driveway. We've had some 3 ft deep snow drifts and our soil is mainly grey clay. With these items in mind, the dealer quoted a L3940. Do we need the 'extra' h.p. or would a L3240 be enough?

 

[nybirdman]

You would be happier with the L3940.Snow blowers take some HP.I had a L3130(the L3240 replaced it).Never lacked for power the way I used it but I did trade up to a L4240(mostly for a cab).If you go to the cab model,for sure by the L3940,the air conditioning robs power also.Whats the price difference?$5,000?Buy right the first time it's cheaper!

 

[milkman636]

Welcome northern neighbor. I am familiar with your neighborhood having relatives spread out up there from Copemish to Pellston. I would tend to agree with the dealer that the 3940 would be the better option based on conditions in your neighborhood. That assumes that the budget will allow it of course.

Though I don't own either model, I looked seriously at both a couple years ago and even did some loader testing with a L3240 rental. After my testing of the L3240 I personally moved on to pricing the L3540 and L3940 instead. Did he happen to mention the L3540 as an in between option? One more thought is that in addition to the extra hp the 3940 is also slightly longer and wider which adds to its stability.

 

[nybirdman]

L3240/L3540 are three cylinder diesels,the L3940 is a four cyl.all use the same loader.Move up to the L4240-L5740 use the larger 854 loader.

 

[94BULLITT]

I would go with the 3940 because of more power and it is the first Grand L with a 4 cylinder. You may want to consider the L4240 because of the LA854 loader. A cab would be a good thing to have on it since you are going to me moving snow.

 

[crazyal]

I think Kubota recommends the 4240 as the smallest GL to use with the front end snow blower. I see no reason why the 3940 would be too small. I wouldn't go with the 3240. In real deep snow (2'+) I have had to blow snow with my front blower in a stop then go fashion. If I tried to keep moving, even slowly the snow would just go over the top of the blower. I think with the 3240 you could find that you can go down the hill fine but once you start coming back up you are going at a crawl because you need as much HP for the snow blower as possible. You'll also want a good set of tire chains for your rear tires.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I had a B7800 (31/32 hp about 1700lbs) and used a Landpride (Tank strength/weight) 6' Rear finish mower on my hillside home property. The RFM would swing the B7800 around when I made the turn at the bottom of the hill but the tractor never slowed or lost power on the steepest hills.
Traded the B7800 to a Grand L3240 (31/32HP 3700 Lbs) and it handled the Landpride RFM like it wasn't there at the bottom of the hill and on the flat land and almost on the steepest hill but not quite, just almost. By the time the L3240 crested the hill it was slowing down, needed more HP with the tractor weight plus the weight of the Heavy RFM and the steepness of the hill. It did the job but I wasn't happy with it. It, the L3240 also was so much higher off the ground that it was scary compared to the distance of my body from the ground on the side of the hills soooo the L3240 went back to Barlows for a B3200.
Not suggesting what you should do, just telling my personal experience with 3 different Kubotas on the same property (hillside). I also had a BX1500, BX2350 and BX2660 for most of my mowing while also having the Bs and L. The BX1500 was the most secure feeling on the hillsides. I currently use a F3080 for my mowing and it's the most stable hillside mower made due to close to the ground and weight.
Machine weight, job needs, money (or lack thereof) and terrain are the major determining factors to consider.

 

[Notforhire]

Not much to add. As a former 3240 owner I would suggest a L3940 or larger. As mentioned if you want a better loader you need to go to the 42+ hp models. If your thinking about a cab, no way I would go smaller than the 3940.

Bill

 

[moriboy]

Not much to add. As a former 3240 owner I would suggest a L3940 or larger. As mentioned if you want a better loader you need to go to the 42+ hp models. If your thinking about a cab, no way I would go smaller than the 3940.

Bill

Same goes for me. I had an L3240 and found it was underpowered for almost all of my tasks.

 

[Summitsrule]

I have a L3940 with a cab. Love it. Also equipped with a 72" Kubota front mount blower. Kubota only recommended this blower when using a 4240 or larger(HP reasoning), but said it would physically fit my 3940 and it did. We don't get real wet snow here so that helps too. If you get HST you can go super slow anyway. I've yet to have any issues and can blow a lot of snow 50 ft or more. Would more power help, you bet it would. Also keep in mind your rear tire width. Mine with R4's is 72" wide, so a 72" blower is a must in my opinion.