Used L3400 question

[TMGT]

Does it have the Xtrapower emblem on the side of the engine compartment? Kubota switched engines from a 1.6L to a 1.8L around 2008, however I have seen a few tractors listed as 07 with the larger engine.

As for the ssqa, the last time I saw the adapter listed it was just under $500 from Kubota or Ati, that was a few years ago. You can also put one together from universal parts for about $200 if you are comfortable/able to do the fabrication.

You still need to either adapt your bucket or buy a replacement depending on if you can cut and weld an adapter plate onto the existing bucket. Figure from about $100 for the plate to about $4-600 for a new bucket (you could also find a used bucket that might work).

3rd function kit seems to be about 7-800 for a pre-made, if you're able to put your own together it could be done for about half that.

Grapples have a pretty wide range of cost but you should be able to get a decent one for 1500, possible a little less.

Figure about $2100 doing almost everything yourself (including fabrication) to about $3400 buying everything (and still installing it yourself).

These are just ballpark figures based on the prices I've seen. Not bad either way for how much utility it'll add to the tractor.

As for the price, sounds pretty good unless the tractors been abused.

 

[Thomas]

Some L3400 & L2800 around that year had jerky 3 point hitch when rising or lowering,also fuel gauge may not show correct level.

 

[jeff9366]

They're asking $8000. Is the tractor priced too high?

It's a 4WD, diesel, HST, 1,200 hours.

The contemporary Kubota model equivalent to the L3400 is the Model L3301. With Loader, HST, 4-WD about $23,000 today.

Kubota L3400
2004 - 2010 Standard L Series
Compact Utility tractor

Manufacturer: Kubota
Original price (USD): $14,137 (2011)

1) L3301 = $23,000 (plus sales tax) today, versus $8,000 (no sales tax) for a direct predecessor model with nearly the same specs.



2) $14,000 (plus sales tax) in 2011. $8,000 today. Difference = $6,000.

$6000 depreciation / 1,200 engine hours = $5.00 per operating hour in depreciation. Reasonable.
($6,000 in older, more valuable dollars.)



Either price evaluation, if tractor is in good shape, GO FOR IT.


Assuming prudent maintenance, Kubota engine in a L3400 should run 9,000 to 10,000 hours before requiring major service.

Average residential use of tractors is 80 engine hours per year.

Assuming prudent maintenance, minimal financial risk if purchased at $8,000.

 

[TMGT]

1) $23,000 (plus sales tax) today, versus $8,000 (no sales tax) for a direct predecessor model with nearly the same specs.



2) $14,000 (plus sales tax) in 2011. $8,000 today. Difference = $6,000.

$6000 depreciation / 1,200 engine hours = $5.00 per operating hour in depreciation. Reasonable.
($6,000 in older, more valuable dollars.)



Either price evaluation, if tractor is in good shape, GO FOR IT.


Assuming prudent maintenance, Kubota engine in a L3400 should run 9,000 to 10,000 hours before requiring major service.

Average residential use of tractors is 80 engine hours per year.

Assuming prudent maintenance, minimal financial risk if purchased at $8,000.

$14,000 was msrp for the base tractor, with loader and hst they were about $18,000+ new in 2009 when I was looking, after discounts.

 

[BLSXJ]

I purchased a used 2005 L3400 4wd HST. I converted the loader to a quick attach system, using parts from kubota for less then $500 CDN!.... the hardest part was converting the bucket. removing the pin on brackets and welding on the SSQA plate has been covered many a times (search). I did the SSQA conversion, SSQA bucket plate and SSQA pallet forks for less then $1000 cdn.

the third function for the loader can be added, I would suggest you look up the cost from Everything Attachments.

From experience I think the three biggest "issues" or short comings to the L3400 are, in order;

1. FEL lift capacity
2. Lack of rear remotes
3. jerky 3 point hitch

 

[majorwager]

Agree with BLSXJ pricing analysis. Seems accurate. The kubota pin on bucket brackets are wierd configuration. Unless handy in metal working, purchase new SSQA ready bucket from Tomahawk, very reasonably priced, less aggravation. Might be able to sell used bucket, if someone has one which is damaged??

This company offers a SSQA with the new brackets attached, they are adjustable to fit, it is a plug-n-play installation, NO welding, little more expense, but simple expedited process. See screenshot.

 

[Fallon]

I purchased a used 2005 L3400 4wd HST. I converted the loader to a quick attach system, using parts from kubota for less then $500 CDN!.... the hardest part was converting the bucket. removing the pin on brackets and welding on the SSQA plate has been covered many a times (search). I did the SSQA conversion, SSQA bucket plate and SSQA pallet forks for less then $1000 cdn.

the third function for the loader can be added, I would suggest you look up the cost from Everything Attachments.

From experience I think the three biggest "issues" or short comings to the L3400 are, in order;

1. FEL lift capacity
2. Lack of rear remotes
3. jerky 3 point hitch

My L3200 didnt have a smooth 3pt, but it wasnt as bad as some of the other L3200 & L3400s I've heard or seen. Might be luck of the draw there. Put an impliment on the hitch hlift it an inch or 2 at a time. That will show the worst case scenario for jerky hitch.

I added 3 remotes on the rear of my L3200. It was a bit of work & engineering, mostly due to my ignorance. You could probably even just use a kit or a current L3301 as the frame is nearly the same & the plumbing should be the same fittings in the same spots.

Not clear on the loader differences between the L3200 & a L3400. But my L3200 could pull the back end off the ground with a couple hundred lbs of junk on the back of a 5' rotary cutter as ballast. It was rated to 1,200lbs at the pins I think & I was barely moving some "1,200lbs" big square bales (+200lbs for forks & even more for leverage with the bale that far out). The tractor size was the limitation, not the loader lift capacity.

A FYI, you need a real 3rd function for the economy Kubotas. They only do regen dump, so a diverter really doesnt work well.

 

[BLSXJ]

I agree with you Fallon

to expand just a bit more. I realize the FEL capacity does "match" the tractor chassis size, but I've found myself needing more capacity more then once. If I could do it all over again I'd try to find a grand L tractor so I could keep the general foot print of my machine... but gain some weight and FEL capacity

I fully recognize that adding rear remotes is possible, its only a time and money thing.

the Jerky 3 point hitch is something I can live with.... I understand why its jerky... it doesn't effect me using a rear blade/ snowblower or my chipper. But it might be a deal breaker for some poeple.

 

[Fallon]

I agree with you Fallon

to expand just a bit more. I realize the FEL capacity does "match" the tractor chassis size, but I've found myself needing more capacity more then once. If I could do it all over again I'd try to find a grand L tractor so I could keep the general foot print of my machine... but gain some weight and FEL capacity

I fully recognize that adding rear remotes is possible, its only a time and money thing.

the Jerky 3 point hitch is something I can live with.... I understand why its jerky... it doesn't effect me using a rear blade/ snowblower or my chipper. But it might be a deal breaker for some poeple.

My grand is double the weight my economy machine was, but has less than double the loader capacity. I think that's more the economy machine having a strong loader that the grand having a weak loader. There is going to be a weak spot somewhere (hydraulics, ballast, frame...)

The grand is a noticably bigger machine & double the price. So it's not necessarily superior in every way. I ran out of loader capacity occasionally on my old machine, but that's not why I upgraded (I wanted a cab & HST+). Figure out your needs & try to match them. Bigger isnt always better (but as per TBN is more often than not).