Buy 3400L or wait for 4000 series?

[ShadyHill]

Hi all, new member here.

I'm purchasing a new property and looking forward to some new tools to help me maintain it. It's 2.6 acres of wooded hill, with a 550' paved driveway. I'm in northeastern MA, so 2' of heavy, wet snow are a regular event.

There's also a small drainage/retention pond on the property, which my wife expects to become a neighborhood skating rink. A monster snowblower and serious traction seem to be in order.

I expect to use the bucket/grapple for mulch and debris, and I plan to build modular firewood racks to allow me to move firewood from the property edge to the back door. I'd like to move those with either an attachment for the bucket or pallet forks off of the three point hitch.

I've watched about 3/4 of the entire YouTube library featuring ventrac machines and was pretty well set on finding a nice used Ventrac 4500 or Steiner 450.


However, this morning I woke up to an add for used 2016 3400L

100 hours & looks like it was stored indoors
snowblower
bucket with grapple
"dozer blade"
stump grinder

They're asking $13.5K.

I have done zero research on the 3000 series, is this the screaming deal it appears to be? Perhaps even too good to be true?

Particularly with respect to traction and hydraulic power/flow, would I be giving up much with this machine as opposed to a 4500/450. I definitely expect to be using the bucket to it's fullest capacity.

Really appreciate any insight and looking forward to joining the community at some point

 

[johara1]

There are coupe nice ones for sale on Craigslist near me in Somerset,Pa. plus a bunch of attachments ...... I think he was asking that price for a 4500 with 400 hours on it...jim

 

[HudsonValleyMo]

I'm new to Steiner and know next to nothing about Ventrac.

But those attachments alone sound like $8-$10K. And you can't go wrong w 100 hours, if you don't mind getting used.

I'm getting a 30 year old Steiner 420 because a) my budget, b) cost of needed attachments, and c) I believe these machines last a long time even if you engine issues more often w used ones.

Is there a grapple for Steiner slip scoop?

 

[johara1]

Having had both a. 3200 and 4500P I do a lot with the 4500... I rolled the 3200 over where I run around with the 4500P..... jim

 

[johara1]

The 3000 series is belt drive and it has less hydraulic power than the 4500 and 450 Steiner. they are light weight also with aluminum front and rear differentials verses cast iron on the 4500 and 450.... jim

 

[HudsonValleyMo]

Do you have a guess if a Steiner 420 or 450 would've rolled in the same spot?

Having had both a. 3200 and 4500P I do a lot with the 4500... I rolled the 3200 over where I run around with the 4500P..... jim

 

[ShadyHill]

Really appreciate the feedback. I think it's a great deal, but unfortunately not the machine I'm looking for long term.

I'm still daydreaming about grabbing it, selling off the attachments I don't need and eventually finding a 4500.

 

[MowMN]

Hi all, new member here.

I'm purchasing a new property and looking forward to some new tools to help me maintain it. It's 2.6 acres of wooded hill, with a 550' paved driveway. I'm in northeastern MA, so 2' of heavy, wet snow are a regular event.

There's also a small drainage/retention pond on the property, which my wife expects to become a neighborhood skating rink. A monster snowblower and serious traction seem to be in order.

I expect to use the bucket/grapple for mulch and debris, and I plan to build modular firewood racks to allow me to move firewood from the property edge to the back door. I'd like to move those with either an attachment for the bucket or pallet forks off of the three point hitch.

I've watched about 3/4 of the entire YouTube library featuring ventrac machines and was pretty well set on finding a nice used Ventrac 4500 or Steiner 450.


However, this morning I woke up to an add for used 2016 3400L

100 hours & looks like it was stored indoors
snowblower
bucket with grapple
"dozer blade"
stump grinder

They're asking $13.5K.

I have done zero research on the 3000 series, is this the screaming deal it appears to be? Perhaps even too good to be true?

Particularly with respect to traction and hydraulic power/flow, would I be giving up much with this machine as opposed to a 4500/450. I definitely expect to be using the bucket to it's fullest capacity.

Really appreciate any insight and looking forward to joining the community at some point

Little late to the party but I wouldn't consider that to be a screaming deal. It may be a decent deal if you specifically do not want the larger tractor and need the smaller machine instead. For the things you have listed that you want to use if for, though, I don't think you would be happy with it.

Before you buy it to separate and sell, keep in mind that those attachments, outside of the blade, are specific for the 3000 series. You may end up finding that reselling them may be difficult because of the much smaller market of potential buyers.

As has been mentioned, the 3400 has weaker hydraulics and you are also limited as to what attachments you can use with it. I believe the 3400 maxes out with a 60 inch deck while the 4000 series can run things much larger such as the new 95" WAM. As far as I know, Ventrac also doesn't have a 3 pt hitch for the 3000-series tractors like the 4000-series do. In the end the 4000 series (and, on the Steiner side, the 4xx-series) are simply more robust machines once you get beyond the more simple homeowner tasks.

One final important consideration is that Ventrac is discontinuing the 3000 series line. Something to keep in mind since spare parts and, more importantly, attachments, may be more difficult to find in the future.

If you keep your eye out and browse through some of the online classifieds you should be able to find a used Ventrac/Steiner tractor in your price point.

All the best.

 

[johara1]

Do you have a guess if a Steiner 420 or 450 would've rolled in the same spot?

No they wouldn't have .... The 3000 series is an excellent mower it is not as good with the other attachments. Small wheels and tires higher center of gravity but excellent view of what you are doing.... A PITA to get on and off.... If I didn't have heavy work to do and not steep I would have the diesel one, the gas is kind of lacking power.... My dealer quit selling them..... jim

 

[johara1]

Little late to the party but I wouldn't consider that to be a screaming deal. It may be a decent deal if you specifically do not want the larger tractor and need the smaller machine instead. For the things you have listed that you want to use if for, though, I don't think you would be happy with it.

Before you buy it to separate and sell, keep in mind that those attachments, outside of the blade, are specific for the 3000 series. You may end up finding that reselling them may be difficult because of the much smaller market of potential buyers.

As has been mentioned, the 3400 has weaker hydraulics and you are also limited as to what attachments you can use with it. I believe the 3400 maxes out with a 60 inch deck while the 4000 series can run things much larger such as the new 95" WAM. As far as I know, Ventrac also doesn't have a 3 pt hitch for the 3000-series tractors like the 4000-series do. In the end the 4000 series (and, on the Steiner side, the 4xx-series) are simply more robust machines once you get beyond the more simple homeowner tasks.

One final important consideration is that Ventrac is discontinuing the 3000 series line. Something to keep in mind since spare parts and, more importantly, attachments, may be more difficult to find in the future.

If you keep your eye out and browse through some of the online classifieds you should be able to find a used Ventrac/Steiner tractor in your price point.

All the best.

The 450 Steiner has a separate pump and beats Ventrac in the hydraulics power..... jim

 

[HudsonValleyMo]

My dealer quit selling them....

dealer near me quit selling Steiners! He still loves the machine, but he says parts and attachments, and Steiner HQ were a big PITA.

 

[johara1]

my dealer did too, but the price of the Steiner was less than the Ventrac. This took away from the Ventrac sales, and I'm sure profits as Ventrac is way over priced. Parts for there crazy expensive as are the attachments. I found a used stump grinder for less than a 1/3 of new price. Changed the gear oil and greased it and a new drive belt and ground over 20 stumps and it is waiting to go when I need it again..... jim

 

[johara1]

If it were me and had a fairly flat yard I would go for a zero turn.... speed wise nothing can touch them and look for a nice red CUT with a front bucket and witha backhoe.... then find the attachments you need... you will have all the bases covered...... jim

 

[ShadyHill]

If it were me and had a fairly flat yard I would go for a zero turn.... speed wise nothing can touch them and look for a nice red CUT with a front bucket and witha backhoe.... then find the attachments you need... you will have all the bases covered...... jim

Not sure if that was addressed to me, but unfortunately, my new yard is anything but flat. I'm running a Walker zero turn with a grass handling system and a snowblower attachment today and it's perfect for my current yard. It would probably be fine for the turf in my new yard, but I don't think it'd be capable of snow removal on the steeper parts of the driveway.

A SCUT would handle the snow, but would be poor on the turf, and would lack maneuverablilty in the wooded hills. Probably unsafe too.

 

[ShadyHill]

The 450 Steiner has a separate pump and beats Ventrac in the hydraulics power..... jim

Looks like the Steiner is rated for 6gpm and the Ventrac is only 4-5 per the helpful 'bot on the Ventrac website.

I wonder how much difference that makes in the real world? Probably a lot if an implement is driven by a hydro motor, but if it is belt driven off the PTO and the hydraulics are just adjusting position, probably not so much.

Lifting capacity of the versa loader or power bucket would be dictated by max pressure, not flow rate - I think?

Has anyone found their Ventrac lacking in capability? I'm a homeowner doing chores, not a pro clearing land for profit. I feel like anything I couldn't comfortably do with a machine like this is something I shouldn't be doing myself...

 

[johara1]

Looks like the Steiner is rated for 6gpm and the Ventrac is only 4-5 per the helpful 'bot on the Ventrac website.

I wonder how much difference that makes in the real world? Probably a lot if an implement is driven by a hydro motor, but if it is belt driven off the PTO and the hydraulics are just adjusting position, probably not so much.

Lifting capacity of the versa loader or power bucket would be dictated by max pressure, not flow rate - I think?

Has anyone found their Ventrac lacking in capability? I'm a homeowner doing chores, not a pro clearing land for profit. I feel like anything I couldn't comfortably do with a machine like this is something I shouldn't be doing myself...

I think you would to compare both with the bucket and lift capability and the curl .....Ventrac uses the hydraulic. pressure off the hydrostate but implement and steering pressure on Steiner are on a separate external pump. It is very noticeable ...... jim

 

[johara1]

Looks like the Steiner is rated for 6gpm and the Ventrac is only 4-5 per the helpful 'bot on the Ventrac website.

I wonder how much difference that makes in the real world? Probably a lot if an implement is driven by a hydro motor, but if it is belt driven off the PTO and the hydraulics are just adjusting position, probably not so much.

Lifting capacity of the versa loader or power bucket would be dictated by max pressure, not flow rate - I think?

Has anyone found their Ventrac lacking in capability? I'm a homeowner doing chores, not a pro clearing land for profit. I feel like anything I couldn't comfortably do with a machine like this is something I shouldn't be doing myself...

Maybe you should look at a Power trac they are very good machines and excellent on the front bucket and other implements like snow plows. If it had a weak point it would be the mower and travel on very steep areas, great in the woods. They will lift more than twice what most Ventracs and cuts will engine is in the back also.... jim

 

[HudsonValleyMo]

I didn't know about Power Trac (new to this). I like all the attachments and prices, and the fact that you can actually buy attachments and parts.

I'm wondering now if this is the right machine for me or Steiner??? But is it as good, tough, dependable and long lasting as Steiner?? Why wouldn't a homeowner not buy this for $$$$ less?

It can do a lot Steiner can't do, like lift high. Grapple. Dig. Fork lift. mmm

I see Power trac is much longer (83"). It is 4WD. wheel base is about the same.
I don't think it has articulating axles.
I don't know how stable it is on slopes and inclines?
Curiously, I don't think I saw a snow blower, leaf blower or cab on manuf site.

 

[johara1]

I didn't know about Power Trac (new to this). I like all the attachments and prices, and the fact that you can actually buy attachments and parts.

I'm wondering now if this is the right machine for me or Steiner??? But is it as good, tough, dependable and long lasting as Steiner?? Why wouldn't a homeowner not buy this for $$$$ less?

It can do a lot Steiner can't do, like lift high. Grapple. Dig. Fork lift. mmm

I see Power trac is much longer (83"). It is 4WD. wheel base is about the same.
I don't think it has articulating axles.
I don't know how stable it is on slopes and inclines?
Curiously, I don't think I saw a snow blower, leaf blower or cab on manuf site.

Yes they are articulated but they use wheel motors...... jim

 

[johara1]

Get on the Powertrac forum and ask away ..... jim