Kubota L3400DT

[dinoedwards]

This L3400DT beauty is a 2009 with blade and bush hog,
DT with stick in the middle.
Any trouble with these? ONLY 258hrs!!!
Says 3 range but shows hi/low?
Are these better then Hydro?
Asking 16k
I also found a 2006 Kioti DK 45s with 1300hrs rear remote for same price with more attachments but shuttle arm is loose, drove great but can't decide on brand.
Thoughts. Would like to add 3rd function at some point to either.
Kioti I can run lines from rear remote for grapple if needed.

 

[HamishMacCheap]

I owned that same Kubota until I traded for a MX 4700. The L 3400 I had was four wheel drive with Ag tires, no front end loader. Problem free during the time I owned it. I can't recall how many hours it had on the clock when I traded it but it was several hundred I am sure. I wish I had been able to keep it and the MX 4700 but being financially embarrassed, I could not do both.

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

 

[big bubba]

once owned an L4400 years ago. a reliable bare bones tractor w/clutch operated shuttle shift, 1st & 2nd were not sync. if properly maintained, should be a good buy, can't say about the price. ask the owner about the initial fluid changes & maintenance log. maybe hire a tractor mechanic to inspect.

i found the model was limited in fel work due to smaller frame & front tire size, but for moderate work, should be fine. good luck, post what you decide, regards

 

[Carl_NH]

Kubota is in great shape and seems fairly priced. If you are doing lots of loader work the shifting vs HST is the only downside.

But it you are doing mowing, and general use it would be fine. On the DK45 you are getting more HP and more tractor, but at 1300 hours, and looks like it's lived outside most of its life.

Just depends if you need the HP, if not I would lean towards the Kubota for the hours and condition.

 

[dinoedwards]

Is the DT just the older version of a shuttle? I see lots of Utube adjusting clutches but with low hrs would think this should be an issue until later?

 

[big bubba]

check the pedal play for adj, the manual should give proper clearance. careful not to over adjust & keep foot off clutch pedal while using until you shift. even w/low hrs, may be good idea to have the tractor checked out on site. good luck

in addition, carefully review your unseen future task needs & if the tractor size is adequate. all too often (myself included) tractors have a way of suddenly shrinking when delivered to site. also, a quick demo drive around the dealer's or seller's lot is a poor way of simulating farm tasks.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I love Kioti, but between the two, I'd be taking a good look at the Kubota. With those hours it's basically new, if it checks out it's a great little compact utility tractor. The only issue I could see is that maybe it's not enough horsepower for you. Maybe.

I'm under the impression the mechanically assisted steering needs adjustment with age, but it doesn't seem like it's got enough hours to get sloppy- but that's something to look at.

 

[arrow]

This L3400DT beauty is a 2009 with blade and bush hog,
DT with stick in the middle.
Any trouble with these? ONLY 258hrs!!!
Says 3 range but shows hi/low?
Are these better then Hydro?
Asking 16k
I also found a 2006 Kioti DK 45s with 1300hrs rear remote for same price with more attachments but shuttle arm is loose, drove great but can't decide on brand.
Thoughts. Would like to add 3rd function at some point to either.
Kioti I can run lines from rear remote for grapple if needed.

First thing is how you are going to use the machine? If bringing into woodlands, front mounted tie rods on Kubota are prone to damage unless guarded with homemade plate of some sort.

Second thing doesn’t care how you’re going to use it and has more to do where was it stored when not used. Always choose the one under cover.

Thirdly, forget about brand. Brand doesn’t make a wit of difference because they can all go down.Closest proximity to dealer is way more important.

Fourthly, look over the tractors mechanically looking for good shifting or movement, hydraulic response and fel power and speed. Look for any leaks as well.

As to which is better hydro or shuttle has more to do with usage. The geared tractor is less prone to parasitic loss which helps with ground engagement implements along with pulling and pushing.
Hydro is for convenience of back and forth.

Lastly, you can use 16 k as down payment toward new if so inclined.

 

[Carl_NH]

Is the DT just the older version of a shuttle? I see lots of Utube adjusting clutches but with low hrs would think this should be an issue until later?

The DT in Kubota stands for Dual Traction - means 4WD and the L3400DT has Hi/Lo so 8 speeds forward and two reverse. Regarding the clutch, at 258 hours it should be fine for a lot more hours.

Test out the Kubota and see if you can stall the tractor (2nd or 3rd) while braking. I haven't driven a clutch Kubota since my L175DT 24 years ago.

 

[old and tired]

This L3400DT beauty is a 2009 with blade and bush hog,
DT with stick in the middle.
Any trouble with these? ONLY 258hrs!!!
Says 3 range but shows hi/low?

How well do you trust the seller of the Kubota? Find out what serial number the tractor has... Got any more (or better) photos? At best, this is a 2007 model and it has been out in the sun it's whole life...

I would also guess the hours are not truthful based on tire and paint wear... but that's just a guess.

Under the model number, L3400 there should be an "XtraPower" sticker (?). In 2008 the new engine was larger and had this distinction. 2009 definitely should have it.

You can see this in this photo:

 

[rgr33]

If you intend on doing a lot of loader work, it won’t take long before regret buying a manual transmission tractor

If mostly mowing and towing, you will be happy with it.
It’s a shame the Kioti never had inside storage, I would be concerned about weather rot on tires and hoses, and decreased resale value. As with most of us, you will most likely decide to eventually upgrade for more power and desired options

 

[arrow]

If these things lived outside their whole lives, I’d pass on the both of them.
Moisture wreaks havoc on hydraulics especially on hydrostats.

 

[old and tired]

Looking at the first photo again, the instrument panel and the orange cover looks way too clean and not faded. Those parts (along with a new hour meter) might be from a 2009 model. The rest of the tractor, especially the rims... are faded like it's much older, with more hours.

Serial number will be what you need, it's on the frame, left side. If that is not there - it could be stolen. All the keys are exactly the same... for L models.

If you are buying this used, there are so many scams about sending money and they "ship" the tractor to you.... don't fall for it. You need to test out the clutch, if it needs replacing, you are looking at $3,000 (?) for a dealer to do it.

Also, brand new, this tractor might have cost $15k since it's manual.

 

[old and tired]

So ask the seller to send you specific photos (if they don't have the tractor, they can't send you those photos). I would ask a photo of the sight glass on the left side of the transmission. It should not be "milky" in color.

Also have them send a photo of both front axle case. One looks like the paint is gone from the bolts... might have had an issue with axle seals. Which, if truly below 300 hour, should never have happened.

And of course a photo of the serial number plate!!!

 

[big bubba]

photos can reveal a lot, but not hidden problems. highly suggest hiring a mechanic to inspect on site
std procedure for me buying used vehicles, etc

 

[Carl_NH]

These appear to be FL tractors given the landscape and trees etc. The Kubota wheels are faded yes, but that could be because the main tractor was covered except for the wheels, 3PTH area.

Getting a look and driving it would be key to the decision.

 

[Thomas]

Some L3400 also L2800 hydraulic were jerky.

 

[old and tired]

Some L3400 also L2800 hydraulic were jerky.

Only 2004, 2005 and some 2006... again, serial number are important!!!

Unless you had a great dealer that replace the jerky hitch with a silky smooth one from a Grand L!!!

 

[rScotty]

Only 2004, 2005 and some 2006... again, serial number are important!!!

Unless you had a great dealer that replace the jerky hitch with a silky smooth one from a Grand L!!!

Was that the infamous "quarter inching 3pt control"?

The time period is correct, but I thought Kubota only put in on some of the B series:
as in B7410, B7510, B7610, etc.

 

[old and tired]

No it was position control - the "standard" (economy class) 3 point hitch was created to be crappy (IMHO) to "reward" those that paid extra for the grand L. At the time the Grand L valve was actually $5 cheaper - so those that said (dealers were told to say this) you bought an economy tractor, that's the cheap valve that you get.

Never mind that 30 year old tractors had MUCH smoother valves for the 3 point hitch...

Some were worst than others and some were not that bad. Mine was unusable with a heavy weight on it. One reason I bought a heavy duty top link plate (back when you could).

Once the next model came out, the "X'tra Power" badged L2800/L3400 in 2008... it was "said" that the grand L valves could not longer be used and the jerkiness was somewhat toned down.