Tractor Sizing 2007 L3400 on the cheap for 67 acres?

[sd455dan]

Thanks for all the replies. I think trying to get by with this for the next few years probably makes the most financial sense at this point. We are spending a lot to just get everything going out there. I have a question about lifting hay. I think the 3 pt hitch can lift almost 2000 lbs, is that what people normally use in smaller tractors? I am guessing they sell a specific attachment for that?

Not sure if this is important- but are you going to produce hay for feeding cattle or just buying?
If the Kubota will not pick up and stack/ unstack large rounds or large squares( generally heavier- at least what's being sold around us- averaged 1250#s) The cost saving versus small squares( under 100#) is fairly significant.

If you start with a larger tractor- the money and time saved ( buying and moving large hay bales vs. small), can be enough to pay for part of the price of a larger more capable tractor- if feeding large amounts of hay.
it all may depend on (when) you will be dealing with the large bales.
If a few years down the road then the Kubota makes more sense,
but needing to deal with large bales from day one, then a larger tractor would be a better match.

in for a penny in for a pound jmo but the learning curve is not that much different, but the capabilities dealing with large bales can be.

ps- with the acreage size and jobs you will be working with - having a minimum of 2 tractors of differing sizes would be helpful.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I just looked at the specs and the loader lift to full height is over 1100 pounds which is plenty for lifting large round bales. Large bales come in 4x5 and 5x6 so if buying go with the 4x5 which will be lighter and more maneuverable. When dry either bale should be easy to handle but fresh from the field they might tip the scales above 1100 so be careful moving them and make sure you have lots of rear ballast. I estimate dry 4x5 to be less than 700 pounds so not much weight to handle then.
My brother in law stacks 4x5 bales 3 high with his NH2310 while using a bush hog for rear ballast. At hay hauling time, he puts on the rear bale spear and hauls them 2 at a time from the field with no problem.
I think you might manage quite well with the L3400. If you decide you want a larger tractor, keep the L3400 as a spare tractor. Nothing quite beats having a second tractor, keep one often used implement on one and another implement on the other so you aren't constantly hooking and unhooking.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Thanks for all the replies. I think trying to get by with this for the next few years probably makes the most financial sense at this point. We are spending a lot to just get everything going out there. I have a question about lifting hay. I think the 3 pt hitch can lift almost 2000 lbs, is that what people normally use in smaller tractors? I am guessing they sell a specific attachment for that?

You can buy a three point hitch bale spear and a FEL bale spear. Don't get a FEL bale spear that attaches to the bucket as it overloads the bucket AND more importantly reduces your lift capacity severely due to it being further out from the tractor (biggest reason) plus you have to deduct the weight of the FEL bucket (second important reason). Hopefully your L 3400 has a SSQA quick attach which makes change out of FEL components a breeze, lift two levers, tilt the FEL and back up, reverse that to hook up.

 

[Gary Fowler]

One thing else, if using a rear bale spear along with the FEL bale spear, load the 3 PH first and unload it last so you have your rear ballast working for you.

 

[rScotty]

I think you might manage quite well with the L3400. If you decide you want a larger tractor, keep the L3400 as a spare tractor. Nothing quite beats having a second tractor, keep one often used implement on one and another implement on the other so you aren't constantly hooking and unhooking.

Yes, you'll generally use the front end loader for moving hay - or for moving anything.
And as Gary points out, nothing quite beats having a second tractor. Particularly a really tough tractor that's a little smaller but still has a FEL and a 3pt. Better yet if it has pwr steering and 4wd. Look around you at other people living on the land. Most will have at least two tractors - one for power and one for chores.
luck, rScotty

 

[TripleR]

Yes, you'll generally use the front end loader for moving hay - or for moving anything.
And as Gary points out, nothing quite beats having a second tractor. Particularly a really tough tractor that's a little smaller but still has a FEL and a 3pt. Better yet if it has pwr steering and 4wd. Look around you at other people living on the land. Most will have at least two tractors - one for power and one for chores.
luck, rScotty

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

We started with one on another farm and now there are six parked out there and we no longer even farm, kind of like potato chips...

 

[ahill195]

It is 4WD and my uncle says it has the quick connect on the PTO. I am starting my herd from scratch so it's going to be small in the beginning. So small bales may be ok in the beginning. He hasn't given me a price yet as he is trying figure out what its worth. Also 25 of the acres are wooded, so it's mainly running the tractor over the remainder. Thanks again for all the info. I will remember the advice as far as ballast and not hold the load up high . Dieing would not be cool.

 

[Fallon]

I just looked at the specs and the loader lift to full height is over 1100 pounds which is plenty for lifting large round bales. Large bales come in 4x5 and 5x6 so if buying go with the 4x5 which will be lighter and more maneuverable. When dry either bale should be easy to handle but fresh from the field they might tip the scales above 1100 so be careful moving them and make sure you have lots of rear ballast. I estimate dry 4x5 to be less than 700 pounds so not much weight to handle then.
My brother in law stacks 4x5 bales 3 high with his NH2310 while using a bush hog for rear ballast. At hay hauling time, he puts on the rear bale spear and hauls them 2 at a time from the field with no problem.
I think you might manage quite well with the L3400. If you decide you want a larger tractor, keep the L3400 as a spare tractor. Nothing quite beats having a second tractor, keep one often used implement on one and another implement on the other so you aren't constantly hooking and unhooking.

I respectfully disagree VERY much. That 1,100lbs rating is at or close to the pins. Bales stick out 3'+ from that measuring point. Helping a neighbor move a large square (4x6 i think, maybe 4x5) with my L3200 the other weekend was a bit sketchy. There were 2-3 big arm loads of loose hay ontop of the bale & I couldn't lift the bale until we moved them off.

I had my 5' rotary cutter on as its heavy & long to give me the best possible ballast at the cost of maneuverability. Loaded tires on the 3,000 series Kubotas is a must, I didn't feel safe or stable doing much with my loader, even with proper 3pt ballast until I got mine loaded.

Lifting the bales with the 3pt is probably a different story & reasonably safe, but you can't stack with the 3pt.

 

[ahill195]

Well I got the price. $10,000 for the tractor (179 hrs) and both implements. No SSQA and it has a few cosmetic dings. Thanks for all the help.

 

[sea2summit]

Well I got the price. $10,000 for the tractor (179 hrs) and both implements. No SSQA and it has a few cosmetic dings. Thanks for all the help.

For the tractor, mower and chipper? Buy it or give me his number so I can.