B26, L39 or 3240

[yekrut]

I was all set to choose between the B26 and L39. Leaning toward the L39. Meet with another dealer today. Share my need with him and he mentioned a good option may be a 3240 with the heavier FEL and BH90. I guess this falls in the middle spec wise but am I giving up anything else quality wise? Appreciate any thoughts.

 

[mike69440]

Get Woods new 9' BH with Hydraulic thumb with this combo over the BH 90.
724 loader is ok.
Also need a canopy.

 

[Vaulter98c]

L39 will be.. stronger I guess you can say, plus the hoe is much better than either of those, but its bigger and more expensive

all comes down to you in the end, Im sure you won't be disapointed in either, but do know its a big chunk of change, and Ive heard of many more trade ins because people bought units too small for their preferance, but not many people trade in units because they are too big, not in this catagory.

then again, size is all a matter of time, because you could do near all the same jobs with all three, you just have to be smart about your digging and make maybe a few more trips for the FEL. Again, it all comes down to you.

 

[familyman]

Do you want to remove the front end loader for mowing and such (or storage, etc.)? The L26 and L39 do not have removeable loader arms, so that may be a consideration.

 

[yekrut]

Thanks for the Info. There are positives and negatives to unattachable FEL. Nice to have aloader if you need to move stuff when brush hoggin but I'm sure there would be times I wish I could take it off. I have 15 acres with a large meandering creek. Trying to clean up the house side for aestetics and would like to turn the other side into 5 acres of pasture. This is currently mostly thick brush and trees and has poor drainage. Also have a tree farm with 125 red oaks,125 white oaks,125 walnuts. All 27yr old trees planted in rows. I have a 52" Bunton Zero turn that handles that area but the rest of the property is filled with mature trees and I get alot of deadfall. Also plan to build a bridge across the creek i can take a 3/4 ton PU across, Excavate a barn foundation, put up fencing and a round pen, dig out about a 100 good sized stumps (most cherries). Wife wants a little pond, an outdoor kitchen with water and electric, and a couple retaining walls. Will probably alwayshave creek maitenance issues to address as well. Just trying to pick the smartest piece of equipment tohandle the scope of work. Thanks for any advise.

 

[machmeter62]

This is something that may help you make your decision easier. The L-39 would be my first choice if accessability to the work site is un-restricted. I feel, if you need to remove the loader, the FOPS will cause a problem too?Remember, the FOPS isn't removable if you are working under tree limbs, etc. The power the L-39 offers with the hoe would make clearing and maintaining your property fun instead of work. The L3240 would give you more flexibility with the removable loader, backhoe, and foldable ROPS.

Over the last decade, I now have both types of tractors, because of Oak trees that restrict the use of my FOPS for cleaning my creek area. If I cut the beautiful limbs from the trees for better access; the county maybe knocking on my front door about creating erosion, or the neighbors on the other side complaining too.

 

[jrock]

I have owned the L39 for almost a year now. I can tell you, it is one heck of a workhorse! I have cleared woods, moved massive amounts of fill, small mountains of bruch piles, dug many stumps....
Im sure all the machines you are looking at are great. If you can afford the price difference for the L39, you wont be dissapointed.
After useing the Hydro Tranny on my last Tractor, the shuttle shift took a few hours of use to get the hang of. Now, i wouldnt trade the shuttle shift for anything. Especially when useing ground engageing equipment or dragging extra heavy logs, trees,over sized stumps etc...Those things really heat a tranny up!
314 Hours now and still glad i went with the L39!
Good luck with your choice.

 

[mike69440]

I have owned the L39 for almost a year now. I can tell you, it is one heck of a workhorse! I have cleared woods, moved massive amounts of fill, small mountains of bruch piles, dug many stumps....
Im sure all the machines you are looking at are great. If you can afford the price difference for the L39, you wont be dissapointed.
After useing the Hydro Tranny on my last Tractor, the shuttle shift took a few hours of use to get the hang of. Now, I wouldnt trade the shuttle shift for anything. Especially when useing ground engageing equipment or dragging extra heavy logs, trees,over sized stumps etc...Those things really heat a tranny up!
314 Hours now and still glad I went with the L39!
Good luck with your choice.

Please post a current picture of your L39. When I look at photos of my L39 I've posted, I see how much paint has worn off. I may have 10 more hours on my machine than you, about 325.

Going back to the subject, I suggest you forget that new, expensive, unproven, small, and undiscounted B26.

The GST is not perfect, but suits my needs more than a Hydro would in 70% of what I do. A lock up torgue converter with 10-12 speeds would be the nuts.

 

[The Gardener]

The GST is not perfect, but suits my needs more than a Hydro would in 70% of what I do.

Can you or someone please describe how the GST works. Thanks!

I have until May '08 to make our tractor selection. Our short list began w/ the BX24. We then moved up to a B21 once we realized that our property called for a higher ground clearance and additional power. But, wanting a hydraulic thumb and a May '08 purchase, I decided that the B26 made more sense w/ the B21 being a discontinued item and the B26 offering more power.

The L39 has gotten a lot of positive feedback from owners on this forum. I don't believe it has a hydrualic thumb set-up. That'd be an additional cost, but can it be done by Kubota?

 

[mike69440]

Electronically controled wet cluch shuttle shift. It's like an automatic manual, no clutching is needed most of the time. It also has a convention dry plate clutch with a clutch pedal for fine control work. My biggest beef is lag time during shift. I heard ths can be adjusted by dealer.

Anyone comment?

If I had to do over I would have forked over $$ for hydraulic thumb vs, my hand but pain in butt mechanical MT-24 thumb.
In fact I am doing it over with my purchase of a Komatsu PC75UU-2E excavator, and the delay in getting the machine is the new bucket and HT-42 hydraulic thumb install. 2 more weeks I expect.
Rear remotes cost $$. Any dealer worth being a dealer can set up a hydraulic thumb. Just because a thumb does not say Kubota on it does not mean it is not well matched to a L-39 or of poor quality.