Can I fill a Kubota 3940 bucket full of trap rock?

[rogersmithiii]

Hi.

I'm shopping for my first tractor, and am trying to make a model decision. Started shopping with New Holland Boomers, and liked them a lot. Then looked at the Kubota L series, and instantly forgot about the NHs.

My question is will a 3940 be able to scoop up, carry and dump a bunch of trap rock, stone dust, or sand if I fill the bucket to heaping, or will the payload overload the hydraulics of the bucket, or cause the tractor to become unstable? A friend has an old Ford tractor, and he can only fill the bucket half full at the most.

I'm trying to figure out how big a tractor I need for my jobs.

Thanks
Rog

 

[kcender]

I have an L 3240 with a LA 724 loader which is a very similar tractor but with less horsepower.I also have a BH 90 backhoe that helps to balance the tractor during FEL work.The ground I have is a combination of sand,gravel and small rocks.I have never had any trouble digging into a fresh bank of dirt and getting a full bucket to the point that the bucket will not hold any more.The tractor and loader have no problem carrying the load a distance and dumping it even at full height if required.I use my tractor alot for leveling my property and have spent many hours doing FEL work.I have always found the loader plenty strong for what I do.

 

[k0ua]

My little L3400hst with the La463 loader, ( a loader not noted for being extra hefty) can easily lift and manage a fully heaped bucket of Crusher Run 0-3/4
gravel. this is crushed limestone all the way from dust to 3/4 of an inch. I use a lot of that here to maintain my lower drive and outbuilding area. I think the loaders will have no trouble with the lift, the only thing you have to worry about is having enough ballast to counterbalance the load or you will be very sorry. When the back end of your tractor comes off the ground, and if you are on the slightest slope the tractor will tilt to one side as the front end is on a single pivot point. And that my friend is not a good feeling.

James K0UA

 

[Carl_NH]

Welcome to TBN RogerSmithii,

You will not have any issue with your choice to do the job but as others have said counterbalance is key to optimum operation - so get a rear blade/backhoe/box blade/brush hog implement with your tractor that best fits your needs.

Two questions where are you located and how does one have 100 acres and no tractor!

Carl

 

[Grandad4]

There are a lot of happy 3940 owners out there. Maybe one or two of them (or L3830 owners... similar tractor; previous generation) will comment from personal experience on the capability of the loader on that tractor. Mine's not the same model so I can only give an opinion, but it should easily dig, lift and carry a full bucket of whatever you have.

But Ku0A is definitely right about having weight on the back of any tractor, regardless of what brand it is. A full bucket puts 1,000-2,000 lbs of added weight out in front of the tractor, so the balance shifts on to the front axle, which is on a pivot, so it doesn't take much to start things tipping. You need some weight on the 3pt, in the tires, etc. to keep the back end planted when using the FEL.

 

[ejkessler]

I just bought a L3940 with cab and BH. Replaced an open station L3540 which it replaced a L2800. I have similar material handling needs to what you describe and the L3940 is wider than the L3240 and L3540 by six inches which gives it more stability. It will easily handle what you describe but as already mentioned the counter balancing is needed. When wheels start coming off the ground it is not a good feeling. I know what that feeling is like and try not to repeat it. Each time was because I did not have anything on the back to counter balance as being discussed. Great tractor for what you want IMO.

 

[BoFuller]

I am about eady to take delivery of a 2008 L3400 and my first job is making a drive (about 1500 ft long). Good info to know about the bucket capacity and the counter balance weight. I have the tires filled and will have a box scrapper on, so I hope that is enough to prevent that tipping feeling.

 

[Mpking]

I'm in the same position as far as looking for a tractor to do very similar FEL work. I"m looking in the L3800 to L3540 size/power range. Sounds like everyone is happy with the FEL on the 3940. So... would you be just a happy with the smaller loader (514 I believe) that is an option for the 3540 or would that limit what you could do?

 

[arsenix2001]

In relation to the overall price of a 3540 the increase to go from a 514? To a 723 is nominal and almost a no brainer. VERY happy I upgraded.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I dont have any Kubotas, but I would say never get a light duty loader if you have the option. Go with the heftiest version that is offered. They dont over build them to start with on even the heavy models and if you will be hauling rock (one of the heaviest items to haul) you would want a heavy duty FEL with 8 ply industrial R4 tires if available to hold the weight. You wont be sorry that you spend the few extra dollars.