Considering L3400 / Quotes

[Elliott Wave]

Hello,

I have been reading this Forum off and on for a number of years and regularly for the past year. I am considering purchasing a L3400 HST or DT. I am looking to use the machine as a TLB. For the first couple of years it would primarily be used around a 2 acre piece of property to dig and maintain some drainage ditches, dig out some stumps, maintain trails, load snow that is not conducive to snow blowing, and just have fun messing around with. It by no means is actually needed. That being said, I would like a machine large enough that if down the line I bought a trailer I could do some weekend landscaping type work. I would like to store the tractor in a garage that has a door height of approximately 79? I would purchase the Woods BH80-X for the tractor. Based on the Transport Height listed in the Woods brochure (82.25?, it looks like I would have to both adjust the backhoe and lower the ROPS each time going in and out of the garage. I am curious if anyone stores a tractor this way? I know if I went with the B7800 or B3030 and put a BH70-X on it, it would store easier as the Transport height listed is 74.75? However, since I am not looking at using the tractor for mowing I have been leaning toward the L-3400 and the larger hoe along with the swing speed control that comes with the BH80-X. I would go for the B-26, if I had a taller place to store it

While I am not planning on using any three-point attachments initially, I do not want to rule them out. In reading the issues regarding the PTO, 3-point hitch valve, and PTO cable it seems they have all been resolved in the newer models after certain serial numbers. My initial inclination was to go with the DT model as the DT was the original design for this tractor when it came out and less issues seem to have been noted. However, most seem to recommend the HST. I have not test drove either yet. Since I will not be using the 3-point hitch initially, can the items of concern be tested to make sure they work properly without an implement attached?

I have visited two dealers for initial price quotes (DT models are $1000 less):

Dealer A (35 miles from home)

Kubota L3400 HST with LA463 Loader with skid steer quick coupler $18,300
Loaded rear tires included in price
Woods BH80-X with Mechanical Thumb - $7,650
Block Heater, weld on hooks for loader, woods tooth bar - $549
Will charge for pick-up and delivery of tractor for warranty items

Dealer B (50 miles from home)

Kubota L3400 HST with LA463 Loader $17,900
Loaded rear tires included in price
Woods BH80-X with Mechanical Thumb - $7,300
Block Heater, weld on hooks for loader, ATI toothbar with replaceable teeth - $555
Will not charge for pick-up and delivery of tractor for warranty work for the first year

Dealer C (25 miles from home)

Have not spoken to yet, not sure if I am comfortable with service department

Dealer D (70 miles from home)

Did not obtain pricing. They indicated they would not charge for pick-up and delivery of tractor for warranty work for the first year.

I am located in Massachusetts and I understand the cost of tractors is higher in the Northeast. Looking to pay a fair price and be comfortable with the dealer. I am somewhat disappointed that Dealer A indicates no break on pick-up and delivery for warranty work within the first year. I also indicated that I do not really see myself using the skid steer quick coupler and asked if I would be able to save some by going without it. I was told they pretty much order all the loaders for this model with the skid steer quick coupler.

As I do not have a trailer and would prefer to hold off on buying one right away, I really want to purchase a tractor that would be considered the least likely to have any maintenance issues. With this in my mind, I question myself and think based on all the reading I have done on this forum its seems like I have heard the least complaints with regard to the B7800 and B3030.


Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions!

 

[canoetrpr]

I definately think that you should go with the skid steer coupler regardless which dealer you go with. Much much more work to switch to one after you get the tractor without one.

Unlike dealer A, my dealer had no clue that you could even get one. If I was a dealer, I doubt I'd order loaders without one either. I'd consider it doing a dis-service to my customers who didn't know any better

If dealer A and dealer B are otherwise equal, I would go with B and get the skid steer QA with a compatible bucket - will cost you about what A was quoting you for the tractor/loader/bucket. I like the idea of the dealer being willing to pick up without charge for warranty work. Plus the BH price is cheaper too.

 

[emmy71]

Operate a DT and immediately switch to the HST. You will buy the hydro. Well worth the $1000.00.

Terry

 

[canoetrpr]

I second that post on the hydro. By and large these are very reliable machines. Kubota probably sells more of these than any other in the CUT line up.

 

[Racer71]

I just past 75 hours on mine. So far I have used it for digging in the dirt and I love it. It does like a lot of rear ballast. I now have loaded tires and a 1,300 ballast block for when I use the FEL. Your backhoe should be about the same. HST is the only way to go. The FEL could use a little more break out force.

 

[swampvol]

You can always rent a trailer for ~$30 a day if you had to.

As for the quote, they seem reasonable for your location. I paid 17.2k for the hst about this time last year.

The l3400 is a solid work-horse of a tractor, too.

 

[PAB_OH]

Operate a DT and immediately switch to the HST. You will buy the hydro. Well worth the $1000.00.

Terry

You need to test ride each for sure. It's not a foregone conclusion. I have a gear tractor w/ shuttle. I seriously doubt I'll go for a hydro any time soon.

A friend has a JD w/ hydro and it is nice but that constant high pitched wine is annoying as ****. As for reliability, it ain't so. You can't beat a gear tractor for reliability in MOST situations.

In my job I'm around heavy equipment w/ hydro tranny's every day. They break/leak/fail all the time. The good majority of gear machines don't have as many problems.

If all you're going to do is mow they're good tranny's. I don't like them for dirt work. Shuttles (or GST) are the way to go IMHO.

Either way if it's orange, you're good to go! Good luck.

 

[emmy71]

You need to test ride each for sure. It's not a foregone conclusion. I have a gear tractor w/ shuttle. I seriously doubt I'll go for a hydro any time soon.

A friend has a JD w/ hydro and it is nice but that constant high pitched wine is annoying as ****. As for reliability, it ain't so. You can't beat a gear tractor for reliability in MOST situations.

In my job I'm around heavy equipment w/ hydro tranny's every day. They break/leak/fail all the time. The good majority of gear machines don't have as many problems.

If all you're going to do is mow they're good tranny's. I don't like them for dirt work. Shuttles (or GST) are the way to go IMHO.

Either way if it's orange, you're good to go! Good luck.

Absolutely try both. I was all set on a geared tractor because that is all I have ever known. But after operating the hydro I could see for my application it would be better. Also, my wife sometimes uses the tractor and she has no prior experience. I feel it is safer for her because if she gets in a panic situation she lifts her foot and the tractor stops. I would not feel comfortable with her on a geared tractor. The same for my dad who is getting on in years. I feel a lot better with him using a hydro. Either one will be a great piece of equipment. Choose the one that will best fit your application.

Terry

 

[digicamnut]

Just got my L3400 hst Saturday.
L3400 $13800.00
fel with QA $3500.00

I Like my tractor!

 

[cschlaps]

I was in a similar situation to you. I started seriously looking a couple months ago after two years of renting and research and surfing. Went to a dealer with the intention of taking home an L3400DT. After many test drives over the course of two months, I ended up with a L3240HST with the larger loader (724), quick-tach bucket, and a BH90 backhoe. I highly recommend the quick tach bucket for future uses that you may not anticipate now. It's worth the couple extra dollars for.

My tractor was delivered this past Saturday, so I've only had the chance to put on about 6 hours of snow removal so far, using a 7' RB and the FEL. I have moved a lot of snow with an L2900DT, and had good success. However, after using the HST for just a few minutes on Sunday with the new tractor, I have no regrets for the upgrade and will never look back. Kubota HST's have excellent track records and I know this will serve me well. I'll be doing a lot of loader work in the future, with lots of tight manuvering through the woods...so the HST will really come in handy.

I have a similar storage situation as you - my garage door is a 7' door. I have to drop the ROPS to park it, and the backhoe has to go in partially dropped. Right now, the backhoe is off the tractor, so no big deal. I'm sure that over time, I'll get frustrated at dropping the ROPS or the backhoe to park it, but it is what it is. I don't think an L3400 would have fit either, and I didn't want to go any smaller than that based on the needs that I have.

Ultimately, it is a fun choice to make. You'll be happy either way you go! Good luck!

Chris

 

[swmpbgy1]

I would like to store the tractor in a garage that has a door height of approximately 79? I would purchase the Woods BH80-X for the tractor. Based on the Transport Height listed in the Woods brochure (82.25?, it looks like I would have to both adjust the backhoe and lower the ROPS each time going in and out of the garage. I am curious if anyone stores a tractor this way? I know if I went with the B7800 or B3030 and put a BH70-X on it, it would store easier as the Transport height listed is 74.75?

As I do not have a trailer and would prefer to hold off on buying one right away, I really want to purchase a tractor that would be considered the least likely to have any maintenance issues. With this in my mind, I question myself and think based on all the reading I have done on this forum its seems like I have heard the least complaints with regard to the B7800 and B3030.


Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions!

Mr. Wave:

FWIW......I have a 3030 and love it, but I have to fold the ROPS every time I enter/exit the garage. Almost forgot once!

Swmpbgy1

 

[Elliott Wave]

I definately think that you should go with the skid steer coupler regardless which dealer you go with. Much much more work to switch to one after you get the tractor without one.

Unlike dealer A, my dealer had no clue that you could even get one. If I was a dealer, I doubt I'd order loaders without one either. I'd consider it doing a dis-service to my customers who didn't know any better

If dealer A and dealer B are otherwise equal, I would go with B and get the skid steer QA with a compatible bucket - will cost you about what A was quoting you for the tractor/loader/bucket. I like the idea of the dealer being willing to pick up without charge for warranty work. Plus the BH price is cheaper too.

I have known of Dealer A for a while, they put back together a transmission on an old Case 210 garden tractor many years ago after it had problems and I took it apart and was not able to fix it. I bought a leaf blower years ago as well from them. Other than that my experience has been limited. I went to Dealer B after browsing at tractors at the closest dealers lot (dealer was closed) and another gentleman browsing recommended them.

These are the two dealers I think I will ultimately choose from. My gut feeling is that they are probably the best for service, of course it is really impossible to know until you experience it. I really like the idea of a dealer taking care of pick-up and delivery for warranty work for the first year in that it would really iritate me to have to pay $200 - $225 for something to be fixed after spending $26,000 because it was not assembled or adjusted correctly when it should have been. Nice to hear you give them kudos for just ordering the loaders with QA! I would say if Dealer A offered to cover the cost for pick-up and delivery of warranty service for the first year I would go with him.

(swampvol) As far as renting a trailer, my current truck is not sufficient (F150 v6, I did not mention this).

 

[Elliott Wave]

Absolutely try both. I was all set on a geared tractor because that is all I have ever known. But after operating the hydro I could see for my application it would be better. Also, my wife sometimes uses the tractor and she has no prior experience. I feel it is safer for her because if she gets in a panic situation she lifts her foot and the tractor stops. I would not feel comfortable with her on a geared tractor. The same for my dad who is getting on in years. I feel a lot better with him using a hydro. Either one will be a great piece of equipment. Choose the one that will best fit your application.

Terry

If I was not exposed to this forum for information I would go in with the intention to buy the gear as well. So I will definitely try both. With regard to the hydostatic transmission whinning, does it do that always are just when it is under a load such as using the FEL? The way some folks have described the whinning, it sounds like new people like myself might think their is a problem with the tractor?

 

[swampvol]

The whining is just people who own geared tractors....whining.




jk

 

[emmy71]

If I was not exposed to this forum for information I would go in with the intention to buy the gear as well. So I will definitely try both. With regard to the hydostatic transmission whinning, does it do that always are just when it is under a load such as using the FEL? The way some folks have described the whinning, it sounds like new people like myself might think their is a problem with the tractor?

The whine is most noticeable in high range at road speed. However, I rarely use the tractor in high. As far as low and mid-range where most work is done I don't really notice the whine. That may be just because I am used to it now, but I really don't think it is that big an issue. One thing about high range (or any other range under load) to remember is to press the hydro pedal slower. Like on a geared tractor that is in a higher gear or under load, you let the clutch out a little easier. If you stomp the hydro pedal rather quickly you will get a big whine.

Terry

 

[crashz]

Elliot,

I'm curious about which dealers you have been in contact with. I live on the eastern end of the state, but my land is just over the NY border, so I have visited the local dealers in Western MA and in Ayer MA.

The two dealers I spoke with had similar pricing and seem very good to work with. I didn't check on pick-up/ drop off because I will move the machine myself.

BTW- I'm also looking into a L2800 or L3400 HST, 4x4 with FEL and QA. I plan on buying later this year depending on finances.

Good luck and let us know how it works out for you!

 

[Elliott Wave]

Crashz, I tried sending you a PM...I think it worked.

 

[Elliott Wave]

Last week I test drove an L2800 HST and a L3400 DT. I thought they both drove very nice around the dealer's lot. I was hoping after trying both transmissions out I would be won over by the HST (never had used one before). After driving both, I thought that they were both very nice. My test drive of course was not realistic of operating the tractor with the loader in tight quarters, so my test drive did not really show why the HST may stand out in circumstances that have been discussed in this forum.

I did prefer the gears sound to the HST. However, as long as I know the the little whine is normal I don't see a problem with it. It seems that most dealers around here carry more HST models. I noticed that the 4wd lever on both machines was difficult to operate. Is this a sympton from being outside all winter? The 3pt hitch valve operated smoothly without a load on it. I assume that to really see how the valve works one would need a load on it? I noticed while operating the HST I had to double clutch it a couple of times to get it into low gear from being in medium.

I am not in a rush to buy. I asked the salseman how long the two tractors had been outside and he tried to downplay it and said that they were just set up this winter. I suspect longer than that. I noticed a hose that was slightly faded and while not cracking had alligator type lines of discoloration on the surface that I have not seen at other dealers that sell more machines. He said they were taking an additional $500 off. I would just assume pay $500 more and have a tractor that has not been sitting outside for months.

These tractors had the quick attachment for the front loader. I measured the width of the loader on my way out and the loader measured 65". I thought this was strange in that all other loaders on these machines I have measured were 60" (without quick attach). When I was talking to the salseman earlier I had asked if it was a 60" loader and he indicated yes. I know 5" is not much but I would prefer the 60" as I want to store it in a garage and keep it as compact as possible. I am still not sold on the quick attach because it seems this feature is more of a benefit for loaders on tractors that have much more capacity than the L3400 loader. Additionally, I just do not see a use for it for myself.

Regardless, as the wind blows today I think I am leaning toward the L3400 HST. I have appreciated all your comments.

 

[Racer71]

After driving both, I thought that they were both very nice. My test drive of course was not realistic of operating the tractor with the loader in tight quarters, so my test drive did not really show why the HST may stand out in circumstances that have been discussed in this forum.

I noticed while operating the HST I had to double clutch it a couple of times to get it into low gear from being in medium.

I have the L3400HST and here are my inputs after 100 hours.

Changing direction only requires the right foot. I have one hand on the wheel and the other on a lever. This comes into play with the loader and rear blade.

The resistance in change from low to medium is not the clutch. It is the HST pedal and backlash. Push the clutch in and slightly change direction with the HST pedal. The backlash will clear and the gear shift is easy. You will get the feel for it.

There are not many times you need low. I use it when digging into solid earth. Medium works most of the time.

 

[bigballer]

imo, i would only go with gear if i was doing mainly field work (ie, long straight shots), i'm not, so i went with the hst. i think hst would have better resale too but maybe not..