First Tractor - B2930 or L3400?

[dex3361]

I believe with the tires turned out and R1's that the L3400 would be the better tractor for your property (more power larger footprint). I have a L4400HST and love it I use it in the woods in tight places and I would feel like I could turn a L3400 on a postage stamp after the L4400. You mentioned that you are higher up in elevation How high? Some diesel tractors will not have as much power at the higher elevations because of the thinner air. The work around for this is get a tractor that is turbocharged. I do not have experience here so if someone else that is higher up in elevation could address this it would possibly help prevent the wrong purchase for GoCougs.

 

[GoCougs]

Regardin a couple of questions that were asked, some clarification. I currently live at very near sea level, a couple of miles from Puget Sound. Where I am moving to is about 550 feet. Just means when the forecast says snow in the foothills, and higher elvevations, it snows there when it is not here. But for most of the country, it would be very low elevation. So regular diesel would be very happy there. I realize now that what seems high from my place isn't for most of you.

Part that is in pasture is only about an acre. My wife only has two Llama's and a half acre will feed one for the part of the year when the pastrue is growing. Have another acre or so cleared for buildings and such. The other 13 will probably stay in trees except where I may build some more covered storage, and make a few trails. Figured with either rig if I had to pull a sizable stump, I would be in for a certain amount of hand digging and then pulling at it with a logging chain. No doubt the 3400 would be much better for this kind of work.

One 60 pound bale of grass hay feeds two Llama's for 4 or 5 days, so just deal with small bales in the winter. Most loader work would be moving gravel and such. My property is a veritable rock garden and moving big rocks is the biggest loader capcity issue. I moved a couple with the B21 that was right at the edge of the loaders capacity. I suspect that the B21 loader is about the same capacity as the 3400, but more than the 2920. The stronger loader on the 3400 is tempting.

Would be cash deal. 0% financing sounds nice, but I usually only buy something that I have the cash for. I am still leaning towards new.

Regardless of which one I buy are R1's the tires I should put on it?

 

[ovrszd]

Your thread title lists the B2930, but your first post talks about the B2920, not sure which you were looking at. There's considerable difference in those two without jumping to the L series.

I started with a B2910 which is comparable to the current B3030, then jumped to an L4400. Big jump in capability. I don't mow lawns with the L series. I use it specifically for tractor chores, FEL, Blade, Etc. I'd hate to go back to the B series for those chores. I also use it in the timber. It's stable with rears loaded. But you should always expect the worst and cautiously work offcamber.

I second what was mentioned above about HST versus gear drive. My current L4400 is gear drive. I'm currently looking to upgrade to HST. From reading your posts I believe you would be better served with HST as well.

If you have the cash in your hand you really should look at used. I believe you can buy a LOW hour, excellent condition, used L series for less money than a new B series. There are a lot of land owners that buy the wrong tractor then have it for sale, myself included. I'll end selling my L4400 with 40-60 hrs on it for several thousand below new cost, someone's gonna save a bundle of money if they don't need manufacturer financing!!!

Good luck with your decision. We are all privately putting bets on what you'll do. I'm betting you'll buy too small and buy new. In a couple years we'll be reading your posts about upsizing and selling your used small tractor at a substantial savings for someone. Most here have been there!!!

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I second what was mentioned above about HST versus gear drive. My current L4400 is gear drive. I'm currently looking to upgrade to HST. From reading your posts I believe you would be better served with HST as well.
We probably told him to get HST when he did it but he wouldn't listen just to save a few bucks.
If you have the cash in your hand you really should look at used. I believe you can buy a LOW hour, excellent condition, used L series for less money than a new B series. There are a lot of land owners that buy the wrong tractor then have it for sale, myself included. I'll end selling my L4400 with 40-60 hrs on it for several thousand below new cost, someone's gonna save a bundle of money if they don't need manufacturer financing!!!

Good luck with your decision. We are all privately putting bets on what you'll do. I'm betting you'll buy too small and buy new. In a couple years we'll be reading your posts about upsizing and selling your used small tractor at a substantial savings for someone. Most here have been there!!!

I was there. Had great B7800 for 3 years, paid it off, fell for the bigger is better mentality/advocates and traded for a L3240HST. Realized bigger isn't better, just different and lost big bucks trading back to a B3200 which is smaller but better for my purposes. I don't deny bigger is better if your tractor, truck, car or whatever isn't big enough to do the job but to over size just to have bigger isn't better in my opinion. I also am betting you will buy a new B after reading all posts and evaluating your needs and finances. Let me also state a bias toward new vs used. I don't trade because of problems with cars or tractors but some do, except for the BX2350 with 30 hours. Again, go sit on one of each and run the numbers. Tim the Toolman is every where, he's every where. Even in me!

 

[forester2]

I agree with Medic. LOAD THE TIRES!. Made mt B3030w/ cab a totally different tractor on hills and snow.

 

[GoCougs]

Thanks all. I did have a typo on my post. Tittle said 2930, but really meant 2920.

Decisions made based on the good input include loaded R1 tires. Will try without chains, and then get chains next winter if I need them for the big hill.

Before I posted I was leaning very slightly to the 2920, now I am leaning very slightly to the 3400. Will pour over the specs for both rigs, go sit on both, and then decide.

 

[KU Gator]

You might also want to look at the specs on the L2800. I have no 1st hand knowledge of them, but the specs are the same as the L3400 except for the HP. I have seen some posts from others who seemed to be pleased with theirs. On my 2920, I have industrial tires, so it may be different with ag tires, but I run out of traction in most uses quicker than I run out of HP. The on-line pricing with a FEL for the L2800 is about $1K more than the 2920 and $2K less than the L3400. I would think that it would handle a 6' rear blade easily and at least a 5' brush hog. Given you aren't mowing a lot of acreage, that would be plenty.

 

[Goog]

I am in Olympia so I am probably not to far from you. I have an L3400 HST that I bought at J&I. I also was torn between the tractor sizes but I glad I went with the larger machine.
I feed a couple pet cows and sometimes use round bales and the smaller tractor would not work. The L3400 barely does it. I would get the R4 tires and load them. It makes a huge difference in the ride and stablilty of the tractor.
These are a really nice size of tractor and you can get in tight places just fine.
Good luck with your decision. Brian

 

[PUSHINDIRT]

GoCougs, Welcome! I have a 2920 and love the machine. It does everything I need it to do and then some.....buuuuuttttt when moving piles of crusher run, digging in the clay, or trying to move huge piles of brush I often wish I had a bigger loader, and more tractor weight. I have a 60 inch blower, and mower and I have never felt like the machine was underpowered.

I had a chance to use my fathers B7800 today to plow. One can notice the size difference, and heft of the tractor compared to my machine.

If I were to do it again I would get the bigger machine! Good luck to you and regardless of your choice it will be a good one!

 

[medicshawn]

If you're buying with cash I would look for a used model with low hours. I know it's a long ways from you but look at Used Tractors at TractorHouse.com: John Deere Tractors, used farm tractors and farm equipment, Case IH, New Holland, Agco, Caterpillar. or Used Kubota Tractors.
That will give you a good idea of used prices.