Grand L3240

[Spinaltap33]

Does anyone have their wife able to run a grand L hydro? Or would a b3000 series be an easier tractor for a 5' -95lb gal. I'm just thinking for snow removal if I'm away at a business meeting...

 

[kuboman]

Does anyone have their wife able to run a grand L hydro? Or would a b3000 series be an easier tractor for a 5' -95lb gal. I'm just thinking for snow removal if I'm away at a business meeting...

If she can run B then an L is no problem either:thumbsup:
The L hydros are smoother and stronger than any B I have come across.

 

[crazyal]

I was able to easily teach my 70 year old mother how to operate my Case shuttle shift backhoe. The biggest problem is there are lots of levers that are not found in a car so getting past the intimidation of it is the harder part.

The HST can be started in gear. The lcd panel will tell you when starting if you need to do something like push the clutch in or disengage the PTO. Once they sit in the seat and realize that it's easier than a car to operate and most things are self explained. Take the FEL lever, push it forward it goes down, pull it back it goes up. The 3pt hitch is real simple, higher number the higher it is. The size could be a factor but I believe after a little seat time that quickly goes away and I think being able to easily see all around the tractor is a bigger deal.

 

[TripleR]

My "wife's tractor" is a BX2660, but when needed, she bush hogs with our L5030 HSTC. She is very comfortable in it.

 

[JimP]

Lots of good advice. As far as size get the biggest tractor that you can afford and have room to maneuver. If you look at tractors side by side there isnt that much difference bwtween the mid size Ls and the large Ls, but you get bigger tires, more ground clearance and more lift capacity front and back.

If you are moving snow have you considered a cab? I went from a small, open station B to the cabbed grand L and would never go back to an open station machine. Just have to be careful in the woods. Other options I have found helpful are the Rimguard loaded rear tires, SSQA, front hydraulics ( I have Kubota's), rear remotes (I have used both sets on mine). The rear remotes can be ordered with a float position which is useful in some application. If you get the cab, rear wipers, rear defogger and work lights have been useful.

The grand Ls are very easy to run. My wife is 5'2" and has no problem running our cabbed machine. She was smiling this summer siting in the cab with the AC and radio on.

 

[Baby Grand]

One caution about the whole larger is better thing:
If you ever plan to bring it into a garage, don't forget to measure the height of your garage door from the bottom of the door to the garage floor with the door open.

 

[alaskakubota]

After owning at 3130 and now a 5740 I love the 40 series over the 30 series. I have a 6' bushog and the 31 would turn it, but it would fall on face pretty quick. A small hill would slow it down so much it gets frustrating. The L's are all real close to the same size. I personally would get the 4240. Stronger loader, and it comes in handy, and the 10 extra hp make a huge difference. bushing at 3 mph compared to 5 or 6 without having to keep going into low is priceless. I jumped 25 hp and that thing just doesnt stop.

I didnt think it would make a huge difference, but after having both, its a no brainer for me. It would be like buying a 1 ton truck with either a 200 hp V-6 or a 250 hp V-8. Sure, both will do the job in the same size chassis, just that one will do it much quicker. And if you used your truck to make a living, that extra 50 will make you much happier.

 

[hawkeye08]

My L3130 HST is easy to operate and my wife and daughters have no problems doing it, but now they understand that the tractor time is my stress relief so they let me do things with the tractor whenever possible.

We bought as much as we could afford, sure would have liked more hp and a cab.. but what we have does a good job. I sure would like some remotes and will probably add some via the aftermarket route someday.

 

[MHarryE]

My wife has no problem with our L5740 HTC although she is still getting used to the auto throttle which I always have activated. We used to have a L3710. I had comments from a trucker I had hauling gravel for us. He did this when I was in Europe on business so my wife had to do the leveling. He was surprised how she could have each load spread and leveled and be waiting for him when he got there with the next load. I was looking forward putting the finishing touches on the job when I got home, my way to unwind after a week of meetings and job site visits in a half dozen countries, and she had it all done.

 

[kuboman]

Well after having a L3130 for a few months and then going to a L5740 I can't imagine having anything less. It can do so much more than the 3130 and I don't suffocate in smoke doing it. A real pleasure to operate and no you cannot have too much power.:thumbsup:

 

[First one]

When I went to look for a tractor I have to say I wished I'd done more research on the tractor I was looking at (L3240 HTC ) I fell for the low hours, and all the extras it had. The cab really made my mind up . I had the chance to get a open station L4240 with a backhoe for the same price with more hours on it . I love the cab ,but now that I've had the 3240 and have found out just what it can do I think I should have gone with the L4240 . I wanted a backhoe but can't justify 9-10 grand for what I'd have use for it. Don't get me wrong I love what I have and there's times I want that extra power but there would be times If I'd gotton the 4240 I would have wanted the cab so ...... NEXT TIME I'll know better what I want in a tractor its just getting the wife over the NEXT TIME thing
Do any of you find that while going along like down the road you seem to slow down with the pedal all the way down?

 

[DavidVT]

On my 3430HST I can stall it if I stay in high gear and come to even a small hill with my foot to the floor.

The horses are gone so the tractor is doing little more than snow clearing in the winter and one round of mowing the empty pastures to keep the weeds in check.
I would love to upgrade to the newer HST and a few more HP with a stronger FEL but simply can not justify it. I don't care for the diesel exhaust when I am plowing snow.

We have talked about downsizing but I know I will not be happy on a smaller tractor due to our hills. We went with the GrandL originally after borrowing a friends smaller Kub and moving some dirt around the property. (tippy bucket work pushed me up out of those B's)

We are talking about building a garage so I hope to use the Kub to start the clearing process. The old 3pt backhoe has been a fun addition!

My wife has clocked more than half of the 600 hours on the tractor. I travel and she had to clear the winter driveways.