Is a L3400HST enough?

[cdnt]

We recently bought a 50 acre hobby farm (~10 acres workable, 8 pasture, 2 orchard and rest woodland, creeks, pond, etc). The land is rolling and quite varied (on the edge of a valley). The workable land was operated as a small organic vegetable farm working ~5 acres at a time in relatively small field configurations (ie the 10 acres is divided into 1, 2 and max 5 acre fields).

This is a hobby property for us as we don't live there full time but we may start working with a partner to run the farm on a small scale basis again growing veg organically. We're starting to look at tractors (we have a JD 400 for lawn work):

- ~60% for 'farm use' (e.g., light disking, rototiller, broadcast spreader, mowing cover crops)
- ~40% upkeep (maintaining 1,000' gravel drive w box blade, mowing trails, some light duty firewood collection, potentially snow blowing - although we're currently using a neighbour with a larger piece of equipment so we don't have to worry about opening drive when we arrive)
- There is one lovely model available with a BH that would be a 'nice to have' as we need to do a bit of pond maintenance (reducing the angle of the banks) and a few other digging / clearing chores
- As noted terrain is a bit uneven, but nothing too steep. Soil leans towards more clay like
- We have access to local farmers that I can work with for more intensive ground engaging activities (ie if we need to plow a field that hasn't been used in some time)
-Like tractor to be as flexible as possible - ie small enough to get into tighter trails, good on fuel, easier to store, etc but still appropriate for the job
- Prior owner had a 45HP IH from the early 1970s - potentially more for the price than the capability

My only concern is if the L3400 has enough weight and power to do what we need, especially the 'ground engagement' side of the equation. Most use would be relatively narrow width rototilling beds, but like to be able to do some light disking as well.

The obvious next choice would be a L4400, but I'm seeing fewer of them in great condition available.

I appreciate your input and advice.

Cheers

 

[k0ua]

I think so, I have one, and with filled tires and a 750 lb ballast on the back it is a tank. lots of power. will dig with front end loader really well and fast.. I dont have a backhoe, so cannot comment on that part of it. I think for most of the things you mentioned it will be great. There are guys with L2800/3400/3700 on here with backhoes, and hopefully some of them will comment. But I really like my L3400. Good fuel economy and not too large to store in a regular Dirkson building. I have pushed a lot of trees, moved a lot of big rocks, and moved a lot of hauled in dirt with it this summer.
James K0UA

 

[TripleR]

I personally like a little more power, but I believe the L3400 will do everything mentioned quite well.

When I need a backhoe, I rent an excavator, so I am not familiar with the BH on this size tractor.

 

[LD1]

I think you will like it.

The only thing the L3400 lacks in is weight, but you can always add weight.

Most other tractors in that sized frame are 500lbs heavier. But the light weight at times is nice like when mowing and tilling.

It has enough power to run 5' tiller, 5' bush hog, and a 6' blade. If those are the sized implements you are planning on, the L3400 handels them well. If you want bigger attachments, I'd personally want a little more power.

On the spec sheets, the loader is not the strongest in its class either. But I have never failed to lift what I intended. It can scoop a FULL bucket of hard clay. Why do I need more?? I have loaded tires and with the 5' bush hog on the back, it can still lift the rear. If it had a stronger loader, I still couldn't lift any more unless I do something more for ballast.

We use ours a lot for firewood as well. No complaints there either. It does everythign I ask an it isn't too big to get aroung in the woods.

Given your list of tasks, I'd say a tractor of this size is a perfect match. Now if your chrors inculded more gorund engaging work, I'd be looking bigger. Like wanting to pull the biggest plow you can, or HEAVY FEL work and digging.

 

[Grandad4]

I would think the L3400 would handle the regular work you described very well. It's a very handy unit for miscellaneous chores on property like that. The problem is with human nature and the old saying about "stuff happens". Sooner or later, you'll come across an unforseen task that really needs a larger piece of equipment to do safely and efficiently. Buying something a bit larger than your immediate need gives you more options, but only you can decide if it's worth paying extra.

 

[Thomas]

Far as BH info I got nothing.

If your not in hurry or big projects L3400 should do just fine.

My L2800 kissing cousin to L3400 and still being surprise what it can do.

 

[Lil_FarmerJim]

As stated before, the tractor is a bit lite in the weight department. With loaded tires and extra ballast you can get it where it needs to be for plowing and disking. It can pull a 12-2 bottom plow, but you will need R1's and do it in low gear or it will spin like crazy. I have R4's it can be a real pain. Even with the extra weight.

Bottom line is how much time you want to spend working the ground, more weight and power the less time it takes to do the chore.

In the past the 3PH had some issues with the position control being very jerky. (Again you can search the site for the details) Mine is a 2007 and it works fine with the newer valve assembly.

As for a BH, I can tell you with an 8 ft BH it does very nicely once you tweek the hydro pressure a bit. If you search on this forum you will find that several L3400 owners have put shims in their bypass valve to increase the max pressure to be closer to the listed rated pressure than what comes from the factory.

In general while I love mine for what I do, I think you might want to consider a slightly larger grand L for both weight and horsepower.

But that is just my suggestion.

Cheers,

 

[cdnt]

Thanks for the input guys. I still have some time so I'll spend some time looking at both the 3400 and 4400 models

 

[mike69440]

I have a ballasted L39, my neighbor has the L3400 HST. I used it quite a bit.

Loader will not move anything that is not loose dirt. Tractor is very light even with filled tires and my 6' HD box blade.

But it brushhogs and moves and spreads loam ok.

I'd hate it and probably break it if it were my tractor.

I'd go much bigger.

 

[magicheater]

Thanks for the input guys. I still have some time so I'll spend some time looking at both the 3400 and 4400 models

I have had an L4350 for 10+ years and a B7800 for 1+ years. I am continually amazed at how much the B7800 does. So much so the big one sits very often, and I swore I would never get another tractor! For the big stuff, lift capacity, both 3PT and Loader, the L4350 is King. What truly amazes me is how quickly I can get things done with the HST B7800. It has become my favorite in MOST instances. Now, does the HST play a role? perhaps, the instant fwd and rev is superb. Have my needs changed, perhaps. So I would ask: Do you want to take a little more time to do the big things, or do you want to take a little less time doing the small things? :confused3: We all want to be on :cloud9:, granted, but hey, maybe the BX guys have it right!