Is the L3240 enough tractor?

[Buckwacker]

Originally we were looking at Mahindra's, but after doing some research and really looking I think a Kubota is a no brainer. Anyway we are looking at a L3240. It fits are price range and seems like an awesome tractor. The only concern is if it is going to be big enough. The main use of the tractor will be brush hogging 25 acres, and planting a few 1-2 acre food plots. We will also be using the tractor to maintain a road and doing other chores around the farm. So.....25 horses at the pto, it that enough? Right now our tractor is an old ford 8n, but we have had a lot of problems and are just ready to upgrade.

 

[art]

If you are going to be doing the same chores as the 8N you will wonder why you didn't do it before. I imagine it will be a four wheel drive and with a loader? Your going to enjoy modern life!

 

[MarkV]

The rule of thumb is 5 PTO horse power per foot of rotary mower. That puts you in the 5 foot mower range and 25 acres with a 5 foot mower is a lot of mowing time. Other than that I agree with Art you will really like the up grade from the 8n.

MarkV

 

[Oldchuck]

For about the same money I think the 4400 is a better idea. That was our choice when offered the same alternatives.

 

[rbargeron]

Another 2 cents - I started with an 8n, traded up to a L345 (28 pto hp) 4wd it was like night and day over the 8n - but a few years later I traded up again. Your post asks if the L3240 is enough tractor. If this question is already on your mind, you maybe should go for more power. At first it will be a great improvement over your 8n. But with 25 acres it's likely you'll want 6-foot implements (if not 7') and you'll start thinking about more power. I agree with Old Chuck - the L4400 is probably better suited to your farm. Take care, Old DickB

 

[Mike_Kanzer]

I agree with what the guys have said. I run an L3830 with 30hp at the PTO and run a 5 foot bush hog. WIth that It takes about 1 hour to mow 2 acres of relatively flat pasture. I maintain 11 acres of pasture and now wish I had a 6 foot bush hog (Guess I could trade up). I would go with more Hp if price is not a problem, so you could run a 6 foot bush hog at least.

 

[ME83]

I would also suggest a larger tractor and mower for 25 acres. The other reason is the 724 loader on the 3240 is honestly a weak loader. I have a 1968 Ford 3500 with a loader and have used my friends Kubota 3940 with a loader. The 3940 won't even lift the rear end of the tractor, and this is without loaded tires, wheel weights, or any attachments on the 3 ph. The old Ford is very close in size but will pick up twice the weight. If I was to buy a newer Kubota I would look at the industrial series, the L39 or L48, but they also come with a backhoe.

 

[pitt_md]

I would also suggest a larger tractor and mower for 25 acres. The other reason is the 724 loader on the 3240 is honestly a weak loader. I have a 1968 Ford 3500 with a loader and have used my friends Kubota 3940 with a loader. The 3940 won't even lift the rear end of the tractor, and this is without loaded tires, wheel weights, or any attachments on the 3 ph. The old Ford is very close in size but will pick up twice the weight. If I was to buy a newer Kubota I would look at the industrial series, the L39 or L48, but they also come with a backhoe.

The MX5000 or MX5100 would be a great tractor for that size plot. I mow the pastures I have in 4th/low @ about 2100 RPM. The loader on the MX5000 is very strong. You have to be careful even with a fully loaded balast box that you don't flip your tractor on it's side. I have never seen the price of an L4400 or 3240 so I don't know how they compare but I would bet its close.

 

[The Gardener]

The main use of the tractor will be brush hogging 25 acres...

That's a lot of cutting, and maxing out the PTO hp for that length of time does not sound like the best thing for long term use. I sort of relate that to red lining a car. OK short term, but not something I'd choose to do long term. I prefer to have a bit of a cushion.

I'd suggest a PTO with no less than 40hp. That gives you a 7' mower and 5hp of untapped power. Unfortunately, that bumps you up to the L4740 which I suspect is a big bump in price as well.

 

[Buckwacker]

We're gonna look at the Mx5100, it seems to be a lot more tractor for about the same price.