Comparison JD 3520 Vs Kubota L3940

PHILIP8N · Mar 24, 2011

I got some money from a land sale and wanted to retire my 1950 Ford 8N. I did not care which color, just wanted best value from reptuable brand.

Conditions: 40-ish horsepower, HST trans, R3 tires, front snow blade.

1st looked at New Holland 3040. Pros: Buddy has one that I have used a little and liked. Great reputaion. Has connection back to Ford. Cons: Dealer 20 miles away. $26230.

2nd looked at JD 3720. Pros: Have two JD lawn mowers and like. Great reputation. Great parts availability. Dealer 15 miles away (but only 2 miles from work). Cons: Everyone and thier brother has one (I like to be different). 3 cylinder turbo (I did not want 3 cylinder or turbo). Smaller frame. $24700.

3rd looked at Kubota L3940. Pros: Great reputation. HST+ features. Dealer 3 miles away. Cons: There aren't any! $23080 (connectionos with dealer may have led to better price)

Briefly looked at MF but did not seriously consider.

IMO, Kubota was best value for money within the brands I thought as most reptuable and dependable, and closest dealer. Enough cannot be said for a close dealer, no matter what manufacturer you choose.

I have had my L3940 for a year and a half now. Drove buddy's NH a few months back, still a nice tractor, but not as nice as my L3940 with HST+. Went to State Fair last fall and sat on JD3720 to make sure I made right decision. I did make the right decision, JD3720 felt small, has small tires, and stickers on dash were pealing off. Mechanically, I am sure the JD3720 is a good tractor, just was not right for my application (plus everyone and their brother has a green tractor, I like to be different).

Philip

PS, Still have the 8N. NOT FOR SALE!

PapaPerk · Mar 24, 2011

Kubota all the way. I have a L3830 (3940 older brother). It's an awesome tractor. Great stablilty and plenty of power. You'll have tons of stablity if you fill the tires with ballast.

The L series tractors are bascially scaled down models of large farm tractors. Excellent quality and durablilty. First rate materials and high quality components.

The John Deeres seem cheap in comparasion... with their cheezy controls and stickers... they are built cheap to maximize profits. That's my opinion.

There is really no comparsion between the two manufactures when it comes down to small tractors. Big tractors is another story!

By the 3940 and rest easy at night! Worth the money.

ejkessler · Mar 24, 2011

I have a L3940 HSTC right now and just traded my L3540 for it. I have a very good friend that has the JD 3720. The Grand L Series tractors are not in the same class as the 3000 series JD. For actual apples to apples comparison you would need to look at the 4000 series JD line up and quite a bit more money. That L3940 is way more tractor IMO than the JD 3520. My friend is continually amazed at how much tractor the grand L's are. That 3720 he has lower FEL and 3pt specs than any of the Grand L lineup. The tires on my 3940 are almost 1 1/2 time the size of that 3720.

dusty3030 · Mar 24, 2011

Yep, closer match in JD would be a 4120.

Buster57 · Mar 24, 2011

dusty3030 said:
Yep, closer match in JD would be a 4120.

The price difference between the JD and the Kubota is about $1000. The HP is within 10%. Size is great but you better have overwhelming HP if you are going to plow a very steep hill.

The JD has a better HP: weight ratio, but it is less stable going up the hill-at least on paper. I will drive both before I buy but the choice. It appears the choice may be (1) stability with power needed or (2) lots of power but stability needed...I want to have fun not place myself in a dangerous position. Sure as He11 not over my pear trees.

I have owned 3 of each color. My Grand 'L' was a L3010 and it was very under powered for my application. This was extremely frustrating. I will try to make sure that does not happen again. In an Asian pear orchard high profile is not a good thing....but a tough tractor is.

Asian pear trees have the gentle flowing branches similar to pool ques. I have to replace my side lights every year on my B7800 because of those da3n trees...

Thanks !

ejkessler · Mar 25, 2011

Sounds like you are definitely on the right track for what you want or better yet "need". My buddy's JD 3720 is far more maneuverable than my L3940 but as previously stated there are trade offs to both. I have a wide open property with few trees and little grade. I can honestly say that if I were doing orchard work like you are describing the Grand L series would probably not fill the bill. My L2800 was about 3/4 the size of my Grand L's and at times, not many, miss the maneuverability. The L3800 may be a better comparison to the JD 3520 IMO. Just some food for thought.