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firefighter jim
Gold Member
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- Feb 28, 2009
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- 469
Thanks to all for your comments, Jim
Kubota L3400 Owners, How do you like?
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shu
Bronze Member
I like mine fine. Have 90+ hrs on it now after 5 months. (Traded in a New Holland TC-30 for the L3400 after 5 yrs and 700 hrs.)
The TC-30 was still working well when it started, but had become very petulent about cranking - maybe a bad starter switch or a leaky wire. Would have had no hesitation about getting another New Holland (TC-120 is the current equivalent, I think) but none was available with HST.
The tractors are in the same 'market niche'; economy model 30-35 horsepower. They would not last long at yr local Rental Yard, but fine when you treat your equipment like you own it yourself.
Kubota does make one or more beefier tractors in the 30-35 hp range. I chose the L3400 not just on price (but a major consideration). Although 'weight is your friend' for traction in tractors, a heavier tractor would mean buying also a heavier trailer and more powerful pickup truck to pull it. The size and weight are OK for maneuvering around the house and in the yard.
We have 10 acres of pasture at the house, a few rent houses and vacant lots and other small acreage. It's all flat land. I do a fair amount of dirt work; landscaping and drainage. In summer there is no end of mowing. Also pulling up fence posts, drilling new post holes, pushing over small trees, whatever. Have not had the L3400 in real trash yet, but tore down two old tax-sale houses with the TC-30.
With a front-end-loader, 4 wheel drive is a must have; else no traction on the rear wheel with any appreciable weight in the bucket. For dirt work or mowing around obstacles, anything where frequent change from forward to reverse is needed, HST is a must have.
The L3400 has one common hydraulic reservour, that being the transmission. (The TC-30, iirc, had separate reservours for HST and implements.) I do notice the L3400 speed drops if there is a concurrent volume demand from e.g. moving the FEL bucket while driving.
When I first had the TC-30, seems I stalled it out rather regularly doing heavy dirt work with the FEL. Have not done that with the L3400. Might be a difference in the tractors, or just me being a more experience operator. The L3400 FEL joystick is much more sensitive than the TC-30 FEL control was. Still have not got used to it.
I do like to mount/dismount ambidextrously. Cut two or three inches off the FEL joystick (which actually seemed to help with the sensitivity problem) and the 3-point left lever; more room to mount/dismount on the right side now.
Bigger is nearly always better in tractors. 40 hp would let me pull 6 ft implements instead of 5 ft, and carry more in the bucket. But...
...bottom line, the L3400 should do you fine around the house and up to 15 acres or so.
-shu
The TC-30 was still working well when it started, but had become very petulent about cranking - maybe a bad starter switch or a leaky wire. Would have had no hesitation about getting another New Holland (TC-120 is the current equivalent, I think) but none was available with HST.
The tractors are in the same 'market niche'; economy model 30-35 horsepower. They would not last long at yr local Rental Yard, but fine when you treat your equipment like you own it yourself.
Kubota does make one or more beefier tractors in the 30-35 hp range. I chose the L3400 not just on price (but a major consideration). Although 'weight is your friend' for traction in tractors, a heavier tractor would mean buying also a heavier trailer and more powerful pickup truck to pull it. The size and weight are OK for maneuvering around the house and in the yard.
We have 10 acres of pasture at the house, a few rent houses and vacant lots and other small acreage. It's all flat land. I do a fair amount of dirt work; landscaping and drainage. In summer there is no end of mowing. Also pulling up fence posts, drilling new post holes, pushing over small trees, whatever. Have not had the L3400 in real trash yet, but tore down two old tax-sale houses with the TC-30.
With a front-end-loader, 4 wheel drive is a must have; else no traction on the rear wheel with any appreciable weight in the bucket. For dirt work or mowing around obstacles, anything where frequent change from forward to reverse is needed, HST is a must have.
The L3400 has one common hydraulic reservour, that being the transmission. (The TC-30, iirc, had separate reservours for HST and implements.) I do notice the L3400 speed drops if there is a concurrent volume demand from e.g. moving the FEL bucket while driving.
When I first had the TC-30, seems I stalled it out rather regularly doing heavy dirt work with the FEL. Have not done that with the L3400. Might be a difference in the tractors, or just me being a more experience operator. The L3400 FEL joystick is much more sensitive than the TC-30 FEL control was. Still have not got used to it.
I do like to mount/dismount ambidextrously. Cut two or three inches off the FEL joystick (which actually seemed to help with the sensitivity problem) and the 3-point left lever; more room to mount/dismount on the right side now.
Bigger is nearly always better in tractors. 40 hp would let me pull 6 ft implements instead of 5 ft, and carry more in the bucket. But...
...bottom line, the L3400 should do you fine around the house and up to 15 acres or so.
-shu
Altex
Silver Member
Only one issue. But otherwise I love it!
The issue is with the 3PH jerkyness. There have been some older posts about the jerkyness of lifting arms on the 3 Point Hitch.
I remember the comparisons to a similar size John Deere (video) which the JD was super smooth along with other L3400 videos which were not so smooth. The L3400 described as an "Economy Tractor" compared to the Grand L smooth 3PH, so "live with it". And some trying to switch out the valve which had some better results.
Anyway you can probably find it if you do a Search on the subject of L3400 Jerky 3PH. I think this included the L2800.
Kubota L3400
YouTube - Kubota L3400 lifting with the 3 point hitch (3PH)
John Deere 790:
YouTube - John Deere 790 lifting with the 3 point hitch (3PH)
All in all it's not that big of a problem to me. I agree with many who say, I can do what I need to do and overall it's the best. Just trying to make y'all aware of the issues.
The issue is with the 3PH jerkyness. There have been some older posts about the jerkyness of lifting arms on the 3 Point Hitch.
I remember the comparisons to a similar size John Deere (video) which the JD was super smooth along with other L3400 videos which were not so smooth. The L3400 described as an "Economy Tractor" compared to the Grand L smooth 3PH, so "live with it". And some trying to switch out the valve which had some better results.
Anyway you can probably find it if you do a Search on the subject of L3400 Jerky 3PH. I think this included the L2800.
Kubota L3400
YouTube - Kubota L3400 lifting with the 3 point hitch (3PH)
John Deere 790:
YouTube - John Deere 790 lifting with the 3 point hitch (3PH)
All in all it's not that big of a problem to me. I agree with many who say, I can do what I need to do and overall it's the best. Just trying to make y'all aware of the issues.
OP
firefighter jim
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2009
- Messages
- 469
Thanks for the reply Al, My 3 point hitch is indeed on the jerky side but nothing that I can t live with. Would a smoother 3 point be nicer, sure. Overall, great tractor so far. If I would have purchased another make or model, I m convinced there would be something wrong with that one also. Kubota should take note of the issue however. Whatever happens is anyones guess. Aside from a few negatives (pto lever and cable seem a little flimsy, tractor should suit us just fine. Jim
I've been watching this thread for a while but need to vent a bit... first off I do like my L2800 but I understand that I have to "baby" her.
The front tie rods are exposed since when you get the FEL put on, the dealer will remove the protective metal plate that was there. I still have a PTO that doesn't always shut off. The suspension seat tends to lock up (yes, you do have a suspension seat, check it out.) The sight glass tends to crack and the return hose (on some models - I don't know) had to be replaced. I also have the ratching cams which WILL fail if I'm not carefully with them...
.
The front tie rods are exposed since when you get the FEL put on, the dealer will remove the protective metal plate that was there. I still have a PTO that doesn't always shut off. The suspension seat tends to lock up (yes, you do have a suspension seat, check it out.) The sight glass tends to crack and the return hose (on some models - I don't know) had to be replaced. I also have the ratching cams which WILL fail if I'm not carefully with them...
.
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RadarTech
Elite Member
Teg,
I thought I had been pretty tough on my 3400 until I read your last post!
Here is why I say that:
1. stalled it out, or get close at least once every time I do heavy FEL work
6 or 8 times in the last 3 months..
2. broke my light/medium duty box blade.. ripped one of the mount points off.
got stuck on a rock in low gear going down hill that was so big it leveraged against the tractor (It was 6 feet long 4 feet wide and at least a foot thick) the rear tires were on it when the box hooked it! Road building..I posted pics somewhere...
3. got it stuck in snow good!
4. moved rocks so heavy that I could only get the bucket a few inches off the ground. (wasn't moving them far)
I have not had the site glass issues, and I have been careful on the tie rod part after reading that on anothe thread..
anyway-- I have been happy with mine. got about 180 hours on her...
Later,
J
I thought I had been pretty tough on my 3400 until I read your last post!
Here is why I say that:
1. stalled it out, or get close at least once every time I do heavy FEL work
6 or 8 times in the last 3 months..
2. broke my light/medium duty box blade.. ripped one of the mount points off.
got stuck on a rock in low gear going down hill that was so big it leveraged against the tractor (It was 6 feet long 4 feet wide and at least a foot thick) the rear tires were on it when the box hooked it! Road building..I posted pics somewhere...
3. got it stuck in snow good!
4. moved rocks so heavy that I could only get the bucket a few inches off the ground. (wasn't moving them far)
I have not had the site glass issues, and I have been careful on the tie rod part after reading that on anothe thread..
anyway-- I have been happy with mine. got about 180 hours on her...
Later,
J
wushaw
Elite Member
Go ahead and get ya a new sight glass, they usually crack @ 200hrs
Atleast the clear ones do, they are gray now.
RadarTech
Elite Member
Well, I emailed Messicks to get the price and all and kept getting tied up and did not get it ordered..
now that I have thought about it..
Is there anything else I need to get a spare of so that it won't be IBWW?
(it broke won't work)
that's a good story-- we used to write that on the operations board for equipment in the Corps.. Always had fun with the new boot officers as that was "classified"...
Teg? wushaw?
Bueller?
thanks guys!
J
now that I have thought about it..
Is there anything else I need to get a spare of so that it won't be IBWW?
(it broke won't work)
that's a good story-- we used to write that on the operations board for equipment in the Corps.. Always had fun with the new boot officers as that was "classified"...
Teg? wushaw?
Bueller?
thanks guys!
J
emmy71
Silver Member
Well, I emailed Messicks to get the price and all and kept getting tied up and did not get it ordered..
now that I have thought about it..
Is there anything else I need to get a spare of so that it won't be IBWW?
(it broke won't work)
that's a good story-- we used to write that on the operations board for equipment in the Corps.. Always had fun with the new boot officers as that was "classified"...
Teg? wushaw?
Bueller?
thanks guys!
J
I don't know how old your 3400 is, but I got my sight glass under warranty. A pipe plug will plug the hole in the transmission. I took my cracked sight glass to the dealer and he gave me a new one under warranty. I still have the pipe plug in the tractor. One day I will get around to putting the new sight glass in. The new one is made much better than the original one.
Terry
