Buying Advice Kubota L3800 vs L3940

[k0ua]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Our round bales only weigh about 600 pounds, so do you still think the L3800 would have a problem with them since it claims to lift ~1000 pounds on the spec sheet?

Anyone out there have an L3800 they'd care to chime in about? We're most concerned about the maneuverability limitations of the L3940 since we will be using it for lots of projects that it's probably overkill for.

Thanks again!

Laura & John

Well I have a forerunner to the L3800, basicly the same tractor, the L3400, and of course the 600 lbs would be no problem for the front end loader( or bale spike) as long as you had at least 600 lbs on the rear in the form of ballast, and it would not hurt to have loaded tires for about another 400 lbs.
It is a good tractor, mine is a HST and I would recommend that, greatly, but that said the 3940 looks really nice, it has quite a few more features as well as a bigger frame and more weight, You must remember the L3400 L3700 and now the L3800 are "economy or standard" models and as such are not as well equipped as the grand L models. Most notably to me is the extendable links on the lower 3pt arms, and turnbuckles instead of the sliding anti sway links. the seats on the grand L's are better,too. But all in all I am very pleased with my L3400, and there is quite a bit of difference in price. Mine has about 64 hours now, the last 8 or so has been snow and ice removal, which it performed very well, and with the Hydro, It was a pleasure to use. Good luck in your quest.

James K0UA

 

[Grandad4]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Our round bales only weigh about 600 pounds, so do you still think the L3800 would have a problem with them since it claims to lift ~1000 pounds on the spec sheet?

Anyone out there have an L3800 they'd care to chime in about? We're most concerned about the maneuverability limitations of the L3940 since we will be using it for lots of projects that it's probably overkill for.

Thanks again!

Laura & John

You really need an opportunity to drive both models for yourself to judge the maneuverability considerations. The difference in dimensions between tractors is obvious, but only you can judge how one or the other might function at your place. Maybe there's a dealer who could demo one or the other, (or both) at your place. Folks here often advise to go somewhat larger than your original "optimal size", if only because they discovered themselves that there always seems to be more work to be done with the tractor rather than less.

 

[Johnbro]

Welcome to the forum! Lots of great advice and knowledge here.

I recently went from a small frame (L2250) to a larger frame L4240. Couple of thoughts:

Maneuverability is definitely an issue. It's not that I can't get into places where I could with my 2250, just that I have to be a little more careful around stuff, because with the loader and a BB on the back that sucker is long. But if you can swing the bigger tractor, I think you'll be very happy with a Grand L series.

I ALMOST bought a 3940 at dealer A but checking with Dealer B they had a 4240, the main difference being a significantly more powerful loader (LA854) which is the same loader on the biggest GL series, including the L5740. Since loader strength is a big plus for me, I sprang for the 4240. In fact, we got a better deal on the 4240 than what was offered on the 3940, so it didn't cost anything to upgrade.

I would be perfectly confident that a 3940, 3800, or larger tractor would easily handle your 50 acre farm.

 

[beppington]

I vote for the 3940 :thumbsup:

See if you can figure out why

Anyway, I looked at Kubota'a website just now, & see:

L3940 HST w/ LA724 loader, regular 72" bucket, QA coupler & R4 tires, MSRP $29,262

L4240 HST w/ LA854 loader, regular 72" bucket, QA coupler & R4 tires, MSRP $31,264

(So a 4240 "should" cost you about $2K more than a 3940)

L3800 HST w/ LA524 loader, standard 60" bucket & R4 tires, MSRP $21,660

 

[PHILIP8N]

Test drive both tractors and get a feal for their size. The L3800 will be more nimble cleaning out stalls. I bush hog 20 acres with a L3940 and 6' hog and would not want to go any smaller. The cruise control and extra power on the L3940HST+ sure does make the job easier. I upgraded from an 8N to the L3940, and I feel like I made the right decision. Philip.

 

[Chilly807]

If you're dealing with 600 pound bales you won't have a problem with the 3800 handling the lift weight. I have a 3400 and have pretty much the same requirements you do, although on a smaller acreage. Mine is a perfect size for us, bush-hogging a 15 acre field takes me about 7 hours. I'd rather have had the 4400, but the extra size which we really didn't need wasn't worth the extra cost to get it.

The L3940 will be a bit more stable on heavy lifts, no question, as long as you're careful you should be fine with either. I think there's quite a price difference between the two tractors, if that's a factor then go with the 3800. If it really doesn't mean much, then get the tractor you like best after driving both. The L3940 gives you a lot more bells and whistles, and more complexity as well. If that's a good or bad thing is your decision to make, not mine.

There really isn't a huge difference size-wise, the 3940 is quite a bit heavier though. Neither one is built for tippy-toeing around the lawn, mine leaves some nasty tracks on soft ground in spring and fall with R1's.

Sean

 

[TripleR]

Lots of really good advice so far, so I won't really break new ground, just reinforce. As mentioned there is more difference than similarity with the exception of stated HP. When my wife and I started looking at another tractor, we quickly ruled the Lxx00 Series out as the GL40 Series had a much more comfortable operator station that was easier to get on and off. The ergonomics were also much better for us.

We really liked the feel of the L3240/3540, but needed more power, so quickly moved to the L3940/L4240 and settled on the L4240 for the reasons pointed out by Johnbro. When we went to order one, we found a used L5030 HSTC and bought it.

Everyone is different, but the features on the GL are really important to us and if small size was a determining factor, would probably go with a L3540 over a L3800. If size and price was not a priority, the L4240 would be it.

The good news is that both are great tractors that will do everything you need. One is a little smaller, more nimble, cheaper no frills workhorse and the other is a little bigger, stronger with more bells and whistles and higher price tag.

Go kick the tires, crawl all over them and drive them around a bit and you will know which is the one for you.

 

[bigbull338]

well tripleR im gonna go ahead an break the new ground.for the prices ive seen quated an the amount of land yall have,id step up to the MX5100 HST 4x4 with LA844 loader.because 1.you can get the MX5100 rigged up for $24,000 on the bottom an $25000 on the topside.this tractor will allow yall todo heavier work.an lift the bigger heavier round bales.

 

[TripleR]

well tripleR im gonna go ahead an break the new ground.for the prices ive seen quated an the amount of land yall have,id step up to the MX5100 HST 4x4 with LA844 loader.because 1.you can get the MX5100 rigged up for $24,000 on the bottom an $25000 on the topside.this tractor will allow yall todo heavier work.an lift the bigger heavier round bales.

The MX5100 is really a nice tractor. The "problem" with "stepping up" is there seems to be no end as each step seems to invite yet another. The hard part is find the tractor that is "just right", not too big, not too little, just the right controls, seat etc. Some of us wind up wither too big or too little and then some of us wind up with several tractors as there simply is no one tractor that will do it all well.

 

[crazyal]

If the size of the 3940 is questionable as to being too big then the 5100 will most likely be out of the question. IMO the extra size of the 3940 shouldn't be an issue if you go with HST. I find my 4240 is very nimble and park it in the garage next to a side by side with an inch of clearance with no problems at all.