Kubota L3940HST vs L4240GST need some input please

[mikescruggs]

Hello,

My father and I have a tractor we are looking to trade in. It is not that old and does not have high hours on it (3yrs and 300 hrs). There is no service in the local area for the tractor as the local dealer does not carry that brand anylonger. We also would like to step in in HP and capacities at both ends.

Our search has brought us to the following two choices based on pricing prior to recent price increases:

Kubota L3940HST
w/LA724 and QA bucket for $24540.

Kubota L4740GST
w/LA854 and QA buckt for $27250.

Both have R1 tires that are loaded and have a block heater installed. The service from this dealer is absolutely great in my experience. They even offered to come to my house to trouble shoot a problem with my older tractor before talking about a trade.

Today I test drove the GST and HST tractors to experience (in a short time period) the difference. The GST is a 1/2 a step up from my tractor. I have a Challenger 265B with BH. The HST has features beyond the GST which are more conveniences and avoid a learning curve with the GST.

I like some of the conveniences of the HST such as using the foot for change of direction and increasing RPM with pressure (if set into that mode). This will keep hands free to run hydraulics as necessary. I also like the fact that is slows to a stop (this rate is adjustable) when the pedal is released. This may prove handy in the woods.

I am tried to weigh the option of the increased FEL capacity with a GST transmission over HST transmission and less HP. One other concern which I have read here is a lack of power with a decent 6' brushhog on the L3940 and L4240.

We have about 88 acres of family land in which we will maintain the woodlot (log for my outdoor furnace), maintain a long driveway, sugar bush, trails, food plots in a few areas, landscape the property around my house. Also be able to travel to other family members houses to do the same or similar and a few side jobs. We have about 10 acres of field that would be nice to brushhog a few times a year. We don't have a brushhog right now and don't know when one will be purchased. We are using the BH feature of the Challenger to help trade up. We bought a KX121 this summer and the BH has sat on the ground without any use since the KX121 came home. The KX121 is a workhorse.

I would appreciate if anybody can chime in on the HST vs. GST, HP difference, and loader difference. We felt a L4240HST would be ideal, but the dealer only has current price models on the lot and the L4740GST is less than the newer L4240HST. Until I read about the HP issues with a 6' brushhog I felt the $2710 was not justifiable.

Before people tell me to search for my answers I found several posts from the past which hit on one point or another. I went through 85 pages in this subsection and did a search for the L4740. I also read a post of the gears vs HST. It would be nice to also have some more current postings (as opposed to one year ago). Also those who bought either of these models (or even the L4240) could provide an update on their experiences.

Thank you,

Mike

 

[amigauser]

I will start with the fact that I don't own either model. I do own a L3240HST which is the baby brother to the L3940HST. I have been happy thus far with the LA724 loader and the new Kubota HST system on the Grand L's. The L3940 has the same loader but is a slightly large frame size and has more PTO and net HP than my tractor.

A lot depends on the tractor usage. For any sort of loader work, it is hard to beat an HST tractor. Like you said you can start and stop on a dime and it is very easy to control with your right foot. For use in the woods HST gives you a lot of control. For ground engagement tasks a gear tractor will put more power to the ground. It will also provide more PTO power for things like a brush hog, chipper, etc. An

The L4240 would give you the option of getting the LA854 loader which lifts quite a bit more than the LA724 loader on the L3940. It is the same frame size tractor and a similar weight. Depending on the tractor useage the bigger loader might be a benefit or it might not. If it were me and I was doing a lot of heavy loader work, I would spend the extra money and get the L4240HST model with the LA854 loader. For basic property maintenance the L3940HST with the LA724 loader would probably do everything you need it to do.

 

[canoetrpr]

For the land you have, bigger is better - unless you have some specific reason - like making it through the woods - that requires a smaller tractor.

The heft of the LA853 loader is more than worthwhile if you ask me.

IMHO, you get the best value in the smallest tractor in a given series. So 4240 vs. 3940 allows you to get the next size up loader and larger capacities and is more than worthwhile.

I cannot believe that you will have any trouble with a 6ft bush hog with a 4240 but more power never hurt anyone. I have a 5 ft std duty bush hog which is all you need unless you are routinely tackling 3" trees - and it works beautifully on my L3400. If I were to do it again, I would have gotten a 6 ft std duty on my tractor and I am quite sure it would have been just fine.

I would be tempted to spend some time on the L4740 GST. I've never spent time on one but I would suspect that very quickly I would grow to really enjoy the transmission and if the price was actually less than the L4240 HST then I'd be quite tempted to go that route.

 

[EMS503]

First let me say I am not a seasoned operator on tractors but have learned alot here and with seat time, I had a GC2300 with HST ( I know alot smaller but had the HST ) I now have the L3940 GST(just broke 100hrs ) I have not had any issues with this tractor going fom the HST to the GST was real smooth, I have a six foot FM and have no problems running it and with the GST it acts like cruise control for the long stretches. The loader, I have the Woods LC108 and it lifts more then I have needed, I would suggest getting a tooth bar on any loader. I also use my 3940 in my chicken houses and have had no issues moving about the beams in them so moving about in the woods really shouldn't be much of an issue. I also have a six foot box blade and the 40 hp on my tractor handels this easily. My 3940 has loaded R4s and being very wet this winter it is really muddy by the chicken hoses I pulled my 300 gal. sprayer loaded through the mud with no problems just went to a lower gear and 4wd. I dont think you will be unhappy with either transmission just what you can afford and get used to.

 

[mikescruggs]

I appreciate the information added here. Here is a little history on the tractors I have used and the results:

Ford 9N decent for pulling out one or two short logs. Used many years ago with loaded R1 tires. It was sold when my parents stopped heating with wood and it's use nearly stopped.

Found a use for a 4wd tractor with a bucket (new house construction which is adjacent to the family land). Initially looked at 20 HP sizes. Ended up with a Challenger 255 (28 HP). It was good. We accepted the larger projects may take a little longer. The need for a BH came about. It was a 7,000 upgrade for this tractor and a pain to put on and remove (with under belly mount). Considered a used excavator, but did not want to inherit a headache. Hence......

...Challenger 265B. What a step up with a 33 HP and BH. The B series had BH bracket integrated with the frame. Connect time was about 5 minutes. Disconnect was a little less. BH was decent and definitely made a difference. We also lost only$500 on trading in the 255. The dealer is a decent friend and a good guy to work with.

The need for an excavator came about again and the KX121 was pruchased. The dealer (Challenger) had to restructure his business and the tractor line is no longer carried. We had a problem, our Kubota dealer stepped up and helped out big time. We realized in addition to great dealer support, a little more tractor would be very nice to have....

...now the hunt for a new one. I don't mind getting new equipment and like having the opportunity to try something new. BUT I don't want to keep loosing money. We like the L4240 HST and it seems ideal, but the L3940 and L4740 are available at older pricing. The L4740 is cheaper than today's price on the L4240 but lacks the HST. My next concern for implements and probably the only one valid for tractors (in my current situation) is running a 6' brushhog. I don't want to be caught behind here. We have a 6' Millonzi grapple (which works great), 6' BB, 6' rear 3 way blade, have built forks for the front and rear which use a hitch so we can tow a trailer at either end and mount an 8' plow (from an older truck). The Challenger has front and rear removes as well.

After some (a lot) more time on this board I think we are going to decide on the L3940 HST. The difference will go towards two rear remotes, a third function in the front, and a trailer. I have a dump trailer, but my truck cannot haul it loaded with the mini ex. We are looking at a tilt trailer to stay within the weight with the mini ex.

I am open to other ideas, concerns, or thoughts and these may help others. I wish I found this board before buying the first Challenger.

Mike

 

[4shorts]

Mike I'm sure what ever you end up buying you'll be happy with it. I have a new Grand L4240 Cab model and just love the thing. I'm using mine exclusively for snow clearing but I'm sure it would handle just about anything you can throw at it on a small farm. I really like the HST and even like the Throttle control more so for my plowing. I have the R4 industrial tires and there not loaded. I don't use chains and for my work I don't need them. When it comes to the hydrostatic transmission, there being used basically on all types of equipment these days and most of the real big stuff with very few problems and that in it's self was one of the deciding factors for me buying my tractor. Good luck with your purchase. Paul

Here's a little video of mine:

YouTube - Specialty Repairs 2008 Kubota

 

[john_bud]

GST is like a gear tractor where you just move the lever to the gear you want, no clutch needed. Has shuttle forward/back. Old timers seem to like it over the HST. But they probably are still bummed about not having that crank handle coming out the front...

Either will run a 6' cutter. MD and HD cutters may need you to keep the loader on while using it or the front will get lite.

jb

 

[canoetrpr]

4shorts - quite a nice looking rig you've got there! I am interested in finding out what you paid for it since you are this side of the border. I think the L4240HSTC is probably my dream machine

PM me if you don't mind. Just curious.

 

[Happyman]

My $.02
Go with the HST. It makes ANY type of work so much easier and smoother.
My Grand L 3940 runs a 7' Woods cutter with no problem. Even the Wallenstein chipper is bigger then recommended for my size tractor and I have had no issues running 6" trees through it. Overall I have been able to run larger equipment and implements on my 3940 HST then most people would recommend. This tractor has GUTS!
The only thing I would have changed is the FEL. I should have gone one up to the 4240 so I could get the larger 854 FEL. Other then that this 3940 has been able to handle everthing I can throw at it.

 

[DWCox]

In 2000 I purchased a Kubota L4610 with glide shift. I really liked that transmission a great deal, as up to that time I had never known anything other than standard gear shift. Prior to purchasing I had tried the same model with HST, but really did not know enough about it at the time to feel comfortable. If I recall, I was also a little concerned about the loss of any PTO horsepower (which is minimal with HST).

During that period I had a seasonal grading & landscaping business, and if I were in similar circumstances to do over again, I would surely go with the hydrostatic transmission. I have since come to appreciate how quickly you can do loader work with an HST, not to mention how slow you can make the machine go (a built-in creeper gear of sorts--an absolute necessity for trenching work I did). My needs are completely different now, so I just have a straight-forward gear shift, which is fine.

You will likely be happy either way, but I would go with your gut instincts on what you like best while in the seat.