Kubota vs Deere 30+hp

[Idaho10ac]

Thanks for the input I am going to the Kubota dealer Tuesday to try the L3400 and the L3130. Any suggestions for my test driving. As I said I'll be looking at the JD 3320 at the end of the week. I think these tractors are at the top of my price range so we'll see how they feel.

 

[cleanmansb]

L3400
I have had mine for 3 weeks and it will do all I ask of it.
My wife also wanted to stay under 20g and it rocks. I just needed some helpfull hints from here and the choice was easy
enjoy your test drive L3400 will be comming home.
Scott

 

[Idaho10ac]

If you don't mind me asking. What was your buying experience like. How much did you pay and with what options? Are there any options that you now wish you had? Also what tires did you get and how are they working? Tires filled or unfilled?

 

[ccsial]

I have an L3400 HST and I really like it. I only use it for brush hogging and snow blowing. I run a rear mounted snow blower. If you want a front mounted blower be aware that the L3400 does not offer a mid PTO and the 3520 does have that option.

 

[Idaho10ac]

What attachment are you using as a snow blower? What kind of snowfall do you get where you are at? Is the L3400 up to the task?

 

[ccsial]

I got the L3400 in June so I have not actually used the blower on it yet but I expect it to perform the same as my 1910. The blower is a 60 inch rear mounted Ford and dates back to the mid 80's. I have used it with my gear drive 1910 which has about the same PTO power as the L3400. I had a rear remote put on the L3400 to operate the chute angle. It goes through a foot of snow with no problem. We seldom get more than that. In a drift I just slow down more. I am looking forward to having the HST while blowing snow.

I got the L3400 so I did not have to switch between the bush hog and finish mower every week. I use the 1910 with a RFM to do my trails. The 355D does my yard which is not all that big since I have woods all around. I brush hog about 6 acres but I don't do it all in a day. I just go out there on nice days to relax for a few hours.

 

[schole]

Just a plug for the L3400 -- had mine all summer (gears) and love it.

Uncle just bought the JD3320. Way more $$ but WAY more features as Bob has already said (What a great machine, too).

L3400: So much power the belt slips on the 72" mower before the engine bogs down in 2nd High!! You will find the tires spin long before you run out of loader power. Even with ballast, you can throw around the machine without worrying about straining the engine.....worry about bending things?? Haven't done any damage. Yet.

For 17 hilly acres, I have been extremely pleased with the power and function for the $$ (mowing, hogging, loader work).

Have fun!

Shawn

 

[Idaho10ac]

I went to the dealer today and test drove the L3130. The L3400 they had was sold and they only had one in a crate. The 3130 was a really nice tractor. Still, when I started comparing them side by side it didn't look like there was anything on the 3130 that I would miss on the 3400 but then I started looking at the options that I wanted. When I talked to the owner of the dealership he showed me the options that weren't just creature comforts that seperate these two machines. To start you can't add forks to the 3400 with the loader that comes with it unless you put them on the bucket. He said this wouldn't work well for much weight as it pushes the load farther from the lift point. You can't even detach the bucket. The other major point that I read about but didn't quite understand was the lack of a feather adjustment on the 3400's 3pt. He said if I was doing any grading work/ or landscaping I would be frustrated by the lack in control. It would be hard to fine tune the height by more than 1" incraments. This is apparently significant when grading. He said that you can install a valve that allows you to do this that is around $700. So now I am almost convinced that I need the L3130 or 3430 of which there is a $500 difference. He quoted me $21,200 for the L3430 with the better loader 732 or whatever it is and quick attach for the bucket. There is about a $3000 difference between these two machines out the door. I really liked the L3400 do any of you 3400 owners have contrary info that would allow me to get that tractor and still do what I want. Especially the fork option that I have to have. The extra valve changes the difference to around $2000. That margin seems worth it for a better tractor I would keep forever. I would just have to convince my wife /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[JerryG]

There are quick attach for loader buckets that are made by other manufactures. There are even some that will use your same bucket. I have a pin type quick attach that works very well and is also a lot less expensive than the Bobcat type. The pin type will let you use your existing bucket without changing anything on it. ATI Attachments has both types of QAs. ATI Attachments
They show the Bobcat type on the site, but to see the pin type you have to download their complete product manual and then go to page 27.

 

[ccsial]

When I got my L3400 in June I noticed that the 3PH jumped about an inch. I called my dealer and they came out and looked at it. They said that is not right. The found a new valve on Kubota's dealer web site and replaced it for free. It works very nice now. It's all about having a good dealer.

I am very pleased with my L3400 HST. I liked the fact that the L3400 is a simple tractor and hopefully more reliable. I don't have an end loader on mine and I'll never need a Mid PTO either.

You need to consider what features you need. The L3430 is heavier and probably handles an end loader better. It has a longer wheel base too so it might ride a bit better on rough ground.

Reasons I bought L3400 over L3430
1-Price.

2-Simpler (especially less electonics than L3430).

3-Short wheel base turns a bit tighter.

4-Don't need Mid PTO.

5-Foldable ROPS is lower so it fits under my 8 foot garage door without folding.