Price Check L2800/L3400 opinions and price in WA.

Fiddynights · May 6, 2008

I have been looking for a used tractor for longer than I wish to admit. After a recent Craigslist episode where I "almost" got one, I am sick of it.

After checking some of the others I have leaned torward the L2800. It just looks way more heavy duty than the Nh or Mf. I will be using this on my 5 acres. About 1.5 is already lawn and the other is trails through trees and lots of under brush. I plan to do some light clearing. Mostly getting rid of the crappy alders. I will also use the loader alot to build motorcycle tracks, jumps etc for the Son and I. I plan on using the 60" brush cutter to chop up much of the under brush.

I think the 2800 will fit my needs and I would rather not fuel the extra hp of the 3400 if I do not need it. The resale is not that much of an issue as I plan to have this tractor for many many years.

Should I get the qa laoder? The forks would be a handy tool later. How much more is it. I forgot to ask the dealer.

Should I fill the rear tires? It is already pretty heavy and don't want to sink in the wetter spots. But I will be filling the bucket and trying to pull smaller stumps with the loader.

It seems like the B series is too light duty as compared to the L's but shoud I be looking at the b7800?

Does anyone have any recent price comparisons in Wa. or OR.?

This site has been great for information and am looking forward to your input.
Thanks

LD1 · May 6, 2008

Welcom to the site. I am ne here also but have been lurking for a long time. I have had my 3400 for a little over two years now.

First question is do you plan on getting a gear tractor or a HST. The 2800 Gear does not have a live pto like the 3400 gear which is the main reason I got the 3400. If you go with hst the tractors are pretty much identical in evey aspect except power. The 2800 will have pleanty of power for your ground engaging tasks b/c you'll break traction before you lose power even with r-1's. Its the larger pto implements that you can tell a difference on. I have never had a 2800 but I can tell you that the 3400 sips the diesel, so i doubt there would be a huge difference in usage.

As for the QA bucket, I am not as knowlegable as some others on this site but If you plan on doing a lot of heavy loader work I would reccomend not gettting it. The loaders on the 2800/3400 aren't overly powerful and the last thing I would want would be the extra weight lowering my capacity. I woul also reccomend loading the tires. These tractors are very light as compaired to other brand in this size range. Even with them loaded, you'll still need a bush hog or something out back to offset the weight.

It might be standard but make sure you get te loader that you can quickly take off the tractor, the lift arms and all. It sure makes it nice for buh hogging in tight areas or even tilling the garden. If it is a litle soft at all, with the loader on and the skinny tires up front it will cut ruts real easily.

Not sure the price on your area cause im in ohio but two years ago I paid 17,000 new. 3400 Gear FEL R-1,s loaded

Fiddynights · May 6, 2008

Yes, for sure, no doubt about it.......hst. I will be doing lots of multi point turns and back and forth building jumps. I have found a price just under 16k. This seems to be a good price. This was with the R4's, La463 loader, foldable rops and hst. I think I will have them fill the tires too. Now another decision calcium or rim guard. Jeesh I just want to play in the dirt already.

Leon Wittner · May 7, 2008

I own the L-2800DT with LA463 Loader I paid 14K about 4 years ago and I love my rig. I had tubes put in my tires and loaded them with Calcium Chloride. The extra weight in the tires helps with the stability and traction of the tractor. I would recommend you check with Jennings Equipment in Puyallup, WA they are great folks to do business with. 1 800 675-4253

LD1 · May 7, 2008

With going HST you do give up pto power so you need to analyze your pto needs. I wouldn't buy the 2800 only because of fuel savings b/c that will be minimal.

As for the tires, I would stay away from calcium, the only advantages are it's heavy (11lb per gallon) and its cheap. But it will kill lawn if you have a leek and eat your rim. Rim guard is also heavy but it is also expencive. Ask your dealer about winshield washer fluid. It's not as heavy as the above but its cheap, non-corrosive, and won't kill your lawn. WW fluid is all my dealer carried two years ago.

Fiddynights · May 11, 2008

Well I got my L2800 last week. I have only been able to get a couple of hours on it. I got the loader, hst and the tires filled with rim guard. I seems to have plenty of power. It will loose traction before power and try to lift the rear if trying to pry a stump that is too large. But I still wonder if I should upgrade to the l3400. The extra hp for 1k is pretty tempting. I will be getting a brush cutter soon and some day may step up to the bh75 hoe. My property is flat and this tractor would probably be fine but I don't want to regret not getting the extra hp later.

bigballer · May 13, 2008

2 years ago when i was shopping and comparing the cost of the 2800 vs the 3400 i figured the extra grand for another 6 hp was worth it. not sure i've really "needed" it as i experience the same thing - traction loss before power loss but my tires are not yet loaded. i also have the bh-75 and have pulled many stumps (over 75 alders so far) and plan to pull out many more as soon as i get out to cut them down. it is good for ditching as well. if you are running a bushhog in really heavy grass you might wish for the extra hp but otherwise probably not really needed. of course if the dealer will do a swap and only charge you the difference (new to new vs used to new) then it might be worth it.. where abouts in WA are you located?

Fiddynights · May 13, 2008

The 3400 is on its way. The dealer is just charging me the extra. (new to new) I probably won't often need the extra power but I sure don't want to regret this later. I never buy new so I need to make sure this is what I want. I plan to have this tractor for many many years.

I told the dealer on Friday that I was having second thoughts and he said keep it for the weekend and "work it"...so I did. I even pulled a couple of stumps and the 2800 was up to the task. But I do plan on a 60" brush cutter and can see where the extra hp will be nice. After thinking about it I am sure the fuel will not be much difference. I may even have to work the engine a bit less due to the increased torque.

I am in Arlington about 40mi. North of Seattle. Where are you Bigballer?

Thanks for everyones opinions. Now my Wife won't hear me bitchin' shoulda woulda coulda for the next 30 yrs.

canoetrpr · May 13, 2008

I think you have also found out that you have a pretty darn good dealer who would take a delivered machine back and give you the one you want and only charge you the difference.

I'm sure you will have a blast. No one complained about some extra HP

If you are looking for a regular duty rotary cutter, my suggestion would be to go with a 6 footer with a L3400 rather than a 5 footer. I have a Woods BB60 and love it but wish it was a foot wider for easier mowing along fencelines.

The L3400 can handle a standard duty 6 footer no problem. Just keep your loader on.

bigballer · May 14, 2008

Fiddynights said:
The 3400 is on its way. The dealer is just charging me the extra. (new to new) I probably won't often need the extra power but I sure don't want to regret this later. I never buy new so I need to make sure this is what I want. I plan to have this tractor for many many years.

I told the dealer on Friday that I was having second thoughts and he said keep it for the weekend and "work it"...so I did. I even pulled a couple of stumps and the 2800 was up to the task. But I do plan on a 60" brush cutter and can see where the extra hp will be nice. After thinking about it I am sure the fuel will not be much difference. I may even have to work the engine a bit less due to the increased torque.

I am in Arlington about 40mi. North of Seattle. Where are you Bigballer?

good to hear they'll do a trade up without any depreciation loss. is it a dealer up north near you? i've found 2 dealers in the area good to work with and share my business between them, the one that is closer wasn't quite as good on pricing so i went with the other when i purchased the tractor. i've bought all my "service" related stuff from the closer one.

i'm just east of monroe about 6 miles so we're almost neighbors. there are 4 other kubota owners within a mile of me - a B21, a B20, an L48, and another L3400.. and those are just the ones I've seen.. the odd man out has a jd-32hp.

when i finally get my 3 acreas of planned pasture cuttable a 72" bushhog would be nice to have but the 60" has been perfect for backing in and going through the trees to clear the blackberries, etc..

if you have any drainage work to do, stumps to pull, or trees to plant/move having a hoe will make all the difference.. it's added quite alot of ability to the tractor already and since my propery is mostly sloped it's come in very handy for terracing as well..

have fun with your second NEW tractor, you're gonna love it!!