L2800 or L3400

[cperky]

I am trying to decide between these two models w/fel. My Budget will cover the 3400 if I get the gear transmission but the 2800 will be a better budget fit because I can get the qa loader and maybe the hst. I am mainly needing a "chore" tractor with the thought of adding a hoe in the future.

Chore's include: moving dirt ,5' bushog, log splitter(will have a remote added to either model) small roto tiller ,post hole digging, pulling a 10' trailer around the yard for debris removal and firewood transport.

Future use of hoe would include: 2-3 ft trenching for electrical installations and ditch cleaning.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I am leaning toward the 3400 but if there is not a significate difference the 2800 honestly fits the budget better.

Thanks

 

[canoetrpr]

A L2800 will, for 95% of what you will do with it, do what a L3400 will. The hydraulic capacities are the same. The L3400 will give you a little bit more oopmh for PTO powered equipment or on hilly terrain. No one ever regretted a few extra HP but many regret not getting the few extra HP when they had the chance.

I would not be without HST - no question about it. First there is the convenience factor. Second not needing to replace clutches. One clutch job will probably cost you what the price difference is between HST and DT. Third you will get most of your money back trade in time and if you sell privately the HST will sell faster.

To be perfectly honest, you are putting enough money into it that I would just bite the bullet and get a L3400 with the HST. The few extra ponies are nice given that the HST robs a couple of HP. Used tractors sell by HP so the difference between a 28HP tractor and a 34HP tractor in selling price will be close to what you will get back one day when you sell it.

Think about HST and the upgrade to the L3400 as money you are borrowing which will be returned to you as a result of savings in clutch jobs and at resale time. Better yet, justify the HST purchase on the L3400 by thinking that you are prepaying for a clutch job on a DT tractor (that you will never have). Think of the convenience of HST and the few extra HP of the L3400 as interest on that money.

L3400 with HST and a QA loader would be what I would get. If you can swing it with financing, bite the bullet and also get the hoe and a couple remotes NOW. All the installation will be covered and you will get a good deal on the package

 

[Crash101]

Between the 2800 with HST or 3400 with the gear transmission, I believe you would be hard pressed to find a reasonable person who has accumulated some hours on both who would recommend the 3400. The other part of the question pertaining to the HP difference may not be so easy to answer. Normally I would say, save the money and buy the 2800. Every implement that kubota recommends for the 3400 is listed for the 2800 as well. Both have more wheel HP than you will need and either one has enough PTO HP for any item you'll likely use that is not too heavy for the weight of the tractor and/or the 3 point lift capabliity. BUT you have a larger acreage compared to most who will be using the standard Kubota L series. Somewhere in that 66 acres you may well find a need for some additional PTO horsepower and though the L2800 should do fine, I can't help but agree with the other post recommending looking for an additional $1100 dollars or so to get the 3400 HST. I can't imagine you'd ever regret it. However if the final decision will be made between the 2800 HST or the geared 3400 only, it's hands down, L2800 HST.

 

[wushaw]

I would go with the L2800HST given the them choices, I do way too much FEL work.

 

[cperky]

Thanks for the input guys, good food for thought.

Chris

 

[RadarTech]

Chris,
Jump on that zero interest zero down for 42 months...
divide 1100 by 42 and get $26 and some change...

If you have the cash to buy the 2800 outright.. do the finance option then pay some down and then it would be easy.

For $26 a month over 42 months I can not justify a 2800..

I went through this same thing.. and I live in West NC..
my wife's uncle has a 2800 and he is amazed at some of what I have done..

From the state road to our new house the elevation change is about 200- 240 feet. and I have not bogged it down.. the relative on the other hand, well he is amazed...

If you can do the financing, get the 3400, if not look hard for the extra $..

Later,
Jim

 

[machmeter62]

I have a '04 L2800 gear with the loader; HST wasn't an option then. Base your decision on the amount of PTO hp you will require; with my L2800, I always run out of traction before HP. If loader work is your primary use, I would get the L2800 HST.