slan
Silver Member
I have done my research well over the last two years and have test driven every unit on the market in this range and finally decided on orange because of quality, reputation, and the feel of the unit. I originally decided on a 3430 but when the dealer called me with the news that Kubota dropped their Canadian prices and I could get the new 3240 in my price range, I jumped. I did not even drive this unit but with the features and the Kubota reputation, I took the risk on a new model tractor.
Well after purchasing my 3240 in early May and only using it on my weekend property I now have about 65 hours on it. I have done a lot of different things with this unit over the last 5 weekends including the following,
About %50 of the time has been spent using the loader to do some finish landscaping (moving topsoil short distances and contouring slopes)
Bush hogged about 12 acres of old farm fields with very thick overgrown grass (4-5 feet in spots) with a lot of apple and cherry trees from 4-8 feet high.
Harrowed a plowed and tilled 2 acre field three times with an old set of spring tooth harrows (4 sets at 6 wide and 10 long).
First impressions.
I loved the way this unit is designed and the ease of use. Lots of space and the controls are just about where you need them. I thought the unit was a little under powered for the size at first until I got used to the hydro a bit and realized that it was a 32hp tractor rather than my 100hp backhoe. The unit also seemed a bit larger than I wanted to get into tight spaces but with the precision of the new hydro you can get just about anywhere.
It also took me a while to get onto the new hydro and where to set it for certain tasks and which range to be in but now it is a joy to operate.
Pros,
The new hydro is GREAT! It is smooth, quiet, and precise. Once you understand how the stall guard and response works together you are away.
The design is perfect with great visibility and the air ride seat, tilt wheel, and operator platform takes the stress out of hours in the seat.
The transport lock for the fel is a great idea. I had a neighbor borrow a Massey about the same size to do some bush hogging and he kept bumping the lever all the time and driving the bucket into the ground while mowing.
Cons,
Not much to mention here but a few little things.
Why did they put a pair of 1970 looking hazard lights on the fenders instead of a modern rectangular pair? Just looks like they don稚 belong with the sleek new look. I might replace them after warranty expires.
A few tips and questions.
The hydro is a little bit to get onto in conjunction with the stall guard and response dial. If you are bush hogging and want to use the cruise control you should have the response dial set all the way to fast. If you do not, when you get into a tough spot the hydro does not respond quick enough to slow the tractor down and it will bog down quickly. It is too bad the response mechanism wasn稚 incorporated after the response circuit.
I did my 50 hour service and the dealer gave me super UDT for the front axel as per the manual. When I drained it there was gear oil in it instead of UDT. Since I have changed it to UDT I have noticed more driveline vibration and binding so I will be moving back to 80-90 weight gear oil since I will not be using it in the winter.
If you notice that the engine seems to lose a bit of power while bush hogging or pulling something for a while check your bleed valve on the engine to ensure it is tight. Mine seemed to start losing %25 power after about 10 minutes of heavy mowing. It was the bleed valve that was tight but not really tight and let some air into the system.
My unit makes a strange noise from the rear end like a bunch of steel washers being spun on a steel rod very fast or like a bearing that is chattering. I happens when traveling in any range and is not a hydro whine but more of a mechanical bearing/shaft sound. The dealer came and took it for a drive after it was warmed up and noted it on my warranty but thought it was a normal sound. I would be interested if anyone else has a unit that sounds like this when traveling.
Oh, and watch out for those apple trees when bush hogging. I put a spur through my front tire this weekend and had to plug it. I noticed after they are 6 ply and I am used to 12 ply on my hoe. Duhhh I guess it was another UBF problem. (User Brain Failure)
That痴 about it. I give my 3240 a 9 out of 10 as of 65 hours.
Well after purchasing my 3240 in early May and only using it on my weekend property I now have about 65 hours on it. I have done a lot of different things with this unit over the last 5 weekends including the following,
About %50 of the time has been spent using the loader to do some finish landscaping (moving topsoil short distances and contouring slopes)
Bush hogged about 12 acres of old farm fields with very thick overgrown grass (4-5 feet in spots) with a lot of apple and cherry trees from 4-8 feet high.
Harrowed a plowed and tilled 2 acre field three times with an old set of spring tooth harrows (4 sets at 6 wide and 10 long).
First impressions.
I loved the way this unit is designed and the ease of use. Lots of space and the controls are just about where you need them. I thought the unit was a little under powered for the size at first until I got used to the hydro a bit and realized that it was a 32hp tractor rather than my 100hp backhoe. The unit also seemed a bit larger than I wanted to get into tight spaces but with the precision of the new hydro you can get just about anywhere.
It also took me a while to get onto the new hydro and where to set it for certain tasks and which range to be in but now it is a joy to operate.
Pros,
The new hydro is GREAT! It is smooth, quiet, and precise. Once you understand how the stall guard and response works together you are away.
The design is perfect with great visibility and the air ride seat, tilt wheel, and operator platform takes the stress out of hours in the seat.
The transport lock for the fel is a great idea. I had a neighbor borrow a Massey about the same size to do some bush hogging and he kept bumping the lever all the time and driving the bucket into the ground while mowing.
Cons,
Not much to mention here but a few little things.
Why did they put a pair of 1970 looking hazard lights on the fenders instead of a modern rectangular pair? Just looks like they don稚 belong with the sleek new look. I might replace them after warranty expires.
A few tips and questions.
The hydro is a little bit to get onto in conjunction with the stall guard and response dial. If you are bush hogging and want to use the cruise control you should have the response dial set all the way to fast. If you do not, when you get into a tough spot the hydro does not respond quick enough to slow the tractor down and it will bog down quickly. It is too bad the response mechanism wasn稚 incorporated after the response circuit.
I did my 50 hour service and the dealer gave me super UDT for the front axel as per the manual. When I drained it there was gear oil in it instead of UDT. Since I have changed it to UDT I have noticed more driveline vibration and binding so I will be moving back to 80-90 weight gear oil since I will not be using it in the winter.
If you notice that the engine seems to lose a bit of power while bush hogging or pulling something for a while check your bleed valve on the engine to ensure it is tight. Mine seemed to start losing %25 power after about 10 minutes of heavy mowing. It was the bleed valve that was tight but not really tight and let some air into the system.
My unit makes a strange noise from the rear end like a bunch of steel washers being spun on a steel rod very fast or like a bearing that is chattering. I happens when traveling in any range and is not a hydro whine but more of a mechanical bearing/shaft sound. The dealer came and took it for a drive after it was warmed up and noted it on my warranty but thought it was a normal sound. I would be interested if anyone else has a unit that sounds like this when traveling.
Oh, and watch out for those apple trees when bush hogging. I put a spur through my front tire this weekend and had to plug it. I noticed after they are 6 ply and I am used to 12 ply on my hoe. Duhhh I guess it was another UBF problem. (User Brain Failure)
That痴 about it. I give my 3240 a 9 out of 10 as of 65 hours.