L3240 , 65 hour review

   / L3240 , 65 hour review #1  

slan

Silver Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2004
Messages
165
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Tractor
Kubota L3240 HST
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.
 
   / L3240 , 65 hour review #2  
I have the Grand L3940 and love it!
Same sound as you in the rear end. I hear it most when in high range running down the driveway. Not so noticeable in medium or low range. Sounds kind of like gears rattling around. My 14 year old son even asked me if that was normal. He was afraid he might of broken something while using the FEL.
What's this bleed valve you are talking about? The only one I'm aware of is for the 3-point hitch.
Also, my scheduled 50 hour maintenance did not include any axle drain and refill. Only had to do the engine oil/filter and two hydro filters. Kept the same UDT and axle lube. That doesn't get changed until about 250 hours.
Check out my sig below to see all the implements I run. I've used them all a lot and everyone works great. This tractor is a true joy to run :D . Even my wife, son, daughter and 80 year old mother think it's "fun and easy" to drive.
 
   / L3240 , 65 hour review
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Happyman, the bleed valve on the engine is the one used to bleed the fuel system if you clean the fuel filter or run out of fuel. This seemed not to be tight and let a bit of air into the system which was only noticable after working it hard for a few minutes.
As for the 50 hour service, all the fluids were drained including the front end. after the first 50 hours it is back to normal service intervals. I guess it is to get rid of all those metal shavings from the parts "getting to know each other"

I am glad the sound from the rear end is normal.
Thanks......
 
   / L3240 , 65 hour review #4  
I have a GL 3240 with 50 some hours. I did the 50 hour thing a couple weeks ago & I only had to change oil & filters & make full checks. Book called for 6 qts. of oil but that over filled it. I have a friend with an L34 (same engine) & he found that 6 quarts also over filled his. 5 qts. fills it to the full mark on the stick. I am completely satisfied with this tractor. I have the 8 speed shuttle & I like that. I believe for my use I prefer it over the hydro. I have a Woods 5' hog & a 7' rear blade & a 6' box blade as well as a middle buster & I have access to a 6' disc harrow & other tools. I have used them all & am completely pleased. I just finished hogging today in grass & brush up to 6' tall & very thick. I ran in 4th gear & it never stuttered or pulled down. I had a Case 385 before which was a much larger tractor & this 3240 I believe will match it for power though being much lighter, it cannot match it for traction. It starts instantly, everything works, & it averages using 1/2 gallons of fuel per hour. The speedometer (1st I ever saw on a tractor) says it is running 18 mph on the road. With that kind of fuel mileage & prices being what they are ($4.39 for off road untaxed diesel) I may start driving it to town. The bucket loader has plenty of power & rear lift will pick up anything you hook it to. When tractor shopping, I tried many tractors (particularly New Holland though there were others) that would not lift the front of the tractor off the ground. This 3240 will jack it up in a hurry with either lift or roll. In case you can't tell, I love it & the price with LA514 loader & new Woods 5' BB60Brush Bull hog delivered to my home was only $17,500, which beat NH, AC, JD & MF all pretty badly.
 
   / L3240 , 65 hour review #5  
Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification. I'm aware of that bleed valve you're refering to.
 
   / L3240 , 65 hour review #6  
HappyMan,

I have an L3830. Where is the bleed valve for the 3 point hitch? I did not know there was one...
 
   / L3240 , 65 hour review #7  
Just did the 50 hr on my 5240, and just love it ! Nothing against it but on the survey I did think several things could be added/improved . Put a 'key override' like the airbag switch on pickup trucks, for the seat/pto switch. Kind of a PITA when using the Farmi tree winch, flipping the seat and throwing the pto lever at the same time. Also tried to shut down while looking at the end of the forks and letting up on the seat. Have solved these problems on my own. A higher 'road gear' would be nice, could have each range a little higher and still have plenty of power. Also the cruse working in reverse would be nice. Other than that just a beautiful machine. ( Now Kubota will make these changes and I will have to trade again !)
 
   / L3240 , 65 hour review #8  
Redbug said:
HappyMan,

I have an L3830. Where is the bleed valve for the 3 point hitch? I did not know there was one...
On the Grand L 3940 the 3-point hitch bleed valve is between your legs near the floor deck. It regulates how fast the hitch goes down when you lower it. I'm not sure if the L3830 has one. It's very handy depending on what implement you are using. It keeps me from hammering my cutting deck to pieces when lowered.
 
   / L3240 , 65 hour review #9  
Yes, I have that on mine, also. I don't use it much, mostly keep it in the center position, so things don't drop too fast. I was thinking a bleed valve was along the hyd line to lower the 3 point in case there was a hyd block in the system, somewhere. But, I guess the hand lever to lower the 3 point evens the hyd pressure out allowing it to lower and acts as a valve, also.

I'm very happy with my tractor. I also "fixed" my safety switch under the seat. I only request that Kubota offer an option for skid/brush plates for their tractors. Deere does on some of their models. It's too easy to tear something up underneith when in the woods.
 
   / L3240 , 65 hour review #10  
I love mine. About 120 hours as of this weekend. I still want more power but I am continually amazed at what this tractor will do.

My wish list...
I wish there was a resume on the cruise. :)
 

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