Comparison L3240 to L4240

[kcender]

I am just wondering if anyone has used both of these tractors and how noticable the difference in power is.I presently have a 2010 Grand L 3240 and sometimes wish it had more power,especially going up hills where I find it slows quite a bit.I talked to my dealer about this and he said I wouldn't notice much difference in power with a L3540 or L3940 and that I would have to go to a L4240.The L4240 has 10 more horsepower but only weighs about 300 more pounds so I would think it would have a noticable increase in power. My present tractor is hydro and any new purchases would also be hydro.The L3240 has done everything that I have wanted it to do but sometimes feels like it could use more power for the weight it is.I should mention that it has a BH 90 backhoe which I would also want on the L4240 if I decide to trade up.One thing that I really like about the L3240 is how easy it is on fuel.I am thinking the L4240 would use a fair bit more seeing as how it has one more cylinder and more power.Any input would be appreciated.Thanks.

 

[PHILIP8N]

The only time you will really notice it using more fuel than your L3240 is when the L4240 is producing more than 32 horsepower, or when the L4240 is over the horsepower curve of the L3240 throughout the rpm range. Both engines have basically the same BSFC. Philip.

 

[Samandothers]

My 4240 was first HST I ever used. I thought I needed more HP with it too. I think part of my issue was not using the HST properly. The pedal is not a fuel/gas pedal. To keep from stalling I needed to not push as much on the HST pedal. I have now learned how to use it better and don't think as much about needing more horsepower now.

 

[nybirdman]

I owned a L3130HST(replaced by the L3240) and currently own a L4240HST.
I like my L4240 but the L3130 did the same work.Great difference in Loaders but the L3130 moved snow,plowed ground and brush-hogged very well.I traded mostly for a cab.If going up hills....medium range and let up on the HST pedal(gears you down).Down fall of the larger tractor is just the physical size if in tight areas.If you feel you need more power I think the L3940 is the sweet spot in the Kubota line.

 

[ejkessler]

When you are going up hills what are you doing? If there is a pto attachment or heavy ground engaging implement then the answer is different than just going up hill. If it is just going up hill than learning to use your HST features more will probably do the trick as previously stated. Keeping proper RPM's if not using the ATA is key.

 

[arsenix2001]

Honestly if you want it just to power up inclines and perform better in High gear, you better start looking at the 5740. I had an l48 so 48hp vs 42hp and with the backhoe on she still bogged going up slopes even on asphalt. Dont know if its worth the $$$ your going to lose, but if its just lyin around lol. Ask the dealer to demo the unit, should answer all your concerns in 5 minutes.

 

[nybirdman]

Again having owned both...as far as fuel...at PTO speeds the L3130 used a bout 1gal/hr the L4240 about 1.25 gal/hr.I had 400hrs on the smaller tractor when I traded have about 400hrs on the new one.
Read your maual about ATA..auto throttle advance...also stall guard,I leave stall guard on all the time.I don't use the ATA much myself but if doing a lot of FEL work on heavy stuff it works well.
I run mine in medium range unless on the road.

 

[crazyal]

My driveway is pretty steep. With no load I can go up it in high however if I try to go too fast I can feel the pressure relief kick in. I normally do it in M without issue. I also don't usually rev the motor up past 2000 rpm, I think if I was to open it up it would do better. I had originally planned to get a 3240 or 3540 but went up to the 4240 for the larger FEL (mainly the extra height).

My gut feeling is you will notice a difference since you're jumping up 30% in power. When you go up hills with your 3240 what gear are you using (H,M, or L).

 

[JimP]

My 5240 will slow down on a hill in high range if the pedal is held down. Everyone's comments are right on, lift up on the pedal and/or use a lower range.

 

[TripleR]

When my wife and I went looking for another tractor about this time last year, we were going to get a 32-35 HP tractor and started looking at the B3200, L3400 until we saw the L3240 and loved it. We crawled all over tractors on two lots and loved the L3240/L3540. After thinking about it a bit, we decided for the slight difference in size the L3940 was a better bet. When we decided to go with a cab, we decided the L4240 was the best choice due to the HP loss to the AC and extra weight as well as more powerful FEL.

Well, we bought a L5030 and our next one will be a L5740, go for the L4240; nothing wrong with the others by any means. Now I wouldn't trade an L3940 for a L4240 but since you are going up anyway.

 

[kcender]

Thanks for the comments.I am aware of letting up on the HST pedal when going up hills.It helps but I get the feeling the tractor is somewhat underpowered for the weight of it.I figure with loaded tires,BH 90 backhoe,724 FEL,fluids and my weight the tractor is moving about 7500-7900 pounds.This seems like alot for 32 horsepower.I usually run about 2000 RPM.I haved reved it higher but it is not how I like to run it as the power does not seem as smooth ,if that sounds right.I had a BX 25 before this and that is all I really have to compare it to.I realize there is quite a difference between the two tractors but the BX had lots of power for the weight.I wonder why Kubota even offers the package I bought as it seems to me that more horspower would be more appropriate.As to why I bought it in the first place I am not very experienced with tractors and couldn't really get a true feeling for the tractor until I used it for awhile.I am not saying I am totally disappointed with the tractor but I find the bogging down on hills frustrating.I guess I like the feeling of power.Maybe most tractors do this,I don't know. That is why I was asking how a L 4240 compares to the L 3240.If the seat of the pants feeling is not much different then there wouldn't be much sense in trading as I certainly don't have money lying around.Maybe you have to get way up in horsepower to get rid of the bogging down on hills,I don't know.Thats why I was asking.Thanks guys.

 

[ejkessler]

Try using the ATA / stall guard setting. It will adjust accordingly. Most of these tractors develop their power at 2700 RPM. Many people feel it revved way to high above 2000 but that is not the case. They are meant to work at higher RPM's. HP is not the only consideration with power HP doesn't mean squat without torque. That machine you have has a fair amount of both. You are probably running the machine to low. Give it a chance. The features of the HST+ are there for a reason. If you are solely running the machine at a straight RPM setting of 2000 and aren't willing to push it to its designed and acceptable limits then you do need to upgrade.

 

[moship]

kcender,

Have you thought about putting a turbocharger on it? Don't laugh. On Kubota Engine America - Compact Diesel Engines I noticed they have turbochargers on some of their engines and it boosts HP by about 33%.

Compare D1105-T-E3B and the normally aspirated D1105-E3B for reference. (Just as a comparison. I'm not certain what would be the closest to your engine)

I bet with a bit of research, we would find that it would not be too hard of a conversion.

It certainly would be nice to find parts list to compare both engines to see if they are using the same base engine and just adding a turbo or if they are changing internals such as pistons, rods and crank or the addition of piston squirters.

Does anybody know of a parts list for these engines to see what is physically different?

 

[crazyal]

The 3240 is the smallest engine they put into the GL tractor frame. The 4240 (and above) is a slightly larger tractor frame. I would guess Kubota figured that it was the smallest engine that would get the job done, kind of like the base engine in a pickup truck, bigger will do more.

 

[ejkessler]

The 3240 is the smallest engine they put into the GL tractor frame. The 4240 (and above) is a slightly larger tractor frame. I would guess Kubota figured that it was the smallest engine that would get the job done, kind of like the base engine in a pickup truck, bigger will do more.

The frame and chassis size increases with the 3940. It has the same dimensions, weight and tires as the 4240 but uses the 724 instead of the 854 loader. The 3240 and 3540 share the same chassis and frame. I had the 3540 up until last weekend when I traded it for my 3940 cab unit and had the opportunity to see them side by side. The only reason I traded was because after this Winter I can't be blowing snow on an open station tractor for hours at 0 degrees and the snow blowing right back on to me anymore. I wimped out. Got a great deal at White's Tractor Supply in NY to help ease the pain of the trade.

I still say run that 3240 at a higher RPM's and/or use the ATA before deciding.

 

[crazyal]

The frame and chassis size increases with the 3940. It has the same dimensions, weight and tires as the 4240 but uses the 724 instead of the 854 loader. The 3240 and 3540 share the same chassis and frame. I had the 3540 up until last weekend when I traded it for my 3940 cab unit and had the opportunity to see them side by side. The only reason I traded was because after this Winter I can't be blowing snow on an open station tractor for hours at 0 degrees and the snow blowing right back on to me anymore. I wimped out. Got a great deal at White's Tractor Supply in NY to help ease the pain of the trade.

I still say run that 3240 at a higher RPM's and/or use the ATA before deciding.

That's what I had thought but some people have found the sub frame fits differently on the 3940 (sticks further out the front) compared to the 4240.

 

[Baby Grand]

...<snip>
I wonder why Kubota even offers the package I bought as it seems to me that more horspower would be more appropriate.<snip>...

There is no doubt in my mind why Kubota offers the L3240. For me, it's the perfect balance of just enough power to get the job done with the attachments available. In my opinion, unused power is wasted power (and $). The L3240 offers a good frame size, a nice loader, adequate hyd flow, and sips fuel.

Some background as to how I came to think this way:
When I was in my teens I work at a couple of gas station jobs. PTE (petroleum transfer engineer) that's what I told folks, anyway. This was during the 1978 fuel shortage. People behave differently when fuel is really expensive vs when they can't get it for however much money they have. They get downright ugly when you tell them "no more gas". I saw grown men getting in each others faces over their place in the gas line.

I need my tractor to be ready to work and that means it needs to be fueled up and ready to go. When fuel is in short supply, the desire for more power is quickly overridden by the desire for anything that will get the job done without have to go back to the hated filling station to wait in line.

3 and a half years with the L3240 has never revealed a need for more power that couldn't be handled by simply downshifting and moving a little more slowly. Traction, or space to maneuver have been the limiting factors for me.

When you make your decision to buy, ask yourself: will fuel always be available whenever you want it or could it be a tight commodity in the foreseeable future? Then buy according to what you decide.

-Jim

 

[art]

There are a number of things that I could ask, tires loaded, additional weight are you shifting down when you feel you are short on power as well as letting up on the hydro control. The additional controls of the tractor can change the way you need to operate the tractor.

The tractor chassis of the 3240 does have a higher lbs per horsepower then many of the other chassis's and it would effect climbing hills and other operations. To go to a larger horsepower chassis with the same tractor set-up would allow you to operate the tractor differently.

 

[kcender]

Just put four hours on the tractor digging ice out of my driveway with the backhoe.Under these conditions the tractor works perfectly fine and I am happy with it.This is when I appreciate the fuel consumption that I won't get with a bigger tractor.As I stated earlier the tractor is able to do pretty much what I ask of it.As far as the ATA,I have tried it but I am not a big fan of it.I have the stall guard on all the time and find it quite helpful.The HDS is one of the best features of the tractor and I use it every time I use the tractor.I certainly don't know everything about the tractor but I have put well over 300 hours on it since last April when I bought it and feel I have a decent understanding of it.I have tried revving the tractor at different speeds from 1800 RPM to WFO under different operating conditions to see how it responded.I just don't feel that an engine should have to be run WFO all the time even if they are designed for it.Even when the tractor is WFO going up a hill it still bogs down more than I would like to see regardless if I let up on the hydro pedal or not. Maybe I will just have to accept it for what it is as trading again would be the third time in less than two years and it is getting kind of expensive.I'll have to give it some more thought.

 

[ejkessler]

I'll have to give it some more thought.

Careful thought is a wise decision. There are all those darn fine lines between wants and needs. I am guilty as the next in having difficulty trying to figure out the difference.