L3240 vs L3540 vs L3940

[RedDogRacing]

I have a discussion going in pricing, but thought I would seek some additional advice.

I own a B3200 HST at home, at work we have a L3940 HST, both have loaders, I much much prefer the 3940, but wife loves the b3200 her first tractor experience, she loves to mow with it.

The 3940 is pushing the budget, my concern with the other two, is that I am not gaining enough HP to make the additional size worth the higher monthly payment.

We have 5 acreas and horses, finish mow 1-2 acreas of that, will have to bush hog the rest. Also have 30 additional acreas of horse pasture that i might take tractor to on occasion to bush hog move hay etc. All L series have same loader rating

B3200 32 hp 23 hp pto

L3240 34 hp 26.5 hp pto

L3540 37 hp 26.5 hp pto

L3940 40.5 hp 31-33 hp pto

 

[ddb123]

Isn't the L3540 rated at 28.5 pto?

I think moving from the B3200 into the smaller Grand Ls will mostly gain you loader strength and tractor weight/stability. The bigger and heavier tractor will be able to do more. As you can see, I got the 3540 and for me it was absolutely the right choice. I do however like the B series, just not a good match for my terrain. I think the L3540 is the sweet spot of the three you mentioned. It is physically a little smaller than the L3940 and a little extra power over the L3240. A lot of people on here will tell you that you need 5 hp/ft to run a brush hog. I think that is far too conservative. My tractor runs a 6' hog with ease on my hilly terrain. I don't think I've ever seen a dissatisfied 3540 or 3940 owner on these boards. The only time I've seen someone say the 3240 felt underpowered was a guy who had loaded tires and a backhoe on it and said it sometimes lacked power in High range, or in Med under load.

As far as it being worth it to upgrade, that's hard to say. I think you would for sure appreciate the upgrade, and your wife would probably become comfortable on the larger tractor. The B3200 will probably do anything the others will do, just not as efficiently or comfortably.

 

[TripleR]

As mentioned by ddb123, going from a B3200 to even a similar HP Grand L is about more than HP as you are getting the HST+, better FEL, stronger, position control 3PH, larger more comfortable platform etc. Several years ago, my wife and I went looking for something to fill the spot between our SCUTS and 80 HP UT. We initially thought the B3200 would fill the bill, but a day spent looking at them convinced us the GL was the way to go.

We have a lot of acreage and went bigger, but we really like the feel of the L3540.

 

[RedDogRacing]

Thanks for the input so far.

I really like the "extras" that they put on the L. Throttle being linked to HST pedal position tilt column, I kno wshe will enjoy it after one use.

I want to avoid trading up, just to wish later I had went with something else. The remote site has some pretty decent hills and i was thinking about a 6' hog as well.

Kubota site says 26.5 pto hp for 3540 but i did see on other sites 28hp with HST.

 

[TripleR]

A person can chase the "just a bit bigger" all the way up to the L5740 and for your acreage still not be too much. A L4240 was our initial choice in order to get the bigger loader, but if you're going to struggle paying for a L3940, a L4240 is going to be out of reach.

If you are set on a 6' rotary cutter, based on how our L5740 HSTC handles our Land Pride RCR2672, I think I would go with the L3940 for the added weight and power.

 

[1969grandpa]

I was in the same position as you. I went with the 3540 for its size and I couldn't justify the extra expense for the 3940. I needed a tractor that could safely move and stack round bales and I felt that the B 3800 frame is just to small for that although it does have the HP needed for that task. As of yet, I have no regrets. With the GL series, your paying extra for features, frame size, and loader capacity. And it doesn't hurt that it has a PADDLE SHIFTER. MUAHAHAHA :cool2: In your face B series.....

 

[bandit67]

If you're close to sea level, I think the 3540 would work well for you, and I'd recommend if you're making a move from the B3200, to go at least to the 3540.

Of course, if you really, really, want the 3940 and can swing it, get it because you'll always wish you had. I only say that because you're still considering it, and the 3940 is the machine that got you thinking about moving up in the first place.

 

[dstig1]

Nobody ever thought they got too much power in their tractor. Ibought used and so you compromise ... The 3130 was the smallest engine, and I really wish it was 2-3 steps higher. My $0.02...

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Just something to consider. I had a B7800 (B3200 replaced it) and used a 6' Landpride (Heavy) rear finish mower on my rolling to steep yard. The RFM would sort of swing the tractor around at the bottom of the hill which was no problem since I knew it was going to do it. After 3 years got the B7800 paid off and traded it to the L3240HST+. They both had about the same HP but the L was twice as heavy.
The L seat sat quite a bit higher off the ground than the B seat which seemed a bit scarier to me so there was a point against my B to L trade.
The RFM never swung the L so there was a point for the L over the B. When mowing my steepest hill the L was running out of power by the time I crested the hill where the B never slowed down. That twice the weight has a good side and a bad side to it. Both tractors had about the exact same HP.
Traded the L3240 back to a B3200 and 90% of the reason was because I was never comfortable driving it on my hilly property on the L. Some people will maybe say the L was more stable than the B on a hillside but it sure didn't FEEL like it which means more to me when I'm out on the machine than my head saying that it's safer. Butt feeling over rode brain knowing for me.
If I had flater land I'd go for the L but alas I don't so Bs are as high as I go up in size. I wouldn't go from a B3200 to a L3240 if I felt I needed more power than my B3200.
Just one mans free opinion and experience.

 

[PAPPASMURF]

have you considered a L3200 or L3800? seems to me that for the price and HP, you would fair far better in that type of tractor. Just wondering.