L3240 - which Loader and options?

[Germankru]

Hi, I'm looking to purchase my first tractor and am strongly leaning towards the L3240. I've stopped by my local dealer and also been in contact with Barlow's. My local dealer says I should get the standard LA514 loader and he rarely if ever sells the LA724 loader. When I was in contact with Brady at Barlow's via email for price comparisons (great prices by the way 1.5-2k below local dealer) he strongly recommended the LA724 for it's added strength, capacity and future resale value. Any input?

In addition, what other options would anyone recommend for this purchase. I'd like get a tractor that will last a very long time and handle future needs.

I'm planning on getting the mid PTO, BH77 w/ Mech Thumb and R4 tires.

Property:
10 Acres - 8 Woods, 2 Lawn
I'll be doing a lot of landscaping, grading and trail making in the woods. Plan on a small garden of 20'x12', excavation for 2 utility sheds and have 20+ 8'-32' stumps to dig out.

Thanks in advance!

 

[kuboman]

Hi, I'm looking to purchase my first tractor and am strongly leaning towards the L3240. I've stopped by my local dealer and also been in contact with Barlow's. My local dealer says I should get the standard LA514 loader and he rarely if ever sells the LA724 loader. When I was in contact with Brady at Barlow's via email for price comparisons (great prices by the way 1.5-2k below local dealer) he strongly recommended the LA724 for it's added strength, capacity and future resale value. Any input?

In addition, what other options would anyone recommend for this purchase. I'd like get a tractor that will last a very long time and handle future needs.

I'm planning on getting the mid PTO, BH77 w/ Mech Thumb and R4 tires.

Property:
10 Acres - 8 Woods, 2 Lawn
I'll be doing a lot of landscaping, grading and trail making in the woods. Plan on a small garden of 20'x12', excavation for 2 utility sheds and have 20+ 8'-32' stumps to dig out.

Thanks in advance!

Definitely get the bigger loader and I would get at least on rear remote maybe 2 and the 3rd function for loader if you think you might need hydraulics out the front for a grapple or something.

 

[Verticaltrx]

Personally if it were me I'd have a hard time deciding between the two loaders. It really depends on how you'll be using the tractor. If you were going to be using it a lot for loading trucks, moving building materials, lifting building materials, etc I'd go for the bigger loader (lots of heavy and high lifting.) If you are mostly going to be moving dirt with the bucket IMO the smaller loader is more than adequate.

One other thing to consider, if you go with the bigger loader you better get the R4 industrial tires. The bigger capacity really would max out the small R1 ag tires on the front of an L3240. The turf tires might be a little better, but still aren't great for that much weight. IMO the LA 514 loader would make for a better balanced tractor, but then again, most people only want the biggest thing they can buy.

 

[soilsailor]

I concur with the bigger loader. I just took delivery of a L3540 with the 724. You cannot go wrong with a beefier loader IMO.

I had one set of remotes added. I wish I would have gotten the third function valve as I'm already working to add a "thumb" grapple.

6' tiller may be this weekend...

Oh yeah, bought the 72" ratchet rake on sale at TSC last weekend.

 

[Germankru]

Thank you all very much for the feedback! I'm leaning toward the bigger loader personally as I feel I only get one shot and might as well go bigger. With the BH77 on and the larger loader I would think things would balance out. I am planning to get the R4 tires filled and the wheels spaced out (i have some hilly terrain). As for loader use, I'll mostly be moving piles of dirt, gravel, wood , rocks and mulch around. Knocking down some trees and perhaps using it for my shed construction (bolt on pallet forks perhaps). I have a 1/2 mile private paved road so would do snow clearing as well.

I'm planning on a quick attach bucket, any recommendations on size and std vs hd? The L3240 I tested out today had the wheels spaced out pretty far so the width looked close to 6'.

Thanks for all the input, in the last 2 weeks I've become obsessed over tractors.

 

[Mbrowland]

As you I started with the 3240 but wanted a bigger loader so I spent a few more pennies and moved up to the 3940. I take delivery on Saturday.

 

[Baby Grand]

<snip>

I'm planning on a quick attach bucket, any recommendations on size and std vs hd? The L3240 I tested out today had the wheels spaced out pretty far so the width looked close to 6'.

Thanks for all the input, in the last 2 weeks I've become obsessed over tractors.

I have the 6' HD bucket with the cutting edge. It's a nice match to the LA724 loaded and the tractor width. You might consider a toothbar, depending on how you will be using the loader.

I'd get 2 or 3 rear remotes while you have some negotiating room with the dealer. Wished I'd done it, but didn't know any better at the time.

About the obsession thing. It just gets worse. But you are among friends, here. Onset of Stage II obsession is characterized by a fascination with attachments.

 

[wmonroe]

Definately the bigger loader, quick attach bucket, at least one rear remote, block heater. Will the mid pto be to power a front implement? if so i would get the 3rd function hydraulics. Good choice going with the backhoe and mechanical thumb.
Spending someone elses money is so easy! I actually have a grand L ordered that should be here any day and went with all the above options except the mid pto.

 

[TripleR]

Under "there always has to be at least one", if I was putting the bh on one, I would go with at least the 3540. I recall a poster commenting on his 3240 being weak going up hills with all of that added weight.

 

[wmonroe]

Thats a good point about moving up a little in HP due to the extra weight. The BH92 hoe weighs in around 1800 lbs so i'm sure the BH77 isn't too far off of that.