Tractor Sizing L3240 widths

[crazyal]

Weight shouldn't be an issue since you'll need rear ballast no matter what. Even with the larger 4240 I often end up trying to push the bucket through mounds of dirt that I can't. I would second the idea of getting a tooth bar.

 

[toytrains]

Weight shouldn't be an issue since you'll need rear ballast no matter what. Even with the larger 4240 I often end up trying to push the bucket through mounds of dirt that I can't. I would second the idea of getting a tooth bar.

I will definitely look into the toothed bar.

My father owns a 4240, down right impressive machine and at 72" with the larger FEL, seems very appropriate. 4240 is just beyond my needs (and likely his) =) ...

From what I gather though, the 3240 will handle 72" just fine also, just maybe not with the same grace and power.

Tony

 

[Verticaltrx]

If dirt work and excavating are one of your primary jobs then I have to disagree with others that said you would be best off with a 72" bucket. If you are just using it for loading trucks or moving/carrying dirt then big capacity is good. For digging and heavy grading the narrowest bucket you can get is your best bet. A tractor the size of an L3240 just doesn't have enough weight to really dig with a 72" bucket. If I were setting one up I'd go with R1 tires set fairly narrow to fit (mostly) behind a 60" bucket. 66" bucket would be my next choice, either with tooth bar. As long as the bucket is within about 3-4" of covering the tire tracks you won't notice too much of a difference. To really dig well with a 72" bucket you need a machine that weighs in the 7000+ lb range.

 

[Baby Grand]

If dirt work and excavating are one of your primary jobs then I have to disagree with others that said you would be best off with a 72" bucket. If you are just using it for loading trucks or moving/carrying dirt then big capacity is good. For digging and heavy grading the narrowest bucket you can get is your best bet. A tractor the size of an L3240 just doesn't have enough weight to really dig with a 72" bucket. If I were setting one up I'd go with R1 tires set fairly narrow to fit (mostly) behind a 60" bucket. 66" bucket would be my next choice, either with tooth bar. As long as the bucket is within about 3-4" of covering the tire tracks you won't notice too much of a difference. To really dig well with a 72" bucket you need a machine that weighs in the 7000+ lb range.

I have had some success digging with mine, even without the toothbar. With just the loader on the L3240 I'm weighing in at about 5000# if I were to add a 1k rear ballast eye and load the tires I'd probably be within spitting range of 7k. Now I need to come clean on what I've been digging - there's no rocks here, just loam on top of solid, damp, consolidated clay. Having the bucket wider than the rear wheels helps.

 

[toytrains]

If dirt work and excavating are one of your primary jobs then I have to disagree with others that said you would be best off with a 72" bucket. If you are just using it for loading trucks or moving/carrying dirt then big capacity is good. For digging and heavy grading the narrowest bucket you can get is your best bet. A tractor the size of an L3240 just doesn't have enough weight to really dig with a 72" bucket. If I were setting one up I'd go with R1 tires set fairly narrow to fit (mostly) behind a 60" bucket. 66" bucket would be my next choice, either with tooth bar. As long as the bucket is within about 3-4" of covering the tire tracks you won't notice too much of a difference. To really dig well with a 72" bucket you need a machine that weighs in the 7000+ lb range.

At roughly 6200 pounds, and 60-66" wide, wouldn't there be a significant sacrifice in stability?

Seems like a tall machine to setup at 5' wide. 72" would be stable, but missing some tight-quarters maneuverabilty, and 66" would be the compromise.

 

[devildog1]

I have had some success digging with mine, even without the toothbar. With just the loader on the L3240 I'm weighing in at about 5000# if I were to add a 1k rear ballast eye and load the tires I'd probably be within spitting range of 7k. Now I need to come clean on what I've been digging - there's no rocks here, just loam on top of solid, damp, consolidated clay. Having the bucket wider than the rear wheels helps.

View attachment 226044
View attachment 226045

Well I guess those pictures proves the point that the L3240 can dig with a 72" bucket, It has the weight, what a beast!:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
DevilDog

 

[crazyal]

Weight is not going to be an issue. The 3240 is about 300 lbs lighter than my 4240.

 

[k0ua]

Just some observations: When I converted my L3400HST with La463 loader from Pin on to Quick Attach the dealer brought out the new QA bucket and it was 66 instead of 60 like I was used to on the old Pin On setup. I noticed a difference right away, the first difference was the wife sideswiped a tree the first day she drove it "whoops that bucket is wider"
The thing I noticed was the extra gravel, and extra weight it would scoop up. I have filled rear R4's and about 750lbs of rear 3pt ballast. But I can sure tell the difference, especially if you put a heavy rock in the corner of the bucket or just filled the corner with gravel, it has more leverage to make the tractor just a hair more "tippy" . I have also noticed I have to watch the doorjamb a little closer when I back it in, havent hit it yet, but came pretty close once. Now that I have the old 60" bucket converted to QA and have it back on sometimes. I prefer it for diggin in the dirt and rocks around here, for 2 reasons, 1 it is older, and 2 it digs a little better being narrower, for carrying material like the sackcrete out to work on the road, I prefer the 66" bucket as I can get 8 sacks in it easy and only 6 in the 60" (without spilling any when going down the extremely steep hill) So that are my observations. YMMV

James K0UA

 

[Baby Grand]

I prefer the 6' bucket because I can set all 8 summer car tires in it upright when I change to snows and take them out to the shed for storage. They just fit in there perfectly.

 

[Redbug]

My L3830 is 72" wide...outside tire to outside tire. I have a 72" bucket. When clearing and pushing, it is good to clear the way for the width of the tractor. That way, you aren't driving over the debris your bucket missed since it was not wide enough. Also, when back dragging and smoothing out a surface, your tire tracks are covered.

Looking at Baby Grand's pic, you would have a harder time, and more time spent getting in that hole with a narrower bucket than the tractor's width since you would have to work on either edge to get on down in there..

That's the same approach for a box blade, etc. Maybe a box blade could be wider, too. But not narrower that your tractor. That's my thoughts.