L3400 or B3200

[Gas Man]

Had a chance today to go look at tractors. I am looking to buy something a bit bigger and would like some advice from the group especially form the guys who own the above mentioned models. I currently own a B-7500 and it has served me very well over the past 9 years I just feel the need for something bigger with more power, need is probably a bad word want is more like it. I use my tractor primarily for mowing 6.5 acre lawn/field only a small part of the so called yard is turf grass the rest is a blended in field grass. My land is in varing grades with no real obstacles to mow around, I have one tree line that extends the lenght of the property and 4 board fence around the entire lot. I do have material to move with the loader and some large rocks to move. Additionaly if the following winters are anything like this one I will be purchasing a snow blower. I know my current tractor will do the do the job but like I said want something bigger. Any comments about ones experience on these two machines is much appreciated

 

[kuboman]

If money is no object I would go for the L3400 just because of the extra size. Other wise the 3200 is a well balanced tractor with decent hp and a good value.

 

[bxowner]

From the description of your land, I'd go with the L-series hands-down. You're not mowing with a MMM, so the lack of that option on the L3400 is not a concern. But, the addition of position control, a much stronger loader that can actually accept and handle skid-steer attachments and a few more PTO hp will make for a more versatile tractor. I think you'd notice a big (positive) difference over your current tractor.

If I were to have followed everyone's advice (they don't have my sized wallet), I'd have bought the L3400 and a Z-turn mower. Instead, I really wanted to make use of one machine and opted for the B2920 with MMM. That said, the L3400 was hard to pass on. It's just a really nice, strong, capable tractor.

 

[veresjwv]

From the description of your land, I'd go with the L-series hands-down. You're not mowing with a MMM, so the lack of that option on the L3400 is not a concern. But, the addition of position control, a much stronger loader that can actually accept and handle skid-steer attachments and a few more PTO hp will make for a more versatile tractor. I think you'd notice a big (positive) difference over your current tractor.

If I were to have followed everyone's advice (they don't have my sized wallet), I'd have bought the L3400 and a Z-turn mower. Instead, I really wanted to make use of one machine and opted for the B2920 with MMM. That said, the L3400 was hard to pass on. It's just a really nice, strong, capable tractor.

I agree, have had my L3400 for 10 months. I can't tell you how much I like it. I bush hog a couple of acres and manage about two acres of garden with it and it has not let me down. It is very powerful for these applications. I know some do not like HST but with a loader I wouldn't go any other way. I will be building a pole barn this spring and I will have to do some grading and fel work for that and I know it will be very capable in that regard also. I really can't tell you about the 3200 I don't have any knowledge about that machine.Good luck on your decision, I also used this forum before I made my purchase.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I had/have BX's and an F2680E for mowing. For mowing the F and BX for me are tops. Moving on to other uses. My home is on hillside, rocky, gullied and treed acres. I had a B7800 FEL RFM for 3 years and paid it off. I traded it for a L3240HST+. The L rode better on level ground but scared me on hillsides and would run out of steam at the crest of the hill when using the RFM, I'm sure due to the considerably more weight with about the same HP. After 30 hours in a year I traded the L to a B3200 FEL which I felt more comfortable with on the hillsides and alot more comfortable with moving the B on my dual axle trailer. After another year and about 40 hours on B3200 I have finished most of my major projects at home and have moved B3200 to business and then traded it this week to Barlows for a new BX25 to be used at my business. Hope this helps you make your decision. Between the 2 I don't see much difference in capability, to me it looks like your preference about higher/bigger wheels and not sure about lifting capabilities. Rumor from Messicks is there is a new B3300 with bigger wheels for the B series. If you want to buy a used B3200 or trade your to a new or used B3200 or even an L for that matter, contact Barlows. Steve Barlow told me he'd make some one a real deal on my B3200 trade in with the 6' Landpride RFM, 12" auger post hole digger and Landscape rake. I don't know the weight of the L3400 but it will be on Kubota site. Check weight to HP to judge how much more HP you'll have to have by moving up in weight of the tractor. In other words from B7800/B3200 (31HP) to a Grand L will probably require 5 to 7 more HP to be equal in power to weight performance. My B7800 pulled the RFM much stronger going up hills than the L3240HST.

 

[firefighter jim]

L3400 HST................Great machine

 

[Gem99ultra]

I have a L3400 and son a B2410, both HST. Not to offend, but the B is so much smaller and light weight that we use it for only very light work. The B is more manuverable for sure, but the L will do real tractor work. The B tractor, in my case, is just a very useful suburbanite tool.

On the other hand, you might consider a L4400. Lots of benefits like better hydraulics, lifting power, etc. for a small difference in size and cost. Don't get me wrong, I love my 'little' L3400 but it is not a large tractor.

 

[captin_insano]

I own a b7800 which has given me lots of troubles with the rear differential. I debated between the B7800 and the L3400 and made the wrong decision. If you use it my best advise is to buy the L3400.

 

[teg]

6.5 acres??? I would recommend save a few bucks and get the L2800 over the L3400... but that's JMHO. What size brush hog are you planning on getting?

 

[NH-Rob]

What I can tell you is that seating on the two tractors is way different. I find the b3200 to be very comfortable and cozy to opperate and when I sat on a 2800 I found it to feel very utilitarion (Not real comfortable but feels very stoute) I wish the comfort of my B came with the ruggedness of the L.
Rob

 

[devildog1]

I had the BX23TLB and it was a real great all around tractor, real work horse, but like many here on TBN, I too wanted bigger and more power. I now have the B3200 TLB and it is at least for me the perfect sized tractor for my 10 acres. It does everything the BX would do just a little faster. I use it for mowing about 2 acres, RFM Woods 72", digging drain tiles, hauling wood and digging stumps.It has a 16" bucket on backhoe with a Kubota mechanical thumb that I will use for re-stacking a stone wall.FEL is strong and doing some landscaping work,( spread 28 yards of top soil) the 60" bucket really works well. I do have to make sure when It rains in the summer to stay off the grass for a day or two because it is indeed heaver then the BX. Just remember sometimes heavy can not be your friend, good luck with your choice.
DevilDog

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

What I can tell you is that seating on the two tractors is way different. I find the b3200 to be very comfortable and cozy to opperate and when I sat on a 2800 I found it to feel very utilitarion (Not real comfortable but feels very stoute) I wish the comfort of my B came with the ruggedness of the L.
Rob

What makes you think it's not as rugged? Hummers can be optioned out with tremendous creature comforts. I think they even have a/c in tanks and shock seating and AM/FM/CD/MP3 players. Stout and rugged can also be comfortable but the comfort costs a little bit more and there are always those customers that don't believe that so they will never buy a Grand L??40HST+ Kubota. Probably same rugged frame and engine on the Grand or maybe even stronger on the Grand.

 

[easygo]

I recently went from a B7510 to a B7800. I was thinking about the L2800 but a few things came down on the smaller tractor's side for me. I wanted a larger machine because I do move large volume of compost on the regular bases and cut my own firewood. However I do mow my yard with the tractor and the L would have been way to large for that.

If your primary use is mowing 6 acres I would say the L3400 is too much.
If you have 100 rocks to move that weigh more then 800lbs then the B3200 is too little.
For mowing 6 acres the B3200 would be my choice hands down. It weighs considerably less. The difference in weight alone will do a lot of damage and in the turns it will be much worse.

 

[firefighter jim]

I have both an L3400 and B7800 and mow 6 acres. Hands down the L3400 is better for mowing. Just alot more comfortable. The B7800 can handle it fine but I prefer the bigger tractor.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Had a L3240HST and a B7800 and mowed 5 acres with 6' RFM on them. Also had a BX1500 MMM at the same time. Preferred the BX1500 MMM for mowing and eventually quit mowing with the B and L. If the land was flat I would prefer the L and if it's hillside like mine I preferred the B to the L but prefer the BX to either one for mowing. Moving rocks on flat land, the L will haul/move bigger ones. L will move bigger ones on hillside but I'd be a bit more careful with the L on hills. L is probably safer on hills but when your higher off the ground it "feels" different. If I was plowing all day on a flat field, give me the L.

 

[wildwillie]

I have 20 timbered acres and a large grass area that I mow with with a riding mower. There are a lot of trees in the grass so the smaller the unit the better. I went with the L3400 thinking it was a little to large but didn't want to end up wanting a larger tractor in a year trading it in and taking it in the shorts.Now I am glad I bought the larger unit.

 

[medicshawn]

I went from a B7800 to a L3940. I use it for mowing and it does great with the 7foot Land Pride RFM. I think it does a better job with the mowing than my B7800. I have r4 tires and don't worry about mowing when it's recently rained except when making turns. Quick turns when going downhill can tear things up but as long as I go slow I have no problems. The only reason I would go with the little tractor is if you need it to get into tight places.

Make sure you get the skid steer QA for your loader.

 

[Tom_H]

Just FYI, a B3300 is soon to be released:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-buying-pricing/162156-any-info-b3300.html

 

[Gas Man]

A 5 footer

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I went from a B7800 to a L3940. I use it for mowing and it does great with the 7foot Land Pride RFM. I think it does a better job with the mowing than my B7800. I have r4 tires and don't worry about mowing when it's recently rained except when making turns. Quick turns when going downhill can tear things up but as long as I go slow I have no problems. The only reason I would go with the little tractor is if you need it to get into tight places.

Make sure you get the skid steer QA for your loader.

I went from a B7800 to a L3240HST+. As I remember I went from a 31HP 1700lb tractor (B7800) to a 32HP 3700lb tractor (L3240HST). I think the problem with my picture would have been solved if I had gotten more HP on my L like you did. Since I didn't I felt my B7800 mowed better going up steep hills than my L3240HST and they mowed the same on the flat land with a 6' Landpride RFM. The L handled the RFM like it wasn't there in turns but the RFM deck would swing the B7800 around at the bottom of the hill. One of the cart turning the horse deals but I knew it was going to happen so it wasn't a problem for me but it did happen. My point is more weight needs more HP as you did.