L3400 Powerful enough to....

[tekzilla41]

Im in the market for a compact tractor and came across the forum while searching for a review.

We are looking for a compact tractor to add to our inventory to take care of a minor league baseball field. Would be looking to use the front end loader quite a bit, also want dual remotes for hydraulic implements like a sweeper, and also the ability to run some rear implements like a slit seeder or verticutter off the PTO.

I think I have narrowed it down to 2 tractors in my price range:

Bobcat CT230 - 30 HP, 22 PTO, HST, dual remotes (12.2 gpm / 7.9 implement), loader, box blade, turf tires

and the L3400 - Gear drive, loader, turf tires, dual remotes

They both come out to about the same price of $19,700 minus the tax.

I was a little surprised to see the Bobcat put out better hydraulic capacity, but im just not sure that it could handle as much off the PTO with the 8 HP difference. Any advice would be great, also does that sound like a good price for this 3400? Thanks.

 

[tekzilla41]

Also I get the feeling that the telescoping 3 point hitch kit is a recommended item?

 

[teg]

For what you are doing the L2800 HST can do the same for the same ballpark (pun intended) price...

 

[tekzilla41]

I just read your signature, does the live PTO really turn all the time? From the literature I have seen it looked like the 2800 and the 3400 had the same PTO.

 

[teg]

PTO cable lever has been redesigned (or so I've read on TBN) on the "newer" models... The main problem is trying to turn the pto off... but I have turned the tractor on and as I let out the clutch with the pto in the "OFF" position... dug a hole in the garage (tiller was attached to 3ph).

I've learned to remove every pto shaft anytime I turn the tractor off. And treat the pto as if it could turn on at anytime...

 

[Bob_Young]

Make sure you match the hydraulic pump capacity of whatever tractor you buy with the flow requirements of your implements. By that, I mean, make sure the tractor can deliver plenty of hydraulic flow...without having to run the engine at high RPMs.

My understanding is that hydraulic flow capability reduces with RPM. The rated flow given in the specs is based on either engine PTO RPM or rated RPM...usually close together for the smaller Kubotas. It would be good to choose a tractor whose spec. hydraulic flow capacity exceeds what your implement needs. That way you could run at lower RPMs.

As I recall, the hydraulic flow spec for the L3400 and Kubota basic tractors in general is nothing spectacular. More than adequate for a loader and actuating cylinders, but the demands of a hydraulic motor will be much higher. You'll probably also need a special remote valve on the tractor to handle the hydraulic motor.

A thought just occurred. You could look into getting a PTO driven hydraulic pump with an independent reservoir mounted on the implement. The pump could be chosen to generate plenty of flow for the implement. This would make hydraulic systems of tractor and implement independent. Blowing an implement hose wouldn't pump tractor fluid all over the ground or disable the tractor. You could use cheap TSC fluid in the implement and save the high priced Kubota UDT for the tractor.

With a PTO pump, engaging the PTO would start the implement. You could still use your tractor remotes to control any settings made by hydraulic cylinders. This is how the big hay mergers like the Miller Avalanche use tractor power to run a slew of hydraulic motors. Your concern would then be limited to choosing the right pump and making sure you have enough PTO HP to run the pump.

Telescoping 3PH arms do make hookups easier and are almost a necessity for the heavier Cat II implements. However the L3400 can only handle lighter Cat I implements and, at age 63, I still don't have much trouble horsing them around to get hooked up. I wouldn't pay a lot extra for them on an L3400 unless there are physical disabilities.
FWIW
Bob

 

[TEAM_ORANGE]

Wow, $19.7k for a L3400 gear shift w/FEL is kinda high. My local dealer is selling new L3400's with the hydrostatic trans and FEL for $15.8k
I think you should be able to find a much better deal.

 

[N80]

I got my L4400 for less than that. Of course, that was 3 years ago.

 

[MikeInEburg]

All I can say is that y'all must take baseball VERY seriously in your town! I can't imagine our league spending $1K for a tractor, never mind almost $20K
Mike