L3430 vs L4310

[Rontero]

I have a few options available right now...

I can get the L3430HST with LA723 FEL, R4 tires for just under $20,000

Or

A used L4310 HST new around 1998, 700 hours, R4 tires, FEL (1998 version of the LA853) Asking $17,900

I haven't negotiated anything yet so that $17,900 price is just the dealer's asking price. Personally, I think it is at least $2000 high.

Any thoughts? What is the difference between the L10 series and the L30 series?

 

[Boondox]

The difference between the L10 and L30 series is a mix of analog vs digital, better operator's platform, wider deck and incrementally better specs. But the two tractors you're looking at are quite different. The L3430 is an L3130 with a better power to weight ratio, that is to say it is at the smaller end of the Grande L30 series: 3 cylinders, lower HP and hydraulic output, smaller wheels, etc.

The L4310 is a 4 cylinder, more HP and hydraulic output, much more FEL lift capacity, and uses the 14.9 rear wheels as opposed to the 12.4 rears on the L3430.

Both are good tractors, but without knowing your terrain, weather, needs and intended uses it's hard for us to give you much advice.

 

[Rontero]

12+ Acres. 5 ac woods, 6 ac pasture. Private road. Approx 1400 ft total gravel road to maintain. The 5 wooded acres roll off into a ravine.

Plan to build a home in the wooded part. I will hire a builder but I can do any aspect of the construction myself if I want.

Besides the road, I need to maintain the pasture, I want it to remain good forage. (I dont plan on haying it myself so I dont need that much tractor.) Mowing, Posts and fencing.

We will maintain a nice large garden, and I plan to do most of the landscaping myself.

For big stuff like digging a lake or digging my foundation, installing septic system, etc. I will hire a contractor.

The tractor is just to maintain the property and gravel roads.

Regarding the size of the tractor I "need", I would say bigger is better to a point. Anything in the 30 to 40 range is good.

I was just curious what got added when Kubota moved from the L10 to the L30.

 

[IslandTractor]

I know most people like to argue that more is better, but you could easily maintain 6 acres of pasture and your driveway with a 20hp machine. A 3030 or even a 7510 might be more appropriate size for your land.

 

[Airmale]

I went through the same ordeal. I looked for a good buy on a 35-37hp used tractor for over 6 months and came to the conclusion that tractors hold their value. I decided to go with a new 3430HST 723 and have no regrets. I will be doing the exact same thing on my 10 acres.

 

[Boondox]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I know most people like to argue that more is better, but you could easily maintain 6 acres of pasture and your driveway with a 20hp machine. A 3030 or even a 7510 might be more appropriate size for your land. )</font>

I'm with IslandTractor on this one. A B3030 is a very capable tractor. When I was only dealing with my 7.5 acres of pasture the little B1750 was plenty of tractor for me, and my L3010 did okay for the entire 155 acres for years.

If you like size, or the throaty exhaust note of a four cylinder engine, well...nobody can argue with that!

Pete

 

[rk246]

" HorsePower junkies" were called.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[dfkrug]

The Grand L 30s are considerably heavier than the equivalent
Grand L 10s. The L4310 weighs 10% LESS than the L3430, despite the larger engine in the former tractor. Both are great machines. IMO, weight is often more important than power, depending on what you are trying to do.

 

[Rontero]

Thanks for the advice but the B3030 is almost the same price as the L30 series. Your suggestion did get me thinking and looking again.

I think the B7510 is just too small for me. Instead I started looking at the L00 series tractors. The L3400 is a really reasonable tractor and is alot heavier than most of the B series.

 

[InlineDieselFan]

I have a L3430, and am very happy.

As my dealer said those first few years I will want more HP but then something in the 30-35-40 HP range would be best, once the big work is done. His suggestion was good I thin;, I may have to go a little slower and make an extra trip or two. But soon I won't have too much tractor.

BTW I like lots of power, and have 19 acres, along with aq 1400+ foot driveway.

steve