Buying Advice l3700 Right Tractor? Right Price?

[ispan1]

Hi Folks, Long time lurker, first time poster.

My wife has finally given me the blessing to buy a tractor that's younger than I am. I live in upstate NY (plenty of snow to clear on a 330ft stone drive--I've been using an atv since my tea-20 died a couple of years ago). I have about 12 acres--2.5 lawn, 5.5 field, brush, saplings, and 4 acres of woods. I currently mow with an old l245. I am looking for something to bush hog with, dig with a p.h. digger (holes for trees and posts), move material (stone, mulch) and maintain the driveway. I'm not sure if I could get away with mowing with r4s and a heavy tractor on heavy clay with poor drainage (maybe I could fix that with the new tractor). So I was debating whether to go with a b3200/b3300 or an l3400.

I called the local dealers and both had l3700's. The best price I was quoted was about 18000 for an l3700 with qa bucket and loader (that's with kubota 0%-- 1500 less without). b3300 was 16475 (minus 1000 rebate without financing). If I can get my homeowner's insurance to cover the tractor instead of using Kubota, I would probably save money with the 0% in the long run.

I also called Kioti (Ck30?) but the salesman is out for the week. The Bobcat dealer quoted me new prices that I wasn't too impressed by, but they did have a couple of interesting slightly used tractors for a little more than the 3700: a ct445 with 100 hours (much bigger tractor) for 19000 and a new holland t1510 with a backhoe for 19900. I wouldn't be doing any mowing with these, but I could do anything else I wanted. And I could still mow with the old l245.

What do you folks think about my tractor sizing and the prices on any of these?

 

[LD1]

You need to figure out what the PRIMARY tasks are.

And the prices you quoted, does that include the mid mount mower (MMM) on the B3200???

Either way, if mowing is a primary task, and heavier lifting/dragging/pulling is not so important, you dont want a big heavy tractor like that CT445.

Either the L3700 or B3200 would suit your needs. They are both lighter in their classes. But keep in mind the L doesnt have the option for the MMM.

Basically the B would make for a better mower and the L would be better for about everything else you mentioned. I dont know on the B but it does sound like a pretty decent price on the L as well.

 

[devildog1]

Either the L3700 or the B3300 and the B3200 will work for what your tasks are. Now when mowing you have the choice on the B3200 between the mmm or the RFM, but not on the L3700 or the B3300. It depends on of course when you mow, I mow with my B3200 TLB but never after a rain storm for a few days.I believe you could mow with either of them if you use common sense.
DevilDog

 

[ispan1]

Since I still have the l245 to mow with, that really wouldn't need to be a priority. I would want the new tractor to be able to help level out the lawn, dig some drains (with a subsoiler, no bh) move material, and bushog.

The dealer actually said the b3300 didn't even offer a mid pto. so no that's not in the price. I have a 5ft Caron RFM that has been sitting idle, so I would probably use that on it, if I wanted to mow with it. The L245 has an old 72" Woods belly mower.

Thanks for the input devildog. I've seen your posts before. When did you serve? What was your MOS? I was an 0351.

 

[devildog1]

Well then the choice is yours, do you want a smaller framed and lighter weight tractor then either B will work. But if you go to the L3700, larger frame and about 1000 lbs. heaver. Sometimes weight can be good and sometimes not.
DevilDog

 

[TripleR]

Pretty much mirror LD1, either will do it, just depend on your priorities.

I have bought smaller than intended BX instead of a B and Grand L instead of a B and have been happy with both. I like the B Series, just don't have a niche for one; maybe some day.

Good luck.

 

[ispan1]

I am leaning toward the l3700. Can anyone else who has purchased one or an l3400 with a loader tell me if 18000 (w/0% financing) is a decent price?

 

[LD1]

I am leaning toward the l3700. Can anyone else who has purchased one or an l3400 with a loader tell me if 18000 (w/0% financing) is a decent price?

Yes that is a decient price.

5 years ago I gave 17k OTD for mine.

 

[vaskeet]

in December I bought a l3700su loader r4 tires cruise quick disconcet bucket and 1 rear remote 0% for 72 best price I coud get was 21682 including 1103 insurance 214 filing fees and 1465 taxes in north eastern nc/va. I would say 18000 is a good price. BUT GET THE TIRES FILLED if you are going to do much loader work mine is not and it can get tippy quick Randy

 

[montelatici]

I am leaning toward the l3700. Can anyone else who has purchased one or an l3400 with a loader tell me if 18000 (w/0% financing) is a decent price?

I have one. That's a steal even without the quick attach bucket option for the loader.