L3800 Pricing

[geewhz01]

I have decided that the L3800 with FE is the unit to get the job done for my needs. I've gotten a couple of quotes and the best I have seen is $20000 for a L3800 Gear with FE and a 6' LandPride Finishing mower delivered. Also was told from them I can get a 5' brush mower for $720 or a 6' brush mower for $800. This will be my first tractor and am wanting to make sure that I'm getting a good price. I've seen mention in the forum that many would spend the extra $500 or so on a quick disconnect for the FE.

Thanks,

Andy

 

[k0ua]

If you dont mind ordering out of state, many of the members have priced them from Barlows in Ky. They deliver, several have mentioned saving several thousand. Of course if you prefer to establish a good relationship with a local dealer, that is good too. Would be no harm in looking and getting a price though.. yes would highly recommend the QA bucket, I paid over twice that to retrofit.Sooner or later you are gonna watnt a set of QA forks, and without a QA it is gonna be kinda hard to do. If you are ever thinking about at least a hydraulic top link, you should get at least one rear remote.. lots cheaper to buy up front, unless you are hydraulicly handy:laughing:
Now if it was me I would get the Hydrostat. Each to his own, but the Hydro is a joy to use and offers much more precision and control especially in loader work. I traded in my gear tractor for a hydrostat equipped L3400HST and love every minute I use it. I just didn't get the QA up front, but have equipped it now, and maybe the remote later.. good luck in what ever you decide to do.. Lots of good reading here on these topics.
By the way QA=Quick Attach= "quick disconnect" Front End Loader Bucket
James K0UA

 

[TripleR]

If you dont mind ordering out of state, many of the members have priced them from Barlows in Ky. They deliver, several have mentioned saving several thousand. Of course if you prefer to establish a good relationship with a local dealer, that is good too. Would be no harm in looking and getting a price though.. yes would highly recommend the QA bucket, I paid over twice that to retrofit.Sooner or later you are gonna watnt a set of QA forks, and without a QA it is gonna be kinda hard to do. If you are ever thinking about at least a hydraulic top link, you should get at least one rear remote.. lots cheaper to buy up front, unless you are hydraulicly handy:laughing:
Now if it was me I would get the Hydrostat. Each to his own, but the Hydro is a joy to use and offers much more precision and control especially in loader work. I traded in my gear tractor for a hydrostat equipped L3400HST and love every minute I use it. I just didn't get the QA up front, but have equipped it now, and maybe the remote later.. good luck in what ever you decide to do.. Lots of good reading here on these topics.
By the way QA=Quick Attach= "quick disconnect" Front End Loader Bucket
James K0UA

Couldn't agree more and I have both.

 

[teg]

I would price out a L3200 HST and read about HST vs. gear. The price should not be too far off.

I went with the L2800 HST instead of the L3400 gear and have been very happy. Are you getting R1 tires and plan to use ground engaging implements?

 

[Kyle241]

I agree with others, you should get the QA now and pay the extra $500. Also I am big fan of hydrostatic as well. Other than cutting grass (based on the finish mower addition), what else are your plans for the tractor? What other tasks do you have to do on your property?

As for the price, not really sure as I have not priced out the L3800 and would also obtain a quote from Barlow's as I have only heard good things from people ordering from them. Worse case, you can use their quote as a negotiating tool with your dealer.

 

[geewhz01]

Main plan is cutting grass, cutting grass, and cutting some more grass. I do have some plans to level out some of the land/moving some dirt and clearing some of the trees/brush. Also considering a auger for assisting with posts etc. Friend has a box I can borrow to help with the land moving. The main reason I was looking at the 3800 gear vs hst was because of the horsepower loss from what I was ready, but based on everyone's response so far that must not be too bad.

Andy

 

[Kyle241]

Andy,

The HP loss with an HST is minimal. If you are were going to do extensive plowing, discing, etc. then yes, a gear tractor makes more sense. I don't want to change your mind, though. If you can test drive a gear and HST and determine which suits you best.

 

[Chilly807]

I agree with a lot of what's been said already, although I have a gear drive 3400 and like it.

Get the QA bucket when you order, it's cheaper that way.

I agree with James about the rear hydraulic remotes if you can see a possible use for them. Unless you want to do it yourself it should be cheaper to ask the dealer to install them at the time you buy. I added my own for about 1/2 of the price the dealer wanted, but they weren't a dealer option at the time. I use mine for a power angle rear blade I have now, and a wood splitter to come in a few years.

Are loaded tires on the wish list?

The 3 point hitch is a bit "twitchy" on the economy L series tractors, there's a wealth of threads here about that. As far as we know, the L3800 is the same. Before you buy, ask the dealer to mount the finish mower and raise it slowly. If it's too jumpy for you, there's no easy fix for that. We've learned to cope with it, but it's not perfect. Just so you know that going in.

A test drive is a great idea if both the HST and gear tractors are available. If not, I suggest you drive to a dealer that does have them, at least to try them.

Not much feedback yet about the L3800 here, but the rest of the L series are good tractors.

As to the price, I'm in Canada. Your price sounds good to me, I paid nearly that for the tractor and FEL plus taxes 2 years ago.

Sean

 

[geewhz01]

As far as tires the dealer was stearing me towards the R1's, but when you say loaded are you just asking if I'm going to add rim guard?

Andy

 

[Chilly807]

Yes, rim guard or washer fluid, calcium chloride, liquid ballast of some kind. Usually the dealer charges extra for that.

The R1's will give you more traction, but they sure aren't lawn friendly until the ground dries up. I drive mine over the lawn in the summer, but the spring of the year is off limits.

The R4's will have more carry capacity for loader work. My R1's squat quite a bit with a full bucket of gravel, I wouldn't want much more weight on them. Incidentally, the Carlisle tires that Kubota was putting on for R1's on the front of the L series aren't that good a tire. Mine have cracks already, and that's been stored indoors.

The rear Firestones are a decent tire, but when I have to replace the fronts they won't be the stock tires again.

If you get the L3800, or any L series, check the front axle oil level a few times after you get the tractor. They're noted for being slow to settle to a final level after being filled with fluid.

It may seem that I'm being negative about the Kubota L series, but that's not really the case. They're a very good tractor, I'm pointing out the shortcomings I've found with mine so you have that knowledge up front.

The review section here has a lot of information as well, first hand owner experiences.

Sean

 

[TripleR]

A test drive is a great idea if both the HST and gear tractors are available. If not, I suggest you drive to a dealer that does have them, at least to try them.

Not much feedback yet about the L3800 here, but the rest of the L series are good tractors.

As to the price, I'm in Canada. Your price sounds good to me, I paid nearly that for the tractor and FEL plus taxes 2 years ago.

Sean

Always an excellent idea. I personally have found you can't fully appreciate the difference until you spend a few hours doing close in and FEL work. On the lot, a geared machine "doesn't seem so bad".

As evidenced by Chilly and some others though there are experienced operators who prefer the gears.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Main plan is cutting grass, cutting grass, and cutting some more grass. I do have some plans to level out some of the land/moving some dirt and clearing some of the trees/brush. Also considering a auger for assisting with posts etc. Friend has a box I can borrow to help with the land moving. The main reason I was looking at the 3800 gear vs hst was because of the horsepower loss from what I was ready, but based on everyone's response so far that must not be too bad.

Andy

For grass cutting I would also look at the B3200, B3300SU, B30-30 etc. size. If you are looking at rough ground, and rotary cutting heavier brush I would stick with your current plan. I like the L3200, or L3800 pretty well, and will have to try one out some day. I bought the smaller B since I thought finish mowing with a mmm might be in the future, but it is looking less like that is going to happen all the time now.

 

[zmjc]

The quick-attach bucket is brilliant. It really makes my life easier (because I can't fit the tractor into the barn door with the bucket on...)

I have the L3800HST with the Landpride 6-foot rear finish mower (and QA-FEL, and backhoe). Very nice setup! Spend the extra on the HST, though. When you're mowing, you will HUGELY appreciate the ability to easily back up (by rocking the floor pedal, rather than stopping, clutching and changing gears).

I have filled R4s. They seem to be working out well.

- Mike

 

[Code54]

Have to agree -the HST is WELL worth the money - makes mowing about 10X easier!

 

[crazyal]

I'm a big fan of HST but if you plan on mowing with it then gear may not be a bad choice. If you have lots of trees and other stuff where you'll be mowing around requiring you to change speed often the HST will just be so much nicer than gear. But if you'll be doing long straight runs and the ground is smooth then gear would be fine.

 

[Chilly807]

One of the nice things about mowing with HST is that the mower speed stays constant while the ground speed can vary. Even I will admit that, as well as the ease of going back and forth using just one pedal for forward and reverse.

One of the things I don't like about the basic HST is keeping the engine revs high whether the load is there or not. I like having the engine come back to idle when I'm not working it. I guess the newer, more advanced style of HST (Plus maybe?) has the auto throttle that bumps the rpm up when you press the pedal?

Anyway, clutches are for young knees, or sound ones at least. Mine aren't that bad yet.

Speaking of clutches, I'm about to post a new thread on an L3400 clutch problem I had recently.

Sean

 

[geewhz01]

Just wanted to tell everyone thanks again for the recommendations. This is my first tractor. I ended up checking with Barlows and he was much cheaper than the dealer in my area. I found another dealer about 20 miles away but the same driving time as the one in my town. He got within about $400 of Barlows so I went with them. I ended up purchasing the L3800HST model.

Thanks,

Andy

 

[Chilly807]

You DO realize we want to see pictures when you get the new tractor??

Sean

 

[teg]

...I found another dealer about 20 miles away but the same driving time as the one in my town. He got within about $400...

Good deal :thumbsup::thumbsup: Let us know how it works out for you! Photos... please

 

[k0ua]

Good deal, Welcome to club orange, You are going to love your new L3800HST, and will soon wonder how you ever got along without it, glad to have helped, and hope to see your arrival pix, and more from you.

James K0UA