L3800 questions

[alancamby]

I have some questions on the L3800 HST.

-Are all of them interim Tier4 that are currently sold. Meaning that Kubota plans to discontinue the model when full tier 4 is enforced? If I buy one out of state, I don't want to show up and find that it is Common rail with DPF.

-Where are they made? I hear Japanese engine and trans and assembled in USA??

-I have heard about the jerky 3 point hitch. Any other problems with this model? Have they been reliable?

-Does the clutch need to be pressed to change between the 3 speed transmission ranges?

-can the hood open farther then the gas shocks travel? Meaning can the shock be un pinned and opened like a Jeep hood?

-Has anyone broken their fuel filter, looks very vulnerable?

I tested out 2 of them today at the local dealer. The price for the new year, assuming due to incentive programs, jumped $1,200 over the price I was quoted by the same dealer on Monday.

Thanks, Alan

 

[k0ua]

I have some questions on the L3800 HST.

-Are all of them interim Tier4 that are currently sold. Meaning that Kubota plans to discontinue the model when full tier 4 is enforced? If I buy one out of state, I don't want to show up and find that it is Common rail with DPF. Yes and Yes. There will soon be new models.

-Where are they made? I hear Japanese engine and trans and assembled in USA?? They are made in Japan and Final assembly in Georgia. Tires and wheels are USA

-I have heard about the jerky 3 point hitch. Any other problems with this model? Have they been reliable? None that I know of

-Does the clutch need to be pressed to change between the 3 speed transmission ranges? No it does not. BUT you must be stopped, and sometimes pushing in the clutch will help with alining the gears by allowing the tractor to "drift" slightly.

-can the hood open farther then the gas shocks travel? Meaning can the shock be un pinned and opened like a Jeep hood? I don't know, just look at it.

-Has anyone broken their fuel filter, looks very vulnerable? Very few have reported this. It doesn't seem to be much of a problem

I tested out 2 of them today at the local dealer. The price for the new year, assuming due to incentive programs, jumped $1,200 over the price I was quoted by the same dealer on Monday.

Thanks, Alan

Sorry

 

[Bluegill2]

James covered it all very well.

I bought mine 2 years ago and absolutely love it!

The L3800DT is actually a little small for what I use it for (logging, mowing, road work on 400 acres), but it has surpassed my expectations.

I had plans to use the 3800 for a few years then trade up to a larger model. But not now, it is a keeper! :thumbsup:

 

[jeff9366]

I have some questions on the L3800 HST.

-Where are they made? I hear Japanese engine and trans and assembled in USA??

Kubota sells all over the world, manufactures in several countries. Most US sold, mid-size tractors are assembled in Gainesville, Georgia. FELs are made in the USA. Kubota has a diesel engine plant in Illinois. I have no idea if an Illinois engine goes in the L3800 HST. Cute BX's come from Japan.

-I have heard about the jerky 3 point hitch.

Owners complain about this from time to time. I have no idea if this is primarily or exclusively related to older "LXX00" series. A lot of L3800s are sold. I can't believe Kubota would let a problem drag on that they have to pay for under warranty, can you?

Any other problems with this model? Have they been reliable? Kubota equipment is very reliable. Kubota dealers sell ONLY Kubota tractors.

-Does the clutch need to be pressed to change between the 3 speed transmission ranges? Yes.

-can the hood open farther then the gas shocks travel? Meaning can the shock be un pinned and opened like a Jeep hood? I do not know. Good question for your Kubota dealer.

-Has anyone broken their fuel filter, looks very vulnerable? No problem on my B3300SU, same ground clearance. I work mostly in the woods.

I tested out 2 of them today at the local dealer. The price for the new year, assuming due to incentive programs, jumped $1,200 over the price I was quoted by the same dealer on Monday.

Price of Grand L I want to buy is up $6,000 due to Tier 4 emissions requirements, improving economy in U.S. plus Kubota having to compensate for probable increase in inflation and higher cost of money while offering "0" financing. C'est la vie.

 

[k0ua]

James covered it all very well.

I bought mine 2 years ago and absolutely love it!

The L3800DT is actually a little small for what I use it for (logging, mowing, road work on 400 acres), but it has surpassed my expectations.

I had plans to use the 3800 for a few years then trade up to a larger model. But not now, it is a keeper! :thumbsup:

Blugill2 can you answer the hood question about unpinning the gas shock.. I couldn't remember. But the hood opens a good amount as is. As for reliability, I believe they are very reliable. They are a simpler tractor than some and therefor have less to break. But the flip side is they do not have some of the features as some of the more complicated tractors, as an example mine. It is a "you pays your money, and you takes your choice".. I never had any trouble with mine, Granted it was a L3400HST, but it was a 2010 model but the changes on the L3800hst are largely cosmetic and a slightly redesigned loader.

 

[alancamby]

"Ask the Kubota dealer"
I was telling him about the model.
He had never heard of a jerky hitch.

I would have checked the hood but forgot. Dealer is 45min away.
Some tractors, such as the Kioti CK, the hood hits the cross brace for the loader if opened more.

 

[murphy1244]

As for as Jerky hitch- take the tractor you are buying and put a heavy implement on and raise it up and down slowly. Some jerk most don't.

 

[Bluegill2]

My L3800 says made in Japan on the tag. Loader, tires/wheels are USA.

No jerky hitch here, but if raised slow enough (Very Slow) it does rise in small increments, instead of one fluid motion. This has Not been a problem and I would have never noticed had I not read about it first. The Jerky thing seemed to be worst with the older L3400?

 

[Bluegill2]

Blugill2 can you answer the hood question about unpinning the gas shock.. I couldn't remember. But the hood opens a good amount as is. As for reliability, I believe they are very reliable. They are a simpler tractor than some and therefor have less to break. But the flip side is they do not have some of the features as some of the more complicated tractors, as an example mine. It is a "you pays your money, and you takes your choice".. I never had any trouble with mine, Granted it was a L3400HST, but it was a 2010 model but the changes on the L3800hst are largely cosmetic and a slightly redesigned loader.

It's dark and cold here, I'll have to look at the hood tomorrow. I have never needed to open the hood any farther than it opens?

They are a Very Simple tractor and that's one thing I Really Like!!! I also like the gear drive, but will try not to get into that.

 

[k0ua]

"Ask the Kubota dealer"
I was telling him about the model.
He had never heard of a jerky hitch.

I would have checked the hood but forgot. Dealer is 45min away.
Some tractors, such as the Kioti CK, the hood hits the cross brace for the loader if opened more.

Without starting a s....storm here, I will state that no Kubota dealer has ever heard of a Jerky 3pt hitch on a standard L series.. IF you are so inclined, there are dozens of threads spanning many years about this issue.. I will say that my 2010 L3400hst had a severe case of the jerky 3pt. My BILS 2013 new 3200HST has a bad case of it also. Others report no problem. Use your own discretion. There are dozens of youtube videos. Several of our best mechanics on this forum have attempted a fix. I was finally contacted by Kubota corporate, after being ignored by the Regional rep, after a dealer went to bat for me and attempted to get a resolution on this. But by then I owned a Kioti. Again. IF you have doubts do your own research.. it is all here. and on youtube. I don't intend to bad mouth Kubota or this line of tractors. I can only state what happened to me/mine. As one poster stated on here "the jerky hitch is like a wart on the face of a very pretty girl". The one and only flaw. But many posters say theirs does not have the problem.