L3800 vs L3540

[soilsailor]

Hello all. I've been reviewing info on this forum. Hoping for some advice from the group.

My wife and I just closed on 40 acres of pasture, timber, creek, and a couple acres of tillable ground. We will be building a homestead over the next couple of years and planting an orchard. So we are looking for a tractor that we can use for the following activities:

1) mowing to keep the pasture and orchard in check
2) ground prep (leveling etc.) for a pole barn and eventually a house
3) installation of gravel driveway (700 ft long)
4) tree removal and general land clean-up
5) tillage of garden (we plan on renting the majority of the tillable ground for row crop production to our neighbor)
6) clearing snow from the driveway
7) whatever else gets thrown our way....

So we are thinking of a couple of models: The more bare-bones L3800 with a FEL or the Grand L3540, again with a FEL. Either would have HST and 4WD.

The L3540 Grand has more bells and whistles and a commensurate increase in price. We don't plan on buying another tractor anytime soon - so the question is, are the additional features and heavier loader that come in the Grand worth a 25% increase in price? Everything I've been reading seems to indicate that the Grand is hard to beat, however, I struggle with the idea that I have to lay down more cash for a (slightly) less powerful tractor (at least the two I am trying to compare).

Thoughts are welcome.

 

[k0ua]

Its your money, and your decision, but the Grand L has more weight, always a good thing when ground engaging and loader work, a stronger loader, a more sophisticated hydrostat. A smoother 3pt hitch, Extendable lower 3pt links and telescoping "check chains" instead of turnbuckles, a better seat, a more sophisticated dash, protected tie rods, and on and on and on. Up to you to decide if you can swing the difference in the green stuff. I couldn't so I have the economy model. (2010 equivalent) Am I happy with it? Yes. Would I rather have the Grand L.. Yes. You mentioned keeping it for a long time. The horsepower is inconsequential in my opinion. Weight counts for a lot more than Horsepower, or at least as close as those 2 are matched. It would be unfair to you to not tell you to do a search for "jerky hitch" . Whether it would bother you or not is up to you. Not much problem for what I do, but bugs some people to death. Grand L's do not have this problem. Is it worth the money.. sorry can't answer that, but I can answer any direct question you ask or try real hard

James K0UA

 

[k0ua]

hey Teg, funny how some of us write a "book" and some of us a single sentence, and say about the same thing

James K0UA

 

[Johnbro]

Get the GL--it's a bigger, stronger, better tractor. You'll never regret it.

 

[Verticaltrx]

Another model to consider is the L4400. It will be about the same price as the L3540, but has a decent bit more power and is slightly larger overall. It is built on the grand L 'chassis' but has less features. It does have more features than the L3800 though, and has a loader equivalent to that of the L3540.

Any of the three aforementioned tractors will handle the work you describe. The larger tractors will do the heavier work faster, but there are some things a small tractor is more handy for.

 

[kuboman]

It too would consider the L4400 if horse power is a consideration. You can never go wrong with the extra hp. The more capable loader is definitely a must have. So I guess my suggestion is to drop the l3800 off the list and consider the 3540 or4400. The GL's are definitely more refined. I went to the l5740 because the l3130 I had was just too underpowered to handle the hills I have here so assess your hp needs.:thumbsup:

 

[kco]

I considered the L3400 vs the L3540 last spring and decided on the L3540. Strong advantages (for me) of the L3540 over the L3400 where deluxe 3 point hitch, rear hydraulics, dual hydraulic pump with a larger hydraulic pump capacity, cruise control, heavier weight including what I thought looked like a more substantial front end, and better loader lift capacity.

Less important but still a factor was the ability to add a mid PTO (which I would likely never need) and tilt steering.

Another item I thought might be useful on the L3540 was the swivel seat. I think it would be very handy with and HST. In the end I went with a different brand(dealer is a neighbour and friend) but I was very impressed with the L3540.

I think they are both fine tractors and you can't go wrong with either.

 

[crazyal]

The 3540 (and all GLxx40 tractors) are in a class by themselves. The 3 speed HST transmission with the added features of H-DS, stall guard, and auto throttle really set them apart. As long as the extra money would not cause undo hardship I would get the 3540 and keep it for a very long time. My 4240 is a little bigger but that's my plan.

 

[TripleR]

I too was thinking of an L3400, but it only took me and my wife about ten minutes to decide on the GL for all of the reasons mentioned. We actually went with a bigger tractor GL5030 and are glad we did. Up to a point, you simply can't beat more power, that point is different for some of us and therein lies the problem.

The only area in which you might be challenged is in tree removal, depends on how many and how big. We have done the chainsaw, chainsaw and backhoe, chainsaw and ATV, chainsaw and tractor and the last time dozer and cash.

Some one time projects are worth paying someone with the right equipment and having a smaller tractor for upkeep; lot depends on how much time you have and how hard you are willing to work.

My oldest son and I spent five years working weekends with a chainsaw and Datsun pickup on a patch of woods. We enjoyed our time together and weren't in a hurry; did the same with my youngest son a few years later with an old Ford Jubilee; same situation; no hurry. When we built our house; dozer time.

 

[Kyle241]

If you can afford it, go with the L3540. I considered the L4240 and instead went with the MX5100. My decision was that I did not need all the 'bells & whistles" but did want a around 50hp with decent lifting capacity and a strong BH.