L3901 thoughts

[ning]

I'm being sorely tempted by an L3901, orchard return tractor; it's got 50hrs on it, and the warrantee hasn't started.
Their initial quote shows:

• $23,900 L3901 HST 4wd tractor w/ quick-attach loader (66")
• $8,000 BH77
• $1,250 Post hole digger w/ 9" auger
• $1,000 3rd function
• $2,000 Top & tilt

All in all it's way over my initial budget (I was looking at B's, in the 25hp range, and trying to find something cheap and used... they don't seem to exist!), but they've got a $1k rebate (on accessories I think?) plus with 20% or more down, I can finance it for 84 months at 0.0% - basically I'm getting at the price that a day's rental from the local yard would cost a day and a half per month.

My question is not, "is this the right tractor for me", because I'm pretty sure that I'd do fine with an L2501/3301 or a B2601/3350su, but for a few extra thousand, future-proofing this investment with 14hp more is worth it to me.

The question, then, is how much can I negotiate on this? I've never bought a tractor, but I've gotten some crazy good deals on cars through the ages, typically by walking out when salesmen think they can actually make a profit (just kidding - I'm fine with them getting some profit, I just want it to be a reasonable amount).

Is it a good price? How much can I push? Thanks!

 

[Wagtail]

Mate, have a look at the plethora of TBN threads regarding Dealerships (any colour tractor) and negotiating with tractor salespeople. I'll tell you right now, tractor dealerships are not auto dealerships.

Ask around your area as to which dealerships (all colours) have a great reputation for service/parts/advice. Why? Because a tractor lasts a heck of a lot longer than a car or ute; you're going to be dealing with them for quite a while.

When it comes to discussing your tractor needs, a knowledgeable salesman will ask you a lot of questions about what you're going to use a tractor for and then recommend what you need (from their colour range, of course) at a minimum.

If you start off with a "car salesman" mindset, I guarantee that the salesman will not chase you to 'make the sale'.

 

[ericm979]

Used and cheap but not beat up is tough to find here in NorCal. I had been shopping Kubota L3301/3901 but ended up with a different brand, in part due to the lack of features on the small Ls. I could have made do with an L3901 but the 3725 is nicer to operate, more stable on hills and cost less. Every time I turn on my wood chipper, which has been every day or two lately, I'm glad I didn't get an L3901. I think the same thing when I'm hooking up implements.

If Red Bluff's not too far you might check out the Branson & Mahindra dealer there. They're good at listening to your needs.

 

[bookmyer]

I have never really seen the advantage of the L3901 versus the L3301 and the comparable models in years past. Essentially same size, same front end loader , a little more PTO power (negligible IMO). Just more money and more fuel to burn. Am I missing something?

 

[ericm979]

26 pto hp might not be enough for some things, for example a large wood chipper. I do a lot of chipping. I'm glad I didn't get a 3301. My 3725 has 32 pto hp. I wish I had another 20% but it's good enough for almost everything I chip. For everything else I do with the tractor the 3301's power would be enough (on a 3301 size tractor- the 3725 weighs a lot more).

But if you don't need the hp $2k for different ECU tuning is kind of tough to take.

 

[teg]

I have never really seen the advantage of the L3901 versus the L3301...

WOW, someone that thinks like me... same points, I spin tires before stalling the engine (with loaded tires and 800# counter ballast).

BUT back to the OP's question... you'll likely piss off some dealers trying to play one off another but that's life! It worked for me but I think my dealer was desperate to make a sale (he went out of business a few years later). The first dealer's quote that I got, said as I was walking out the door "if I got a better deal, let me know and we can see what we can do". I did not go back to him to find out...

It doesn't hurt to get prices from other dealers... even from Barlow's Equipment. Just to know where you stand. Walking out of the dealer since the price is too high ONLY works if no one else is willing to buy it at that price. One way to find out...

PS. third function and T-n-T seems high priced but maybe not from a dealer...

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

The 3901 was one of the tractors on my list when I was hunting for a new tractor. I liked that tractor, only thing I didn't like was the loader capacity at 1050lbs.

I found that to be the weakest loader of all the tractors I compared to (Mahindra 1533, Case, NH WorkMaster 37 and JD 3038E).

I ended up choosing the 1533 because it seemed like a bit more bang for the buck, the Kubota I would prob say was tied with the JD on second.

If I remember correctly I believe the 3901 I priced was around 22k and change brand new with a FEL, Rear blade and Land plane in that price.

It seems to me they priced you the same as new for a 50h machine.

 

[mike69440]

The 3901 was one of the tractors on my list when I was hunting for a new tractor. I liked that tractor, only thing I didn't like was the loader capacity at 1050lbs.

I found that to be the weakest loader of all the tractors I compared to (Mahindra 1533, Case, NH WorkMaster 37 and JD 3038E).

I ended up choosing the 1533 because it seemed like a bit more bang for the buck, the Kubota I would prob say was tied with the JD on second.

If I remember correctly I believe the 3901 I priced was around 22k and change brand new with a FEL, Rear blade and Land plane in that price.

It seems to me they priced you the same as new for a 50h machine.

The L3901 does not have a really strong loader, but I need to point out that Kubota's loader lift curves, not published except in some of their manuals show that in general for 1000 lbs lift at full height, at near ground level Kubota performs better than other tractor. note any tractor I know of will lift more at ground level than full height. Geometry play into just how much more.

 

[gsganzer]

That doesn't seem like that good of a price if it's being sold as a used machine (50 hour orchard return). I paid comparable for my L3800 with BH77 and a PHD with loaded tires. I don't think the price is absurd, but it's essentially the price of a new machine with little to no discount.

For the money, I'm not so sure I wouldn't spend some time looking for an older Grand L in the same price range that isn't tier IV. I have a bad feeling that emission standards are going to get reversed and those that have Tier IV are going to wish they didn't because the value will plummet. Maybe not, but it was part of the reason I bought a new L3800 before they became extinct.

 

[ericm979]

Prices in California are often higher than the quotes posted by people on this forum from other parts of the country. The OP's quote is lower than quotes I got for new 3901s early this year.