L3940 and L4240

[jwalk2c]

Hello to all,
This my first post and please forgive me if this topic has been discussed before.
I want a tractor to replace one that a relative has let me borrow many times.
It is a NH 1920 with a Woods FEL and boxblade.
Great tractor imho.
But I want my own.
At first I had my mind set on a L3240DT , this seemed to be comparable
to the 1920 New Holland.
But I am the type of person that always thinks he has to have the most
bang for the buck ,so to speak.
I noticed when you go to a L3940 the engine is a 4cyl vs. 3cyl in the L3240.
This is about a additional $2500 dollars if I am not mistaken.
But if I am going to spend that much money I notice the L4240 is only
$1500 more than L3940.
And the L4240 will accept the LA854 FEL which local dealer priced at
$4200 vs $4000 for the LA724 FEL.
The L3940 and L4240 on the dealer lot were sitting side by side and I could only find one difference, which was the front axle.
L4240 has a kingpin style knuckle with mounting on bottom and top of knuckle,please excuse me if I am not using term.
L3940 has single point mount on bottom of knuckle.
Other differences I do not know other than size of piston.
These two tractors weigh about 400 to 500lbs more than the L3240.
I want a DT transmission so that rules out L3540 and L4740.
This tractor will outlast me and will be the last one I buy.
( am still using a 1976 WheelHorse 16hp garden tractor my Dad bought new)
I am 50 and have about 10 acres of land to maintain.
Gravel drives,roads down through woods to a bottom,lots of rocks to move around,etc
I will add a bushhog latter and at some point I would like to be able to plow and disc a 2 to 3 acre garden in a soft bottom lying land.
I humbly ask for your advice to someone who has very limited experince with tractors.
Thank You Very Much
jwalk2c

 

[n8wrl]

Welcome, jwalk2c!

I'm afraid I don't know much about the 1920. Did it do everything you expect to do with the Kubota? Same size bush hog, plow, etc? If so, I suspect a similarly-sized (HP, weight) unit will do the trick.

Short of that, I have first-hand experience in buying too small initially and having to upgrade. I think the differences in the 854 and 724 loaders is lift capacity and 'heft'. I have the 853 and it is a huge difference over the 523 I used to have.

I guess my point is, go as big as you can afford now because you will constantly find new things to do with your new toy. Chippers, post-hole-diggers, bigger bush-hogs, etc. all want HP at the PTO. Piles of dirt, brush, etc. all want large loaders or box scrapers to move. Plows want traction and HP to pull them.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide - and don't forget the pictures!

-Brian

 

[Bob_Young]

If money's not a big issue and you're only going to buy the one tractor, by all means, get the L4240. I'm sure the L3240 would handle the work you have planned as would the L3940, but the L4240 will do it a bit easier and quicker. Plus you'll have more flexibility for work that comes up that you currently don't foresee. Jobs you aren't even imagining now will become a consideration once you've owned the tractor awhile; new possibilities will suggest themselves every time you use it. For the unforeseen, it's better to have some extra HP on hand than too little.

All of the tractors you're considering are close to the same size; so you're not going to take a hit in maneuverability by going with the "biggest". However, if you've got tight spaces to work in or do a lot of work in the woods or around closely spaced trees, you might want to demo one of these models before you put your money down. I've found that my little B7610 can work circles around my larger L4300 in tight quarters....sometimes less is more and the B series offers a lot in a small package.

I believe the L4240 has the same 134 cu. in. 4 cylinder engine as my L4300, except direct injected. It's a smooth running, easy starting and powerful engine. Mine seems to run better and better the more I run it. Getting broke in I suppose.

If money does become an issue, take a look at the L4400. It has about the same power as the L4240 while being slightly smaller. It's more basic and only available with the 8x4 gear transmission. But since you're going DT anyway, the Grand L transmission options don't mean much.

FWIW, I'm in my early 60's and I think the money I have in my Kubotas is some of the best I've ever spent. I'm reminded everytime I use them.
Bob

 

[canoetrpr]

I'm with Bob. Go as big as you can if you can afford it - unless of course you have tight spaces. In that case go big anyway and buy a little tractor for the small spaces

I think that the L4240 is definately worthwhile for the extra $.

Out of curiosity, why DT. Since you are looking at the grand Ls I'd definately look into GST over DT even if you are dead set against hydro. I think that hydro is the best thing since sliced bread but I think that a GST would be awesome also. That said I have not operated a DT for any length of time to become truly proficient at it.

 

[_RaT_]

If money's not a big issue and you're only going to buy the one tractor, by all means, get the L4240. I'm sure the L3240 would handle the work you have planned as would the L3940, but the L4240 will do it a bit easier and quicker. Plus you'll have more flexibility for work that comes up that you currently don't foresee. Jobs you aren't even imagining now will become a consideration once you've owned the tractor awhile; new possibilities will suggest themselves every time you use it. For the unforeseen, it's better to have some extra HP on hand than too little.

All of the tractors you're considering are close to the same size; so you're not going to take a hit in maneuverability by going with the "biggest". However, if you've got tight spaces to work in or do a lot of work in the woods or around closely spaced trees, you might want to demo one of these models before you put your money down. I've found that my little B7610 can work circles around my larger L4300 in tight quarters....sometimes less is more and the B series offers a lot in a small package.

I believe the L4240 has the same 134 cu. in. 4 cylinder engine as my L4300, except direct injected. It's a smooth running, easy starting and powerful engine. Mine seems to run better and better the more I run it. Getting broke in I suppose.

If money does become an issue, take a look at the L4400. It has about the same power as the L4240 while being slightly smaller. It's more basic and only available with the 8x4 gear transmission. But since you're going DT anyway, the Grand L transmission options don't mean much.

FWIW, I'm in my early 60's and I think the money I have in my Kubotas is some of the best I've ever spent. I'm reminded everytime I use them.
Bob

Hmmm, Kubota went to direct injected on these models?
Don't worry so much about the number of cylinders in the engine. Consider other things if money playing a part in these decisions. Personally, I would have to have TnT on any tractor I own and a good heavy duty boxscraper. Those will cost you about $1500 each. The implements and attachments add up quickly and in the end, thats what your actually getting the tractor for. In my opinion, the main difference in the loaders between the tractors is the lift height. Thats something you really can't work around but lift abilities you usually can. If you will need to load dumpsters for example, the extra lift height of the larger loader will be very much appreciated. The difference in the amount of material you can move may be a couple of buckets at the end of a moving a large pile. After having owned a NH 2120, a Kubota L48 and lastly a Kubota L3830 my favorite by far was the L3830 followed by the L48 and a distant third was the NH 2120. My old International 454 with its 3 cylinder diesel was perhaps the smoothest and easily the most powerful of the group. It was the ultimate mowing tractor. It did not have a loader nor was it 4WD so it got replaced as my needs changed.

 

[rbargeron]

Good advice all, I just wanted to add that for somebody who says he has "limited experience with tractors", your eyes have picked up a lot of differences that many people might overlook. I think your instincts for what you want/need are excellent and you will buy exactly the right machine. I'll also offer a small side bet that it will end up being the bigger one.

 

[R_Walter]

I went with the L4240 precisely because that was the lowest model in the new GL lineup that offered the largest loader, the LA854.

 

[n8wrl]

I went with the L4240 precisely because that was the lowest model in the new GL lineup that offered the largest loader, the LA854.

VERY VERY NICE! That is one beautiful machine. Gotta love the orange! Now go get it dirty and post some more pix!

Congratulations!

-Brian

 

[jwalk2c]

Thank You All !
I do want the L4240 , but now thanks to Bob I know about the L4400.
Just one more option.
And Bob's suggestion of having a B model for a lot of tight spaces is
very logical.
I wish I could afford 2 Kubota's.
But I 'll just have to reley on my old trusty WheelHorse for small jobs

_RaT_ I understand what you are you saying about a larger lifting loader capicity might just mean a few less trips to the pile.
But I am hoping the extra lift can help me with some other task.

canoetrpr you have me thinking HST now instead of DT.
I like to creep along in 1st gear/ range 1 on the NH 1920 and play with the loader (doing finish work and just playing like it is a big shovel) .
It has 4 ranges and 3 speeds.
I am not sure how low the low speed on the Kubuta DT trans is.
If it is faster than a turtle then I want be happy with it.
I have never driven HST but I think I may like it.
Does it hinder using individual braking?
A friend of mine has a B Series with HST and he says it is awkward for him when mowing downhill on a angled incline and trying to use one brake to hold the front end from sliding sideways.
Other than that he loves HST.

 

[tpevoto]

Jwalk2c,
Just my .02. I have the L4240 HST, 854 FEL, I love it. Like so many others I went two small the first time with a L2800. The 4240 is a cadillac, the quality of ride and comfort are a major step up IMHO. I don't think you can go wrong. I've owned two Kubotas and have been really impressed with both.
Good luck,
Tpevoto