I've got a 4400 on order right now and it will be some time before it arrives, so I guess it is not too late to change models at this stage. Anyway, my uses for a tractor will be on a 16 acre virgin prairie with a tractor that can't tear up the ground. I will be mowing, some FEL work for snow, dirt, and raking, helping push over, and possibly grappling some small trees. I may even till a 1/2 acre garden once in a while. I'm married to a big strong gal that isn't afraid to work and she came off a working farm, so she's been around tractors, mostly the big green. I'm really torn with wanting the extra horsepower of the 4400 for my needs and loving the HST on the 3400 while also thinking the weight difference is both a curse and an advantage with the 3400. Good-lighter on the prairie and won't tear it up so much, Heavier-to get the job done when needed to work harder. I have some hills, so 4 wheel drive is a must regardless of the tractor model. My wife can learn rather easily to operate the gear driven 4400 and would probably fall in love with a HST. I've always been a power lover, but that aside, am I better off with more power and bigger tractor with the 4400 or go with a smaller 3400 with HST for the job descriptions I've described ? Your comments are really appreciated. I don't want to move into a heavier HST tractor because of money considerations. I've never had a HST tractor before..only a Ford 8n.
Lingering questions re: 3400HST vs 4400 Gear Drive
- Thread starter kubota4me
- Start date
- Views: 2382
N80
Super Member
I had to make the same decision 2 years ago. Went with the L4400 hands down. I'm not knocking the 3400, it is a great tractor, but for my needs, the power won out over the convenience of HST easily. And I'm not knocking HST either, since I think it would be very nice, but when it comes to spending my money, it would always be for the extra power. And if I was looking at the 3400....I'd be looking at the geared model. That's just me.
It seems to me that the 4400 is designed to appeal to those who want as much power as they can get in a little tractor without buying into a utility class machine or into the high end luxury type tractors. In other words, they are on a budget and they need power.
I have found my L4400 to be a very tough and very capable machine. I've also found that I don't really need any more power, but I probably could not get by with any less either.
HST shines for loader work, especially if it repetative, but I've done tons of loader work and have never found myself thinking that I'd be willing to trade any of my HP for HST.
It seems to me that the 4400 is designed to appeal to those who want as much power as they can get in a little tractor without buying into a utility class machine or into the high end luxury type tractors. In other words, they are on a budget and they need power.
I have found my L4400 to be a very tough and very capable machine. I've also found that I don't really need any more power, but I probably could not get by with any less either.
HST shines for loader work, especially if it repetative, but I've done tons of loader work and have never found myself thinking that I'd be willing to trade any of my HP for HST.
GA WTDeer
Member
4me, I owned a L2800DT(gear) and now own a L4400. I loved the 2800, but wanted all the things that come with more power. (Bigger plow, mower, gettting things done faster) Tractors are dense and both will tear up turf, but if you can choose when to mow (when it's not wet) either would be fine. The 4400 is more stable on uneven terrain, longer frame. Drive both again if you can and pick, do I want hyrdo or gear? I like gear, simple, and after time you'll be fast with it too. (wife as well) The 4400 has a independent pto which is real nice while cutting. I drive mine up and down hunting land, and manage 220 acres (22ac is plantable) and love it, but again drive both if you can. Clay
maps
New member
kubota4me,
Congratulations on making the jump and placing an order! I have had my 4400 for about 6 weeks and have yet to be disappointed. My tractor experience is limited and very dated but I haven't even come close to second-guessing my 4400 decision. I've pulled dozens of stumps (some of which were 12-14" in diameter) reconditioned my gravel drive, bush-hogged 6 acres of overgrown pasture, and moved around huge oak tree trunks with a grapple...little challenge to the tractor so far. My wife and teenage boys have become very comfortable with the gear drive after only a few minutes of instruction.
My impression so far: the 4400 is a simple, solid, powerful machine that continues to impress me. While I'm no expert, I belive you will be happy to have a few extra horses and the extra weight in exchange for depressing a clutch pedal. Enjoy and let us know how it ends up fitting your needs.
Dave
Congratulations on making the jump and placing an order! I have had my 4400 for about 6 weeks and have yet to be disappointed. My tractor experience is limited and very dated but I haven't even come close to second-guessing my 4400 decision. I've pulled dozens of stumps (some of which were 12-14" in diameter) reconditioned my gravel drive, bush-hogged 6 acres of overgrown pasture, and moved around huge oak tree trunks with a grapple...little challenge to the tractor so far. My wife and teenage boys have become very comfortable with the gear drive after only a few minutes of instruction.
My impression so far: the 4400 is a simple, solid, powerful machine that continues to impress me. While I'm no expert, I belive you will be happy to have a few extra horses and the extra weight in exchange for depressing a clutch pedal. Enjoy and let us know how it ends up fitting your needs.
Dave
Thanks guys for the reassurance! You know how you it can be when making a major purchase. I felt the same way when I bought my F350 6.0 powerstroke diesel. But now, it's the only thing I really enjoy driving. Didn't even enjoy the Harley as much as I like riding in a "big" pickup. I hope I will feel the same on the 4400. I've never owned a tractor with this kind of power. I almost bought a Ford 861 gas a year ago, but too many things were in need of repair on it and I passed on it, thankfully. At this point in my life, I want to not spend every night in the garage working on an overhaul, but rather, polishing something that works great. I talked to the dealer today and he said it would be in in the end of the week and then he would need a day to go over it and set it up. By the way, anybody know what it would need to use a grappling bucket? In the line of extra hydraulics? Thanks again!
familyman
Platinum Member
I have a gear L2800 and find myself doing a lot of dirt work, both for myself and more and more for other people. I'm completing a side job where I had to relocate 3 small evergreens and a tapered dirt mound that measured 8' wide, 30" high and 24' long. 2 days later, I'm still not quite done, and find myself wishing hard for 2 things: hydro and a stronger loader. While the LA463 (same loader as the L3400) can lift a heaping bucket of dirt, I need more breakout power. This lack of loader power, coupled with the constant dead-stop clutching of the unsynchronized tranny is a real pain when you're trying to move at a reasonably quick pace. Even pushing the loader bucket into a big pile of loose dirt takes finesse with a gears, and can cause the tractor to lurch some and jump around while you try to work the bucket into the dirt.
Maybe none of this applies to you, maybe it does, but for the money you may want to look at something like a Kioti DK35HST or the TYM 330HST. These are very solid machines with more overall weight and strength than the L3400, and hydro drive. The TYM has a Kubota engine. They are generally less expensive than Kubota, at least around here, and I'm trying to find a way myself ($) to upgrade to one of these. If for whatever reason you must stay with Kubota, which is not at all a bad thing, see if you can work a deal for a 3130 or 3430; these are Grand L30 units, which are being replaced by the new Grand L40's.
Maybe none of this applies to you, maybe it does, but for the money you may want to look at something like a Kioti DK35HST or the TYM 330HST. These are very solid machines with more overall weight and strength than the L3400, and hydro drive. The TYM has a Kubota engine. They are generally less expensive than Kubota, at least around here, and I'm trying to find a way myself ($) to upgrade to one of these. If for whatever reason you must stay with Kubota, which is not at all a bad thing, see if you can work a deal for a 3130 or 3430; these are Grand L30 units, which are being replaced by the new Grand L40's.
Last edited:
GreenWannabe
Platinum Member
To mount a grapple, you will need auxiliary hydraulics including a valve, control, connectors, and lines plumbed to the front of the loader. You will no doubt want a Quick Attach (QA) adapter to be able to change between the grapple and the bucket and perhaps pallet forks. You will probably need a toothbar for the dirt bucket as well. I don't see any of these items listed for the 4400; they may need to be obrained from other sources - but then your dealer should be able to do that too. If you need any help sourcing any items, all the posters here will be happy to help you spend your money! 
canoetrpr
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2005
- Messages
- 2,396
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Tractor
- Kubota M7040 cab/hyd shuttle - current, Kubota L3400 - traded
jsborn
Gold Member
W. R. Long co makes a good line of grapple buckets and Root grapples and also the third hyd valve to oper them with your loader hyd. I would also suggest you get remote hyd added to the rear (at least 2 ) as you gain equipment you will need them.