WOW
All I can say is you guys really have me stumped now. I broke down and got a price on some of the JDs today, the dealer is really pushing the HSTs and doesn't carry many shuttle shifters, or maybe they are limiting that to the Ten series, which is being replaced by the 3000 series and the numbering for ALL of them is all screwy, (see Muhammad's JD Twenty review for help)
JD4320 48 hp HST TL 73" $27,000, ($700 off in February)
JD4410 35 hp HST TL 61" $23,000 ditto
Kubota 43 hp
L4330 GST/HST TL 72" $23,200/23,700
Kubota 38 hp
L3830 $21,500/22,000
LG Farmtrac 39 hp 360DTC/SS $17,900 SS-Shuttle Synchro
Montana 45 hp 4540 SS TL $18,250
Montana 38 hp 3840 SS TL $15,877
Montana 43 hp 4340c SS TL $23,900 includes FULL CAB AC
last years model (in blue) TL $21,900 I am guessing the cab adds $6,ooo to the base price so its about $18,000 for the 4340 TL SS MODEL
Even allowing for the differences in configuration, you have to admit that the LG Montanas, (as currently priced), are at least $5000 less than the major competition, and $2K less than the Long. You can either save a lot of money or pay for a lot of repairs with $5000 in the bank.
Has anyone who has used a Deere or Kubota used an LG, (used, not sold)?? Or perhaps more likely, has anyone who has used a Montana had experience using the competition? How about some conversation for those of us who don't have years of experience in the seat and need advice on , how they handle, how the transmission feels, ease of shifting, ease of operation, design issues, maintenance pros and cons etc etc etc. ****, I don't even have enough experience to ask to right questions. So how about a pro con analysis of the features of the LG/Montana/Farmtrac tractors versus their competition. then we can debate what they will each be worth in 10 years and the relative cost to own,maintain, and enjoy, minus the hassle factor, in that time frame. Nothing worse than watching it rust.
The bottom line for many of us is that we will probably only own one or two tractors and all we really need is to get our moneys worth, (whatever that means), out of the machine while we own it. Even if that means having bragging rights in the neighborhood. Hey....I get it that's what this is all about!!!!!!!!
Bill