MT342H vs MT345HE

[Dmorf]

I realize I've posted this in the wrong forum. Can't figure out how to delete it.

I'm about to make a purchase on an LS. My requirements are that it have some weight to it, above 3500 lbs, and have an FEL capacity above 2k lbs. I'll be doing mostly bucket work, grading with a box, and plowing snow. I've run smaller tractors quite a bit for these tasks, and I always wish I was using a heavier tractor. HP isn't something I'm concerned about.

I've narrowed it down to either an MT345HE or an MT342H. I mainly would like to hear what anyone knows about the basic differences between these two are. I know the 342h has a little more FEL capacity, weighs a little more, has some more creature comforts standard, and has remotes in the rear standard. Is there a big difference in the build of these two tractors though. Does the 345HE have a significantly lighter frame? Less durable transmission/axles?

 

[Cycledude]

To me 2,000 pounds sounds like a lot of weight for the FEL on that size tractor but the FEL on my slightly bigger XR4155 is rated to lift 2,700 pounds so hopefully your information is correct.

 

[Dmorf]

It's correct.

Practically speaking, aside from HP, I would say your tractor is the same size as both of them. The 342h has the exact same dimensions and tires as yours, and is 65 lbs heavier with a 2,680lb FEL. The 345he is a foot wider, 8 inches shorter, and 120lbs lighter than yours with 10" inch wide front tires instead of 12". It has a 2,230 lb FEL.

It's the small frame tractors that have the lighter FELs in the 1000-1700lb range.

I'm not looking for information that the manufacturer has provided. I'm interested in differences between the frames, transmissions, and axles. The manufacturer doesn't say anything about this.

 

[Bobrown14]

Not sure where you're located but for snow be sure and get a cab version. You will thank me later.

I think the MT3 are all pretty close to the same tractor. I have the MT3-52 with shuttle and we had 90+ " of snow this past winter. I use a snow pusher because driveway 1/3 mile long and paved.

There were nights I hadda push snow in the middle of storm so the cab with the heater and lighting made it all somewhat fun.

The main thing if you're gonna get a 12"+ snow storm you have to plow with the storm. You won't be able to plow 12" easily with less than 75hp and even my neighbors 90hp Kabota had issues.

 

[Dmorf]

My 345HE was delivered today. The tractor is the same. Just the addons are different as well as some different body panels. Got a 7' woods box, forks, and a 6' snow blade with it.

I had to reduce the cost, so a cab was out. Same reason I got the E version. I know what I'm getting into though; I work in deep snow all winter. I did 2' of wet snow last year for my mother in law's two large driveways and sideroad with the blower on my 100 series jd mower, This will be a major upgrade for me. I hear what you're saying about keeping up though.

Now my research has turned to figuring out the FEL on this tractor. Its proportioning is terrible. If I try to dump as I lift the loader, all the fluid goes to the bucket down cylinder and the loader stops raising completely. Pretty lame. I'm guessing the issue is in design of the valves for the joystick. I'm going to have to fix that.

 

[Dmorf]

Pushed out a couple hundred yards of fill out into a pad with it today. The tractor is awesome.

The FEL is not awesome. In fact, I'd say it sucks. It's fairly underpowered for the size of the tractor and the size of the bucket. It does the dangle thing, which I could live with if it were powerful enough. It won't dump while lifting. I'd say there's something wrong with it if so many others didn't have the same issues.

 

[G31]

My LL4106 loader is not really weak, but it seems to be pretty slow dumping. That is my biggest complaint, because my Kubota would dump as fast as it scooped. I also feel like the max height could be higher, but I’m not loading dump trucks and live with it.

It can dump and lift, but it’s not an easy accomplishment. The loader valve has to be just right.

 

[Dmorf]

Mine has the 4105. I'm guessing the 4106 is more appropriate for this tractor.

I have to be very careful how I go into a pile because it can't overcome much more than the weight of a full bucket. I will definitely be checking to make sure it bleads off at the right pressure. It just seems way too weak. It does have small cylinders though.

Mine is generally somewhat slow, but I'm ok with that. I'd take slow over weak.

Mine is the same for dumping while lifting. It's possible, but there is a very small sweet spot to get it to do it. It's because it has a cheap valve. It's takes no force to dump, but the valve sends a lot of flow to the dump cylinder if it's engaged at all and robs all the flow from the boom up cylinder. This quote from N2DFire explains it well:

"The overall speed that the loader operates will vary with engine RPM (and thus Hydraulic pump output)

The sweet spots for getting 2 functions at once is very small and the farther you move the stick the smaller they get.

More expensive valves (like those on larger tractors, construction equipment, etc) use a piloted valve that allows a portion of the incoming flow to be directly routed downstream even when the valve is open/operating thus leaving flow for the next valve / function. Most SCUT/CUT hydraulic systems use a simple valve that dumps all the available fluid into the open/operating function. In order to have any leftover flow for the next valve you need (1) High RPM / high system flow and (2) a very light touch to only partially open the valve.

And FWIW - this get's magnified even more once you add a 3rd function valve for ..say a grapple. Can't open/close and curl/dump at the same time but you get used to it.

When we bought our CK35 - I was expecting construction grade performance but after running it a while either I have adjusted and don't notice it or don't really need 2 functions at once as much as I thought. Your needs may be different."

 

[3gunr]

My buddy has the xr4140 and the loader is very strong . I was trying to move a tree that had fallen across our trail and my mahindra 2538 would not budge it, He pulled up next to me with his Ls and picked the whole end of the tree and pushed it like it was nothing, i was surprised, It also pulls his old 8 ft heavy disk with ease.

 

[Dmorf]

The xr4140 has an ll4104 loader, which is about equivalent to the ll4106 loader. They both have around 600lbs more lifting capacity than the ll4105. They both have larger cylinders than the ll4105. I think the real world difference in lifting capacity between the 4105 and the 4104/4106 is probably more than 600lbs.