Multiple Option

[rScotty]

I'd buy the 3032E. I'm an old guy who has had a lot of machinery and I've found that it is always a good deal to buy from friends as long as the tractor has been taken care of. Buying from friends is where rural people get the best deals for both people.
Notice I said if it is in good condition. If he is a friend you already know if he maintains his equipment or beats it up. Let that be your guide.

Assuming it is OK, that tractor has enough hours to be reliable and not enough to be worn. It already has all the right parts and attachments, so use it for a year and you will know a lot more about what you want. My bet is that the 3032E on the land you describe will teach you that you want your next tractor to be the next step larger than an L3902. Larger tractors don't take up much more space but they do a LOT more dirt and brush work in comfort.

Oh, and if I can offer some advice - lay out a basic sketch of what you want to do to the land and have a guy come in with a dozer and do the rough work. You will save time and money both by doing that.
rScotty

 

[Rdrcr]

For only $900 more, I wouldn’t even consider the L3902. I’d definitely purchase the LE L3560.

But, as mentioned earlier, I’d seriously consider the used JD for a season or two.

Mike

 

[SDT]

Hello group,

this is my first post but I’ve been reading a lot here and another forum for a few months. I recently purchased 6 acres for a home build My wife and three daughters currently live in town. The land has been cattle land for decades. It is about 4 acres pasture and 2 acres wooded. I have the following tasks to accomplish before we build later this year:

-Remove many trees, brush, and briars from wooded area.
-Move to brush piles and burn.
-Move cut and stack hardwood for firewood
-Spread fertilizer several times in pasture area
-Keep grass mowed
-Dirt work filling small wash and cutting in a driveway.

in the next 2 years I’ll build a barn and we will end up with ~50 fainting goats, a moderate garden, and possibly buy 5 adjoining acres that will need cleared.

Now to my question, I had narrowed my tractor selection down to a L3901 or finding a used L3560 open station. I want HST, 4x4, at least one rear remote and 3rd function for a grapple. What’s thrown me for a loop is the new L3902. I really would prefer the upgraded seat with armrests, brakes on left, independent pto, and more protective grille. They aren’t deal breakers but would be preferred. The rub is that who knows when I can get one. I want to purchase the tractor I will keep for 30+ yrs but also need one this spring.

My Options, as I see them, are to purchase an L3901 in stock at local dealer, wait for a L3902, or the wildcard purchase a JD 3032E with 1k hrs, loader, brush hog, box blade, and tiller from a friend for $20k to use this season and then sell it for what I paid and buy an in-stock L3902 when they come in.
what would you do?

Something that has not been considered herein is HP available to do work.

Yes, the 3560 has features not offered on the 3901/2 and is not much more expensive but it is also a bit less powerful and significantly heavier, leaving less power available to do work.

The most commonly heard complaint about the 3560 is lack of power. You will notice the 2 PTO HP power difference in conjunction with 700+ Lbs. (ROPS) of increased weight.

Not familiar with the JD.

SDT

 

[jeff9366]

The most commonly heard complaint about the 3560 is lack of power. You will notice the 2 PTO HP power difference in conjunction with 700+ Lbs. (ROPS) of increased weight.

I have owned an open station L3560 with HST/PLUS since January 2013.

Open station L3560s have ample power for 60" implements. Almost all my implements are the heaviest available in 60" width. My tires are inflated with air. No traction problems.

Cab model L3560s with HST transmission and ballasted rear tires sometimes lack power. Somewhere around 1,200 pounds additional weight between the cab and ballasted rear tires relative to an open station model with air inflated tires.

I recommend against loading tires on Cab model L3560s.

 

[jyoutz]

I’d suggest buying the JD3032E. Use it for a season, or two and then sell when you’re ready to buy the L3560. I’d skip the L3901/3902 for the tasks you’ve described above. Plus, I’d also suggest looking at the MX5400.

Mike

I would look at the Kubota MX. It has the features the OP wanted in the L3902, but is a more robust machine.

 

[ericm979]

L3560 for only $900 more than an L3901? I'd get the 3560, no question.

 

[LD1]

Something that has not been considered herein is HP available to do work.

Yes, the 3560 has features not offered on the 3901/2 and is not much more expensive but it is also a bit less powerful and significantly heavier, leaving less power available to do work.

The most commonly heard complaint about the 3560 is lack of power. You will notice the 2 PTO HP power difference in conjunction with 700+ Lbs. (ROPS) of increased weight.

Not familiar with the JD.

SDT

I highly doubt the 2 PTO hp is gonna be noticable. Especially with hst plus.

 

[LD1]

I would look at the Kubota MX. It has the features the OP wanted in the L3902, but is a more robust machine.

Also about 10 grand more $$$

 

[Fallon]

I have owned an open station L3560 with HST/PLUS since January 2013.

Open station L3560s have ample power for 60" implements. Almost all my implements are the heaviest available in 60" width. My tires are inflated with air. No traction problems.

Cab model L3560s with HST transmission and ballasted rear tires sometimes lack power. Somewhere around 1,200 pounds additional weight between the cab and ballasted rear tires relative to an open station model with air inflated tires.

I recommend against loading tires on Cab model L3560s.

I have a L4060 in Colorado, so about a L3560 at sea level for power. I run 72" impliments fine. It's OK for power vs traction with loaded R4s. Lacks power roading up hills & spinning a huge mower.

Even though L3560 & probably L4060 has a worse power to weigh ratio, they have plenty if power to do the work. Minimal advantage to going with a smaller machine. Faster roading & more maneuverable, but does less overall work.

$900 for a noticably beefier machine is worth it.

 

[oosik]

I have 80 acres. Twenty of water ( two lakes ) and 60 of dirt. Also a mile long gravel driveway and snow. I started out with a new Ford 1700 4WD in 1982. It worked fine except for larger projects and summer driveway maintenance. After 27 years there were no more small projects and I really wanted to be able to do summer driveway maintenance properly.

In 2009 I upgraded to a new Kubota M6040. Now - summer driveway maintenance and larger projects are a snap.

Some times its - do you have the time to do the projects in smaller increments. If you don't - better be looking at a larger tractor.