New Kubota L3400

[curly]

Hello people,

I'm new and also gonna be a first time tractor owner. We have been given 20acres by my wife's mother which may be 40 acres soon if the neighbor sells us 20 acres. Probably about 7-10 acres that need to be bush hogged. There are about a million pine trees down from pine beetles and that will also be a large part of what I'm doing, cleaning up that mess.

Most of the land is wooded and will remain that way, but I'll be dragging downed trees up to be split for firewood.

I plan on getting the L3400 with fel and bushog. What else will I need to go with those 2 attachments? Weights, canopy, anything that I can matbe get a deal on now.

I have only been lurking here for about a day or so but I read where someones backhoe caused a crack because it was mounted on a 3ot rather than a 4 pt mounting. Is that something I need to worry about...since I'm not getting a bh, is it only a bh problem?

Thanks,
Curly

 

[canoetrpr]

curly:

Welcome. The L3400 is indeed a nice machine and I expect it will do the job well for you. I have the HST model.

I just got the tires loaded about a year and a half after purchase and it makes a heck of a difference - so be sure to get that done upfront.

I regret not getting remotes and TnT right off the bat. I'll probably add these but it is always easier to get it done as part of the deal. If you are doing any grading TnT will help substantially.

If you are not getting a backhoe, definately get a toothbar for the FEL. I got mine as part of the deal but others here have one from Markham Welding and are quite happy with it.

Get chain hooks welded onto the bucket as part of the deal also. Great for moving around trees.

You *may* want to consider also looking at the L3240 with the LA723 loader. It is a bit more money but you do get a fair bit for it - in particular the LA723 loader seems quite good. Don't get me wrong - the loader on my L3400 is more than capable. Was just moving around bucket fulls of gravel this weekend with no trouble at all.

I would not worry at all about the cracks thread or any one of or two of issues you hear on this board - mine or anyone elses. The reality is that problems of any kind generally surface to the top and they occur with all brands. Unless you see something to be a general trend that is being reported by many many users, don't let it influence your decision much. That said, if you are getting a backhoe be sure to get one with a stout subframe rather than a 3PT model. I'm sure that there are those that use a 3PT hoe with no problems but there is no question that it will stress the rear end compared to a sub-frame.

On the whole the L3400HST is a great no frills machine

 

[Marcussen]

I would also get a box blade, it works great in combination with the FEL. The canopy depends on if you are using the tractor in areas with low hanging branches. (Get an easily removable canopy). I don't think you need any weights.

 

[curly]

... I have the HST model....

Is that like an automatic? I've tried to figure that out exactly what HST stands for. How about in English, what does that give you that the gears don't.

OK, I went and read a couple of threads on HST and I think I'm getting the standard gears...I guess I just like to do my own shifting. Now is there something I'm missing here or do some people actually prefer the manual shift?

...I just got the tires loaded about a year and a half after purchase ...

He said it comes with the back tires loaded with water and anti-freeze...is that what you mean?

...If you are not getting a backhoe, definately get a toothbar for the FEL. I got mine as part of the deal but others here have one from Markham Welding and are quite happy with it...

Thanks, I'll get that added.

...Get chain hooks welded onto the bucket as part of the deal also. Great for moving around trees...

Thanks, I'll get that added as well.

 

[TalonDancer]

I've driven 4&5 speed manual transmissions for decades... but I am getting a L3240 HST.

The manual shift on a tractor is different than on a car/truck. You change the gears with the gear shifter by your right hand BUT you change the direction (forward and reverse) with a "shuttle" stalk on the left side of the steering column and increase/decrease engine speed with a stalk on the right side of the steering column. Backing up slowly, changing gears and pulling away forward quickly requires both feet and three hands

With a standard HST you switch from forward to reverse with your right foot. With the HST plus in the 40 series (e.g. L3240) this pedal can optionally be used as both forward/reverse and a "gas pedal" in either direction. This makes it more like a car/truck. But the best part is an HST will hold the tractor still at idle while switching from forward to reverse without pressing the brake. Not so important for flat-landers but us hill-folks don't like rolling down them backwards by accident

You might also want to look at the GST which is sort of like a 'manual automatic'. You still shift between forward and reverse using the stalk on the steering column. But it has a "gas pedal" and allows you change gears without pressing the clutch. The best part is that the forward and reverse gears are aligned so that (without actully changing the gear setting) you are in a higher gear going forward than reverse.

Talon Dancer

 

[simonmeridew]

Hi Curly:
I got an L4400 two years ago. I got a 3 Point Hitch Farmi winch for mine because I do a fair amount of logging with it. You can pull logs and firewood out with the drawbar and a couple of chains, but it's easier and safer with a winch.

I have the gear tranny on my tractor which is what I want: works well. I hate the constant "whine" from a hydrostatic (HST) tranny. Probably just personal preference. If you're doing a lot of front end loader work you might want HST.

simonmeridew

 

[curly]

About how much extra is the HST? The extra is why I've always got a manual trans on a car

 

[curly]

HST trans are for "girlie-men".

I'm going to slowly back away from the keyboard now ...

Sorry Ray, I got ya quoted here...you're in for it

OK, speak up folks.

Who's got the HST and who has the manual? And are you satisfied with the one you have or would you swap out in a skinny minute if you could (for free)?

Thanks,
Curly

 

[RobJ]

Most of the land is wooded and will remain that way, but I'll be dragging downed trees up to be split for firewood.

since you mentioned dead pine trees and beetles, then fire wood. I don't know anyone that recommends burning a softwood in a fireplace. Great for outdoors though.

 

[curly]

since you mentioned dead pine trees and beetles, then fire wood. I don't know anyone that recommends burning a softwood in a fireplace. Great for outdoors though.

Yeah, the pines aren't really for burning. Although I don't have any problems getting btu's out of any properly dried wood and have burned plenty of pine in my woodstove...as long as it's seasoned properly it won't do any harm at all.