Newbie needs help selecting model

[rpraymond]

You should really consider logging for the good of the trees, (thinning helps the trees that are left) and you'd be surprised at what you would get for your logs. If it's never been done before I'll bet you could pay for a new tractor with what you would make. I have 60 acres, about 30 wooded, and I've been working with a forestry consultant for about 15 years to help manage my wood lot. If you're near central NY PM me and I'll give you his #.

 

[BrierPatch]

I went to kubota.com and configured a L3400 with FEL/back hoe and got a $32k price tag.

Several questions:

1) Would this be a good machine for my property and needs?
2) Is this configured well -- any suggestions for changes?
3) Given I need plenty of dealer support for all maintanance/repairs/winter storage, does it make sense to shop around lowest price if my local dealer is not competitive?
4) How much room should I expect in the price? If I go in ready to buy, can I get 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% off that price?
5) If I opt for 0% financing, do I still have the same negotiating leverage (i.e., doesn't the dealer still get the full sales price and Kubota handle the financing/cash flow aspect)?

Thanks!

I see a used 2007 L3400 w/FEL and back hoe, 4WD, 136 hours on it, "like new" for $24,000.

That's $8k less (more with the sales tax saving, I think).

Now I read the thread on used vs. new, but $8,000+ is substantial discount to the new price.

Where I live I should just about be able to buy a new one for that used price. I was real interested in a L3400 with a FEL and BH. It seemed like a very good mid size tractor for my needs. My dealer told me he would sell it to me for $21k or something. This was in 2007 or 2008. While I did not end up getting it, I really had a hard time passing up the price. He knew I had been looking at his tractors for a while. I ended up getting a B2620 with FEL and BH and MMM instead, which oddly enough came to about the same price as the L3400 with FEL and BH. I got close to 20% off the Kubota website price on my tractor from two dealers with no haggeling. This was also with no talk of financing.

I rented a L3100 once and was really impressed with what it could do for its size. It had a loader and bush hog on it. It wasn't bad getting thru my woods with it. I used it to clear out small trees and sapplings where I was going to build my house so I had some room to work and layout foundation. I believe it was close to the size of the L3400. I think your woods might be a little tighter than mine though. The big trees(ones I can't drive over) are closer to 10' to 12' apart.

I would definetly check out the 3ph hitch operation on a L3400 first though with the reports of the jerkyness of them.

I have always liked the size of the L3400 for some reason. I believe there are several in that size range now though from kubota. I would visit a dealer and look at them in person to get a better idea of sizes.

Good Luck !

 

[josephny]

>>The L3400 is the "economy" line of kubotas.

I didn't realize that. I thought the L3xxx were the latest/greatest in the 30hp range.

>>The L3400 is definatally the best way to get the most tractor for your money, but less luxury.

It'll be my first (possibly only) tractor, and $30k is not chump change for me, so I'll have to settle for no luxury.

>If maintenance and dealer support are important to you, I'd try to keep it local. But their is no harm in shopping around. It will give you more leverage to try to get a better deal out of your local dealer.

Good advise.

>And you should be able to buy the package you priced for ~$28000-29000OTD. My father just got a quote from the local dealer for basically the same package but a L3800 instead and he was at ~$30k. So that will be about 15-20% off the online MSRP.

I wish I understand the nuances of the differences in the line -- 3400 vs 3800, for example. The web site doesn't make it easy. It could be me....

>>The L2800 and L3400 are being replaced by the L3200 and L3800. They are the same basic tractors, just a newer model #. You know how those things go. But since they are discontinuing the L3400, the dealer should have pretty good incentive to want to move it off his lot. Which works out to your advantage.

Is there anywhere I can fine the advantages of the 3800 over the 3400?

>>As to the L3400, it most certainly should fit your needs. You will know by reading on various threads that there have been issues with the jerky 3-point hitch.

That's what I'm still not sure about.

I googled "tractor mud" and see plenty of instances of tractors getting stuck. That's why I thought about a track machine. And, I've had 2 machines do work on my property (dozer and mini-excavator) and they were both track machines.

And, if I stay with a tractor, I'm wondering if small is not better, as most of my work will be in the woods.

>>I bought a used L30, but the new L40 has the HST plus transmission with some really nice features.

From what I read, the HST makes use much nicer/easier.

>>The GL won't do anything the L won't, so all that really matters is what is important to you and how much you are willing to pay.

That's still being negotiated with the wife.

A guy down the road has a L3130, I think about 8 years old, excellent condition, well maintained, low hours, wants $10k for it -- comes with loader. He says the same dealer that comes to him to do service will do the same for me. Any advice?

Thanks!

 

[nybirdman]

I had a L3130(2004) HST,is this one hydrostatic?I put 400 hrs on mine and traded it for a L4240HSTC(which is a cab model),I traded mostly for the cab.
I really liked my L3130,did everything I asked,I use the same implements on my new tractor.The L3130 is a excellent "woods" tractor..just the right size and power.If the one you are looking at has been maintained it is a good buy,you can always offer a little less.
Check TractorData.com - information on all makes and models of tractors for used prices.

 

[TripleR]

>>The L3400 is the "economy" line of kubotas.

I didn't realize that. I thought the L3xxx were the latest/greatest in the 30hp range.

>>The L3400 is definatally the best way to get the most tractor for your money, but less luxury.

It'll be my first (possibly only) tractor, and $30k is not chump change for me, so I'll have to settle for no luxury.

>If maintenance and dealer support are important to you, I'd try to keep it local. But their is no harm in shopping around. It will give you more leverage to try to get a better deal out of your local dealer.

Good advise.

>And you should be able to buy the package you priced for ~$28000-29000OTD. My father just got a quote from the local dealer for basically the same package but a L3800 instead and he was at ~$30k. So that will be about 15-20% off the online MSRP.

I wish I understand the nuances of the differences in the line -- 3400 vs 3800, for example. The web site doesn't make it easy. It could be me....

>>The L2800 and L3400 are being replaced by the L3200 and L3800. They are the same basic tractors, just a newer model #. You know how those things go. But since they are discontinuing the L3400, the dealer should have pretty good incentive to want to move it off his lot. Which works out to your advantage.

Is there anywhere I can fine the advantages of the 3800 over the 3400?

>>As to the L3400, it most certainly should fit your needs. You will know by reading on various threads that there have been issues with the jerky 3-point hitch.

That's what I'm still not sure about.

I googled "tractor mud" and see plenty of instances of tractors getting stuck. That's why I thought about a track machine. And, I've had 2 machines do work on my property (dozer and mini-excavator) and they were both track machines.

And, if I stay with a tractor, I'm wondering if small is not better, as most of my work will be in the woods.

>>I bought a used L30, but the new L40 has the HST plus transmission with some really nice features.

From what I read, the HST makes use much nicer/easier.

>>The GL won't do anything the L won't, so all that really matters is what is important to you and how much you are willing to pay.

That's still being negotiated with the wife.

A guy down the road has a L3130, I think about 8 years old, excellent condition, well maintained, low hours, wants $10k for it -- comes with loader. He says the same dealer that comes to him to do service will do the same for me. Any advice?

Thanks!

I don't know anything about that model, but after looking at new and while in the process of buying one, we found a 7 year old L5030 with 735 hours and we jumped on it. We saved quite a bit of money and really like the tractor.

 

[LD1]

I had a L3130(2004) HST,is this one hydrostatic?I put 400 hrs on mine and traded it for a L4240HSTC(which is a cab model),I traded mostly for the cab.
I really liked my L3130,did everything I asked,I use the same implements on my new tractor.The L3130 is a excellent "woods" tractor..just the right size and power.If the one you are looking at has been maintained it is a good buy,you can always offer a little less.
Check TractorData.com - information on all makes and models of tractors for used prices.

For the record, tractordata.com is a good place for specs and info on older tractors, but NOT pricing.

tractorhouse.com is where to go to check used prices.

 

[josephny]

You should really consider logging for the good of the trees, (thinning helps the trees that are left) and you'd be surprised at what you would get for your logs. If it's never been done before I'll bet you could pay for a new tractor with what you would make. I have 60 acres, about 30 wooded, and I've been working with a forestry consultant for about 15 years to help manage my wood lot. If you're near central NY PM me and I'll give you his #.

About 15 years ago the land was logged. We had someone come year before last and he said that there's mostly pine and that it was bringing so little money it wouldn't be worth it.

This is definitly not a job I'm capable of.

 

[josephny]

I had a L3130(2004) HST,is this one hydrostatic?I put 400 hrs on mine and traded it for a L4240HSTC(which is a cab model),I traded mostly for the cab.
I really liked my L3130,did everything I asked,I use the same implements on my new tractor.The L3130 is a excellent "woods" tractor..just the right size and power.If the one you are looking at has been maintained it is a good buy,you can always offer a little less.
Check TractorData.com - information on all makes and models of tractors for used prices.

The 3130 is gone. Guy got his $10k on trade in back to the dealer, who then sold it for $12,500. Ugh.

Back to new (and convincing the wife, and figuring out if this is really what I need....).

 

[josephny]

For the record, tractordata.com is a good place for specs and info on older tractors, but NOT pricing.

tractorhouse.com is where to go to check used prices.

Got it -- thanks!