Regarding L3200 HST power and loader work....

[familyman]

hello familyman, i am curious what your reason is to move from the 2800 to the 3200? other than HST it would seem the change is nominal (ie a few more HP and some body enhancements)..

It is a nominal and expensive, but necessary change.
My ride on mower is showing signs of crepitance. Another Simplicity will run me around $4,000; if I have to spend that kind of money, I'd rather put it into a real tractor that can do the mowing.
That aside, changing direction and speed using the un-synchronized shuttle is just too slow for me, for the uses I put it to. Dirt work, snow removal, grading and finish mowing are what I do most. I believe the HST will make all of this much easier and make me more productive.
Plus my wife could mow our couple of acres with it, in much less time.

 

[k0ua]

It is a nominal and expensive, but necessary change.
My ride on mower is showing signs of crepitance. Another Simplicity will run me around $4,000; if I have to spend that kind of money, I'd rather put it into a real tractor that can do the mowing.
That aside, changing direction and speed using the un-synchronized shuttle is just too slow for me, for the uses I put it to. Dirt work, snow removal, grading and finish mowing are what I do most. I believe the HST will make all of this much easier and make me more productive.
Plus my wife could mow our couple of acres with it, in much less time.

You are correct on all counts, I went from a gear B7500 to a Hydro L3400HST. and we used the tractor 10 times as much, and the wife would actually get on and help with the L3400HST.. she hated the gear B7500.. Not to say the B7500 wasn't a good tractor because it was, but the hydro is just so much easier to operate, especially us old decrepit senior citizens

James K0UA

 

[familyman]

You are correct on all counts, I went from a gear B7500 to a Hydro L3400HST. and we used the tractor 10 times as much, and the wife would actually get on and help with the L3400HST.. she hated the gear B7500.. Not to say the B7500 wasn't a good tractor because it was, but the hydro is just so much easier to operate, especially us old decrepit senior citizens

James K0UA

I should have gotten the L3400 HST to begin with, but live and learn. Spend once, cry once.

 

[k0ua]

I should have gotten the L3400 HST to begin with, but live and learn. Spend once, cry once.

You see it is guys like you with experience that keep me advising noobs to go HST if they do not know what they want.
and you have all the gear guys, saying heck NO get gear, get something you can work on.. get something that puts all the power to the ground. that does not make heat, no whine.. etc.. Like most noobs know how to split a tractor to replace a clutch anyway.. ha ha. I get some guys angry with me for always pushing Hydro.. well to tell the truth I could care less what an experienced tractor user wants for a transmission as his uses and needs might be way different than mine.. But when a Noob comes on here asking what tranny to get, there is only one right answer. that is HYDRO. because if you have to ask, you are not going to be doing the things that a gear tractor does better anyway.. 90% of them are suburbanites like me, not farmers. And even if you are a farmer, or horse rancher, and have stalls to clean out, and Hay to make. well the truth be told, Hydro is best for them too. I actually had a member call me an angel for prodding him to get the hydro, on his new tractor, he was very unsure, as he had run gear tractors for a long time.. and he LOVES his new Kubota Grand L with hydro, and is so pleased I pushed him in that direction. I have owned 2 gear tractors and 3 hydro tractors now..and just can't imagine going back. Sure I operated them and operated them well, and they did a lot of work for me, but I am older now, and life is just to short for a gear tractor. I am going to the closet now, and get the flame retardant suit..:stirthepot:

James K0UA

 

[familyman]

You see it is guys like you with experience that keep me advising noobs to go HST if they do not know what they want.
and you have all the gear guys, saying heck NO get gear, get something you can work on.. get something that puts all the power to the ground. that does not make heat, no whine.. etc.. Like most noobs know how to split a tractor to replace a clutch anyway.. ha ha. I get some guys angry with me for always pushing Hydro.. well to tell the truth I could care less what an experienced tractor user wants for a transmission as his uses and needs might be way different than mine.. But when a Noob comes on here asking what tranny to get, there is only one right answer. that is HYDRO. because if you have to ask, you are not going to be doing the things that a gear tractor does better anyway.. 90% of them are suburbanites like me, not farmers. And even if you are a farmer, or horse rancher, and have stalls to clean out, and Hay to make. well the truth be told, Hydro is best for them too. I actually had a member call me an angel for prodding him to get the hydro, on his new tractor, he was very unsure, as he had run gear tractors for a long time.. and he LOVES his new Kubota Grand L with hydro, and is so pleased I pushed him in that direction. I have owned 2 gear tractors and 3 hydro tractors now..and just can't imagine going back. Sure I operated them and operated them well, and they did a lot of work for me, but I am older now, and life is just to short for a gear tractor. I am going to the closet now, and get the flame retardant suit..:stirthepot:

James K0UA

I spent a lot of time in commercial construction and have never seen a gear skidsteer.
Most of my applications, mowing aside, are skidsteer (track loader) territory. I wish I could afford to buy one or had the truck heavy enough to tow one, but I don't. Most of us are looking for a "jack of all trades" machine, to do more than straight line plowing, mowing, tedding or bedding, for which a gear tractor is ideal.
I'm off to the dealer... wish me luck.

 

[bigballer]

It is a nominal and expensive, but necessary change.
My ride on mower is showing signs of crepitance. Another Simplicity will run me around $4,000; if I have to spend that kind of money, I'd rather put it into a real tractor that can do the mowing.
That aside, changing direction and speed using the un-synchronized shuttle is just too slow for me, for the uses I put it to. Dirt work, snow removal, grading and finish mowing are what I do most. I believe the HST will make all of this much easier and make me more productive.
Plus my wife could mow our couple of acres with it, in much less time.

your rationale makes sense, i know i am very happy with my hst and my wife even likes to mow her pastures with it, it's just dead simple (and EASY!) good luck with your purchase.

 

[k0ua]

I spent a lot of time in commercial construction and have never seen a gear skidsteer.
Most of my applications, mowing aside, are skidsteer (track loader) territory. I wish I could afford to buy one or had the truck heavy enough to tow one, but I don't. Most of us are looking for a "jack of all trades" machine, to do more than straight line plowing, mowing, tedding or bedding, for which a gear tractor is ideal.
I'm off to the dealer... wish me luck.

Good Luck, :thumbsup: Pictures when you get her.

James K0UA

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I spent a lot of time in commercial construction and have never seen a gear skidsteer.
Most of my applications, mowing aside, are skidsteer (track loader) territory. I wish I could afford to buy one or had the truck heavy enough to tow one, but I don't. Most of us are looking for a "jack of all trades" machine, to do more than straight line plowing, mowing, tedding or bedding, for which a gear tractor is ideal.
I'm off to the dealer... wish me luck.

Good Luck, :thumbsup: Pictures when you get her.

James K0UA

Yup. Best of luck, and make sure you put up pics!!! :thumbsup:

 

[familyman]

The decision is made... I'm going with the L3800.

Pictures to come!

 

[Bluegill2]

The decision is made... I'm going with the L3800.

Pictures to come!

Congratulations, man !!!