So many decisions! L3400/L2800/L3130/B3030

[JT's Bank]

Thanks for the replies. Right now I am thinking I should just go for the L2800 to save the money for the various attachments I will need (manure spreader, mower, box blade, harrow, post hold digger). My only concern when it comes to PTO HP is for the post hold digger. I have black clay soil that can be a bear for post hole diggers. I'm waiting to hear back from the dealership about this.

Do you all have any experience with this?

 

[FamilyFarm]

I don't have a Kubota manual for the L2800 or L3400. I can tell you the rotary cutter recommendations from the Kubota manual for the L3130. The L3130/L3430 models are rated up to a 72"/770 lb. cutter. I would think the L3400 would be close; the L2800 probably less.
Maybe someone here with a manual for the L2800/L3400 can take a look for the recommended limits.
Terry

 

[Sully2]

I have black clay soil that can be a bear for post hole diggers.

Ive got grey / brown pure clay here. I decided to NOT invest in a PHD...instead Im spending that money to study for a "blasting license"....

 

[bigballer]

I also wanted more money left over for implements but in the end chose the L3400 over the L2800 and here's why:

* My dealer agreed to a price of only $700 more for the 3400. I figured that a 15% gain in HP compared to a 5% increase in cost was worth it.
* When comparing price per HP on them, the 3400 is the best buy.
* An additional 5HP meant I wouldn't be working my tractor as hard to get the same job done I would be doing with the 2800 anyway.
* 5 more HP at the PTO (especially for tilling/PHD'ing)
* Same chassis size as the L2800, somewhere I read given 2 identical chassis go for the one with more HP, you won't be sorry.
* Didn't want to always be kicking myself thinking "if I had bought the 3400 my engine wouldn't be bogging down like this in this heavy wet grass" (of course, now I am saying it about the 4400 - but honestly the 4400 is way overkill for my needs)..

Anyway, whatever you choose you will not soon forget the day when you see the truck coming up the driveway with your new toy onboard. My only regret is that I didn't make a decision sooner!

Hope this helps,
bigballer

 

[JT's Bank]

Ive got grey / brown pure clay here. I decided to NOT invest in a PHD...instead Im spending that money to study for a "blasting license"....

That's hilarious!

Thanks to everyone for their input. I've changed my mind again and gone back to the tractor with more horsepower. I can't wait to get it delivered so I can start playing! Thanks again!

 

[rickmacheske]

The L2800/L3400 manual states that max mower sizes are:
Rotary - 72"
Flail - 50"
Sickle Bar - 72"

I use a 72" finish mower and a 60" bush hog on my L3400 HST with no problem except for slowing down when I go up hills.

 

[rickmacheske]

Oh...BTW....the manual doesn't have different max size implements for the L2800 than the L3400.

 

[rickmacheske]

The only thing I wish I would have done differently is get the widest spaced tires that I could (there is an option for 50.8" width). I went with industrial tires to keep from marking up the grass a lot but wider tires sure help when you are using the FEL and moving dirt across hilly areas.

 

[CDsdad]

I haven't operated an L3400, much less cut with one, but I saw something that may or may not help you. A guy on an L3400 pulling a 6' Howse bushhog in 3' high grass w/some smaller saplings, persimmon trees and such, and he wasn't having to slow up for anything. This was around an operating sawmill, too. There's no telling how much junk was in that grass. He didn't cut it any slack and didn't appear to be having any problems. FWIW.

 

[BigDamnFool]

I went through the same decision making process as you are a few months ago and ended up going with the L3400. I've had it almost 2 months now and with 32 hours on it, I have yet find a weakness. I've spent quite a bit of time on it and have yet to find where I needed more. I had been set on a 2800 and ended up going with the 3400 for all the reasons that "bigballer" stated. Especially his last point about kicking myself for not buying bigger. I would get a 6' Brush Hog with that much pasture. I went back to dealer to trade up to a 6' halfway through my first day of pasture trimming. The 6' easily cuts right up to a fenceline leaving very little to the string trimmer. Going through areas that were 3' high hardly slowed the mower down, but speed was slow through those areas. The only thing I wish I had was a bigger bucket on the FEL. But that's for the most part because i've spent days moving dirt around and was to cheap to rent a machine that would have been better suited to the task. Goodluck with whatever you decide on buying.

Tiny