Thinking of trading for a L3901

GaryS · Jun 7, 2016

I have a Massey 1428v and I recently broke a weld point that holds the front axle in place. Breaking the weld was completely my fault. I bought the Massey in 2004 and it's been a fantastic tractor. It's not had any mechanical issues over the 12 years I've had it. It still has the original battery and only has 650 hours on it.

I use it to:

mow 3 acres of grass with a Woods rear finish mower
cut 5 acres with a Wood brush hog
snow removal with a Woods 6 foot blade. My drive way is about a 1/4 mile.
light duty loader work

The land I rough cut is fairly steep and that's the only weak point for the Massey. The Massey is really at it's limits on my hills. I really could use more HP.

My Massey dealer has been terrible so I've been using the local Kubota dealership for service. While there I started looking at the L3301s and L3901. If wouldn't make much sense for me to go to a L3301 but the L3901 looks great.

What worries me is that the L3901 taller and wider and I have no real way on knowing if it will be more or less stable on the hills. Is there any way to know if one tractor or another will be better on the hills? I have my rears liquid filled and the fronts foam filled for extra weight to try to stick to the hills.

I had them work out a price on the 3901 + loader and trading my massey. They came back with a price, minus tax, of $18800. I can't find any place to get values on trades. Does that seem like a decent deal?

Fallon · Jun 8, 2016

$18,800? With a loader? Gear or HST?

I paid $24k for my L3200 HST (L3301 minus emissions), R4s, rotary cutter & a back blade 3 years ago.

I pucker up when mowing ditches lengthwise on mine, but haven't had any issues. Heavier mowing will bog things a bit, so I concur with the 3901 over 3301. No regrets about going with slightly less HP on mine though.

dchemphill1 · Jun 8, 2016

I have owned my L3901 since October 2015 and love it. Just approaching 20hrs so it is really very new. I have put beat juice in the ag tires and that has helped tremendously....still some pucker moments. However when you are mowing with a brush hog on the back and can keep the loader low...it helps. I need to flip the rear tires so I can extend the width another 3 inches or so....be sure to keep the rops up and where the seat belt. If you get it enjoy it...

Citydude · Jun 8, 2016

I have steep terrain to maneuver around on with my L2501. Loaded rear R1 tires set out at the widest width and spacers have vastly Improved its stability.

GaryS · Jun 8, 2016

Fallon said:
$18,800? With a loader? Gear or HST?

I paid $24k for my L3200 HST (L3301 minus emissions), R4s, rotary cutter & a back blade 3 years ago.

I pucker up when mowing ditches lengthwise on mine, but haven't had any issues. Heavier mowing will bog things a bit, so I concur with the 3901 over 3301. No regrets about going with slightly less HP on mine though.

$18,800 was for the L3901 HST, R4s, a loader, and filled rear tires and included the trade of my Massey.

They did mention the possibility of spacers. I don't know it would make sense to try it first or just add them. How much width do they add? Are there different sizes of spacers?

k0ua · Jun 8, 2016

GaryS said:
$18,800 was for the L3901 HST, R4s, a loader, and filled rear tires and included the trade of my Massey.

They did mention the possibility of spacers. I don't know it would make sense to try it first or just add them. How much width do they add? Are there different sizes of spacers?

Spacers run from 1 inch to 6 inches. I think most popular is about 3 inches. Most of the AG tire wheels are adjustable, but a lot of the R4 wheels are not adjustable. People put on spacers for different reason, including making room for chains and to adding stability.

LD1 · Jun 9, 2016

I had a 3400. Same basic frame, just a few generations older than the 3901. I had AG's, set at their widest, then added 1.5" spacers on each side.

My total width, outside to outside, was 66". And it was quite stable on hills. I mowed some pretty steep stuff sideways.

Pics really dont do it justice. Its about 25 degrees. (~47% slope)

Fallon · Jun 9, 2016

I have R4s on mine & thought about spacers a bit. You can't put chains on the rears if you have R4s without spacers. I'm sure they will make it feel more stable too.

I just haven't gotten to it yet. Probably won't ever given I'm thinking about upgrading to a cabbed grand now.

GaryS · Jun 10, 2016

I had them fix my Massey and drop it off. I just used it a bit and have decided to buy the L3901.

I had it priced with a loader and filled R4 tires. I'm thinking about asking for 1.5 inch spacers. Is there anything else I should get rolled into the deal?

The Deerslayer · Jun 10, 2016

GaryS said:
I had them fix my Massey and drop it off. I just used it a bit and have decided to buy the L3901.

I had it priced with a loader and filled R4 tires. I'm thinking about asking for 1.5 inch spacers. Is there anything else I should get rolled into the deal?

See if they will add a couple bucket hooks and have them placed in line with the arms......you'll be glad you did. Rear work lights are a real plus too. You're gonna love the L3901, I have had mine for a year now and very pleased with it. Plan on brush hogging the fields tomorrow:dance1: