Used GL Kubota questions

goosegbf · Mar 16, 2012

Folks,

I have been struggling with the first tractor decision for a while and I think I am now converging on a Kubota GL. There are two new 2011 3540 HSTs for good prices, however, I found a 2009 4240HST with QA bucket for less money and under 300 hrs. Of course, this means no warranty is left... (I was really hunting for a used 3940HST, but those seem to be scarce.)

So, my questions:
1) Do you know of any major differences between a 2009 4240 and a 2011/2012 4240? Was the HST+ the same (don't really care, just trying to understand), other changes made to address problems, anything else I should know/ask about the 2009 model year?
2) I want to run a grapple off the front. I thought I would need to add a 3rd function valve & kit, but one dealer told me I didn't, that I could use the loader lines already installed. I think I need an extra control stick (which I have seen) to control the grapple. Can you help me out with terminology and what exactly has to be added such that I can use a grapple with quick attach hydraulic fittings to get back to the tractor hydraulic lines.
3) Any other questions I should be asking before I have a tractor shipped from 100 miles away? I am going to take a drive down in the next week or so to take a look.

Thanks very much for your help before I take the plunge into tractor'dom...

TripleR · Mar 16, 2012

The L40 Series had a -1, -2 and -3 progression with minor changes. There is a thread here on it, but I am having trouble finding it. I don't remember anything of real significance; hopefully someone with more info will show up.

The following gives a good accounting of the third function installation. You can operate off rear remotes or other ways, but most prefer the dedicated third function kit. There have been some problems with Kubota OEM, so some like an aftermarket unit; just something to consider.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/178889-kubota-front-end-loader-3rd.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/212805-grandl-buyback-2.html

amigauser · Mar 16, 2012

I think the only real beneficial change was adding the stall guard function to the PTO along with the drive-train. The original tractors like I have only affected the HST not the PTO load. The later ones also moved the location of the auto throttle, added a button for PTO engagement instead of a lever and the seat rotates some number of degrees left and right. The original ones have a fixed seat (only slides forward and back), no rotation left or right.

The 4240 is a real nice tractor and comes with a much heavier loader than can be had on the L3240 - 3940 series.

Here is the old thread.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...21785-3240-hydrostatic-transmission-1-vs.html

WR Long makes a nice 3rd function kit. I had one on my old B3030 tractor but not on my Grand L. The WR Long kit is supposedly better than the factory Kubota one. A few complaints on TBN regarding the Kubota kit, have not seen any on the WR Long one.

As long as the seller is reputable, 100 miles should not be an issue. I would definately want to visit the tractor in person and try out all functions before delivery though. I also would not make final payment until delivery.

crazyangel · Mar 16, 2012

goosegbf said:
2) I want to run a grapple off the front. I thought I would need to add a 3rd function valve & kit, but one dealer told me I didn't, that I could use the loader lines already installed. I think I need an extra control stick (which I have seen) to control the grapple. Can you help me out with terminology and what exactly has to be added such that I can use a grapple with quick attach hydraulic fittings to get back to the tractor hydraulic lines.

I don't think you could run a grapple off the loader valve alone without losing some functionality of the loader that will be needed to manipulate the elevation and angle of the grapple, but you could definitely do it with rear remotes if they are installed. You would just need to run lines all the way from the back up to the grapple. It's not as sexy as a true 3rd function because you have to move your hand off the loader joystick back to the remote valve, but it definitely works.

PHILIP8N · Mar 16, 2012

I have a 2009 HST-1. -3 gets you swivel seat, little nicer boot on FEL control lever, and pull/push knob for pto. I like the lever engagement for pto myself over the pull/push knob, lets you engage more slowly. The -3 advertizes stall guard on pto, but I am not so sure my -1 does not already have that, since it senses load on engine. Differnces are minor, go with best overall deal (price/warranty/hours). FYI, 300 hours is nothing. Happy hunting. Philip.

beppington · Mar 16, 2012

My -3 also has a narrow chrome stripe along the sides of the hood :dance1: :laughing:

The -3's PTO knob is nice in that to turn off your PTO you just barely tap the top of the knob & it pops instantly to "off". Easy to tap with gloves on.

The swivel seat may not seem like much, since it doesn't rotate very much, but it does actually matter IMO. When I've looked over my shoulder for a while without swiveling it, & then go ahead & swivel it, there's a nice "aahh" feeling.

MHarryE · Mar 16, 2012

The swivel seat is nice. I always have mine swiveled because no matter what I am doing I spend time looking back - backing up, checking an implement, watching for cars out on the road, etc. much prefer the PTO button to the lever. But how much more would I be willing to pay? Not a lot.

goosegbf · Mar 17, 2012

Hey all,

Drove the 150 miles to Marshall Machinery in Pa today. Anybody purchased a Kubota from them? They were nice and let my wife and I play in their dirt pile with a 2009 4240HST. Everything seemed to be in working order and they showed us the service they had completed when they received the tractor in January (nothing major). They don't know its prior history. So what do you think of the following?

2009 4240HST - appears to be in good shape and good working order (but I honestly wouldn't know - it just didn't have any trouble doing what we asked it to do)
- 300 hrs on the clock with power train warranty in effect till October of this year
- loaded R4
- Kubota 3rd function valve already installed (seems to be working - hear the dead head thunk when engaged - is it typical to have the solenoid housing off the platform to the right?), no rear remotes
- toothbar thrown in
- delivered to my doorstep for $20,900

Thanks for any thoughts.

bucktaker · Mar 17, 2012

with loader ??? i would negioate a littler bit better since you will not be getting the 0%/60 months from Kubota use that to sway some more money in your favor.

I believe you can contact kubota with SN and run a warranty repair claim against that tractor.

I bought a new 2008 L5740 -1 in sept 2011 I got 0% and warranty for under 25k so you are not getting too bad a deal

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