What size L or Grand L?

[RollingsFarms]

My friend is wanting to buy a new(or used) tractor. He's really wanting a Kubota and I don't know a lot about them to give him good advice so I came to the experts. He currently has a small tractor (27pto hp, not sure what engine hp) and has a 5' disk and bush hog. He wants to step up to 6' impliments and I know the disk he's looking at weighs around 800#. The bush hog he wants is a new Bush Hog BH16 like mine. It's a light duty cutter with a 65hp gear box.

I can tell you he will be bush hogging some tall weeds and disking in pretty sandy soil so I told him deffinately get 4wd. My question is he's debating on a new L3901, 4701 and had also found a nice used L4240. Should he also look at a new L3560 or perhaps even a 4060? Maybe try to find a 3940?

I have no idea which transmission he'd want or anything else. Maybe you could suggest some other used model Kubotas to look for?

 

[k0ua]

If the 4240 is clean, that is the one I would gravitate toward.

 

[RollingsFarms]

If the 4240 is clean, that is the one I would gravitate toward.

He said it had 250 hours on it and found it on tractor house that some dealer had. I wanna say he said the price was $22 or $23? Came with fel and was a hydro.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

L4240 would be the one for me. Looks like a nice machine, asking $21.5. He can probably get it for 20K. :thumbsup:

 

[jeff9366]

I concur with James and Brian.

L4240 will have ample power and traction for 6' and 7' implements, plus it has the wonderful bells and whistles common to the Kubota 'Grand L's.

 

[k0ua]

He said it had 250 hours on it and found it on tractor house that some dealer had. I wanna say he said the price was $22 or $23? Came with fel and was a hydro.

I would get out the 20 grand, and wave it in the guys face, and see if he would take it. That would make your friend a VERY nice tractor

 

[RollingsFarms]

I see this tractor has the heavier la854 loader on it. Is that a good loader? Is that the standard one that comes on that model?

 

[jeff9366]

Kubota and Deere make the most reliable tractors out there, that includes the factory FELs and Backhoes.

I have a Kubota LA805 FEL on my L3560. LA805 lift capacity 500mm forward of the pin, and to a height of 1500mm, is 1,786 pounds, so it is stout.

The LA854 loader will have around 6% GREATER lift capacity (1,890 [+/-] pounds) under same conditions.

Extrapolating from my FEL Owner's Manual I am 90% sure LA854 was the standard Kubota FEL offered on the L4240.

 

[k0ua]

I see this tractor has the heavier la854 loader on it. Is that a good loader? Is that the standard one that comes on that model?

I believe that was standard for the 4240. Some of the smaller units in the lineup had the LA723. Your friend would be very happy with that package.

 

[jeff9366]

If only Murph------ will signal his concurrence you can move forward with confidence.

Murph------ is our ultimate authority.

 

[RollingsFarms]

Is that $21500 a fair price for that tractor? Seems like other 4240's are all per the place price wise and I'm not real familiar with how much they usually sell for. I did tell him to offer $20k and see what happened and if they wouldn't budge maybe see about throwing in a tooth bar or canopy or something.

 

[jeff9366]

For a mid-size Grand L with FEL with just 250 engine hours that is a good price if the condition is good.

L4240 has the less complex Tier III emissions controls on the engine; which most here feel is preferable to more complex Tier IV emissions controls on today's equivalent model L4760.

Personally, if the owner will not agree on $20,000 CASH, I would cave and pay $21,500 rather than lose it.

 

[nybirdman]

As the owner of a L4240(HSTC) your friend will find it more than capable.The L3940 is nice but moving up to the L4240-L5740 class you get the 854 loader.Make sure to load the rears if they are not already.
I just had the 800hrs.service done on mine,purchased new in Jan.2009.I use it year round for bush-hogging(6ft),snow-plow(8ft) ect.

 

[RollingsFarms]

For a mid-size Grand L with FEL and low hours that is a good price if the condition is good. L4240 has the less complex Tier III emissions controls on the engine; which most here feel is preferable to more complex Tier IV emissions controls on today's equivalent model L4760.

From the few pics of the tractor it appears to be in good shape. I'd want to see more though if it was me. Looks like the bucket has a fair amount of paint missing for only 250 hours.

I guess I just expected all the grand L 40 tractors to be selling at premium prices due to the new tier 4 tractors that are out now. That's why I was shocked to see one with low hours for a fair price.

 

[RollingsFarms]

As the owner of a L4240(HSTC) your friend will find it more than capable.The L3940 is nice but moving up to the L4240-L5740 class you get the 854 loader.Make sure to load the rears if they are not already. I just had the 800hrs.service done on mine,purchased new in Jan.2009.I use it year round for bush-hogging(6ft),snow-plow(8ft) ect.

How does yours run your 6' bush hog? That's the size he's wanting to run and will be running it in 4-5' high stuff sometimes.

 

[jeff9366]

L4240 has 35-hp/PTO with HST transmission.

How sharp are the blades on the R/C? How low does operator intend to mow? How carefully will R/C be adjusted by operator for optimum cut?

Blunt R/C blades can require ten additional horsepower in high grass relative to reasonably sharp R/C blades.

Low cut and poor adjustment could absorb another four or five horsepower.

L4240 has ample, AMPLE power for a six foot R/C cutting dry five foot grass, with a prudent operator who performs reasonable implement maintenance.

 

[RollingsFarms]

L4240 has 35-hp/PTO with HST transmission. How sharp are the blades on the R/C? How low does operator intend to mow? How carefully will R/C be adjusted by operator for optimum cut? Blunt R/C blades can require ten additional horsepower in high grass relative to reasonably sharp R/C blades. Low cut and poor adjustment could absorb another four or five horsepower. L4240 has ample, ample power for a six foot R/C with a prudent operator who performs reasonable implement maintenance.

The 6' cutter he will be using will be brand new. If it was my tractor I might would run a 5' but I tend to overkill on impliments rather then push the limits.

 

[nybirdman]

I had been running a 5ft.Bush-Hog branded BH and the L4240 didn't mind at all.I just purchased a 6ft.LandPride medium duty(719 lbs) and it requires more HP for sure.I cut some 8ft.tall very thick Canary grass and it slowed me down for sure.I use mine for light brush,tall grass and food plots in the spring.
I cut in medium range and the lower setting on the HST for the most effective speed for my uses.

 

[The Fred]

Choose the machine with the most power. 42 hp hydro for a 6 foot disc? That's a joke, my L3940 is a joke even with the added power (60hp) of the turbo. The machine is very heavy for that size engine.

Maybe your friend can try before he buys, he will see.

Fred

 

[RollingsFarms]

Choose the machine with the most power. 42 hp hydro for a 6 foot disc? That's a joke, my L3940 is a joke even with the added power (60hp) of the turbo. The machine is very heavy for that size engine. Maybe your friend can try before he buys, he will see. Fred

Are you saying the L4240 won't be able to handle a 6' disk even with 4wd?