Which Grand L Series?

[Wesdor]

Well, it took quite a while, but the local dealer finally got back to me.

He gave me quite an offer.
L3540 GST
LA724 Loader

Total $21,200

He also is willing to give me $10,000 for my Deere 4310 with 300 CX Loader
410 hours. He hasn't actually looked at the 4310, but it is very clean and has been always under roof since day 1

Just wondering what any of you think of such an offer.

 

[crbr]

Well, it took quite a while, but the local dealer finally got back to me.

He gave me quite an offer.
L3540 GST
LA724 Loader

Total $21,200

He also is willing to give me $10,000 for my Deere 4310 with 300 CX Loader
410 hours. He hasn't actually looked at the 4310, but it is very clean and has been always under roof since day 1

Just wondering what any of you think of such an offer.

Have that great dealer to throw in the first 50 hour servce as part of the deal...

 

[mike223]

The GST as it was explained to me is the exact same tranny as the FST, but with electric solenoids that control a hydraulic clutch pack that eliminates shifting using the clutch. This includes going from forward to reverse. I think there's up to a 1 second delay between gears as you shift to allow the clutch packs to engage. You may also used the clutch if you so desire. To me it sounds like the best of both worlds, i.e. the durability of the manual transmission, with the ease of use of a hydro. I was at the dealer just two days ago looking at a 4240 that has GST, so I know it's offered in the smaller sizes of the L series. As a matter of fact, looking at my Kubota L series catalog, as was previously stated it is available in all L series but the 5240 and 5740.

One thing that I like about the Kubota over the JD product is that the Kubota products up to the L5040 are normally aspirated and make their HP increases through increased displacement, whereas JD uses turbocharging on all of their 4xxx series, and the larger HP versions also have the same displacement, and use electronic fuel controls i.e dump more fuel, to make the power. The use of turbos to increase efficiency in larger HP is done I think to make EPA emissions standards, and only the larger Kubota's need this, which tells me that the motor on the Kubota's is more efficient. I could very well be incorrect on this, but the same tricks are being used by Ford on their 6.0L diesel motors, and I know from experience what a PITA all the electronic controls and EGR valves and turbochargers on a diesel motor are. Just my opinion, so no offense is meant.

 

[john_bud]

The GST as it was explained to me is the exact same tranny as the FST, but with electric solenoids that control a hydraulic clutch pack that eliminates shifting using the clutch. This includes going from forward to reverse. .

I would have liked to been there for that conversation. You must have looked pretty silly with all that smoke going up.

In other words, you weren't told the facts....

GST is a hydraulically shifted gear transmission - but not the same tranny with some tacked on solenoids.

 

[mike223]

Could you elaborate please. I'm relatively new to the tractor arena, especially in the transmission area, and when a dealer and his service personnel tell me something technical about their product I pretty much have to believe what they're saying. Maybe the salesman had the wrong info as well, but if you could explain in greater detail I would appreciate it.

 

[AKfish]

I thought the GST tranny allowed you to shift between the all the gears (forward or reverse), on the go, without using the clutch, as well as between forward and reverse (shuttle).

I have the impression that the GST is very similar to the "powershift" transmissions that were available on the older Case and JD Ag tractors.

You start your forward or reverse motion with the clutch -- once moving, you can shift (without the clutch) between the gears; increasing speed or decreasing speed.

I can remember, as a kid, pushing the throttle up to 2,200-2,400 rpm on a Case 1370 and ramping up thru the gears with the "black smoke" just jumping with each shift!

(Lemme in the cab of that new, L5740...!)

AKfish