My wife just surprised me this week with a Kubota
L3400 with FEL, 72" RFM, R4s and gear transmission at 0% for 36 months -- she was sick of my telling her how great it was...
I tried the HST transmissions...seemed to use up some hp on these smaller units. I found many gear transmissions to be slow, clunky, and generally a pain to use. The Kubota has the nicest gear trans I have ever driven (grew up on gear trans tractors). I was very surprised -- from this forum, I had expected that the HST was the only thing to have these days. It also like the fact that the tires just spin instead of the engine bogging down when I overload the tractor. I am not used to HST and many say that once you are, you will love the HST. The dealer said that many guys still enjoy the gear transmissions -- they are nothing like the ancient ones you may have driven.
The CK30 was priced higher for less hp than the Kubota here!! Hands down, the
L3400 was a better put together machine than the CK30 with shuttle transmission. The HST model seemed a great deal less powerful than either the CK30 gear and most definitely than the
L3400.
The red and blues couldn't compare on features, power, and price.
I would carefully consider the R4s. They look the best and I chose them for all round performance, longevity and stability. They DO NOT have the traction I was expecting. I will be purchasing chains in the very near future for the icy hills on my place.
I would say get the most hp for your budget with the fewest frills -- but that's just me. Obviously, there is such a thing as too big to manouver. I don't think this is really an issue in the mid 30 hp range and smaller. Others may disagree.
Get one soon. You will love whatever you get!! Best toy I have ever stolen.
Shawn