Buying Advice 3700 vs 4400 or L3940

[sbohan]

Hi all,

Quite the newbie here, to the site and tractors in general. I'll try to be complete but brief.

Just bought a 20 acre place. 5 of the 20 are house and 2 corrals. The rest is brush land, we're talkign central FL, so flat terrain, but things grow fast. 2-3 weeks can get 3-4ft deep.

So I'm looking to get a compact utility tractor and have kept to 30 PTO as my guideline. I want HST in case the wife will be using for loader work with the horses.

Implements planned-
6ft bush-hog or equivalent, FEL, pallet forks

Considered - Boxblade, heavy duty bucket edge, backblade

Desired - backhoe, grapple

So here's the question. The 3700 seems like a great deal, but I'm worried it's 'just enough' The 4400 seems great, but maybe overkill for the immediate plans. The 3940 and 3540 (dealer suggests 3940); look very nice, but the electronics on the new HSTplus scare me, and the price is hard to justify unless I go with the CAB. Which would push me back I'm afraid to the 3540 and it might be a stretch.

Planning on getting a small 15-20HP for the round the house mowing, seems like wiser than a midmount for the small space I need finish cut.

Thoughts?:confused2:

 

[DiezNutz]

Hi :welcome:

Planning on getting a small 15-20HP for the round the house mowing, seems like wiser than a midmount for the small space I need finish cut.
Thoughts?:confused2:

Well this part, I completely agree with.
The rest is indeed the dilemma, isn't it. But if you let them, the great folks here at TBN will be more than happy to help you spend your money. :thumbsup:

 

[Snapper Head]

I am in a very similar situation, and the process of deciding which tractor has been very wearing.

After bouncing back and forth between JD & Kubota, I have settled on the L3940. It is a bit more than what is necessary, but will serve well as we expand our land holdings and pasture.

We have 12 acres, 5 in pasture w/horses, 4 with young pines that will be taken out and this will be pastured also. Flat land except for back of property which has 45 degree hill that will be mowed. So - FEL, BB, Cutter, Disc Harrow - those will be primary implements, plus I will add a stout grapple this winter. We have a new lawn tractor for mowing the yard around the house, feed & tack building, and my personal promised land (a 30' x 60' shop ).

Fearing the electronics is like fearing indoor plumbing and electricity - you can if you want to, but it's here to stay and will only become more widespread. Consider how many electronic modules there are in your car.

I should have a deal worked within the next couple of weeks....:thumbsup:


Big Al

 

[Grandad4]

Not an easy call. If it were me, I'd look for something larger than the minimum needed to allow for the unexpected. L3940 seems to be a "sweet spot" the in the Kub lineup, just a nice size/power combination, popular with many buyers. HST+ gets A+ grades with most owners, but you should buy what makes you happy, not what others recommend. Given your acreage, you might also look at the MX series. A bit bigger than the ones you've mentioned; basic, rugged tractors available with conventional HST.

 

[sbohan]

Well, as a computer guy (large system and small domestically and internationally) I'm not against technology, but my server racks aren't in rainy or muddy fields and I have all the tools to diagnose them. Even my car I have OBD2 and CAN readers and cuptre tools, that hook to PC's, but a kubota tractor? I need the dealer 100% and I can't afford much downtime. I'll forgo creature comforts for reliability any day.

Anyone know of cheap or easy way to read the factory computers? Maybe just my ignorance here.

On my 'other' boating hobby while the gas burners are jsut car engines, the computers from mercruiser and the like aren't compatible with the generic stuff without special cable and the like. Even then you're limited in the diagnosis unless you have theirs which are a tractors price to get.

 

[dex3361]

I bought a L4400HST for the simplicity of the machine. The L4400 with the LA703 loader does not have a great rollback angle. Other than that its a great simple machine without a computer.

 

[TripleR]

Gotta agree with Grandad4 again. When I began looking for a mid size utility tractor this spring, I thought I might like something along the lines of a 30 HP model and quickly moved away from the B Series which I really like and then passed over the Lxx00 Series as being too cramped getting on/off and didn't much care for the operator station. Once I hit the Grand L Series, my mind was made up and decided to get the L3940 or L4240 with a cab. Before I got the chance to order it, I found a good used L5030 with a cab and bought it.

I also looked at the MX Series and much preferred it to the Lxx00's as the operator station was flat and more comfortable. I have no concerns about the electronics on the L40 Series and when I wear my L5030 out will get a L5240 or L5740.

Just an observation, but I believe one really needs to look at tasks as opposed to acreage in determining the "right size". I have my largest tractor on my smallest farm as that is where it is needed most.

Your implement list sounds a lot like mine. In spite of the fact I would like to have a backhoe, I need one so seldom we either rent one or barter for a track hoe from a friend.

Good luck shopping.

 

[Grandad4]

Well, as a computer guy (large system and small domestically and internationally) I'm not against technology, but my server racks aren't in rainy or muddy fields and I have all the tools to diagnose them. Even my car I have OBD2 and CAN readers and cuptre tools, that hook to PC's, but a kubota tractor? I need the dealer 100% and I can't afford much downtime. I'll forgo creature comforts for reliability any day.

Probably in 10 years everyone will know whether Kub made a wise move adding electronics to their equipment. Given that reliability is arguably Kubota's strongest brand identifier (It sure isn't their marketing, color scheme, pricing, styling, etc. ), I expect they wouldn't bet their reputation on a critical product innovation that was anything less than bulletproof. Companies make boneheaded mistakes all the time, but I'm just not seeing Big Orange doing so with their drivetrains.

If I have to eat these words in a few years, get back to me and I'll buy you a cold one Meanwhile, I hope you have good luck finding the right model for your situation.

 

[DiezNutz]

It sure isn't their marketing, color scheme, pricing, styling, etc. )

Hey now... there isn't a prettier shade of orange than "new" Kubota orange.
And I like my tractor's looks!

Especially around Halloween :thumbsup:

 

[sbohan]

True we'll know in 10 yrs, but by then I'll probably be getting a 2nd or replacing a first :thumbsup:

The l4400 you saw as too small an operator station?

The 3940 doesn't appear any larger from the website/dealer specs. Unfortunately my dealer doesn't have either in stock.

 

[Grandad4]

Hey now... there isn't a prettier shade of orange than "new" Kubota orange.
And I like my tractor's looks!

Especially around Halloween :thumbsup:

No offense intended... There are two orange tractors in my shop, plus at least 10 color matched attachments, so I kinda like it myself. And, orange is indeed the right color for fall hayrides, etc.

 

[k0ua]

Interesting, I went on the last tractor hunt by starting with Cub/Yanmar, but did not like it due to a cramped operator station, and love my L3400 (same as a 3700) with HST due to its large spacious operator station:laughing:
James K0UA

 

[PHILIP8N]

If your stuff can get 4' tall and your cutting with a 6' hog I would not want to get anything smaller than a L3940. For long runs of mowing, the cruise control is very nice on the HST+. I also like the auto-throttle when doing loader work. Looks like we have similar duties, except for the snow blade. Here are a few picks of the L3940. Philip.

 

[sbohan]

Yeah I was thinking l4400 because it's a little larger than the 3940 it seems from the spec sheet. Now I'm actually looking at also the mx4700, if I'm going cabless. It's about 3540 price it seems and has a few more cu/in., larger tires, and tiny bit smaller wheelbase/weight. Only 1600 list more than the l4400. NO one here is saying go for the 3700??

 

[DiezNutz]

NO one here is saying go for the 3700??

Nope. Which says something in and of itself, right?
While you're crunching the numbers, don't forget "true cost of ownership", which includes putting a value on your time.

The 'just enough' tractor might look great on paper, but more hours in the seat equals time lost elsewhere plus more tractor wear & tear and maintenance more often.

No offense intended... There are two orange tractors in my shop, plus at least 10 color matched attachments, so I kinda like it myself. And, orange is indeed the right color for fall hayrides, etc.

None taken. Just a little good-natured ribbing for your remarks, you somewhat had to expect it.

 

[TripleR]

Nope. Which says something in and of itself, right?
While you're crunching the numbers, don't forget "true cost of ownership", which includes putting a value on your time.

The 'just enough' tractor might look great on paper, but more hours in the seat equals time lost elsewhere plus more tractor wear & tear and maintenance more often.

I just spent four days on an M8540 and L5030 "trying" to catch up, taking the day off today and back at it tomorrow. Trust me, there is also such a thing as too much seat time.

If working, time is a premium and if retired like me, old age and fatigue eventually becomes a factor. For me, "just enough" tractor is just not going to get it.

Of course I am speaking under ideal situations as I accept that finances often dictate over rule the ideal.

 

[johnrex62]

NO one here is saying go for the 3700??

Guess not. If you think it might be on the small side for you, it probably is. You seems to have a good handle on your work requirements and your gut is probably something you should listen to.


I bought a L3700SU and am very pleased with it, but I only have about 2 acres in high weeds and hope to keep them much lower now. They have been hitting 6-12 feet between mowings because my hired mower is just too busy to come when I need him. So, my dear sweet wife decided I NEEDED a tractor so I could do it myself. (Jealous, are we? Don't blame you :laughing: )

My dealer figured I needed 20-25 horses, so I bought 37. :thumbsup:

 

[sbohan]

My dealer advised the 3700 wasn't enough to comfortably run the 6ft bush hog, to get the 5 with it or go for the 4400. Now I'm debating the mx4700. Anyone have any thoughts on that one? I know the 5100 is not much more, but I really wanted to avoid a turbo for longevity and maintenance.

 

[TripleR]

My dealer advised the 3700 wasn't enough to comfortably run the 6ft bush hog, to get the 5 with it or go for the 4400. Now I'm debating the mx4700. Anyone have any thoughts on that one? I know the 5100 is not much more, but I really wanted to avoid a turbo for longevity and maintenance.

There was a thread on here not long ago with a debate/discussion on the longevity of turbos. I don't remember if it was settled one way or the other, but to get the power/tractor I wanted I had to go with a turbo and have no concerns.

 

[Grandad4]

My dealer advised the 3700 wasn't enough to comfortably run the 6ft bush hog, to get the 5 with it or go for the 4400. Now I'm debating the mx4700. Anyone have any thoughts on that one? I know the 5100 is not much more, but I really wanted to avoid a turbo for longevity and maintenance.

The MX (4700 or 5100) should handle a 6ft cutter with ease.

As for the turbo, they are very common on diesel heavy equipment and trucks. If they were a serious failure risk in those applications, they probably wouldn't be in such widespread use. I have a 1984 Mack dump truck whose turbo is still functioning OK after 26 years of hard commercial use. What is good for turbo life is the same as for the diesel engine itself: Clean air and regular oil changes. But, you probably already know all that, and if you don't want a turbo on your tractor, the 4700 is for you.