Nervous about buying

[jamtuc]

I just ordered a L3400 today. With QD Loader and backhoe. I am wondering if I did the right thing now. I guess I am looking for some moral support as I am starting to get cold feet. ( maybe I should have got a cab with A\C and Heat) My wife is wonderful she told me to just go and get it. I love my wife. Still am nervous if I did the right thing I have about 9 acres total. I have thought to myself at least ten times this summer .....I wish I had a backhoe. Now that one is on the way I am torn up like a jar of kraut.

 

[mostly_gas]

Just wait until you have the tractor. Get it out in the field and using it and all will be well. Just be careful and safe will you are learning how to use it!

 

[jamtuc]

My wife just came in the room and ask me to make sure the tractor was big enough for what we needed...........holy smokes I never thought about that....The L3400 is a little over twice as much power as I have now with my B1700. Hmmm :confused2:

 

[CompactTractorFan]

You will get over it as soon as you get in the seat...

 

[jamtuc]

I always try to be as careful as possible. Espeacially on new stuff. The angleometer built into my butt is way more sensitive than it should be. I get nervous on even small side slopes.

 

[jamtuc]

Compact how do you like your backhoe? Was it worth the $$$$

 

[flusher]

I just ordered a L3400 today. With QD Loader and backhoe. I am wondering if I did the right thing now. I guess I am looking for some moral support as I am starting to get cold feet. ( maybe I should have got a cab with A\C and Heat) My wife is wonderful she told me to just go and get it. I love my wife. Still am nervous if I did the right thing I have about 9 acres total. I have thought to myself at least ten times this summer .....I wish I had a backhoe. Now that one is on the way I am torn up like a jar of kraut.

So was this an impulse buy? Or did you really, really think hard and clearly about the jobs you need a TLB like that L3400 to do for you?

If you answer yes to the first question, then kill the deal.
If you answer yes to the second question, pour yourself a beer or two and stop worrying.

 

[k0ua]

I love my L3400, It has lots of power and traction now with loaded tires, and 750 lbs of concrete filled 55 gal drum on the back.. seems almost unstoppable, You didnt say what you wanted to do with your new tractor, but I bet it will fill your needs well. It sure was essential on a pretty large dirtwork project this summer on ground so steep, I needed the seatbelt to stay in the seat, and even then usually put my left foot on the upright loader post to keep from sliding towards the steering wheel. The L3400 not only could get up and down this slope, but also spread and work the dirt. And this is with R4 tires! It will also push over or pull over some pretty good size trees. Oh mind you not 10 inchers or anything like that, but a 5 inch tree is sure not safe from the 'bota"thumbsup: And the loader and hydro controls are silky smooth, fast and work like a dream. I think you will like it a lot.
James K0UA

 

[JC-jetro]

My wife just came in the room and ask me to make sure the tractor was big enough for what we needed...........holy smokes I never thought about that....The L3400 is a little over twice as much power as I have now with my B1700. Hmmm :confused2:

Relax brother You did just fine. You will not regret your choice. They have improved the pto coupler mechanism and it is quite a bit better. it is quite a capable tractor. study and learn pto adjustment and it's mechanism.

good luck

 

[jamtuc]

Yes I have thought about this for over two years now. So I guess I will go ahead and have that beer.

 

[/pine]

...The L3400 is a little over twice as much power as I have now with my B1700

Since you've got experience on the (very forgiving) B1700...just take it slow until you're used to the more powerful machine...it will be much easier to get stuff done with more power and size but it will also tear stuff up twice as easy...

just curious...what type of implements did you work with the B1700?

 

[jamtuc]

Thanks for all the replies. This site really helps for alot of different projects. Guess I just found another useful application for TBN. Seriously guys I do appreciate the feedback and I do feel much better about the purchase. I guess I will go finish the paperwork tommorrow.

Thanks again

 

[jamtuc]

I used the front end loader ALOT along with the box blade. Also a 4 ft rotary cutter for a couple of years I cut around 14 to 15 acres twice a year. I dug out a pool for my cousin it was an above ground but due to the slope I had to go down about three feet. I have experience on larger tractors. I grew up working for all the farmers around the area. I ran a backhoe for all of about 2 hrs last year I will probably spend most of my time learning to not rip the thing apart. Any tips or pointers are welcome

 

[Ford tractor]

When you get the tractor (actually BEFORE) have the rear tires filled. Since you have a BH, also get wheel weights. Both front and rear. Why? Physics. The BH uses hydraulics to generate down force. The amount of down force must be matched and then some by the weight of the machine (unless you chain it down).

Plus, when you have a full bucket, swing to the side and extend to dump the tractor can (and will) tip. The force that resists the tipping is the stabilizer on the dumping side AND the weight of the tire on the other side. The stabilizer WILL sink into the ground and scare the doo-doo out of you. There will be less of that if the tires are filled and you have wheel weights.

Plus, the FEL will work much better with the extra traction the weight gives.

 

[TripleR]

So was this an impulse buy? Or did you really, really think hard and clearly about the jobs you need a TLB like that L3400 to do for you?

If you answer yes to the first question, then kill the deal.
If you answer yes to the second question, pour yourself a beer or two and stop worrying.

Excellent advice. After due consideration, I passed on getting a back hoe on my last two tractors. We have an old Case back hoe we haven't used in years. We rent one as it is easier than keeping it running.

The tractor mentioned is a very capable machine and if you have the jobs for it, it will serve you well, if not it's just wasted money.

For what it's worth, I have second guessed my decisions to purchase as I am sure have others. That seems to go away pretty quick once I start using it.

 

[flyingcow]

I just ordered a L3400 today. With QD Loader and backhoe. I am wondering if I did the right thing now. I guess I am looking for some moral support as I am starting to get cold feet. ( maybe I should have got a cab with A\C and Heat) My wife is wonderful she told me to just go and get it. I love my wife. Still am nervous if I did the right thing I have about 9 acres total. I have thought to myself at least ten times this summer .....I wish I had a backhoe. Now that one is on the way I am torn up like a jar of kraut.

My thoughts on a cab. I have one on the machine i have now. Came across this quick sale price on the tractor, and couldn't pass it up. But, if I was to order new, go without cab. Always on the lookout for low hanging trees when mowing fields. Limits view when using FEL, can not easily communicate with person(s) while on a congested job site, etc.

Than for winter use(snowblowing), winter cab w/heater.

You did well with your choice of tractors. I think you more than doubled your size. Usually, more hp and torque compared to the older ones. More weight for pushing power etc.

Here's a pic of the machine i bought last Feb.
BTW- Plan on selling BH, hardly ever use it. Got 2 projects that i will do with it in the spring, than sell it.

 

[LostInTheWoods]

So was this an impulse buy? Or did you really, really think hard and clearly about the jobs you need a TLB like that L3400 to do for you?

If you answer yes to the first question, then kill the deal.
If you answer yes to the second question, pour yourself a beer or two and stop worrying.

Excellent advice. After due consideration, I passed on getting a back hoe on my last two tractors. We have an old Case back hoe we haven't used in years. We rent one as it is easier than keeping it running.

The tractor mentioned is a very capable machine and if you have the jobs for it, it will serve you well, if not it's just wasted money.

For what it's worth, I have second guessed my decisions to purchase as I am sure have others. That seems to go away pretty quick once I start using it.

Nothing useful to add, other than to say these guys are spot-on. If you've thought this through already, then no sweat. If this purchase was like grabbing a candy bar at the check-out line at the last moment, then you may have some buyers regret (though the tractor will look much better on your hips than the candy bar )

 

[jamtuc]

Good advice from all. Where do you get the wheel wieghts? I did order the tractor with fluid on the tires.
Another unexpected event. I called a cousin of mine who is more like a brother and told him about the purchase. He is a foreman for a construction company and has his own backhoe. He told me if I wanted to work the backhoe he was positive he could get all the work I wanted digging waterlines if I wanted to make a little extra. This works well because I work a seven on and seven off schedule. He also said he would rent it from me if he needed to do anything local. His backhoe stays out of town on job sites.
Who knows

 

[LostInTheWoods]

. He told me if I wanted to work the backhoe he was positive he could get all the work I wanted digging waterlines if I wanted to make a little extra. This works well because I work a seven on and seven off schedule. He also said he would rent it from me if he needed to do anything local.

Nice! A tractor that potentially pays for itself. Just be sure your insurance covers you if you work off of your own property and/or work for profit.

 

[coobie]

I have always tried to not have buyers remorse.I think you bought a fine tractor.coobie