Comparison Kubota 3240 vs JD 3520

[sub80]

This will be my first tractor. Been looking for months now and I'm ready to pull the trigger this week if I can just make a decision. I only have about four acres, mostly woods and heavy brush, all flat, and would like to clear most of it and plant pastures, put in some trails for the kids' bikes, and then keep it all maintained. I think the tractors I'm looking at are on the large size for my long term needs but I want to do the work myself and don't want to end up undersized. Also - I'll have a dedicated mower for the lawn. I've ruled out the JD E class because of the weight and the L32/3800 because of the "jerky" 3pt issue.

The JD is the std ehydro and the 3240 is obviously HST+. Both would have loaded R4's and ballast box, rear lights (or light in the JD's) case. JD would have the 300CX, Kub would have the HD loader with std bucket.

Don't like all the plastic on the JD and the Kub's all metal, thin as it is. I like the weight of the Kubota, the telescoping arms, bigger loader. I don't mind the treadle but I prefer the JD pedal set-up. Not sure why Kubota still has a clutch. The JD has more power -a less weight by 500lbs. My only concern about the power of the Kubota is being able to eventually run a rear flail mower. Most I've seen require 30hp and the KUB is 25 at the PTO.

Kub 3240 with HD Loader is $22,518. That includes welded hooks and a ballast box.

JD 3520 w/ 300CX is $22,725. That includes hooks and filled tires. Also - it's part of their Gondola fleet and has 30 hrs. It has 2 yrs 9 mos left on warranty.


I'd truly appreciate any feedback on the brands, feedback from owners of these two models, and any recommendations. Thanks!

 

[TripleR]

Both are good tractors, my choice would be the Kubota even though I agree on the clutch thing. We own a John Deere and the plastic issue hasn't been a problem.

 

[bigbull338]

id go with the kubota as well.

 

[Rockgod]

Don't like all the plastic on the JD and the Kub's all metal, thin as it is. I like the weight of the Kubota, the telescoping arms, bigger loader. I don't mind the treadle but I prefer the JD pedal set-up. Not sure why Kubota still has a clutch. The JD has more power -a less weight by 500lbs. My only concern about the power of the Kubota is being able to eventually run a rear flail mower. Most I've seen require 30hp and the KUB is 25 at the PTO.


I'd truly appreciate any feedback on the brands, feedback from owners of these two models, and any recommendations. Thanks!

I personally like the size and weight of the Kubota over the JD, you'll also get more ground clearance with the Kubota.

If you jump up 1 size (3540) that would take care of your PTO hp concern :thumbsup:

 

[Rockgod]

Looks to be about $1280 diff. between the L3240 and the L3540...

 

[sub80]

That's three votes for the Kubota. TripleR - seeing as you have a JD, I'm interested in why you recommended the Kubota. Is there something inparticular you don't like about the Deere?

Also - any thoughts on the pricing i'm getting from the dealers? I think I left out that on the Kubota there's a $500 rebate they take off after tax.

Thanks for all the feedback. Much appreciated.

Eric

 

[Agrantina]

I looked at the same tractors last July and bought the Kubota and have not been sorry one bit. I bought the GST not the HST- for price reasons only. My dealer really wanted to sell the GST he had. Took all of about 1hr to get real comfortable with it. I had always used a gear tractor. I like the setup and extra features on the Kubota more than the JD, but JD was still a really nice tractor. I dont think you would go wrong with either- my choice would be the big orange one!

AndyG

 

[TripleR]

That's three votes for the Kubota. TripleR - seeing as you have a JD, I'm interested in why you recommended the Kubota. Is there something in particular you don't like about the Deere?

Also - any thoughts on the pricing i'm getting from the dealers? I think I left out that on the Kubota there's a $500 rebate they take off after tax.

Thanks for all the feedback. Much appreciated.

Eric

I have the highest regard for John Deere in general and just this morning took my grandson on a tour through a John Deere dealership as he loves tractors.

The things I dislike about the John Deere in this niche are things that others prefer and I usually recommend trying them both out before buying, but got lazy this morning I guess.

The ergonomics/controls on the John Deere are just not for me, but others find them great.

While we have a turbo equipped tractor, in this size I kind of prefer natural aspiration.

John Deere HST has brakes on the left while Kubota has them on the right. There is an often hot and ongoing debate/discussion on this, so I won't go into it here beyond that if steering brakes while using the HST is important, the John Deere is easier. For me however, all of the tractors I use with the exception of the John Deere have brakes on the right. About a month ago, an emergency application of the brakes on our M8540 kept me out of about thirty feet of water and I do not want to be in a similar situation on a tractor with brakes on the left while my right foot is hitting air. This will admittedly not be a problem for the one tractor owner or maybe even the more experienced operators with multiple tractors.

The rocker HST on the Kubota v the two pedal system on the John Deere is a non issue for me as I have used both so long, I have no strong preference one way or the other. For some this can be problematic and maybe only for the older folks, but my father in law put his new John Deere in one of our ponds the first week he owned it. Until the day he died, he would occasionally hit the wrong pedal, but quit mowing around the pond with the John Deere 425 and started using the tractor.

In my opinion, neither tractor is better, just different, so try them both and maybe even some more to find which fits you the best as you really can't go wrong with either.

 

[crazyal]

I have a slightly bigger Kubota with the HST+ and there's no other brand I would buy now that I have some seat time. The extra features of the HST+ just set it above the rest. Just the H-DS feature (being able to shift from high to low without letting of the HST pedal or turning off the curse control) alone is worth it's weight in gold. But if you've never owned it you probably never miss it.

As far as the flail mower goes, I would either step up a size like Rockgod said or I think you would just have to go a little slower. The brake pedal is a non issue to me. The GLs have an almost flat deck so it's easy to move your foot to the brakes ( I could see where having a hump could be an issue). Try them both out and then come back and ask a few more questions about each.

 

[beppington]

I have a slightly bigger Kubota with the HST+ and there's no other brand I would buy now that I have some seat time. The extra features of the HST+ just set it above the rest. Just the H-DS feature (being able to shift from high to low without letting of the HST pedal or turning off the curse control) alone is worth it's weight in gold.

Agree with all of that.

But if you've never owned it you probably never miss it.

Before buying I had read enough & asked enough questions on here that I determined that if I didn't buy the HST+ I was gonna be sorry I didn't. It's very useful, in different ways for different scenarios. When bush hogging, M range works well for me, & if I hit a thick area I can keep the pedal flat on the floor & just shift the HST+ from Rabbit to Turtle without slowing down, stopping to shift, etc. Sure I could just let up on the pedal, & sometimes I do, but the point is with the HST+ you have several options on how to do things - Pick the one that suits you.

 

[TripleR]

I have a slightly bigger Kubota with the HST+ and there's no other brand I would buy now that I have some seat time. The extra features of the HST+ just set it above the rest. Just the H-DS feature (being able to shift from high to low without letting of the HST pedal or turning off the curse control) alone is worth it's weight in gold. But if you've never owned it you probably never miss it.

As far as the flail mower goes, I would either step up a size like Rockgod said or I think you would just have to go a little slower. The brake pedal is a non issue to me. The GLs have an almost flat deck so it's easy to move your foot to the brakes ( I could see where having a hump could be an issue). Try them both out and then come back and ask a few more questions about each.

Same here, my left leg is partially paralyzed and has been for over forty years in addition to having back problems. I have driven tractors using my right foot for the clutch and steering brakes on several different tractors, so I often find it somewhat amusing when people on here say something can't be done that I have been doing most of my life.

I still get flamed once in a while when I say it can be done.

 

[beppington]

Same here, my left leg is partially paralyzed and has been for over forty years in addition to having back problems. I have driven tractors using my right foot for the clutch and steering brakes on several different tractors, so I often find it somewhat amusing when people on here say something can't be done that I have been doing most of my life.

I still get flamed once in a while when I say it can be done.

Now wait just a minute ... Our Kubota HST's have brakes??!!! :laughing:

 

[TripleR]

Now wait just a minute ... Our Kubota HST's have brakes??!!! :laughing:

I believe there is a line in the book "Some Came Running" in which Bama Dillard opined that he never used brakes as they were only used to correct mistakes.

With that in mind, I usually just cut mine off; maybe you got one of my used ones.:laughing::laughing:

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Now wait just a minute ... Our Kubota HST's have brakes??!!! :laughing:

Mine does! :thumbsup:

 

[sub80]

Appreciate all the feedback. I've driven them both. Like the way they both drive. Again, slight preference in the pedal arrangement to Deere but overall I like the Kubota better. And I can't find a single unhappy Grand L Kubota owner. Can't say the same for Deere.

That said, I'm still struggling with giving up 5 hp at the pto for the same price. With ballast in the tires and ballast box available, I guess I'm starting to question whether the added weight in the Kubota is that much of an edge - unless it translates to better build quality (which ironically is exactly what JD says in a video on their website).

Still thinking - The JD dealer called today to remind me that 0% for 72 mos ends as of the 1st. Gotta pull the trigger soon if I go that route.'

Thanks again.

 

[crazyal]

Pick the one you like the most. Otherwise you'll always wonder if you settled. I can't say for sure but I would guess that any interest rate will continue next month.

Some people use the HST pedal where they push with their toes to go forward and heal to o in reverse. I just move my foot and push with toes for either direction. The HST pedal has a tab sticking off to the side for forward that I use.

I have a homemade ballast box, I filled a 55 gallon drum with cement. It's nice but it ties up the 3pt hitch. So far it hasn't been an issue but I'm going to fill the tires in the near future.

 

[beppington]

Appreciate all the feedback. I've driven them both. Like the way they both drive. Again, slight preference in the pedal arrangement to Deere but overall I like the Kubota better. And I can't find a single unhappy Grand L Kubota owner. Can't say the same for Deere.

I tested a JD 4120 hydro prior to any Kubota before buying, & I thought the separate pedals were "the way to go" :thumbsup:, especially after reading that some people thought Kubota's treadle was weird or unusual, or whatever. Then I went & test drove an L3540 & thought Kubota's pedal was just fine. And, dince day 1 I've never had a problem with it at all. Never even crosses my mind, actually, which is what I want. Wouldn't want to have to think about the pedal all the time.

Still thinking - The JD dealer called today to remind me that 0% for 72 mos ends as of the 1st. Gotta pull the trigger soon if I go that route.'

Hmmm ... Dealer's calling to pester ... afraid to lose you to the (superior) competition, is he? :laughing: My Kubota dealer never even got to the point of, "So, do you wanna buy it?" I had to finally tell him, "I guess I'm ready to buy, can you give me a sales order?" He was willing to talk all day about it, without ever pressing me to actually buy. That seemed like a good sign to me.

 

[sub80]

I think - as TripleR stated - I'll get used to whatever set-up I buy. Not concerned about the Kub set-up at all - just a slight preference right now towards the separate pedals.

My biggest concern with the 3240 is PTO hp. I don't have hills so I'm not worried about getting up big hills - strictly woriied that I might be limited on tillers, flail mowers, PTO chippers and the like. I don't mind working a little slower - I just don't want to run into a situation where there's a common implement I can't use because I'm lacking in HP.

I'm probably overthinking it. Esp given that I started out last year looking at a X500 series with a Johnny Bucket.:laughing:

 

[beppington]

I think - as TripleR stated - I'll get used to whatever set-up I buy. Not concerned about the Kub set-up at all - just a slight preference right now towards the separate pedals.

My biggest concern with the 3240 is PTO hp. I don't have hills so I'm not worried about getting up big hills - strictly woriied that I might be limited on tillers, flail mowers, PTO chippers and the like. I don't mind working a little slower - I just don't want to run into a situation where there's a common implement I can't use because I'm lacking in HP.

I'm probably overthinking it. Esp given that I started out last year looking at a X500 series with a Johnny Bucket.:laughing:

I don't really think you'll go wrong either way, but:

L3240 4WD HST = 25 PTO HP & a $20,939 MSRP
L3540 4WD HST = 28 PTO HP & a $22,219 MSRP ... +$1280 over L3240
L3940 4WD HST = 31.5 PTO HP & a $24,329 MSRP ... +$3390 over L3240

$1280 more to help dampen your PTO HP concerns
$3390 more to further dampen your PTO HP concerns

My dad already had a nice set of implements for his ~40HP Mahindra that I could use, so ~40 engine HP was my target, thus I settled on the 40.5 HP L3940.

 

[TripleR]

When you get right down to it, life and tractor buying is often not as complicated/hard as we make it. If you need/want more HP, buy it. When financing, the difference in price spread out over time is not going to be much and won't effect your life nearly as much as paying for a tractor with which you are unhappy. Just about ever time I have bought something trying to save a few bucks over buying what I wanted, it has cost me more in the long run.

For many if not most, buying a tractor is "usually" a long term commitment which makes buying enough tractor even more important; just a thought.