3400 vs 4400

[Gamer1524]

ok forgive me if this comparsion has been done...but could not find it doing a search.
Have a real hard time deciding on the 3400 vs the 4400. I am going to be doing some dirt road work...small 1 acre planting...have about 400 acres of brush hogging...smostly broom weeds..but will be hitting some 2 - 2 1/2 inch ceder trees and some good sized patches of cactus . For the front end loader work...we have a gravel pit for hauling gravel for the road...pretty packed rock if you ask me. I am not worried about lifting x amount...but I sure would like to use a heavy duty 6 foot cutter.

The 4400 standard shift is about 4k more including the FEL. Not sure either one will do the 6 foot cutter...but then I am not cutting 3 inch trees for acers on end... only once in while and I don't mind lifting the cutter a bit or putting the loader down to help things out. For the road work I plan in using a 5 foot box or the FEL.

Also on the tires...are the ind tires better than the ag tires for FEL work....mostly on hard rock.

thanks in advance

 

[Mikeeemo]

I have a L4400 w/ FEL. I have owned it 2 1/2 years. I has been a rock solid performer. The 6' cutter should not be a problem. I have a 5' that has been repaired / beefed up and it handles it with no problem. Are you planning on 4wd? I would recommend it for loader work. The L4400 has an independent PTO system the L2800/3400 are different. Their are several member with L4400's, we all like to give our opinions. Good luck!

 

[Gamer1524]

yeah 4 wheel drive is must....I know HST is nice..but I I have heard the pro's and cons...the one issue that the Kubota seems to have on the HST is the drive pump seems to be a week spot..that and the extra cost of the HST is not worth it to me...but on the flip side I hear replacing the clutch can be an expensive thing to do...the old 9n I am replacing it with has only had two clutches in it in over 40 years..so for me thats a pretty good record.

 

[Mikeeemo]

About the tires...I have R1 Ag tires filled with water. I like the traction. R-4 Ind are wider and easier on the ground. There are a few treads around debating the various tire types. It truly is a matter of what your primary use is, as well as personal preference.

I actually cut our yard with a 6' finish mower without pushing up the grass.
Some say you can't do that with an Ag tire, go figure...

 

[Mikeeemo]

I was in the same situation. I need a replacement for a To-35 Furguson. You are in for a shock. The power difference will make you silly with joy!

You either know how to clutch or you don't... I don't abuse my machine, but I will work it hard.

I purchased with the idea that I would never buy another. I am 43 and the To-35 is 48 and is still in use. If we get 40 years out of the L4400 then I will be 83 and my son can so the work...

 

[Gamer1524]

I guess it come all down to power..more is always better...my real power requirement comes down to how much cutter can I drive...the wider the better to cut down on the 400 acres I mow...like I said most of it is broom weed and cactus patches...with the occasional cedar bush in my path...I also plan to drive a log splitter..but I think both will do that job...just wondering is 4k more is worth the upgrafe to the 4400

 

[ccsial]

If I had to hog 400 acres I'd want at least an 8 foot cutter. More likely the batwing.

I figure a 6 foot cutter will take a month. You might be wanting a cab too.

 

[big bubba]

can't even imagine dealing w/400 acres w/o considering the M series....that amt. of acreage is an ag application, why not look at least a 5040 or greater? bb

 

[swampvol]

400 acres? I thought that was a misprint until he mentioned it the second time.

 

[N80]

I once mowed what I guessed was twenty acres on my L4400 with a 6' mower. Well, on second guess I'd say it was closer to 10 acres or less (I'm terrible at estimating acres). It was hard mowing and it took a good 5-6 hrs.

I recently mowed some large pastures using a 14 foot mower (not with the 4400), have no idea how big, probably at least 20 acres. Even then, it took all afternoon.

If you have 400 acres that will need to be mowed, even once a year, you need something much bigger than an L4400, I would say a minimum of a 7040. Something that can pull a 10-14' mower.

But, if the 400 acres is something you plug away at all year long and it isn't critical that it gets finished, then maybe the L4400 will do. Or maybe you could hire out the big area mowing.

The 4400 should meet your other needs just fine. My 6 foot rotary cutter is a light duty. I knock down 2" stuff all the time. The tractor handles a 6' box blade with ease. A 7 footer would be no problem.

A compromise might be a 5040 or 6040. But, as you might guess, that's more $$$.

I have 250 acres. But probably no more than 10 acres plus roads has to be mowed. The 4400 is perfect for that. I have also cleared land and food plots. Plowed and disked food plots. Moved lots of gravel and dirt. The L4400 has been perfect for all of that and very affordable. Had it 3 years now. No problems. If I had it to do again, with the same budget, I'd get the L4400 (gear model) again in a heartbeat.

Now that I know all the wonderful things a tractor can do, and if the budget was a little higher, I'd get an M5040.