Does the L3200HST make enough power for driving with loader and hoe mounted?

[Egon]

My JD 4200 with. #7 backhoe and bucket weights in around 4000#. The 24 HP engine with hydro move it with no complaints.

 

[Slimson]

I have an L3200HST and am generally satisfied with it. That being said, I would recommend the bigger engine as I have been surprised a few times by lack of power. I even had the engine stall out once at pto rpm operating a 60" rotary cutter.

 

[familyman]

The L3200/3800 weigh about 2600 lbs without loader. The loader adds about 1200 lbs. Loaded tires add about 800 lbs. I'm not sure how much the backhoe adds, but I'm guessing about 1,000 lbs for that size. That's 5,600 lbs with 32 hp. That's about the same ratio I have and I never notice the weight. With my 700-800 lb brush hog on back, I'm about 6,600 lbs and never notice with 37 hp.

That said, if it were me I'd go for the L3800 The price isn't that different, it'll run a 6' brush hog with ease, and you'd never, ever second guess your choice.

Last thing to consider is that running the RPMS about 3/4 wide open isn't bad for a tractor. I used to have a gear and loved that the RPMS were kept down a lot until I started doing some reading on diesel engines. Keep the throttle open.

Your weight numbers are in the ballpark; I figured around 5,500 lbs., give or take. That's nearly double the weight of the bare tractor.

I'll consider the extra 6 hp and long-stroke engine as insurance. The L3800 it is.

Thank you all for your input. Everything said here was of value.

 

[General Lee]

With ANY of the L's w/ HST, you will find you need to be at and above 2,000 rpms to operate efficiently depending on the task. I have learned (still learning) these tractors don't zip around like lawn mowers. MED gear is almost worthless unless mowing on FLAT ground, simply getting from point A to B or moving a LOOSE pile of soil or gravel. High gear is only getting from A to B. LOW gear for everything in between. All the chores and work I do with my 45hp L, I need to be around 2200 rpm's or above. This includes some light mowing, grading, moving logs and firewood, digging with FEL, etc. What you experienced on the L you test drove sounds normal to me.

I used to expect more out my machine power wise (still do with lifting capacity) but I learned to just let that diesel roar and work it and it does fine.

 

[familyman]

With ANY of the L's w/ HST, you will find you need to be at and above 2,000 rpms to operate efficiently depending on the task. I have learned (still learning) these tractors don't zip around like lawn mowers. MED gear is almost worthless unless mowing on FLAT ground, simply getting from point A to B or moving a LOOSE pile of soil or gravel. High gear is only getting from A to B. LOW gear for everything in between. All the chores and work I do with my 45hp L, I need to be around 2200 rpm's or above. This includes some light mowing, grading, moving logs and firewood, digging with FEL, etc. What you experienced on the L you test drove sounds normal to me.

I used to expect more out my machine power wise (still do with lifting capacity) but I learned to just let that diesel roar and work it and it does fine.

Thanks for the reply. Your experience echoes my suspicions as far as how the power will be applied under different conditions.

I remember reading something about diesel engines; I think it was an article concerning inboard sailboat engines. That they need to run at correct rpm's, load and temperature to have a long life. Careful engine and propeller sizing are required with displacement hulls, or the engine won't be loaded properly. Then it will foul with carbon.

Thanks again.

 

[General Lee]

Thanks for the reply. Your experience echoes my suspicions as far as how the power will be applied under different conditions.

Whatever tractor you choose (I believe I read your choosing the L3800) you'll find the sweet spot where the tractor operates best. When I first got my L I would try and operate at the lowest rpm because it was new and wanted to baby it. It seemed weak and sluggish with certain tasks, as I guess I was comparing it to my old B. Well the B was smaller and lighter so I could get by with less rpms. Now when I go to work with it I just crank it up to at least 2200-2300 and I'm satisfied.

I was on it today after some much anticipated seat time and this thread came to mind. I pulled some trees out of the ground and I couldn't be happier the way it performed. LOW gear, easy on the pedal and she had all the torque I needed. One tree was pulled in 2WD, didn't realize it until it was already out of the ground.

 

[familyman]

Whatever tractor you choose (I believe I read your choosing the L3800) you'll find the sweet spot where the tractor operates best... One tree was pulled in 2WD, didn't realize it until it was already out of the ground.

Ain't tractors grand?