GL3240 Delivery Day :)

[TalonDancer]

Our Grand L3240 finally arrived this PM in the midst of Tropical Storm Erin's rain sqaulls. The package includes...
* GL3240 HST 4WD with R4 tires
* LA724 Loader w/ universal quick attach
* L2239 66" HD round back bucket w/ TL1756 cutting edge
* BH90 Back-hoe w/12" pin on bucket
* Rhino BX66 Box Blade
* Bradco 48" Pallet Fork

The dealer..
* added 2 hooks the the L2239 bucket (lifting, dragging, etc)
* blew a 1" hole in one of the pallet forks (e.g. tie down, chain, trailer hitch ball)

A TUFFTOP XLR-52 is on its way and will add rear work lights ASAP.

Talon Dancer

 

[RayMunising]

Sweeeeeeet!

 

[swampvol]

Congrats!!
Very nice machine.

 

[beersngars]

Very nice. The dealer I where just bought my L3400, had a Grand next to it. Hard to keep my focus on the 3400 as the salesman was explaining it to me. Plus you got the BH.

 

[HODAK]

Congratulations........very nice. Good luck with it.

 

[Grrrr]

Congratulations

Have fun and be safe.

 

[TalonDancer]

Thanks Guys,

I haven't had much seat time yet due to the rain from the remains of tropical storm Erin.

I spent some time getting used to the HST Plus, by arranging the tractor toys (box blade and pallet fork) for easy access. Using the SSQA to swap from the loader bucket <-> pallet fork to move the box blade is SOOO nice when the BH is hanging off the back if you have the option to get the SSQA don't think, just DO IT.

I also got a little time on the BH90 extending one of the 6' deep soil profiles I had dug with the rented L39. I was impressed with the BH90's reach and strength. If the bucket wasn't 12" (vs 16") I wouldn't be able to tell the difference in the results The BH90's controls are very responsive. I was digging at idle. The GL3240/BH90 acted much like the L39 in performance. I was worried about leg room; but that was not a problem. OTOH the short seat back is not very comfy Especially after just getting out of the GL3240's very nice reclining seat with arm rests.

Talon Dancer

 

[Marcussen]

The L3240 looks like a very nice tractors, I had my L2800 at the dealer yesterday for a PTO cable and bracket replacement (second time the cable messed up), while I waited I took the opportunity to check out the L3240. Very nice.

I had to hold myself back from asking about a trade L2800 to L3240. The only thing that stopped me was that the 3240 had a PTO cable similar to the one on the 2800 which is the only problem I have had with my 2800. Kubota redesigned the cable setup on the 2800 because of all the problems hopefully the engineers at Kubota applied the lessons learned on the 2800/3400 and the 3240 will be problem free in the PTO cable area.

 

[bandit67]

Wow Talon,

Beautiful machine! Looks like you'll be getting some serious work done with that beast.

Man, this not having a tractor thing is killing me. I'm spending way too much time on TBN reading and looking at pictures, and longing for the days when I was too busy working with the tractor to spend much time on TBN.

Man, I can't wait to unload more property - CFO says no tractor till we sell the rental property, and things aren't moving too quick these days. Oh well, it gives me plenty of time to research new machines.

For now, I have to live vicariously through all of you guys, and rent a machine every now and then to get my fix.

 

[DiezNutz]

NICE. Congratulations! Curious - why only a 12" bucket?

 

[TalonDancer]

NICE. Congratulations! Curious - why only a 12" bucket?

Thanks. I got the 12" bucket FIRST

Most of my early backhoe work will be cleaning soil off of eroded limestone ledges in prep for the jack hammer work to make room for the rain water collection tanks behind the garage we'll build "real soon now". I thought the 12" would be easier to control getting the soil out of the nooks and crannies, etc. FWIW I want the soil because good top soil is scarce in these hills

I plan to get another bucket later after I build better BH skills and know what size would be best. I'm currently thinking 18-24"

BTW I was very disappointed that the BH90 only came with pin on buckets with fixed teeth (i.e. removing the replaceable tooth part, does not make a smooth edge). I think my next BH bucket will be 3rd party and have bolt on teeth.

Talon Dancer

 

[canoetrpr]

I had to hold myself back from asking about a trade L2800 to L3240. The only thing that stopped me was that the 3240 had a PTO cable similar to the one on the 2800 which is the only problem I have had with my 2800. Kubota redesigned the cable setup on the 2800 because of all the problems hopefully the engineers at Kubota applied the lessons learned on the 2800/3400 and the 3240 will be problem free in the PTO cable area.

I tried the L3940 recently... really nice machines the Grand Ls. Unfortunatley I have not yet had PTO cams changed (and they way it is going thats probably the way it will be) and unless something actually breaks does not look like my tractor will be going to a Kubota dealer.

I've not had a single problem on the tractor however so I'm not terribly concerned.

I'd say that a cable setup like the one we have Marcussen is a very very very old design. Can't see why it would be any less reliable than it has been on past models. Any reason to think that there is something special / new about this design? Of course if mine had failed twice, I'd be irritated.

 

[crazyal]

I know someone who's not going to be sleeping tonight. Congrats!!!!!!!

 

[TalonDancer]

Deliveryday part 2... The TUFFTOP XLR-52 came via DHL today.

It is very well engineered. It took me a little more than the advertised 30 Min to assemble & install. But then I took time to read the instructions (for a change) The only difficult part was installing the black vinyl edging "using the heal of my hand" as instructed. I quickly switched to a little rubber hammer and it went on quite easily.

The TUFFTOP was a life saver in the blazing sunshine and near 100 degree heat this PM. It is SOO much nicer sitting in the shade, up high enough to catch the breeze.

I'll post more info about how well the TUFFTOP works flipped backwards to cover the BH90's operator station in this thread.

Talon Dancer

 

[johnk]

How long does it take you to unhook the backhoe and put your 3 pt hich back together to use the box scraper and vice versa?? I would like a backhoe but always wondered how much work and time it would take to switch between the two. Thanks.

 

[TalonDancer]

How long does it take you to unhook the backhoe and put your 3 pt hich back together to use the box scraper and vice versa??...

I haven't taken this BH off yet. But I took the BH off the L39 I rented a couple of times.

After the first time it took about 30 minutes to...
* remove the BH (easy)
* install the 3 point gear (fairly easy on the L39)
* actually hook up the box blade (PITA on the L39 with std linkages)

I've looked at the L3240 procedures and would guess that
* removing/installing the BH will be about the same (one less hose to fiddle with and no floor board to fall shut on my fingers).
* installing the 3 point gear will be more difficult (the L3240 uses bolts instead of pins for everything except the top link)
* installing the box blade _should_ be easier due the the telescopic links and easier adjustments.

So I'm guessing it will be a wash.

FWIW I haven't swapped the BH for the box blade yet because I have a lot of BH work in the queue before I smooth/crown our construction driveway. I like to think of the rougher bits as random speed bumps.

OTOH I switch between the FEL bucket and pallet fork a couple of times a day using the SSQA without really thinking about it. I don't tote nothin' no mo'

Talon Dancer

 

[johnk]

Thanks for the insight Talon. I talked to the dealer and he told me about 10minutes for the change but I thought different.

 

[TalonDancer]

Thanks for the insight Talon. I talked to the dealer and he told me about 10minutes for the change but I thought different.

I'm sure there are many people who can make the switch MUCH faster than I can. I only have just over 40 hours on ANY tractor -- 30 on the L39 and 12 on my L3240. I still have to think about what I'm doing

FWIW I don't expect to be switching betwwen the BH and 3 point stuff all that often. Most of my planned projects involve one or the other. But If I'm wrong, I'll just have to get quicker at making the swap

Talon Dancer

 

[crazyal]

12 hours in one weekend, I'm sure you're having fun.

 

[TalonDancer]

12 hours in one weekend, I'm sure you're having fun.

I would have more hours on it, if the TUFFTOP had shown up on Friday The sun is brutal here in August. So I've been restricted to a few hours in the early AM and late PM till today.

BTW despite appearances, I am NOT having fun with a new toy! I'm working my a** off using a necessary tool. That huge grin is because I just thought of something very funny. That my story and I'm sticking to it.

BTW I was talking to our architect about the soil profiles I dug. I suggested that the next time he came for a site visit, I'd have the BH ready so I could quickly check the location of the buried limestone ledges anywhere he thought was needed. He asked if he could dig a little too. I told him I wasn't prepared to pay his hourly rates for an unskilled BH operator. He said not to worry, he was just hoping I wouldn't charge him for using my tractor

Talon Dancer