Grand L 3540 HSDC (60 hour review)

[lawn_king]

5 stars across the board! Hst plus is a dream tranny, 6 speeds,stall guard,auto hds, auto throttle, adjustable hydro pedel, whats not to like there? Tranny, differential and 4 wheel drive engauge with ease. The engine is quiet, powerful and well matched to the bulk weight of the machine. The large frame and heavy weight make for a smooth comfortable ride. The 724 is big and strong, use a counterweight, this fel is the real deal! Shell out the extra $$$ for the Q D bucket and forks, you will love it! The machine is very well balanced and has a tight turning radius for its size, but dont be fooled, the 40 series are big heavy tractors, my cab model with the fel and rotary cutter is over 5000 lbs. I myself wouldnt tow it with anything under a 1 ton. The 3 point hitch is very strong, telescoping lower links and sway bars makes life better, position control is great. The cab is super quiet, seat is comfortable, the side console (backhoe style) hydraulic center is well thought out and user friendly. the stereo is very nice as is all the glass and mirrors. the AC and heat are quiet and strong, great visibility all around. The intellipanel was very intimidating to me (im a simple grass farmer) when i started to research the 40's, well im happy to inform you it is one of my favorite features of this tractor! There is lots to like about this 40 series, i invested 25 K in this machine and thus far im very pleased with it in every aspect!

 

[Wombat125]

So are we to understand that you like this tractor?

 

[lawn_king]

Hate it, make me an offer so i can get into an MTD.

 

[Wombat125]

Hate it, make me an offer so i can get into an MTD.

That's funny stuff.

Seriously though, it's nice when you pluck down that kind of money and get such a positive experience. If it wasn't for a good Deere dealer being so close to me, I would definitely be on a tractor like yours.

But there's got to be something you would improve upon or change on your 3540?

 

[lawn_king]

I would move the fuel tank fill spout forward. I actually owned an mtd garden tractor with a 12 hp briggs/multi speed hydro. I worked that poor tractor to death! Im hats off to mtd on that machine, the rear axle was so bowed from my overloading/overworking it, that the axle actually wore through the hydro housing! That would be after she burned through the bearings, call me quint and the tractor the orca!

 

[cschlaps]

Lawn King, I have to agree with your positive experiences with these machines. I'm about to cross 120 hours, and my biggest complaint is that the headlights are in a lousy location if you have an FEL, which isn't much of a complaint at all. It is a phenomenal machine!

Chris

 

[blagg]

Im with ya Lawn King, I dont have a cab and this is my first tractor but will probably be my last I will ever need to own. Awesome HST Plus operation.

 

[Ductape]

You just let me know when you are ready to step up to the next notch !!

 

[lawn_king]

You just let me know when you are ready to step up to the next notch !!

Dont hold your breath on that one my friend, this payment books gonna take some time to go through. Hows the 3030 working out for you, she broken in yet?

 

[Ductape]

Yeah..... i was kiddin anyway. NO WAY i'd be able to slide that one past Mrs. Ductape ! The 3030 is great..... really only done a little work around the yard so far though. I hope to have the hoe on it within a couple weeks though...... then i'll get a little real work done. Glad to see you are 100% happy with the new tractor..... especially after the initial water leak. Sure is a nice tractor !!