Grand L40 or L60

[RCman]

I'm in the market for a new tractor. Serious buyer, it will be a Kubota. Sorry Deere guys.
Anyway, I've been eyeing the Grand L40 series for a bit and I thought I have it down to the L3240 or the L3540 with the L724 loader then Kubota went and announced the Grand L60 series. :laughing:

I can't find much more information on the new L60s, but I do not like the fact that the new L60 will be Tier 4 (is rumored to have an EGR on the smaller engine choices). That is the reason I won't buy a newer diesel pickup.
Second, the digital dash, not sure how I like that being it'll be without a cab and electronics are never as reliable as the mechanical counterpart.
I fear those two things and I'm really worried it'll be nothing but trouble. Plus, there will probably be a cost increase.

I just want something simple to work on as I plan to run it into the ground for many decades.

So... should I pick up an L40 or wait for the L60?

 

[nybirdman]

I would look at the L40 just for the fuel savings alone.I wouldn't worry about the digital dash..they have been around for a while.The L3240/L3540's are great all around tractors.Only complaint on the L3240's I have heard was with a back-hoe ,seemed a little under powered.I put 400 hours on a L3130 HST and found it very capable.I traded up mostly for a cab.

 

[RCman]

I would look at the L40 just for the fuel savings alone.I wouldn't worry about the digital dash..they have been around for a while.The L3240/L3540's are great all around tractors.Only complaint on the L3240's I have heard was with a back-hoe ,seemed a little under powered.I put 400 hours on a L3130 HST and found it very capable.I traded up mostly for a cab.

I hadn't thought about fuel savings, that is a good point.

Yeah, the hoe is still up in the air, if I don't wait for the L60 I'll at least have to wait for the hoe.
Underpowered huh? Boy, the only hoe my dealer sells with the Grand Ls is the BH92... He will put a BH77 on for the same cost but it seems silly to do that.

 

[johnk]

I'm in the market for a new tractor. Serious buyer, it will be a Kubota. Sorry Deere guys.
Anyway, I've been eyeing the Grand L40 series for a bit and I thought I have it down to the L3240 or the L3540 with the L724 loader then Kubota went and announced the Grand L60 series. :laughing:

I can't find much more information on the new L60s, but I do not like the fact that the new L60 will be Tier 4 (is rumored to have an EGR on the smaller engine choices). That is the reason I won't buy a newer diesel pickup.
Second, the digital dash, not sure how I like that being it'll be without a cab and electronics are never as reliable as the mechanical counterpart.
I fear those two things and I'm really worried it'll be nothing but trouble. Plus, there will probably be a cost increase.

I just want something simple to work on as I plan to run it into the ground for many decades.

So... should I pick up an L40 or wait for the L60?

I have a Grand L 3130 which I've had for apprx 6 yrs. It stays outside and the digital dash and everything else has been trouble free in the 600 hrs I put on it. I would make sure the 60 series isn't the tier 4 before purchasing but thats just me... Good luck with your decision. Also good choice to go with the 724 loader.

 

[Grandad4]

I hadn't thought about fuel savings, that is a good point.

Yeah, the hoe is still up in the air, if I don't wait for the L60 I'll at least have to wait for the hoe.
Underpowered huh? Boy, the only hoe my dealer sells with the Grand Ls is the BH92... He will put a BH77 on for the same cost but it seems silly to do that.

The L3240 is essentially the large Grand L chassis with the lowest horsepower configuration. The owners can speak for their experience better than I can but the combination of loader and backhoe adds a lot of weight, so it may not move quite as quick as one with more engine. You might notice it if you were using the FEL to move material up a hill while the backhoe was on, for example. The backhoe itself would work the same regardless of which model it's on. Really nice equipment nonetheless.

 

[PHILIP8N]

I have had my GrandL3940HST+ since 2009, also with the L724 quick attach compatable loader. FYI, it is a Tier4i model. I like the digital dash and extra features it displays, no problems with it, or the Tier4i engine. Philip.

 

[dstig1]

Whatever you do , don't get the smallest engine in the series like I have in the previous GL series (L3130). In your case that would be the 3240 - you will probably curse the lack of HP at some point. One or two steps up would be wise. I have realized that I really want/need the next size up loader (which would be the 824 these days) as mine already has the 723 on it, which is the middle size, even though they spec'd the 3130 to use the smallest loader. I got mine used, so it had what it had... Overall I like the size and capability of the tractor but I need more Hp and a heavier rated loader. For that, I am aiming to get a 4240 (or whatever the new xx60 series has, depending on timing) as that is where it breaks to the largest loader in the series.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

buy a 40-series. In my opinion there is not enough changes to justify the substantial added cost (mostly Tier4). As was said, don't buy a 3240.

 

[PhilY]

I can bet that if the 60s have the new Tier4, it will not be the same as the Tier4i in the 40s. It will probably require you put an expensive urea based product in the tractor to clean up the emissions. What's this mean, probably a lot of hassle and little benefit, if any. Tractors use hardly any fuel per yer like a truck would use if it's just a tractor around the home. So, for all the hassle Tier4 could be with the little impact it will make on home tractors' emissions, I don't see it being a wise choice. Not sure exactly how Kubota's going to implement it and will have to keep an eye out for that.

 

[crazyal]

I would choose pretty soon. It's just a matter of time before the GL40s are hard to get. I'm not sure about elsewhere but around here dealers have more of the basic L models and only a couple GLs.