Help a fella pick out a tractor please (L3301 or L3901)

[Will_C]

1. I don't know the price difference but I personally would go for the 3901. The L series have enough weight so the extra hp can be useful.
2. The KTAC insurance is a good value-at least for me-my agents price for a supplemental policy was more than KTAC, and I trailer my equipment and use it on several properties, so my homeowners policy would not cover my usage.
3. My dealer gave me the same price on my last 2 purchases cash or finance-I offered to write a check for the purchase if I could save $$- they told me it made no difference. Just my experience.

Will

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I bought the L 3301 over the 3901 only because I have a Mx5100 already and wanted the smaller frame, not the horsepower. I disagree on the hst. I got gear drive for the constant, reliable power, and really like the shuttle shift. You are going to be happy, either way.

 

[Fallon]

I love my HST, even if it does rob an extra 15% of my HP. The utility factor is just to great. You say loader & pallet forks, that just screams HST to me. If you have another bigger tractor you have pulling power covered. If you want a nimble flexible utility machine, HST is the only way to go.

I hear a lot of dealers say they see fewer HSTs in the shop than clutch or power shift type machines. Just keep the hydro fluid clean.

You already said SSQA, and I agree on that. I won't own another loader without it. I end up with the forks on more than the bucket it seems. Tonight I put on the SSQA to 3pt Quick Hitch adapter I made on (took a minute tops). Its snowing & the 3pt is the mount for my converted truck plow.

I like my R4s. Good compromise, they don't tear up the ground to much & have pretty good traction. Whatever you do, load the rear tires. The tractor really isn't safe with the max load on the loader without it. My box blade on the back wasn't quite cutting it early on. Even with the tires loaded, you need proper ballast on the back.

 

[mikes1165]

I bought the L3901 in July and the dealer gave me an extra $1K off for cash over financing. For the little price difference the extra hp was a no brainer. I did go with the gear trans but I do a lot of mowing/bush hogging with mine. The gears aren't a problem when using the loader though. So far I've got 80 hrs on mine with no problems with the tier 4 engine. You'll be happy with either machine.

 

[KevT]

If you go with HST go with the L3901 and if you do gears then the 3301. You will find they are about equal output HP. I love my L3901 HST with R4's, and had no issues pulling a 5 ton dolomite spreader around in our sand they call dirt. The LA525 loader can lift about 1200 pounds. Had to remove a few bags of fertilizer off the pallet before it could lift it off my truck. I also offered cash and was told it was the same price either way. So I took advantage of free money for 5 years. I bought mine spring of 2015, and have 140 hours on it making a wild forest into green pastures. 10 acres down, 10 to go...

 

[RollingsFarms]

Thanks for all the responses so far! I'm still debating over 3301 or 3901 and gear vs hst. I did get a quote from one dealer, waiting on the others to hear back. These quotes are for tractor, loader with quick attach bucket and R4 tires with tears loaded. Tell me how these sound.

3301dt - $21575
3301hst - $22825
3901dt - $22550
3901hst - $23825

 

[KevT]

That is about what I paid, I traded in a JD790 and the final price was about 17

 

[RollingsFarms]

That is about what I paid, I traded in a JD790 and the final price was about 17

Is that a fair deal? He did say in the email the prices didn't include discounts if there were any. I don't know of any but you never know.

 

[plygph]

I purchased the L3800DT gear model last year but given the choices that you have listed here I would purchase the 3901 given your price difference of 1K no matter gear or HST.

I work in retail sales of marine products and I have never had a customer come back and complain that they wished they had purchased the less horsepower unit. Rule of thumb for me is buy as much horsepower as you can afford you will never regret it. Now the Gear vs HST issue that is a personal choice I am old school so I purchased a gear model.

You won't go wrong with either tractor they are both great units in spite of the tier 4 emissions.

 

[dieselknudt]

I don't want to upset the apple cart here. But...
I think that before you pull the trigger you should at least take a look at the LS Tractors.
IMHO you will get more tractor for you money.
A XR3135H with loader should sell for about $21500. and you get 2 sets of rear hyd. and a 5 year warranty!
Just my 2¢