Help purchasing new tractor

[Yalerider]

Hi,

I am about to purchase a new tractor. I have 7 acres. I am going to be mostly bushhogging, tilling and pulling logs from the property. I have quite a bit of lawn but have a John Deere riding mower for that. Would the Kubota L2800 be a good machine for me? I can get a new/rental unit for 15000 with FEL or a new one for 16000. I like the idea of having a heavier tractor for keeping up with the brush etc. Also the L2800HST sounds like it has a live PTO. What exactly does this mean?

Thanks

 

[Ritterbeck]

I believe live means that it is constantly ENGAGED, or running even when not using any implements. For that amount of money you may want to look at a L 3130 HST 4WD unit. I own one and love it for the type of work you will be doing. Just purchase the bush hog size you need (make is your choice) a L 723 Front-End loader and new or used tiller. With the no interest Financing Promos Kubota currently offers for those with Good Credit, you may want to look into a new one, that way you know where its been and how its been maintained I purchased mine using 0% interest for 36 months with 10% down and would do it all over again! I have no buyers remorse! I own 12 acres and get in a hurry some times, and maybe could use the extra HP the L3830 has, but thats only because I sometimes get impatient! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RonR]

Welcome to TBN. Pls fill out your profile so people can assist you better..........

Live PTO refers to the fact that you can turn it on / off independent of the drive train. In the days of old, when you pushed in the clutch, both the forward motion and the PTO stopped propelling. You could run the PTO without being in gear, but when you wanted to move, you had to clutch and wait til the PTO stopped spinning to put it in gear. One big PITA.

For mowing/tilling/post hole digging, having an independent PTO is very important.

Have fun (can't speak to your size needs)

Ron

 

[Yalerider]

Thanks for the info. I don't see an L3130 on the Kubota website. The L3400 is the same size frame with a little more power. It is a thousand bucks more.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

The L2800 and L3400 are their economy versions. I personally do not like the L2800. I believe there are better values available, especially given the antiquated design of the PTO/transmission. The L3400 does not suffer from that issue.

The L3130 is a 32hp tractor, it is even stronger/heaver/high capacity than the L3400, just a bit less power at the engine and the same basic tractor as the L3130 is offered with other engine choices for those needing more power.

The transmission/PTO combination of the L2800 is not well suited for mowing tasks compared to other tractors with more modern combinations. I'd gladly upgrade to the L3400 if mowing was the task, or possibly switch brands if the added cost to upgrade to the L3400 is a deal breaker. I guess I would choose not to buy the L2800 given all the other, better options.

 

[Yalerider]

Hmmm now I am confused. I have attached the specs for the L2800HST comparing it to the L3400. They look like they have the same PTO and transmission as far as the HST models go.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Sorry, I did not realize it was the HST version. The GEAR version is what I am particularly unimpressed with. My fault for missing that.

 

[Yalerider]

No problem. I believe the dealer says they are the same tractor except for the horsepower. Does anybody have any experience using both? Is the extra HP for the 3400 worth the extra money?

 

[froggy]

TractorSmart has a good technical section which discusses various types of PTOs as well as other items:

technical section :

 

[schole]

I have the L3400DT (gears) and wouldn't want one hp less.

Perhaps, I like knowing there is more power than necessary for everyday tasks. I hate operating a machine at near max all the time -- I think this would be the case with any less than the 34hp on this frame for me.

There are many on TBN who are very happy with less power, however.

Shawn

 

[wushaw]

I went from a B7500HST to a L2800HST, I have used it for bush hoggin, FEL work and Box Blade work. I run at 1800-2000rpm when doin FEL and BB work, the hydraulics & HST seem to like this rpm range best. I have been very happy with my L2800 and the frame size so far fits my needs best for my property of 12 wooded acres.
Before you purchase either L2800 or L3400 have the dealer put a Box Blade on the 3pt and make sure you can live with the jerkyness of the factory installed position control valve, it can be replaced with a L3010 control valve to smooth things up better.

 

[Goog]

The valve does wonders. Makes the 3 pt. very smooth. Make the dealer install it prior to delivery if you decide on the L2800/L3400. By the way, I would recommend the 3400. You will never regret the extra power. Brian

 

[N80]

Ever thought about the L4400?