Here I go again L3400

[canoetrpr]

I've been very very close to finalizing a deal on a 2000 JD 4400 with hydrostatic and a loader. 600 hours. The machine is a ways away so I won't be able to see it in person. The price is quite good in my area CDN $19320 - which includes freight and a swap to industrial tires.

I chatted with a friend's dad who is a farmer in the area and he recommended that I talk to his Kubota dealer before I made the deal. They are reasonably close by for service etc. and he has good things to say about them

Now they've thrown a monkey wrench into this equation by offering me a brand spanking new L3400 HST that is sitting in a crate right now for $22700 CDN at 0% financing for three years.

Once I factor the interest cost of the line of credit I would need to buy the JD I am looking at only a $2000 difference between the brand new L3400 from a nearby dealer whom someone I know trusts and a 600 hr old JD 4400 from a JD dealer that is many hours away.

Bush hogging and lifting the odd pile of dirt are the things I plan to do with the machine. I've got 16 acres to bush hog.

I'm going down to the Kubota dealer tomorrow to drive the tractor. If there is anything you know about the L3400 that would make me not want to buy it - say it now.

HELP!

 

[canoetrpr]

Things the JD 4400 has going for it:

+ Heavier 2900lb vs 2500
+ Few more gizmos I think. 3PT position control might be smoother.
+ Mid PTO but I don't really plan to use it.

Against:
- Don't really know the exact service history of the machine.
- Dealer is many hours away.

Things the L3400 has going for it:
+ Brand new with warranty.
+ Dealer is close buy and is recommended by someone I trust.
+ The above probably justify $2K more.

Against:
- You tell me? How bad is this shuddering 3PT business?

 

[johan3400]

I think if you look at the two tractors you will find that either tractor will do what you want. Some points I think in favor of the Kubota would be the 3 year warranty. The deer will be ergonomically better the bota will be more of a workhorse. I know many people here will favor one or the other and do so feverishly. My experience is from My brother purchasing a JD4310 and me purchasing an L3400 within a month of each other. Both of them are good tractors, but the Kubota seems to take hard work better IMHO. I say that, but I push my L3400 hard most times I use it. I keep it clean, service the engine, new air cleaners and such, but I expect it to work. I believe if my brother had it to do over again. For the work we both do, he would also own a Kubota. The electronic conveniences of the JD are nice, but the durability of the Kubota outweighs the frills. The Kubota dealer is also closer and that means a great deal. Just my dollars worth. Too long a rant to say 2 cents.

 

[N80]

Let me throw you another curve ball. Take a look at the Kubota L4400. It has all the benefits of the L3400 listed above plus its bigger, heavier and more powerful and the 3pt is position control and works very well. What it does not have is gizmos. It is a basic, gear driven tractor with more power for its size and price than prettty much anything else out there.

I have one and love it it, but the reason I mention it here is that it probably cost no more, and maybe less than the L3400 HST.

Give it a look. Mine has exceeded all my expectations. And don't be afraid of the gear drive. You may look like the Wizard of Oz behind the curtain pulling all those levers, but it becomes second nature in no time. Plus its simpler, probably less prone to breakdowns and definately easier to repair. But, if you are set on an HST, the L4400 is not the machine for you.

 

[canoetrpr]

Jim - whats been your experience with this 3 PTH shuddering business?

I'm basically going to run a bush hog on this thing. In the future I may snowblow, rototill and box blade in that order.

 

[johan3400]

I have had no problem at all with the 3 pt shuddering. In fact I have had no problems with this tractor at all. I use this tractor hard, my ground is not level by any means and my 3400 just does everything I ask it too. The 3pt on mine is easy for me to control. The controls of the loader fit me. I like the convenience of the reverse and low side transmission. I have used it to grade for my new shed, load dirt to fill around a new home, mow weeds, mow hay, baled hay with a JD214T, planted corn with a two row 3pt planter and cultivate sweet corn. I have put it through the mill and today if I were to purchase another tractor, it would be another 3400. I have no complaints. I came from operating an allis Chalmers D15 for many years and maybe the touch I had to use to use the lift on it make me more tolerant, but I do not have problems with the 3 pt at all.

 

[inveresk]

I paid only $1000 more for a new L3130HST in BC ( $23,700). I looked at the 3400 series but thought the L3130 was much more tractor for only a little more money.

 

[Goog]

I would lean towards the L3400 HST. I own one. I work for a city and we have both Kubota's and Deere's. City workers are hard on equipment. They have the "It's not mine" attitude. Both machines do well with use and abuse.
Things against the Deere are the 600hrs of unknown use and maintenance. That would be huge to me. I would always wonder. There is nothing like new from the first day. Especially if you are looking at this tractor to be around awhile. You probably would like either one but new at a local dealer you trust say's alot. Good luck with your decision. Brian

 

[canoetrpr]

$23700 for the L3130 is one nice deal! You guys don't make it any easier do you .

I did not think that these tractors were this close in price - thought it was a couple of thousand at least. I don't know what the financing is on the L3130 these days. The 0% on the L3400 is very attractive to say the least.

The L3130 would also negate the little gizmo benefits that the JD4400 may have over the L3400. I expect that the L3130 will do a 5ft rotary cutter reasonably well and so I'm willing to give up the extra 4 hp.

I'm leaning heavily towards a new Kubota. I hope they have a L3130 around for me to compare when I hit the dealership tomorrow.

 

[L3130]

Here is a picture of my L3130 with L723 Loader and BH90 backhoe. It's a really nice tractor. I did get a soft cab which was extra, But I need it for the winters. It has plenty of power also. L3130