HST or DT L3400? Ordering today.

[rickmacheske]

Well, I'm finally doing it. I just need to decide on the L3400HST or L3400DT (started with the B7800). I told the dealer that I would decide today. Is it worth the extra $1200 for the HST? My land has about 5 degree slope (15 in the worst area). Quick response would be appreciated /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Thanks,
Rick

 

[_RaT_]

As much as I enjoy using HST, I also understand that there are going to be folks that may not benefit from it as much. Your desicion may also be shaped by what you will do or plan to do. HST will be superb in areas like tilling, mowing and loader work. The shuttle tractors are huge improvement from the manual F/R gear shift and really are not a bad way to go especially if you plan on opening up the soil with a plow or rippers on a backscraper. Loader work while not quite as fast with a shuttle is certainly good. My 2 cents says that either way, your not going to be making a mistake.

 

[gregL]

Though my 3400HST is the first tractor I have personally owned, I have used numerous gear tractors. Admittedly my experience is limited. However, with my principle uses being mowing, loader work, and landscaping the HST seems to be the way to go at this point IMO.

 

[ByronBob]

My vote is a HST

 

[KubotaSteve]

Put another vote in for HST. My first tractor was a DT (gear) and the one I have now is HST. I haven't found one thing that the HST isn't better for me as a homeowner/ weekend warrior. I especially like the idea that if you take your foot off, the machine pretty much stops in its tracks. I especially like it when using the brush hog because I can speed up on the short lighter stuff and slow up on the thick tall stuff just my easing up on the pedal or mashing down on it. It's great for tilling and also for using the post hole digger as it makes it very easy to maneuver into place to drill the holes. Besides you're all ready dropping a good chunk of change on this new machine, don't skimp now! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Good luck

 

[rickmacheske]

Thanks Guys! Looks like I'll spend the 1200 for the HST. Just don't tell my wife, k?

Soon to be owner of:
Kubota L3400HST, R4 tires
Kubota LA63 FEL
Bush Hog SQ600 5' Rotary cutter
Bush Hog SBX600 5' Box blade
Land Pride FDR1672 6' finish mower

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[_RaT_]

If that is what you like, that amount of money will seem quite small over the many years of use you will get out of it. As many will tell you, HST does not always present some of the nice things it adds to your tractor use.

 

[edski]

I'm confident you'll be happy w/ the HST.
I have a geared tractor I've used for past 10 yrs.
Today I've been clearing brush (new B7610) and wondered 1) why I hadn't bought a FEL years ago and 2) decided I'd always own an HST. Makes my tractor life EZ.

ps...just tell the CFO that due to steel prices the tractor cost additional $. Better yet, tell her an additional 10% and buy yourself another implement /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[rickmacheske]

Well...I picked it up today. Of course I had to try it out. The bush hog barely makes it though the field....wondering if I should have gotten a bigger tractor.... The FEL works great. I moved some rocks...filled in some holes.... Anyway...the new toy is great.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[wushaw]

Depending on how tall and thick the stuff your trying to mow will affect the preformance of the tractor.
I was using a 60" Bush Hog finish mower a couple of weeks ago in stuff up to two feet but not real thick and in med spd. my L2800 never hesitated.

 

[rickmacheske]

Oh, some of this stuff was thick. I made it through but it definitely hesitated. Was a lot of briars and old hay fields up to about three feet. Good news is that I made it through and the whole field is mowed. I put the box blade on today and was tearing out the erosion control fence and evening out the area where it was. Worked great. Was able to go down about two inches of dirt without missing a beat but the hydrolics were not smooth. I adjusted the turnbuckles to get it on. Would that make the hydrolics rough?

Think I'm having too much fun...lol

 

[dknarnd]

What size hog did you get?

 

[wushaw]

Rough meaning that it jerks when you push on the position control handle a little bit, if so then that is normal. If it jerks when you go to full up or full down in an quick smooth movement then something is amiss.
Adjustment of the turnbuckles adjust your centering of the implement.

 

[rickmacheske]

5' hog.

It's not smooth after I adjusted the turnbuckles so that I could put the box blade on. It could be coincidence but it was smooth before that. I'm going to try to center and level the box blade and see if that helps.

 

[rickmacheske]

I noticed the transmission fluid level is at the bottom of the window when the engine is cool. When I start it, it's below the level. Could this be the problem? Is the engine supposed to be warm or cold when checking the fluid?
Thanks,
Rick

 

[wushaw]

Good question Rick, I don't know if the level is supposed to be checked hot or cold all I know is it is suppose to be in the sight glass. I would put it up at least half way in the sight window just for good measure.
I have only 4 hrs on my L2800 so far so good.

 

[rickmacheske]

My father in law came over today and told me that there is defintinitely something wrong with it. He checked everything and said to call for service /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif He thinks the pump is bad. I just hope it's not an omen of things to come....

 

[frank_f15]

if it is that jerky i think your FIL is right to tell you have the dealer take a look at it. It maybe from what you said of the fluid level that you just might be low in fluid, but you would think the dealer would have checked that before you took delivery.

 

[rickmacheske]

I've been told it sounds like a bad three point hitch control valve. I'm calling the dealer today.

 

[wushaw]

I was finally able to do a little dirt work this morning with my L2800 and the only time the 3pt jerks is when you lower it or raise it a little at a time, it just seems to just fall to the point selected instead of a gradual drop or jerk up to the selected point.
When I go full up or full down it is smooth. This is my first tractor with position control so I don't know if this is the way position control is suppose to operate.
Hopefully you will be able to get a good answer from your dealer.