Comparison JD 3520 Vs Kubota L3940

[Buster57]

Every time I am about to go Green, Orange comes back with an unbelievable deal.

I was about to go with a JD3520, HST, 300CX with R4s for $25k.

I now have 2 Kubota dealers going for L3940, HST, with R4s, LA 724 + 72" bucket for $26k.

The web reviews say the 3520 is not super stable on steep hills and has average ratings in the 7.7-8.0 range. The Kubota is bigger and, from what I have read, more stable on hills. The ratings of the L3940 is off the charts.

I had a L3010 and it was under powered. I think the L3940 and JD3520 will both over come the power issue. Stability is 90% of my concern. Presently I have a B7800 and it is slightly under powered and ocassionally unstable. BTW: I love the B7800-GREAT tractor!

I will try to get a trial with both on my hill before I make the decision.

Any thoughts on my logic or the prices submitted?

Thanks!

 

[dkostiha]

I have a JD 3120 with 300 loader with R4s and love it. It is just right for my needs and the power/weight ratio is good. My terrain is fairly flat, by shredding ditches is very stable with it. The R4s give it a wider stance and lower center of gravity with a very stable feel. Just my opinion.

 

[beppington]

Your $26K L3940 price* is just what I paid around June last year ... & if the L3940 poll you read included my rating, it would be even a tad higher There's just nothing not to like about it.

* L3940, HST+, R4s, LA724 & 72" regular bucket (not HD), also loaded tires

 

[Buster57]

Your $26K L3940 price* is just what I paid around June last year ... & if the L3940 poll you read included my rating, it would be even a tad higher There's just nothing not to like about it.

* L3940, HST+, R4s, LA724 & 72" regular bucket (not HD), also loaded tires

TBN is getting so big these days it is some times hard to keep up to date!

Is there any reason to buy the rounded back bucket? I had one on the L3010 and just loved the solid feel of it, but I have never had a problem with the square back either.

Am I missing something? What is the value of round vs. square other then it will allways hold your beer!

 

[moship]

I would go with the quick disconnect bucket no matter what and would consider the heavy duty bucket just for its extra strength. Even if you see no immediate need for the quick disconnect now it now, it is a good option to have.

 

[TripleR]

I don't know about the round back v square back, but I really like the HD bucket.

Obviously my preference is Kubota.

 

[Rockgod]

Every time I am about to go Green, Orange comes back with an unbelievable deal.

I was about to go with a JD3520, HST, 300CX with R4s for $25k.

I now have 2 Kubota dealers going for L3940, HST, with R4s, LA 724 + 72" bucket for $26k.

The web reviews say the 3520 is not super stable on steep hills and has average ratings in the 7.7-8.0 range. The Kubota is bigger and, from what I have read, more stable on hills. The ratings of the L3940 is off the charts.

I had a L3010 and it was under powered. I think the L3940 and JD3520 will both over come the power issue. Stability is 90% of my concern. Presently I have a B7800 and it is slightly under powered and ocassionally unstable. BTW: I love the B7800-GREAT tractor!

I will try to get a trial with both on my hill before I make the decision.

Any thoughts on my logic or the prices submitted?

Thanks!

Have you given any thought to ground clearance? The Kubota's is around 16" at the drawbar, the JD was right arount 12-13" if i remember correctly. Size wise they are not in the same class...

 

[Jay4200]

Am I missing something? What is the value of round vs. square other then it will allways hold your beer!

Do you mean by 'roundback' the HD bucket? If so, I wouldn't buy anything else. The HD buckets are pretty much indestructible - almost every std. bucket I've seen ends up squished or bent somewhere along the line.

JayC

 

[beppington]

Do you mean by 'roundback' the HD bucket? If so, I wouldn't buy anything else. The HD buckets are pretty much indestructible - almost every std. bucket I've seen ends up squished or bent somewhere along the line.

Since it came with my tractor, I'm gonna to squish or bend my regular square-back bucket all to heck, then buy an HD round-back if ever needed :thumbsup:

I do like the thick reinforcing lip at top-center of the my standard square-back bucket that lets me hook a 5/16" chain's hook over it; Makes it so I don't have to weld hooks on to the bucket. Seems like the HD bucket has a round reinforced top with maybe nowhere to hook a chain, thus the need to weld hooks on. No big deal for some, but I haven't joined the welding crowd yet.

 

[art]

Just looking at the 35 in a different perspective. deere has built the 3000 series to be a little less then the 3940, by width(not so good for hill sides) as well overall size with a definite lack of ground clearence. Just look at the front end, you have a hydraulic fitting that goes below the front axle for the power steering. The fact that anything is below the front axle that is any part of the steering system makes me cringe knowing the amount of repairs we do during the year from people driving in ruts and breaking steering components that are being dragged on the ground.

 

[PHILIP8N]

I got some money from a land sale and wanted to retire my 1950 Ford 8N. I did not care which color, just wanted best value from reptuable brand.

Conditions: 40-ish horsepower, HST trans, R3 tires, front snow blade.

1st looked at New Holland 3040. Pros: Buddy has one that I have used a little and liked. Great reputaion. Has connection back to Ford. Cons: Dealer 20 miles away. $26230.

2nd looked at JD 3720. Pros: Have two JD lawn mowers and like. Great reputation. Great parts availability. Dealer 15 miles away (but only 2 miles from work). Cons: Everyone and thier brother has one (I like to be different). 3 cylinder turbo (I did not want 3 cylinder or turbo). Smaller frame. $24700.

3rd looked at Kubota L3940. Pros: Great reputation. HST+ features. Dealer 3 miles away. Cons: There aren't any! $23080 (connectionos with dealer may have led to better price)

Briefly looked at MF but did not seriously consider.

IMO, Kubota was best value for money within the brands I thought as most reptuable and dependable, and closest dealer. Enough cannot be said for a close dealer, no matter what manufacturer you choose.

I have had my L3940 for a year and a half now. Drove buddy's NH a few months back, still a nice tractor, but not as nice as my L3940 with HST+. Went to State Fair last fall and sat on JD3720 to make sure I made right decision. I did make the right decision, JD3720 felt small, has small tires, and stickers on dash were pealing off. Mechanically, I am sure the JD3720 is a good tractor, just was not right for my application (plus everyone and their brother has a green tractor, I like to be different).

Philip

PS, Still have the 8N. NOT FOR SALE!

 

[PapaPerk]

Kubota all the way. I have a L3830 (3940 older brother). It's an awesome tractor. Great stablilty and plenty of power. You'll have tons of stablity if you fill the tires with ballast.

The L series tractors are bascially scaled down models of large farm tractors. Excellent quality and durablilty. First rate materials and high quality components.

The John Deeres seem cheap in comparasion... with their cheezy controls and stickers... they are built cheap to maximize profits. That's my opinion.

There is really no comparsion between the two manufactures when it comes down to small tractors. Big tractors is another story!

By the 3940 and rest easy at night! Worth the money.

 

[ejkessler]

I have a L3940 HSTC right now and just traded my L3540 for it. I have a very good friend that has the JD 3720. The Grand L Series tractors are not in the same class as the 3000 series JD. For actual apples to apples comparison you would need to look at the 4000 series JD line up and quite a bit more money. That L3940 is way more tractor IMO than the JD 3520. My friend is continually amazed at how much tractor the grand L's are. That 3720 he has lower FEL and 3pt specs than any of the Grand L lineup. The tires on my 3940 are almost 1 1/2 time the size of that 3720.

 

[dusty3030]

Yep, closer match in JD would be a 4120.

 

[Buster57]

Yep, closer match in JD would be a 4120.

The price difference between the JD and the Kubota is about $1000. The HP is within 10%. Size is great but you better have overwhelming HP if you are going to plow a very steep hill.

The JD has a better HP: weight ratio, but it is less stable going up the hill-at least on paper. I will drive both before I buy but the choice. It appears the choice may be (1) stability with power needed or (2) lots of power but stability needed...I want to have fun not place myself in a dangerous position. Sure as He11 not over my pear trees.

I have owned 3 of each color. My Grand 'L' was a L3010 and it was very under powered for my application. This was extremely frustrating. I will try to make sure that does not happen again. In an Asian pear orchard high profile is not a good thing....but a tough tractor is.

Asian pear trees have the gentle flowing branches similar to pool ques. I have to replace my side lights every year on my B7800 because of those da3n trees...

Thanks !

 

[ejkessler]

Sounds like you are definitely on the right track for what you want or better yet "need". My buddy's JD 3720 is far more maneuverable than my L3940 but as previously stated there are trade offs to both. I have a wide open property with few trees and little grade. I can honestly say that if I were doing orchard work like you are describing the Grand L series would probably not fill the bill. My L2800 was about 3/4 the size of my Grand L's and at times, not many, miss the maneuverability. The L3800 may be a better comparison to the JD 3520 IMO. Just some food for thought.