Kubota Grand L advice

[JimP]

I am looking to jump from an open station B (2410) to a Grand L cab. I test drove a 4240 HSTC-3 and the auto up/downshift feature seemed smooth with almost no jump. I drove a used 5240 HSTC-1 and there was a pretty abrupt jump between low and high? Is the shift supposed to be noticeable? Is this a difference between the earlier -1 and later -3 models? Also looking for TBN wisdom. Is there any reason to choose the newer -3 variation over the -1 or -2? Is there any downside to the larger 5X40 series compared to the 4240 or the 3X40 series? My uses are snow plowing about 1/2 mile of road and driveway, clearing a few acres of overgrown land and maintenance. Have a small lawn tractor for lawn mowing. TIA Jim

 

[nebraskasparks]

I am looking to jump from an open station B (2410) to a Grand L cab. I test drove a 4240 HSTC-3 and the auto up/downshift feature seemed smooth with almost no jump. I drove a used 5240 HSTC-1 and there was a pretty abrupt jump between low and high? Is the shift supposed to be noticeable? Is this a difference between the earlier -1 and later -3 models? Also looking for TBN wisdom. Is there any reason to choose the newer -3 variation over the -1 or -2? Is there any downside to the larger 5X40 series compared to the 4240 or the 3X40 series? My uses are snow plowing about 1/2 mile of road and driveway, clearing a few acres of overgrown land and maintenance. Have a small lawn tractor for lawn mowing. TIA Jim

Jim...check out the equipment reviews section and you'll see a lot of great posts about their equipment. I have the 5740 HST and it's smooth in everything that it does. Low, medium, high gear...all very smooth. PTO - smooth, FEL smooth. I haven't heard anybody in the 5x40 range complain too much. Autothrottle comes from the factory set too high and that's easily adjusted.

 

[nybirdman]

I have a L4240HSTC,puchased Jan.2008...amazeing tractor..does everything I ask..375 hours right now..plow snow with a 8ft.Curtis fel mounted..work ground with box-blade,bottom plow,tiller ect.Nice choice.I went from a L3130 which I really liked but traded up to get a cab/more power.I have operated B series Kubotas,quite a move up to the L4240.Love the HST plus transmission.
Any questions ;feel free to ask.:thumbsup:

 

[crazyal]

I don't think there's any difference between the -1 and -3 models when it comes to transmissions. I believe the differences are a nicer seat on the -3, and the pto in now electric, a knob you turn over the older lever to engage the pto.

I think the biggest disadvantage to the higher HP tractor would be the extra diesel you'll use. If you have a reason for the extra power then more HP will be helpful. Is the land you are going to clear something you'll be doing a lot of work to keep clear, say mowing/ bush hogging two or three times a month or maybe once or twice a year. I think a 7' brush hog is about as big as I would go on the 4240.

The 4240 has a larger loader then the smaller grand L's. If you don't think you'll need the extra lifting or height then I would let pto power be the deciding choice.

 

[nybirdman]

The 854 Loader is very powerfull..I have a Thumb and tooth-bar on mine..awesome for brush,logs ect.My tractor burns about 1.25 gal. of fuel an hour when working hard...brush-hogging ect.I recently purchased a Bush-Hog seven foot rear blade,I use this for road work and snow removal along with the 8ft. Curtis in front;works well.

 

[PHILIP8N]

I bought the L3940 because you can mount a MMM under it, cannot do so with a L4240. However, I did not buy a MMM because I already owned a RFM, so I will probably never take advantage of this. If I had to do it over again, I would get a L4240. I pull a 6' FRM and 6' bushog with the L3940, no problems here. I own a HST-2. I like the lever PTO engagement better than the knob PTO engagement on the -3. The -3 says it has stall guard on the PTO, but I think I have that on the -2 as well. The auto-throttle is great for all work not involing the PTO, you will really enjoy it for FEL or snow plow work. I do not shift the high/low that often when moving, but there is a very slight jerk, as I would expect. Take you time to decide and test drive often. Philip.

 

[JimP]

The B2410 was a great tractor, nimble with a lot of power for its size. This move is to get a cab, hydraulic valving, SSQA and more PTO horsepower and loader capacity. It would be nice to push an 8 foot plow, move (carefully) 2000 pound pallets, run a hydraulic feed PTO chipper or flail mower or boxblade (need to start saving for more attachments). I have looked at the 3540, 4240 and 5240 trying to balance size against power. I was worried about the larger Grand Ls being too big to get into areas I want to clear but when I parked a 5240 next to a 3540 the difference was inches in width and length. Anyone have regrets on getting the larger L instead of the smaller L? Price of a used 5240-1 with some remaining warranty was a good amount less than the new 3540 or 4240. So I am leaning toward the used 5240. I did notice this 5240 when used with autothrottle and autoshift had a significant "jerk" as it shifted from low to high and was wondering if this is normal or sign of a possible problem or something that got changed in the -3 revision? Thanks for the helpful coments and keep them coming. Jim

 

[Grateful11]

I assume you talking about the high/low shift mounted on the column. Our
3940 seems to have very little jerk if any when shifting this lever, I believe
it has a lot to do with much throttle you're giving it when shifting the lever.
It's a very useful thing to have especially if you're moving up to an incline
and might be in the high gear range just drop the column lever to low and
it's much easier to creep up to something.

 

[crazyal]

I would send a price request to Barlow's equipment. If you go to their website they have a page you fill out and they'll e-mail or call you with a quote. If nothing else you will know how good of a price you are getting from your dealer.

With the HST I feel like I have very good control however the safety switch on the seat is real sensitive so if you move too much off the seat it'll shut the tractor down, not sure if the cab models are the same. I don't think I would ever wish I had bought a smaller sized tractor.

I've never tried shifting from high to low or vise versa at high RPMs. It may have a little more of a jerk. One thing I would recommend no matter which model you get is to adjust the auto throttle cable. It really revs the engine up, too much in my opinion, as you step on the HST pedal. It could be why the 5240 you tried jerked.

 

[beppington]

Jim, I've never noticed any jerking at all when my L3940 switches between Hi and Low. There are 2 or 3 things the -3 version gets you, a swivel seat, can't remember the other(s). Also, I seem to remember that the bigger Grand L's aren't very much heavier or bigger than say my 3940.

 

[Samandothers]

I have the L4240-1 and love it. There is a noticeable jerk when changing from Low to high but not more that I would expect. Reminds me a bit of our old MF135 when changing the multi power lever. It is what I would expect when changing to a higher gear or when down shifting. It has not be a concern to me. It shifts very seldom depending on how much load I am putting on it. I have a little over 200 hrs and would buy the Grand L again, great tractor. I might consider more horsepower, but honestly I don't know if I have over worked the 4240. It does all I need. But, if I had found a good deal on a 5240... well that might be a better deal!

 

[bitseeker]

I have had a GL-5240-3 for less than 100 hours and love it. I believe the -3 brought with it the ability to use a Kubota BH with the cab.

I just got the snow blower on and it operates very smoothly.

 

[Yankee Clipper]

I realize the last post was two weeks ago but since this function (hi/lo) is electrohydraulic on the Grand L40 hydro, a competent dealer service tech can easily change the modulation to a much softer / longer engagement.

Apparently, they either did not adjust it initailly or somebody messed with it and could not get it back like it was!

Just FYI, the larger tractors (3940 and up) use the four cylinder engine and the 5040 and up use a turbo charger as well - good at higher altitudes or for heavy work.

The same tractors (3940-5740) also have larger final drives and brakes - they are slightly wider at the rear axle flanges. The largest GL40s use the small M series front axle.

Now you know.....

Good luck!

YC

 

[allen in texas]

I went from a L3240 to a L5740 recently.
I'll never look back.
I never payed any attention to the up or down shift of the HST so I can't comment on the jerk. It's never bothered me so I guess it's not an issue.
I too think the auto throttle up is set too high both on the 3240 and the
5740. I'll adjust that.
The seat kill switch is a pain and my son is so light that the tractor cuts off a lot. I will adjust (whispering...disconect) that.
The physical size difference of the tractor is easy to get used to.

I can't use a cab so I don't have one.

 

[Agrantina]

Dont know if I am even able to speak on this post-cuz I have the baby Grand L3240.. I am very happy with the power of this tractor so far.. Pulling a disc and moving a few tons of gravel with a 6ft BB showed it has power for 34hp.. Nothing that I was use to in the same HP in the older tracotrs I had been on.. Very happy:thumbsup:

AndyG

 

[TripleR]

Dont know if I am even able to speak on this post-cuz I have the baby Grand L3240.. I am very happy with the power of this tractor so far.. Pulling a disc and moving a few tons of gravel with a 6ft BB showed it has power for 34hp.. Nothing that I was use to in the same HP in the older tracotrs I had been on.. Very happy:thumbsup:

AndyG

When my wife and I went shopping for our next to last tractor, we looked at the L3240 and we really liked; nice piece of machinery.:thumbsup:

 

[JimP]

Thanks for all of the advice. I have a deposit on a used 5240 cab tractor, -1 version. I'm just waiting for the rear hydraulics to come in and get installed. Now I need to get over tractor withdrawal while I wait. Jim

 

[TripleR]

Congratulations, I believe you will really like it.

 

[Samandothers]

Congratulations! Don't forget to stick a couple of pictures on here. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed the L4240.