kubota l3400 or ?

[bc realtor]

I am in the final stages of figuing out what tractor to choose. The use I have is a simple one. Mow the hedge. It currently takes me 8 days to trim my hedge with a gas pole trimmer. My thought was to buy an L3400 kubota and a kirogn cl 93 hedge trimmer http://www.kirogn.fr/web/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&menu=elagage&smenu=tailleusesh-cl93&lang=undefined
i have 400 feet of hedge and would like to turn this into a side business as well

 

[bc realtor]

One of the other trimmers I was looking at is this video Coupéco - Une différence de taille
the 5000 range would match perfectly with the weight of the kubota L3400. The kubota is the closest dealer here on Vancouver Island

 

[Gittyup]

Pretty cool trimmers there. Your gonna want some weight I'd think to operate a long arm thing like that. Make sure the hydraulics and PTO power are sufficient to operate it as well. I would suggest you drive as many brands and models as is practical in your area before deciding. I've heard a few not so good things about the l3400, like jerky 3PH.

 

[bc realtor]

I could go down to the B3200 or B3030 with the weight . As for test drives the dealer here is plugged with machines and there is only about 5 feet to move the machines. My biggest worry is how slow will the L3400 go as being too fast could be disaster. The trimmer when installed is fixed and lock to the 3pt and should not be a great worry. I also worry that I would tear up the lawns at this weight of a machine.

 

[Gittyup]

If speed is a concern, then go HST: infinitely variable. I wouldn't buy any tractor I could not drive and try out first. Kubotas are good, but there are other brands that are just a good.

Weight issue goes to stability with that arm fully extended coupled with some slope and or an unseen divet/hole in the ground. You don't want to be tipping over. Notice the rigs that cut the roadside ditches. They all have counter weights on the opposite side from the cutter. Different beast, different application, but same basic concern.

 

[medicshawn]

You might want to do some research on the Kubota forum about the jery 3 point operation on the L3400.

 

[jeconn]

As a previous L3400 owner I would NOT recommend one.

 

[bc realtor]

I like the dimentions on the 3400hst. width and weight are perfect spec wise. I don't know much about many others as I would have to do some travelling off the island to see them.

 

[bc realtor]

It seems that any comparable tractors with this power are the next step up in size and probably to large for my uses

 

[redsmoke641]

I have an L3400, hydro trans., 4WD, FEL, and I'm completely happy with it.

 

[teg]

bc realtor, Go and use the tractor at the dealer. Have him hook up a boompole and slowly raise the 3ph... making tiny adjustments. Then think about that (very) nice trimmer that is hanging a couple feet out (or above) the tractor. Just make sure you try it out before you buy. Please read my signature below... We are only trying to help you make a good decision.

Also, for what you are doing, I'm not sure you really need the 5 extra horsepower. The L2800 with loaded tires and FEL will lose traction before power.

For the trimmer, what HP and weight requirments are there? The L2800/L3400 (w/FEL) is only about 3600 lbs.

 

[bc realtor]

Does the L2800 have the same problems with the 3pt? My other thought was one of the Antonio Carrera 4400 tractors as the are very good on sloped ground and have exeptional hydrolic power. My only worry is the resale if the whole hedge trimming thing does not work. Also the AC has no fel that I can find. Also I am a newbie at this tractor ideal and have a great worry about getting a lemon that would sit around and not pull its weight. If it iron is should pay for its self.

 

[Gittyup]

AC's are nice, but pricey. Excellent on hills and great hydraulics. But they are loader challenged and have a spotty dealer network.

Yes the L2800 has the same reputation as the L3400. If it has to be Kubota, step up one notch over the L3400 (L3240 or something like that). It'll hold its value and serve you well. Get loaded tires to help keep you well anchored.

No other brands to consider? JD? NH? MF? Kioti? Mahindra? TYM? Branson? Bobcat? All these have excellent products too.

 

[bc realtor]

My worries with the L3240 comes with the size. It's probably to large for getting up on the yards of these ocean view hillside homes without doing some damage to the grass. Also with the larger size I was worried about the stability factor comming into play. Most of the places I am dealing with are quarter acre. Not a lot of room between the house and hedge. The dillema that I face seems to grow the more I research the aplication.
I went to York in the UK some time ago and these combinations were abundant and easy to hire for the hedging. The hedger is worth more than a tractor so I really don't want to get stuck with the wrong tractor.

 

[Gittyup]

Have you thought about a Bobcat or a mini skid steer or toro dingo thingy? They can fit through a gate and have excellent hydraulics.

The 3240 won't tear up the lawn appreciably more than the L3400. Tire choice will be the major contributor here. Just get turfs. And a bigger tractor is not necessarily less stable.

If you want to keep the size down but still have a true tractor, look at the TYM T273 or the Kioti CK20. The Kiotis have the best hydraulic specs size for size. Me, I love the size of the T273 and a mid PTO is standard in case you want to mow with it. I think one set of rear hydro remotes are also standard. And the loader is also standard QA skid steer type too. Great value for the money.

 

[gerard]

My worries with the L3240 comes with the size. It's probably to large for getting up on the yards of these ocean view hillside homes without doing some damage to the grass. Also with the larger size I was worried about the stability factor comming into play. Most of the places I am dealing with are quarter acre. Not a lot of room between the house and hedge. The dillema that I face seems to grow the more I research the aplication.
I went to York in the UK some time ago and these combinations were abundant and easy to hire for the hedging. The hedger is worth more than a tractor so I really don't want to get stuck with the wrong tractor.

I wouldn't worry too much about lawn damage/weight. If thats a concern they make oversized turf tires like you'll see golf courses use. Even if you only load them 50% full it'll be plenty of weight for stability, keep your center of gravity low, and the footprint of those tires are so large you won't hurt any lawns

 

[bc realtor]

Thanks for the help. I am going to make an appointment with the local dealer and get him to have a B3030, L3400 and a luxury version of the L series set up for a test drive. I hope that this will solve some of the questions and resevations I have about all of these machines.

 

[bc realtor]

As for the mini skid steer? I think that the fun value would be greatly reduced and this is a big toy for the most part.

 

[canoetrpr]

For yard work, like the type you are talking about, I don't think much can beat the B3030. Nice size tractor to lug around with you. Light weight. Decent hydraulic and loader capacities.

Not sure the L3400 and Grand L's would be my first choice for lawn work - particularly if you have a concern for fitting them in tight spaces.