Buying Advice Kubota L3400HST vs L2800HST

[adettman]

Hi, folks. Writing to you all from Minnesota's North Shore along Lake Superior.

I'm new to the website but have been reading and enjoying a lot of the reviews left by other users. This website is extremely helpful!

I'm headed to Northern WI on Tuesday to look at a 2007 Kubota L3400HST w/ 595 hours.. 35hp, 4WD, skid steer quick attach bucket, R4 tires, recently changed fluids & filters.. $14,000 FIRM

This would be the first tractor I've ever purchased. I've been shopping around a bit (or as much as one can when he/she lives in the middle of nowhere) and $14K seems like a fair price for this machine. Would you agree? I've talked with the guy over the phone and he seems like a straight shooter. Sounds like he's taken good care of his tractor.. is ready to go up in size I guess.

The only other machine on my radar is an L2800HST in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.. 796 hours, 4WD, quick attach bucket, ag tires. That one's being sold by a very small, family-owned dealership. Again, I've talked with these folks over the phone and they seem very honest & hardworking. $13,000 for the L2800..

Briefly, I'll mention that I'd like to use the tractor for a variety of things. I own 20 acres, 5-6 of which is open pasture. I'd like to pull a brush hog around, drill some post holes, do some loader work, etc. Apparently, the most "controversial" thing I'd like to be able to do with my tractor is drag a one bottom plow through my field. We're on rather dense clay up here and so some of my friends are skeptical that I'll be able to accomplish this. Any thoughts?? From what I've been reading online, it seems to me that a tractor as heavy as an L3400 or L2800 should be able to pull a one bottom plow, even through heavy clay, especially with 4WD.

Again, I'm sorta at the end of the road up here. The nearest Kubota dealer/service center is 2+ hours down the shore. That being said, if I purchase the L3400 should I consider making a pit stop and having those R4's swapped out for ag tires? Or will I have traction enough to pull a one bottom with what I've got?

Beyond that, any thoughts on those 2 tractors? The L3400 is being sold by a private party, the L2800 by a small dealership. I'm leaning towards the L3400 because $1000 more doesn't seem like much for more HP and fewer hours.. but I'm open to suggestions/opinions!

Thanks for your time. Again, I don't even own a tractor yet and I've found this website and the forums here to be extremely helpful. I've learned a ton of stuff by just reading all of your responses/reviews/ideas. If you have the time, please consider responding and just giving me your thoughts! I appreciate it.

 

[Tomtint]

Both tractors share the same frame and overall size only difference is HP. I have a L3700 SU that is the later model of the L3400. It's a good basic tractor. Does what it is supposed too. The seat could be better and adding a suspension seat is expensive. The 3PH is jerky and if you intend on using a post hole digger.. It will be a challenge. IMO the loader was weak from the facto and I ended up shimming the valve to add a bit of lift capacity.
If it were me, I would take a look at both of them and then decide. Look at the oil, tires , grease spots, hydrology hoses, etc. run the PTOs on both and make sure there is no odd noises. Then make your decision.

 

[nybirdman]

The SSQA is a big plus($800 or so),more H.P. with less hours for the L3400.I prefer R1 tires but you would have to change rims($).We pull a two bottom;2/12 with no problem with a L3000DT with R1 tires.
14K may be a little high but good used tractors command a premium.One owner well cared for is a big plus.

 

[3gunr]

I pulled a two bottom plow with a 28 hp mahindra shuttle shift no problem with unloaded r4s.

 

[jeff9366]

adettman

I'd like to be able to drag a one bottom plow through my field. We're on rather dense clay up here and so some of my friends are skeptical that I'll be able to accomplish this. Any thoughts?? From what I've been reading online, it seems to me that a tractor as heavy as an L3400 or L2800 should be able to pull a one bottom plow, even through heavy clay, especially with 4WD.

If the moldboard plow is in GOOD CONDITON either tractor will pull a two-bottom, 12" or 14" plow through DAMP clay.
Probably will only pull a one-bottom 16" plow through damp clay.


If I purchase the L3400 should I consider having those R4's swapped out for ag tires? Or will I have traction enough to pull a one bottom with what I've got?

R1/ag tires not necessary. R4/industrial tires will work fine pulling a two-bottom, 12" or 14" moldboard plow. Stay out of the field if the clay is gooey.

Beyond that, any thoughts on those 2 tractors? The L3400 is being sold by a private party, the L2800 by a small dealership. I'm leaning towards the L3400 because $1000 more doesn't seem like much for more HP and fewer hours.

I would buy the L3400. No sales tax in a private sale.

If you buy the L2800 from a dealer you will have to pay sales tax.


VIDEO: How To Evaluate A Used Tractor - YouTube


YOUR LOCATON SHOULD BE PART OF YOUR T-B-N PROFILE.

 

[adettman]

If it were me, I would take a look at both of them and then decide.

Thanks, Tomtint.. helpful insight(s). I've heard that said about the 3 point.. a bit jerky. What sort of challenges should I anticipate with running a post hole digger?

Unfortunately, I'm afraid timing & location(s) will probably prohibit me from taking a look at both of them before I decide. If I pass thru Northern WI on Tuesday without putting a down payment on the L3400, I'm pretty sure he'll sell it before I have a chance to chase up to MI's U.P. and check out the L2800. I wish, geographically, they were a bit closer but that's not the case. The guy with the L3400 is pretty motivated and has had more than a few calls.. really feel like he's throwing me a bone by hanging onto the tractor 'til I can get over there to check it out.

Mainly, I was curious to hear what folks had to say about each of the machines. So far, it seems like the R4's on the L3400 aren't a deal breaker for most folks (whereas turf tires would be).

Again, Tomtint, thanks for the help! I wish I could take a look at both of them but I'm not sure I'll be afforded that luxury.

 

[jeff9366]

Turf tires usually are too wide to fit in a plow furrow.

Two bottom, 12" plow, air inflated R4/industrial tires on tractor.

 

[varmint]

I've had a L3400 HST for about 6 or 7 years (my third used Kubota... the first, a B8200, was too small, the second, a grand L3130 was too big; the L3400 is the Goldilocks tractor for me) and I would recommend it. It is not overpowered, which makes me think the L2800 might be underpowered. Mine has the SSQA (very handy, but keep in mind you loose a little bit of capacity due to the extra weight of the SSQA steel and further forward location of the bucket) and rear hydraulics, as well as telescoping rear links and some other upgrades (thanks to the first owner). I do not have any jerky problems with the 3 point, and I have a PTO post hole digger, as well. I have turfs, because I do drive it over our "lawn" but I think you would do well with the R-4s for general purpose tractoring (R-4's are the "toughest" tires if you drive over nasty stuff).

If the L3400 seller used Kubota filters and Super UDT-2 fluid, and the tractor seems clean and well cared for, then the price wouldn't bother me at all- I'd be asking at least that for mine with just the loader, more considering I have a tooth bar, LED lighting, chains and a rear weight box, (something you might need if you don't want to always hang an implement out back) not to mention the plow. Mine has about the same hours, and although I go months without using it sometimes, it always pleases me when I do need to use it- totally reliable and functional so far. You didn't say where you will be using the tractor, but maybe you'll be plowing snow? I have a 78" Horst snow plow, which works well, but if you regularly deal with 24" of snow, the 72" might be a better choice?

 

[Fallon]

A L2501 & loader will be under $20k new from the dealer with a 5 year warranty. It's a slightly evolved engine & frame from the earlier Ls you are looking at. The engine was detuned to 25hp for emissions reasons, but it punches above its HP rating.

Weight us what makes a tractor work. HP just defines how fast. You'd mow a bit faster with a higher HP machine, but PHD work really wouldnt be affected & I doubt plowing would much.

 

[Thomas]

Are both tractors HST transmissions?
L2800 around that year has jerky hyd.