Kubota L3800 vs Grand L series

[jgheck]

I just joined this site and this is my first time posting. I have done a lot of reading on here though in the last week. Very interesting and helpful. I have been doing some serious shopping/reading about the new compact tractors. I like what Kubota has offered for the Grand L series except I am very hesitant to get the HST that is computer controlled. They call it the HST plus. I checked and they do not offer it with a standard HST like they have in the regular L line (L2800, L3400, L4400) They also have (L 3200/3800 and a L3700SU) The problem I am having is you can't put as heavy a bucket on many of the regular L tractors. I also want a quick release bucket so I can attach other attachments if I want to. I also want to have enough Hydraulic power to drive a possible future backhoe and other 3 point attachments. I will be using the FEL quite a bit. I am hoping some of you that have experience with these tractors can give me some good advice on what to purchase.

Thank you for any help you can shed on this.

 

[arsenix2001]

Ifyou have researched other facets of the tractors and the hst + is all thats holding you back from the Grand L, forget about it. They are 99% flawless and you will love the adjustability, shift on the fly of the DS and auto throttle. This system has been in place for a while and is nothing that new. I love mine.

 

[Mpking]

I just joined this site and this is my first time posting. I have done a lot of reading on here though in the last week. Very interesting and helpful. I have been doing some serious shopping/reading about the new compact tractors. I like what Kubota has offered for the Grand L series except I am very hesitant to get the HST that is computer controlled. They call it the HST plus. I checked and they do not offer it with a standard HST like they have in the regular L line (L2800, L3400, L4400) They also have (L 3200/3800 and a L3700SU) The problem I am having is you can't put as heavy a bucket on many of the regular L tractors. I also want a quick release bucket so I can attach other attachments if I want to. I also want to have enough Hydraulic power to drive a possible future backhoe and other 3 point attachments. I will be using the FEL quite a bit. I am hoping some of you that have experience with these tractors can give me some good advice on what to purchase.

Thank you for any help you can shed on this.

I'm in the same position you are with deciding between spending more on the Grand L to get more FEL power and features (some of which I may not need but would be nice) vs. just getting what I need out of the standard L line. Don't forget that the FEL on the 4400 is a significant upgrade compared to the 3200/3800 and can be had for about the same $$s as a 3240.

 

[TripleR]

As mentioned, the HST plus has been out for quite some time and I haven't read anything anywhere negative about it. I was going to buy one when I found a good used L5030. My next tractor will be an HST plus.

There are a lot of GL40 owners here who I am sure will chime in, but I would certainly recommend the HST+.

There is certainly nothing wrong with the Lxx00 Series and there are a lot of happy owners here also. I did not care for the operator station, controls and 3-point hitch setup in addition to the lack of a cab.

If you are concerned none may fit your needs, you might want to consider the MX47/5100 as they have an HST also, but are bigger tractors, also a lot of happy owners.

Good luck.

 

[Kubota Tee]

I will be using the FEL quite a bit. I am hoping some of you that have experience with these tractors can give me some good advice on what to purchase.

Thank you for any help you can shed on this.

I have owned a 3540HST for just over a year now and have put about 180 hours on it so far. When I saw that you were planning on using the FEL quite a bit, I felt like I had to chime in to strongly recommend the HST+ system. I probably spend 80% of my time on the tractor using the FEL.

One of my "tractor tasks" during the past 13 months was to completely move a 450 long driveway from a straight shot hill climb to a nice arched meander from our cul-de-sac up to our house. Here is where the HST+ really comes in handy. I usually keep it in the mid-range gear and then approach the pile/material in M-Low. As soon as I have the material in the bucket, I tap the lever and it immediately switches from M-Low to M-High. I cannot begin to tell you how much productivity this feature provides. In addition, the ability to have the engine RPM's adjust automatically to the load is fantastic!:thumbsup:

I also moved over 120 tons of 4-6" cobblestone to create a nice bank along our lake front property. Again, the HST+ system was a huge help.

If you expect most of your time to be with the FEL, go for the HST+. You will not be sorry!!

 

[kuboman]

I too looked real close at the L3800 and like the simplicity but I decided on a GL30 (used) over the 3800. Mostly it was the capacity of the loader that is available for the GL but also I liked the looks of the tractor better. It seemed better built and more of it. JMHO

 

[crazyal]

I'm not sure if the HST is computer controlled. There are sensors that the computer monitors and it does have a couple of automatic settings like stall guard and automatic down shifting using the H-DS function but neither has to be used. But it doesn't look to be anywhere near as complex as any car sold today (or even in the last 10 years). Some people like simple while others don't mind the extra features. If it really does worry you then maybe the MX4700/5100 line. It's slightly bigger but has a loader equal to the larger GL40s.

 

[jgheck]

Thanks Arsenics, I will consider the 4400. That may be the way to go. I know I can get a FEL for that as well.

 

[jgheck]

Thank you for the advice KubotaTee, you've been busy with that tractor. I am glad that I am getting positive responses about the HST+. My big concern was that it is electronically controlled. One more thing to go wrong. I do like HST, and would think that there would be less problems all around if it is controlled mechanically. I would like to hear from people that have the standard HST's and see if there are any big draw backs on those. I know I can get it on the regular L series tractors and they would be somewhat cheaper to buy. I do appreciate all the help and responses so far. This is a very useful site.

 

[Grandad4]

I've had the standard HST on my earlier generation Grand L for 9 years now. About 1000 hours and not a single issue. It has been great.

Kubota has a reputation for building tough, reliable equipment. I figure it would be very unlikely they would offer an "improved" HST that wasn't as reliable as the rest of the tractor. If I were looking at new equipment, that wouldn't be a concern. But that's just me.

Lots of owners represented here and they've been out for several years. If there were going to be problems, it would have shown up by now.

Kubota does offer tractors with both kinds of HST's. The standard L models and the MX series have the non-electronic and the Grands have the HST plus. If you want a Grand L size machine with conventional HST, check out the MX's.