L 3240 HST

[RJJR]

Hi folks,
Trying to compare apples to apples between Deere and Kubota and I'm not sure which tractors to compare. I've got 14 acres and about half is in cutover. I'll want to clear this for a home site and then use the tractor for general maintenance and projects such as stump pulling, loader work, mowing, gold fish ponds, driveway maintenance etc. What model in the Kubota line would meet these requirements. Is the Grand L 3240 too big for these applications? What kind of strenght can I expect out of the loader and back hoe for this tractor? Had been looking at the 2520 in the Deere Line but think it may be a bit small? Good incentives though on it right now.
Thanks for your help.
RJ

 

[Wolfy]

The L3240 sounds like a real nice home size, I've been thinking of getting one. I have a L3710 ( a little bigger and older ) its never ever run out of power. The L3200/L3800 might suit you, but they don't have the better hydraulics of the Grand Ls.

 

[crazyal]

For clearing land I wouldn't go any smaller but once cleared the 3240 hst would be a great homeowner tractor. It's small enough to do almost anything you'll ever want to do yet big enough to do almost everything you want to do. You could even step up to the 3540 and get a little extra HP in the same size. The GL line up has a great HST transmission with options not found on any other brand.

 

[Baby Grand]

I think a comparison with the Deere 3320 would be more appropriate considering weight, size, power, 3pt capacity & hydraulics. At least, that's what I compared with in 2007 when I got my L3240. The decision was not a very clear one - on paper they seemed to be pretty well matched. It came down to the K dealer enthusiatically trying to get me in the seat to drive it, vs the D dealer focusing on writing up the bill of sale. I use mine on 11 acres for a variety of work - ground engaging, tilling, brush hogging, snow plowing, FEL, logging, etc. It does everything I could reasonably expect it to; often it does a lot more. BTW, the LA724 is a very nice loader option.

One thing, though: The Plant Manager has put me on notice that at no time is it allowed on the lawn around the house. That is her balliwick and the Craftsman reigns supreme in that realm (when it's running - heh heh). So you may want to consider something much smaller and lighter (and cheaper) for cutting the grass around your house, especially if you get the L3240 with ag tires, live in an area that can have rain for weeks on end, or have a lot of obstacles around the lawn to avoid when mowing.

Good luck and let us know what you decide,

Jim

 

[Agrantina]

I have the L3240 in GST model and I was amazed at how tight it will turn... Like on poster said the hyd will left more and IMO that is worth the little extra for the Grand L. It is pretty dang quite for a diesel also...

AndyG

 

[RJJR]

Thanks, I'll go get in the seat of both and see how it goes from there. I think I'm going to pay someone to do the heavy clearing and then use one of these for the annual maintenance. Is it wide enough to take hills pretty well? I have some land that slopes toward a pond.
Thanks again,
RJ

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

there is no real apples to apples to Deere in this size. The 3320 is kinda close, but its a smaller frame and alot less capacity in a few area's, you gotta move up the 20 series to a machine with more HP to start to match the L3240 in a few areas.

 

[RJJR]

Could you give me a couple of examples for comaprisons?
Thanks

 

[charleyfarmall]

There is not clear cut comparison between Deere and Kubota for this tractor. The 3320 is a slightly smaller tractor. It is 700 pounds (HST) lighter and has 3.5 inch shorter wheelbase. The engine power will be a wash. The Kubota heavy duty loader lifts 300 pounds more and sticks out 5 inches more. The Kubota light duty loader has 300 pounds less capacity than the Deere. The Kubota has a slightly higher flow rate in the hydraulic system, but I think it looks great on paper but doesn't really mean anything in the real world.

Either would do what you want and not leave you needing more. Try them both, see what they cost delivered to your driveway. Don't hide the fact to either that you are shopping the other. I think they are both fine tractors. Disclaimer - I have the Deere. Price was right but I bought i used, and yes, I am happy with it.

 

[RJJR]

I went on the website and JD compares it to the B3030 HSD so it looks like the 3240 Kubota may be a little more tractor as you mention. That doesn't seem to be a fair comparison as the 3030 is almost 2K less and smaller in HP. Will the Kubota 3240 or 3320 Deere either pull a 6 foot bush hog? I feel pretty sure the 3030 will not.
Thanks for the help.

 

[charleyfarmall]

A 6 foot bush hog is probably pushing it on both tractors. For light duty you might be fine but if you get into tall grass I suspect it will bog down. I've been using the 3230 with my 6 foot flail but only on grass that is 12" and it handles it like it's not there. However, my 6' flail is easy on power. In 3 foot grass I bet it would bog down.

 

[Grateful11]

I say do what we did, drive the Deere and the Kubota. For us there was no contemplating after driving both, the Kubota beat it hands down. The Auto Throttle alone was enough for us. We were comparing the JD 4120 to Kubota L3940.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

A 6 foot bush hog is probably pushing it on both tractors..

We recomend a 6ft cutter on any L40 Kubota's. Its no problem at all.

 

[PHILIP8N]

We recomend a 6ft cutter on any L40 Kubota's. Its no problem at all.

I do not agree with that statement. I pulled a 6' cutter behind my L3940 in this and found the limits of the pto hp. Had to go slooow thru the thickest areas. Philip.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

okay... yes, if your cutting grass as high as your ROPS as in that picture... you're gonna need all the power you can get! For most applications, 25 pto hp is fine... older tractors used a lot less.

 

[TripleR]

I don't doubt that the tractor will spin a 6' alright, but I run a LP RCR2672 on my L5030 and for the 3240/3540, my preference would be a 5' cutter.

 

[Rancher Ed]

I don't doubt that the tractor will spin a 6' alright, but I run a LP RCR2672 on my L5030 and for the 3240/3540, my preference would be a 5' cutter.

I agree. Having used a 5' brush hog with 23 PTO hp I would want at least 30 PTO hp for a 6' brush hog. With the 5'er if the grass/brush is very thick you have to slow to a crawl, <1mph, or it will stall the tractor. The 3240 is a nice tractor and should work well with a 5' brush hog.

Ed

 

[Grateful11]

I do not agree with that statement. I pulled a 6' cutter behind my L3940 in this and found the limits of the pto hp. Had to go slooow thru the thickest areas. Philip.

Philip is that those weeds that stink really bad? When they start coming back I'd think about using some Glyphosate

 

[PHILIP8N]

Philip is that those weeds that stink really bad? When they start coming back I'd think about using some Glyphosate

I do not know one weed from another, shame, right? I have since disc'ed area and planted grass seed, coming up pretty good. They did not stink, but they sure were messy. As soon as I hit them little pods came off and clogged radiator. Had to stop about every hour to clean screens to keep from overheating. Thanks for the advise, I will watch for volunteers. Philip.

 

[hipilot]

I just took delivery of a new L3240 HST+ to replace an L2900 after 7 years with the 2900. There is a learning curve with all the available settings and driver selectable adjustments. I got the smaller FEL with a quick release bucket. I am at 21 hours now. Had R4 tires installed, and ballasted. Also an aux hydraulic tap on the rear for my splitter. Mowing with either my 6' finish mower or bush hug is much easier without the bucket hanging on the front. The much wider tread front tires save a lot of grass.

So far, very pleased, but still learning how to use the machine. Anybody with operating experience with the HST speed control is welcome to comment.

Lots of raw power available. Kubota's improvements in the 3 point hookup are appreciated. The improvements shorten implement changes.