L3130 or L3400?....

ecologyman · May 30, 2005

Good morning friends.
I've been laboring over the decision for months and finally have my choice narrowed down to Kubota. Now my choice is between a 3130 and a 3400.
My local Kubota dealer gave me a price of $17,100 for a 3400 GST, FEL, and a 5' rotary mower. I thought that was pretty fair and have no complaints. He hasn't quoted me for a 3130 (I may go there today), same set-up, but I'm sure it can't be too much more. Ideally a 3430 would be my choice but I don't want to go too far over the 17K mark.
Has anyone done any homework on these models? Any opinions?
As always I am...

confused.

cchoate · May 30, 2005

You beat me to the punch on this one. I am trading in my B7500 for a 3400hst but have read people having trouble with the 3ph on the 2800 and 3400. It seems it jerks upward and down when you need to make minor adjustments to the level.
Several Kubota dealers have said this is normal and if it is, I will stay clear of that model.

My questions:

Is there anyone out there not having this problem with the 2800 / 3400?

What is the price difference between the 3400 and 3430 with fel?

wushaw · May 30, 2005

I would go with the 3130 for the upgraded hydro and smooth 3pt. given them choices.
The L2800 and L3400 are basic bare bones L series, not that there is anything wrong with them I have the L2800 and it has been great but the 3pt is not smooth.
Have the dealer put a box blade on the 3pt of the L3400 and L3130 you are looking at and just try it and see the difference.

ToJo · May 30, 2005

I have the L3400 and it is jerky when you raise it but it is very smooth going down. I have never thought that there was anything wrong with mine but this is the only tractor I have owned except for a Farmall Super A. It was also jerky except it was jerky in both directions and impossible to adjust in anything but 2inch increments in either direction. My L3400 was such a vast improvement that I never considered that anything was wrong with it. It appears to me that if the lift was very smooth in the upward travel, it would not shake the clinging dirt off the box blade or other implement. If you want to raise an implement all the way up, move the lever all the way back rapidly and it will raise smoothly until it reaches the top and it will stop abruptly only once. I have been very satisfied with my tractor. I've had it over a year and had zero problems.

Goog · May 30, 2005

I also have a new L3400HST with 3.5 hrs on it right now. Yesterday I noticed the 3pt. jerk problem for the first time. So far I had only used the bucket of the tractor and not the 3pt. I currently have my chipper mounted and an excessive amount of chips were building up so I went to raise the chipper slightly to move the tractor forward and it really jerked. I thought it was just me but it did it repeatedly. Then I turn on the computer and I see you guy's are having the same concern. This is not right and Kubota needs to fix it. Just because we did not buy a Grand L does not mean we have to put up with a jerky 3pt. I wish I would of noticed this sooner. I also sent an email to Kubota. Will let you know what I hear. I really want ot like this tractor. Brian

cchoate · May 31, 2005

I spoke to my dealer today and apparently Kubota uses the same 1" increment valve on the 2800 / 3400 as the 7800. If this is true, the jerkyness going up in small increments would be normal when you have alot of weight on the 3ph.

wushaw · May 31, 2005

The B7800 has a quarter inching valve and the L2800/L3400 is position control. I have not used the quarter inching valve style but it does look different from pos cont where you can put the implement at the same spot everytime without messing with it.

schole · May 31, 2005

Have just around 30 hrs on my L3400DT this spring -- love it!

"Jerky 3pth" makes me think of another post (?last year) when someone commented on their loader being 'too fast' and 'a bit touchy' or something like that. A poster responded with something to the effect that we're not supposed to mention such things and that we would get used to it. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I agree with ToJo. The 3 pth has been faster than I've been used to, but very functional once you get used to it. I supose if there wasn't such a short movement required on the control lever to raise an implement, it wouldn't appear so 'touchy'. It sure beats so many of the other machines I've used where the lift seemed to move like a geriatric elevator.

I've found that once I got used to where I needed to move the lever to in order to raise a mower, I could just move the lever in one smooth motion and the implement will raise smoothly too -- quickly, but smoothly.

Try them yourself!

Shawn

ecologyman · Jun 1, 2005

Thanks for the helpful replies. My wife and I have all sorts of irons in the fire right now and I don't need to scare myself into paying more for a tractor just because the less-expensive one has a "jerky" lift. Things always seem a little bizarre until you get used to them.

jrabb5 · Jun 1, 2005

There is an adjustment for the downward speed of the 3ph on the L3400. But mine is also jerky on the way up which makes it difficult to smooth the drive. I just back up with the FEL in the float position to make the final pass, or drag with chain-link fence.

jmanx000x · Jun 8, 2005

I am looking at an L3400 also, but got a little concerned about all the talk about jerky hitch. Talked to my local dealer today, and he said Kubota has a service bulletin out about this. Apparently there is a different control valve that makes the movement less rapid/ jerky, and if a customer complains, they will change it out under warranty. He says I can try it with the original valve, and if I don't like it, he will bring it back in and replace it - no charge. I'm curious why other dealers didn't respond this same way?

TractorFred · Jun 9, 2005

I spoke to my Kubota dealer today and he went right to the Kubota website and didn't see any service bulletins regarding the jerky hitch. Do you think your dealer was correct about that or just trying to tell you what you wanted to hear?
Bingham in Tucson is my dealer and they are a good honest group of guys and I was standing at his computer when he browsed the Kubota sight looking for the service bulletin....my tractor won't be delivered for another couple weeks (I'm going to be out of town), but if there is a service bulletin I would like to have them take care of it before delivery. Any thoughts?

jmanx000x · Jun 9, 2005

I think (hope) I can trust my dealer and that he's not just telling me something then won't honor it once I buy from him - He has a good reputation.

Any dealers on the boards have any comment??

grwoolf · Jun 9, 2005

I am also looking at the L3130 and L3400, and asked my dealer about this issue. he acknowledged that the 3400 is jerky and said they have talked with Kubota on this and it is just not as nice/smooth a system as on the 3130 per Kubota, but nothing is wrong with it. He offered to hook the 3400 up to something and try it, but I didn't have the time. I would certainly ask the dealer to do that with a box blade or something prior to making a purchase.

familyman · Jun 10, 2005

There is nothing wrong with the 3pt. hydro! Look at the number next to the lever, pull back the lever all the way, then push it foreward to the number you desire. Or, pull it back all the way and gradually lower it to where you want it. Either way is quick and smooth, and does away with jerking it up in small increments. I for one don't find the "jerking" that abrupt or disruptive, but good technique avoids it altogether. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

schole · Jun 11, 2005

Excellent post, familyman!

Couldn't agree more on the 3ph. My sentiments exactly with my L3400DT. Very fast...you get used to it.

BTW, I like your username!

Shawn

smittyd3 · Jun 11, 2005

I have a L3130 GST with a LA513 FEL. The L3400 will have less electronics to give problems later and the roll back on the bucket is stronger than the L3130 with the LA513. I tried an L3400 before I ended up with the L3130 and the L3400 is a great value.
More horsepower, less electronics, no tilt steering wheel and no fancy seat.

Smitty

familyman · Jun 11, 2005

Flattery will get you everywhere! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

buckeyefarmer · Jun 25, 2005

I bought the L3130HST last yr and love it. Only issue would be it's a little weak in power for the size of tractor if you are doing a lot of FEL work.