L3240 or L3540

[dcabernel]

I'm planning on purchasing either a L3240/L3540 mostly for landscaping and snowblowing. I only have 2.5 acres but I believe I'll be buying a bigger place someday.

Landscaping will be mostly digging out tree stumps and spreading topsoil, gravel etc. The soil around here is called Manitoba Gumbo: Sticky, heavy clay. I've worked with a friends B series 26HP Kubota in the clay and it didn't fair well. I'm hoping the heavy Grand L series will be better.

I don't have a one to one price comparison yet, but was wondering if the extra HP for the 35 would be a good idea. Also, would I be better with the LA724 loader than the LA514?

Option wise, I think I'll get the Mid PTO athough I'll be getting a rear mount snowblower. I have a garden tractor, but I want to be prepared if it dies and I decide to use the Kubota for mowing.

Is the Skid Steer quick attach worth it? How about the third function value?

Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[art]

The best time to buy larger is now! The two tractors are nearly identical in all ways and the larger horsepower is nice although for you to be digging the horsepower is not as much of a concern as overall heft!
Many people have wished they got the larger loader for one reason or another.
As far as the q-tach bucket, that to me is a no-brainer! The price of the bucket doesn't change you only have to add the quick-tach. Do it once with the purchase and when you might need an option later you won't be buying the Q-tach and the bucket!
The third function would work for all the attachments you might want on the loader like a snow blade with power angle, or a grapple or a four in one bucket.

 

[groundcover]

Sounds like that soil could use all the hp you can throw at it. Also get the rear remote for the snowblower rotation and a tooth bar, the skidsteer bucket is a handy thing too. good luck !

 

[canoetrpr]

Go with more HP if you can afford it. Highest priority to me would be the 724 loader.

Personally I would get one of them brand new drive forward rear mowers so that I could keep the FEL attached in the winter, rather than a front mower.

You getting a backhoe right Much easier to get this stuff upfront than add it later on.

 

[botayota]

My local dealer indicated to me that the 3540 isn't a very popular model.
Most people buy either 3240,3940,4740 since the price difference and increase hp with the middle of the road models is miniscule.

BY

 

[Charlesaf3]

I'd get the bigger loader and the QA for sure. Probably the diverter, but rear remotes are even more useful (best is both)

I'm not sure the mid pto will get that much use though, unless you are going the snowblower route there. I have an MMM, and honestly would be at least as happy with an RFM

 

[canoetrpr]

Have to agree with Charles. I think that the extra $1500 or so for the 3 PTO hp would be better spent on other things on a L3240. My order of priority.

- LA724 QA loader
- Rear remotes - TnT
- Canopy and 4 work lights
- 3rd function for loader valve and 4n1 bucket

 

[cschlaps]

Agreed about the 3540 - either stick with 3240 and get some extra goodies, or suck it up and go up to the 3940.

The skid steer style quick tach is a must have, as is the 724 loader. The HD round back bucket is handy too, especially in wet heavy soil. The round bucket is easier to get material out of when it's sticky.

If you do look at a backhoe, the BH90 handles wet sticky clay very well. I spent about 30 hours on it, carefully digging around an existing house foundation to repair the drain tile - in wet sticky clay. No problems, even with an 18" bucket.

A 3rd function valve and a rear remote are on my list of upgrades...I'm regretting not putting them into the original package when I bought it in February.

 

[dcabernel]

I'm not sure the mid pto will get that much use though, unless you are going the snowblower route there. I have an MMM, and honestly would be at least as happy with an RFM

Good points about the Mid PTO. I'll be getting a rear mount Snow blower and the chances of mowing my lawn with a tractor this size is slim to none. My lawn is poluted with trees and shrubs. But does having/not having a Mid PTO affect resale value?

 

[amigauser]

The mid pto is a dealer installed option and can be added at any time. I would think most people would not care about a mid pto.

In regards to the 3240 vs 3540. If you are getting the open station (non-cab) version then I agree, save the extra $1500. If you are thinking about one with a cab, the 3540 would give you a little more HP for the air-conditioner etc.

 

[TheFlatlander]

This is a bigger tractor than mine and I didn't recognize the tractor numbers. Got curious to look them up on the Kubota website and could not find. Are these Kubota's?

 

[TheFlatlander]

This is a bigger tractor than mine and I didn't recognize the tractor numbers. Got curious to look them up on the Kubota website and could not find. Are these Kubota's?

Oops, My bad found them under GrandL40. Nice tractors. Kubota numbering is sometimes a little confusing.

 

[lawn_king]

I was about to purchase a 3240 in april, weight was the big issue for me not price. I found in my research that the 3240 and the 3540 were the same weight so i took the extra horses and got the 3540 hsdc w/ 724 fel/ Q A bucket & bradco 36" forks. No regrets!

 

[boogerman2000]

Love my 3540!!! It's a monster and yes I now love my BH80x Woods Hoe also. My dealer didn't have a 3240 in stock but the 3540 had the 724 loader w/ QA and besides my backhoe problems which seem to be worked out it absolutely rocks.

I'm currently using it to install a deck around my 33' above ground pool...pictures will follow soon....Life is GRAND.....Get the biggest monster you can afford, I don't think you'll ever regret it.

"Pull the trigger and go bigger"

 

[blagg]

Yes what he said!!!!

 

[dcabernel]

Ok, I was leaning towards the 3240, now I'm not so sure. Seem people luv their 3540...

I was actually going to get a L3400 until I was convinced by other threads to go with the GrandL series. So maybe a comparison with it will help me. If I had a chance to try and L3400 and and L3240 side by side, would I find the 3240 had less ommph because of the slightly less HP and extra weight it carries.

My definition of ommph is quick and firm response, whatever that means. The opposite of slugishness maybe...

 

[lawn_king]

The grand l 30's are fine machines, no doubt about it. The grand l 40's have more bulk, weight, power and far superior electronics not to mention the hydrostat plus tranny. If you test run both machines, i cant imagine you would buy the 30 over the 40?

 

[The Gardener]

I am a firm believer in loading up on all of the extras no matter which tractor you purchase. This is the time to do it as others have said. The monthly payments [or the one payment] will rise insignificantly when compared to the benefits you will enjoy from the added features.

I prioritize as follows:

[1] hydraulic pump capacity for 'remotes'
* this is fairly consistent with h.p., but some tractors allocate varying GPM to different features. GPM will dictate what size attachments you can accomodate: grapple, auger/PHD, mowers, tiller, etc.

For example: The Kubota B26 has a 11.2 GPM total. However, it only allocates 7.0 GPM to the FEL and BH remotes. That limits the choices with regards to a hydraulic PHD or a grapple. Don't get me wrong. I love the B26. It is probably our next tractor.

[2] FEL lift capability
* this is the number that will determine which jobs you still have to hire out and how fast you can handle the jobs you choose to do yourself. Can you lift and carry said object or do you have to drag it on a plywood raft or something similar?

Every choice you make has benefits and trade-offs. The larger the tractor, the more it weighs. That creates issues of ruts in the lawn and/or other yard damage while working on a project. Storage is a biggie because a bigger tractor equates to bigger attachments which requires a bigger storage facility. You cannot leave this equipment outside if you want to maximize its resale value.

I think your making a great decision to factor in the consideration that you might move to a larger homestead. That's a tough variable to ponder, but it certainly impacts your planning. If that move seems likely, I would suggest planning for two Kubotas: not one.

Maybe you downsize your purchase at this time to a B-series tractor that can handle everything on your present acreage. I would think the B7800 or the B3030 w/ a Woods BH would be able to dig in your soil. Those are formidable tractors. Owners consistently post extremely favorable comments/accounts about their successes.

Then, if you move to a larger acreage, you can explore a Grand L at that time or a larger TLB. The M59 is a beast. Two machines such as a B-series and [the M59 or a Grand L] would allow you so much more flexibility in your project handling.

Just more ideas to consider ...

The Gardener

 

[orange4ever]

Love my 3540 also!! Get the LA724 and heavy duty bucket w/quick attach. Well worth the extra money

 

[canoetrpr]

Ok, I was leaning towards the 3240, now I'm not so sure. Seem people luv their 3540...

I was actually going to get a L3400 until I was convinced by other threads to go with the GrandL series. So maybe a comparison with it will help me. If I had a chance to try and L3400 and and L3240 side by side, would I find the 3240 had less ommph because of the slightly less HP and extra weight it carries.

My definition of ommph is quick and firm response, whatever that means. The opposite of slugishness maybe...

Don't think twice about it. I've got a L3400 and really like my machine but.... if I were doing it again, I would not think twice and would get the Grand L instead. oomph can be defined in many ways - one of them is hydraulic pump capacity - loader and 3 pt lift capacities etc.

Don't get me wrong - I really like my L3400. Nice simple machine that does everything I have ever asked of it. The L3240 offers definately offers quite a bit more value for not much more price. And GET the LA724 loader!