Price Check L3240 Price Check

[cschlaps]

Thanks to all of you here on TBN - I've been lurking here for a couple of years, and am finally about to pull the trigger on a tractor. I started in the JD 790 or Kubota L2800/3400 range, and have worked my way up to the L3240. The looming 4% price increase was the kick in the pants that I needed!

Anyway, here is the package:
L3240HST w/ R1's
LA724 Loader w/ Quick Tach
L2296 72" HD bucket w/ cutting edge
BH90 Backhoe w/ subframe
BT2903 18" Bucket

Implements are still TBD, but will likely be a 72" box blade, pallet forks, and a 72" landscape rake.

Total pre-tax MSRP is $31,076. Dealer is knocking 15% off, for a total of $26,495. From my research, that seems like a decent price. Any comments?

Also, does anyone have a recommendation for a toothbar that will fit the 72" HD Kubota bucket? Woods has one for around $400. Do I still need to buy the cutting edge with the bucket, or does the toothbar replace that?

I'm open to any advice that folks can offer. I've seen the threads on adjusting the auto-throttle, and will do that right away. I've also seen threads about some issues with the quick tach, and need to research that a bit more. Thanks!

Chris

 

[TalonDancer]

...Anyway, here is the package:
L3240HST w/ R1's
LA724 Loader w/ Quick Tach
L2296 72" HD bucket w/ cutting edge
BH90 Backhoe w/ subframe
BT2903 18" Bucket

Implements are still TBD, but will likely be a 72" box blade, pallet forks, and a 72" landscape rake.

Total pre-tax MSRP is $31,076. Dealer is knocking 15% off, for a total of $26,495. From my research, that seems like a decent price. Any comments?...

That looks like a very competitive price. My L3240 w/ R4s but a smaller 66" HD bucket and 12" BH bucket was a little more than that.

I'd try to link the implements into the total package if you can. You will not have this much leverage again soon

Talon Dancer

 

[TalonDancer]

...
Also, does anyone have a recommendation for a toothbar that will fit the 72" HD Kubota bucket? Woods has one for around $400. Do I still need to buy the cutting edge with the bucket, or does the toothbar replace that?...

These babies are heavy. So you probably don't want to be swapping them. And from what I've read ,the bolt holes don't line up anyway. I'd pick one or the other, depending on your planned usage.

Several folks here say the cutting edge is just not needed on an HD bucket unless you are working on concrete a lot. I got it mainly because I wanted the extra stiffness to lift large flattish rocks that won't fit in the bucket by hooking the top edge of the rock under the top pipe rail and then carry the full weight on the lip of the bucket.

Hopefully the tooth bar fans will post their main uses.

Talon Dancer

 

[cschlaps]

Thanks Talon Dancer. I'm suprised that it's been so quiet since your post about the toothbars!

I'm considering going back to the standard duty 72" QA bucket, which saves me about $500 between the cutting edge and the HD bucket. It doesn't seem the HD is worth it, especially since I still need a box blade and pallet forks....

I'll be going back to the dealer this Saturday to firm up the package - will try to work in a shop manual and 50 hr service in the package as well. We'll see how that goes over.

Are there any other recommendations for extra goodies that might come in handy down the road? I'm considering a rear worklight, 3rd function valve for the loader, maybe a PTO slip clutch. Any thoughts or comments from anyone?

Chris

 

[davitk]

I bought an L3240 one month ago, standard duty bucket. My only regret is not getting the HD round back bucket - would be much easier to clean clay from and no doubt will be mixing concrete and morter in it, so round would have been nice. Just my 2 cents.

 

[cschlaps]

Good point. Glad that you've been so pleased with the tractor otherwise! Maybe the extra couple hundred is worth it after all. I guess in the whole scheme of things, why not?

Am going to the dealer at 8am tomorrow morning to sign the paperwork...wish me luck!

Chris

 

[TalonDancer]

I bought an L3240 one month ago, standard duty bucket. My only regret is not getting the HD round back bucket - would be much easier to clean clay from and no doubt will be mixing concrete and morter in it, so round would have been nice. Just my 2 cents.

I love my HD66" ROUND back bucket. Yes I know a square back will dump loose soil etc. But a round back will dump almost any material (even when wet) with little or no sticking. And for those times when you are shoveling out the bucket (e.g. close quarters, etc) it is very easy to fully empty (or clean out) with a standard shovel.

And, of course, it is a great deal stronger

Talon Dancer

 

[Double Orange]

I'll be going back to the dealer this Saturday to firm up the package - will try to work in a shop manual and 50 hr service in the package as well.

Chris

If your dealer balks at the 50 hr service, ask him to include the filters and fluids. The actual labor is easy, plus it allows you to bond with your new girl friend!
2 chain hooks welded to the bucket are handy. I have front and rear work lights, and find myself using them more often than I originally thought!

Good Luck !!

 

[davitk]

2 chain hooks welded to the bucket are handy.
Good Luck !!

I was an embarrassingly poor negotiator but did manage to squeeze a couple of orange bucket hooks out of my dealer. Good luck today!

 

[cschlaps]

Well, the deal is done. Ended up with the HD round back bucket too. Delivery is coming this Friday

Couldn't pull off much more negotiating because their pricing is pretty darn good, but did get a 6' box blade for about $300, and they'll give me a discount on the 50 hr service. Delivery is also included in the price. Will also be able to get a set of QA forks for $500, but he didn't have any right now, so I'll have to go back for those later.

I can get a shop manual from them at their cost if I want, but he questioned if it was worth it or not. I can think about that a bit...

Thanks again, TBN! I don't think I'll be able to sleep at all on Thursday night!

 

[davitk]

You lucky dog. Congrats!

 

[jarbill]

Hey, Chris:

Congrats on your purchase.

Before I saw your post that you had made the plunge, I was going to tell you that I bought an L3240 just yesterday as follows:

L3240 FST 4WD
R4 tires (loaded in rear and slimed in front)
LA724 loader w/QA bucket
Land Pride medium duty rotary cutter (2" capacity)
Kubota orange canopy

$20,002 delivered.

The HST tranny here was a $2,400 upgrade from the FST. I figured for that kind of money, I would shift gears myself and buy some more implements later if I wanted them, like a post-hole digger, forks, and bale spear.

Jerry in Texas

 

[TalonDancer]

Well, the deal is done. Ended up with the HD round back bucket too. Delivery is coming this Friday ...

Congrats you're gonna love it

BTW if you don't post pictures by Sunday afternoon*, no one will answer any of your questions again

Talon Dancer

* Note: this is the maximum grace period for new tractor owners that have a hard time getting off their tractor and back online

 

[cschlaps]

Hey, Chris:

Congrats on your purchase.

Before I saw your post that you had made the plunge, I was going to tell you that I bought an L3240 just yesterday as follows:

L3240 FST 4WD
R4 tires (loaded in rear and slimed in front)
LA724 loader w/QA bucket
Land Pride medium duty rotary cutter (2" capacity)
Kubota orange canopy

$20,002 delivered.

The HST tranny here was a $2,400 upgrade from the FST. I figured for that kind of money, I would shift gears myself and buy some more implements later if I wanted them, like a post-hole digger, forks, and bale spear.

Jerry in Texas

Jerry,

Congratulations on yours! When is your delivery coming?

I had planned on the FST for a long time. I'm a manual transmission addict, and had no problem driving the FST. But after reading a TON of posts here, and talking to a lot of different people at various dealers, I decided to eat the extra cost for the HST. I'll be doing a lot of loader work, and will be moving through some tight spots while I clear out some of my property...so that was enough to convince me. It ended up being around an extra $1500 for me. Hopefully I don't regret it!

Enjoy your new tractor. We'll be looking forward to pictures.

Chris

 

[Northland]

Chris-15% off is a very good discount-sounds like you got a great deal on a very heavy-duty and capable rig-congratulations-I am envious

I have a Markham toothbar on my 60" bucket and it is very good-great value for the $270 or so that I paid. However, WR Long has a new toothbar that doesn't have edges underneath so it makes it for much smoother back-grading. With this style of toothbar style you could leave it on all winter as well. I would buy one of them today if I didn't have the Markham already.

As far as other options to reccomend it all depends on what you will be doing with your L3240. I have a bucket grapple with loader valve kit that I use for moving logs/trees for firewood that has also come in handy for moving rocks. For $1000 that has been a good value for my needs. So has the $117 carry-all.

 

[jarbill]

Jerry,

Congratulations on yours! When is your delivery coming?

Chris

It's supposed to be delivered this Saturday. I can't wait.

Jerry in Texas

 

[cschlaps]

Chris-15% off is a very good discount-sounds like you got a great deal on a very heavy-duty and capable rig-congratulations-I am envious

I have a Markham toothbar on my 60" bucket and it is very good-great value for the $270 or so that I paid. However, WR Long has a new toothbar that doesn't have edges underneath so it makes it for much smoother back-grading. With this style of toothbar style you could leave it on all winter as well. I would buy one of them today if I didn't have the Markham already.

As far as other options to reccomend it all depends on what you will be doing with your L3240. I have a bucket grapple with loader valve kit that I use for moving logs/trees for firewood that has also come in handy for moving rocks. For $1000 that has been a good value for my needs. So has the $117 carry-all.

Thanks for the heads-up on the WR Long. I had heard about that, so it's good to hear of some actual experience with it. A bucket grapple would be nice someday...

How much snow do you have up there in Searchmont, Northland?

 

[Northland]

Thanks for the heads-up on the WR Long. I had heard about that, so it's good to hear of some actual experience with it. A bucket grapple would be nice someday...

How much snow do you have up there in Searchmont, Northland?

Here's the link for that tooth-bar. A tooth-bar is a terrific upgrade for digging even if you have a backhoe

Tooth Bars TB, STB, and ITB

Long makes very good products-contact Nelson Long

My snowbanks here are over 10 feet high!

I am running out of room to pile the snow. I was going to buy a Woods 60" snowblower from a guy in Harbor Springs (not far from Petosky) but someone came along and bought it from him before I got down there. Now I am again looking for a good used 60" blower.

My FEL/rear blade works well until I run out of room to pile it-like I have now.

 

[cschlaps]

Here's the link for that tooth-bar. A tooth-bar is a terrific upgrade for digging even if you have a backhoe

Tooth Bars TB, STB, and ITB

Long makes very good products-contact Nelson Long

My snowbanks here are over 10 feet high!

I am running out of room to pile the snow. I was going to buy a Woods 60" snowblower from a guy in Harbor Springs (not far from Petosky) but someone came along and bought it from him before I got down there. Now I am again looking for a good used 60" blower.

My FEL/rear blade works well until I run out of room to pile it-like I have now.

Thanks for the link - I'll give them a call tomorrow.

10' high snow banks? Then it's definitely time for a snowblower!

Chris

 

[cschlaps]

An update:

Unfortunately, I found out today that delivery is going to be delayed because of an area shortage of Rim Guard, and a missing backhoe subframe. Not a big deal....except that over the course of the next 24 hours, we're supposed to get 12" of white stuff here in SE Michigan.

But wait, there is good news! Dealer offered (without being prodded) to loan me a tractor until they get the new one put together. So they'll be dropping off a Grand L to use tomorrow in the snow

TalonDancer, I wouldn't feel right posting pictures of a tractor that isn't mine...so pics will have to wait.... But at least I'll get to have some fun tomorrow