L3240 - which Loader and options?

[Germankru]

Hi, I'm looking to purchase my first tractor and am strongly leaning towards the L3240. I've stopped by my local dealer and also been in contact with Barlow's. My local dealer says I should get the standard LA514 loader and he rarely if ever sells the LA724 loader. When I was in contact with Brady at Barlow's via email for price comparisons (great prices by the way 1.5-2k below local dealer) he strongly recommended the LA724 for it's added strength, capacity and future resale value. Any input?

In addition, what other options would anyone recommend for this purchase. I'd like get a tractor that will last a very long time and handle future needs.

I'm planning on getting the mid PTO, BH77 w/ Mech Thumb and R4 tires.

Property:
10 Acres - 8 Woods, 2 Lawn
I'll be doing a lot of landscaping, grading and trail making in the woods. Plan on a small garden of 20'x12', excavation for 2 utility sheds and have 20+ 8'-32' stumps to dig out.

Thanks in advance!

 

[kuboman]

Hi, I'm looking to purchase my first tractor and am strongly leaning towards the L3240. I've stopped by my local dealer and also been in contact with Barlow's. My local dealer says I should get the standard LA514 loader and he rarely if ever sells the LA724 loader. When I was in contact with Brady at Barlow's via email for price comparisons (great prices by the way 1.5-2k below local dealer) he strongly recommended the LA724 for it's added strength, capacity and future resale value. Any input?

In addition, what other options would anyone recommend for this purchase. I'd like get a tractor that will last a very long time and handle future needs.

I'm planning on getting the mid PTO, BH77 w/ Mech Thumb and R4 tires.

Property:
10 Acres - 8 Woods, 2 Lawn
I'll be doing a lot of landscaping, grading and trail making in the woods. Plan on a small garden of 20'x12', excavation for 2 utility sheds and have 20+ 8'-32' stumps to dig out.

Thanks in advance!

Definitely get the bigger loader and I would get at least on rear remote maybe 2 and the 3rd function for loader if you think you might need hydraulics out the front for a grapple or something.

 

[Verticaltrx]

Personally if it were me I'd have a hard time deciding between the two loaders. It really depends on how you'll be using the tractor. If you were going to be using it a lot for loading trucks, moving building materials, lifting building materials, etc I'd go for the bigger loader (lots of heavy and high lifting.) If you are mostly going to be moving dirt with the bucket IMO the smaller loader is more than adequate.

One other thing to consider, if you go with the bigger loader you better get the R4 industrial tires. The bigger capacity really would max out the small R1 ag tires on the front of an L3240. The turf tires might be a little better, but still aren't great for that much weight. IMO the LA 514 loader would make for a better balanced tractor, but then again, most people only want the biggest thing they can buy.

 

[soilsailor]

I concur with the bigger loader. I just took delivery of a L3540 with the 724. You cannot go wrong with a beefier loader IMO.

I had one set of remotes added. I wish I would have gotten the third function valve as I'm already working to add a "thumb" grapple.

6' tiller may be this weekend...

Oh yeah, bought the 72" ratchet rake on sale at TSC last weekend.

 

[Germankru]

Thank you all very much for the feedback! I'm leaning toward the bigger loader personally as I feel I only get one shot and might as well go bigger. With the BH77 on and the larger loader I would think things would balance out. I am planning to get the R4 tires filled and the wheels spaced out (i have some hilly terrain). As for loader use, I'll mostly be moving piles of dirt, gravel, wood , rocks and mulch around. Knocking down some trees and perhaps using it for my shed construction (bolt on pallet forks perhaps). I have a 1/2 mile private paved road so would do snow clearing as well.

I'm planning on a quick attach bucket, any recommendations on size and std vs hd? The L3240 I tested out today had the wheels spaced out pretty far so the width looked close to 6'.

Thanks for all the input, in the last 2 weeks I've become obsessed over tractors.

 

[Mbrowland]

As you I started with the 3240 but wanted a bigger loader so I spent a few more pennies and moved up to the 3940. I take delivery on Saturday.

 

[Baby Grand]

<snip>

I'm planning on a quick attach bucket, any recommendations on size and std vs hd? The L3240 I tested out today had the wheels spaced out pretty far so the width looked close to 6'.

Thanks for all the input, in the last 2 weeks I've become obsessed over tractors.

I have the 6' HD bucket with the cutting edge. It's a nice match to the LA724 loaded and the tractor width. You might consider a toothbar, depending on how you will be using the loader.

I'd get 2 or 3 rear remotes while you have some negotiating room with the dealer. Wished I'd done it, but didn't know any better at the time.

About the obsession thing. It just gets worse. But you are among friends, here. Onset of Stage II obsession is characterized by a fascination with attachments.

 

[wmonroe]

Definately the bigger loader, quick attach bucket, at least one rear remote, block heater. Will the mid pto be to power a front implement? if so i would get the 3rd function hydraulics. Good choice going with the backhoe and mechanical thumb.
Spending someone elses money is so easy! I actually have a grand L ordered that should be here any day and went with all the above options except the mid pto.

 

[TripleR]

Under "there always has to be at least one", if I was putting the bh on one, I would go with at least the 3540. I recall a poster commenting on his 3240 being weak going up hills with all of that added weight.

 

[wmonroe]

Thats a good point about moving up a little in HP due to the extra weight. The BH92 hoe weighs in around 1800 lbs so i'm sure the BH77 isn't too far off of that.

 

[nybirdman]

With a BH,I too would recommend the L3540,724 Loader and HD roundback bucket.My L3130 wasn't underpowered but I didn't have a BH on either.

 

[Germankru]

Thank you all very much for the feedback, to think I started my search looking at the BX2660 and B2620 models. :confused2:

So now I staring clearly at a $30-$40k bill for this tractor, I think the wife is going to kill me.

Just so I'm clear:

The mid-PTO would allow me the option to run a front Snow blower or sweeper, I don't have intentions of using it right away but it seems like a minor cost given the grand some and allows me the option.

For the 3rd function and rear remotes, That would allow me to use a grapple, front blade with angle adjustment and what else?

The point about power is a good one given the heavier loader and Backhoe. Using the Build your Kubota the L3240HST and L3940HST price out at $41,500 and $44,500 approximately with all remotes, 3rd function, LA724, BH92 w/ Mech Thumb and QA 16" bucket, QA 72" HD round bucket, Mid-PTO. :shocked:

 

[kcender]

Under "there always has to be at least one", if I was putting the bh on one, I would go with at least the 3540. I recall a poster commenting on his 3240 being weak going up hills with all of that added weight.

That would be me,I think.I have an L3240 with a LA724 loader,BH90 backhoe,and loaded R4 tires.I would guess that the whole unit with all fluids weighs around 7700 pounds.This puts it at the low end of power to weight for a tractor.When I discussed this with my dealer he indicated I would have to go to at least a 4240 to have a noticeable increase in power.That being said I am able to do a lot of work with the 3240,it just takes longer than it would with a more powerful tractor.As far as the backhoe,I find they never have enough reach to do everything I would like to do and because of that I would suggest you consider the BH90 or 92.The tractor does have enough weight to handle the larger backhoe.I have mixed feelings about my 3240.In hindsight I think I would have been better off buying a used backhoe for what I am doing which is levelling my property.I don't ever use the three point hitch.One positive thing about the 3240 is that it is easy on fuel.With diesel approaching $1.50 a liter here in Canada the cost of running the tractor is becoming more of a concern all the time.I think the L3240 is a good tractor but it seems like a lot of tractor for the power it has,just my opinion.

 

[crazyangel]

For the 3rd function and rear remotes, That would allow me to use a grapple, front blade with angle adjustment and what else?

Right on with those attachments for the 3rd function valve. You could also run a 4-1 bucket and front blower chute angle with that. The rear remotes are great for a top-n-tilt setup on a rear blade, wood splitter, etc. I am guessing they will be required for the BH setup too. Some guys will use the rear remotes to operate a grapple too by running a line hydraulic hose from the rear remote to the front of the loader. It's not as sexy as the 3rd function valve, but it works.

The point about power is a good one given the heavier loader and Backhoe. Using the Build your Kubota the L3240HST and L3940HST price out at $41,500 and $44,500 approximately with all remotes, 3rd function, LA724, BH92 w/ Mech Thumb and QA 16" bucket, QA 72" HD round bucket, Mid-PTO. :shocked:

The Build Your Kubota tool is a great place to start as you are figuring out options. It was such a great learning tool for me. Keep in mind that you should be able to get 10 to 12 percent below the price listed on the website when you start to talk seriously with your dealer. You might even do better if you are a good negotiator

 

[TripleR]

That would be me,I think.I have an L3240 with a LA724 loader,BH90 backhoe,and loaded R4 tires.I would guess that the whole unit with all fluids weighs around 7700 pounds.This puts it at the low end of power to weight for a tractor.When I discussed this with my dealer he indicated I would have to go to at least a 4240 to have a noticeable increase in power.That being said I am able to do a lot of work with the 3240,it just takes longer than it would with a more powerful tractor.As far as the backhoe,I find they never have enough reach to do everything I would like to do and because of that I would suggest you consider the BH90 or 92.The tractor does have enough weight to handle the larger backhoe.I have mixed feelings about my 3240.In hindsight I think I would have been better off buying a used backhoe for what I am doing which is levelling my property.I don't ever use the three point hitch.One positive thing about the 3240 is that it is easy on fuel.With diesel approaching $1.50 a liter here in Canada the cost of running the tractor is becoming more of a concern all the time.I think the L3240 is a good tractor but it seems like a lot of tractor for the power it has,just my opinion.

I knew I had read it somewhere. My wife and I started out looking at a 3240, but figured fairly early on that it was not going to have enough power and settled on a 4240. Before we ordered it a used 5030 came along at a considerable savings.

We went the used backhoe route quite a few years ago when we had need of a bh and it paid for itself. We now just rent an excavator or bh on the rare occasion one is needed.

No doubt the 32/3540 work well for some people or they wouldn't make them.

 

[alaskakubota]

Get the bigger backhoe. Either the 90 or 92. So much better than the 77. I had a 3130 for three years with the backhoe and it worked great. If I had alot of loader work, I would take the hoe off as I couldnt get enough downward pressure on the front bucket. It would just float. That backhoe was a hoss. The 32 will be great on fuel esp when you run 2400 rpms for the hoe. My new 57 would go through twice as much fuel.

THe 32 will work just fine. You will just have to go slower. I run in very muddy conditions up here where my tires sink in at least a foot. Like a clay substance. The 5740 will run med/high range around 5 mph. The 3130 would run right at around 2 mph with full bucket. If time is no big issue, the 32 will work fine.

As i have never owned a 35 or 3940, I dont know how big of a jump that is for seat of the pants. I went big power for loader work.

As other have stated, get it with at least one rear remote, 3rd function, and R4's.

 

[camer]

I have the 724 loader and have a 7 1/2 western plow on it. It handles it with no problem and with the bigger bucket you can move a lot more dirt quicker.