This is my first post, but I have been reading posts here for some time. I think I have myself talked into a new L3400 Hst ,R4's and a FEL. Went to the local dealer and got a quote of $16,800. My question is, would the L3130 be a better bet for the 2-3K price jump? and if so, What about the new L3240? I Have 10 acres of rough mowing I do a couple times a year. A 250' drive that I plow in winter. I just built a house so I have a lot of landscaping projects to do. My place has a barn with stables and the wife wants horses. I intend to do a lot of loader work. The projects keep coming. Also I would love to get a BH someday. Any Suggestions? This site is great.
l3400,or Maybe a l3130 or ....
- Thread starter dtrank
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You know I looked long and hard at the l3400 as well considered an upgrade from my smallish JD 4100. Your price by the way of 16800 is very good from what I have seen. I believe the 3400 tractor lists for 13995 and the FEL is anywhere from 2700 to 3300 in my experience. My total quote was 17225 out the door.
But the l3400 is basically an economy tractor but with good power. Also a little lighter than the 3130. But the 3130 gives you more than 1 choice of loader, in my view a huge advantage over the 3400 and since you are contemplating alot of loader work, I would spring for the higher cost unit and install the biggest loader offered.
But the l3400 is basically an economy tractor but with good power. Also a little lighter than the 3130. But the 3130 gives you more than 1 choice of loader, in my view a huge advantage over the 3400 and since you are contemplating alot of loader work, I would spring for the higher cost unit and install the biggest loader offered.
Well you ask an often cussed and discussed question. I own an L3400HST with R4's, Kubota loader and a few other implements. For me, I could not see the extra expense for the L3130 that weighs more and has less horsepower.
The L3130 has several nice features the L3400 does not have. Both are excellent tractors and you would probably love either one.
I would suggest to look at the details and figure out what you are really looking for in a tractor and you will come to your own conclusion.
The L3400 is just a plain tractor with no bells and whistles. The L3130 has several upgrades with the major one probably being the hydraulic independent pto. I am sure others will jump in here and these are just my opinions. Good luck, Brian
The L3130 has several nice features the L3400 does not have. Both are excellent tractors and you would probably love either one.
I would suggest to look at the details and figure out what you are really looking for in a tractor and you will come to your own conclusion.
The L3400 is just a plain tractor with no bells and whistles. The L3130 has several upgrades with the major one probably being the hydraulic independent pto. I am sure others will jump in here and these are just my opinions. Good luck, Brian
Ben3130
Bronze Member
About a year ago I went through the same exact questions as you. I was looking at getting a L3400, wasn't even considering a Grand L. I went to the dealer to try out the L3400, and they had a L3130 sitting right next to it. I looked at them side by side, and immediately noticed the size difference (the Grand Ls are wider, as well as weighing more). Also, since the L3400 is an "economy" tractor, it was pretty bare bones. I wasn't looking for many bells and whistles, but the things that I did want (QA on the loader, a fully synchronized transmission, live independant PTO), I either couldn't get or had to pay to upgrade. Since all these features were standard on the Grand Ls, it really shifted my thinking. Factoring in these items and driving the GST (vs. the straight gear shift of the 3400), the 3130 became a no-brainer for me.
Also, you said you were thinking about a backhoe in the future. If you go with the Grand L 3130 with an LA723 loader (which is the largest loader you can get with the L3130), you can get the BH90 backhoe from Kubota. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this, but I'm pretty sure you can only get the BH75 backhoe with the L3400.
If you're really worried about the HP difference, then look at the L3430 (if it's in the budget), but I've yet to run into an HP problem with the L3130. I plow a 1/4 mile driveway for me and my neighbor using my 7' rear blade (gravel in the summer, snow in the winter), and it'll pull a full load of gravel uphill in low gear with no problem. If I get too big of bite into something, I always loose traction way before the engine would bog down. Granted, I do things in low gear (1-4 on GST, I'm never in a rush when using the tractor), but its got a ton of torque and power for anything I'd ever do with it.
I've just started bush hogging this spring, but so far it runs a 5' KK rotary cutter like it isn't there. I've read a lot of posts of 3130 owners running a 6' cutter without any problems, depending on how "rough" your cutting is.
Overall, I think you'll get more than your money's worth going to the L3130. It has enough important upgrades to make it well worth the money, IMHO. Good luck with your decision.
Also, you said you were thinking about a backhoe in the future. If you go with the Grand L 3130 with an LA723 loader (which is the largest loader you can get with the L3130), you can get the BH90 backhoe from Kubota. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this, but I'm pretty sure you can only get the BH75 backhoe with the L3400.
If you're really worried about the HP difference, then look at the L3430 (if it's in the budget), but I've yet to run into an HP problem with the L3130. I plow a 1/4 mile driveway for me and my neighbor using my 7' rear blade (gravel in the summer, snow in the winter), and it'll pull a full load of gravel uphill in low gear with no problem. If I get too big of bite into something, I always loose traction way before the engine would bog down. Granted, I do things in low gear (1-4 on GST, I'm never in a rush when using the tractor), but its got a ton of torque and power for anything I'd ever do with it.
I've just started bush hogging this spring, but so far it runs a 5' KK rotary cutter like it isn't there. I've read a lot of posts of 3130 owners running a 6' cutter without any problems, depending on how "rough" your cutting is.
Overall, I think you'll get more than your money's worth going to the L3130. It has enough important upgrades to make it well worth the money, IMHO. Good luck with your decision.
DraftHorse
Silver Member
I have a 3130 that uses a 6' Landpride 1872 Brush mower (darn thing is almost as long as my tractor). I have shreded 3" trees with it and didn't have a issue with the tractor at all.
As to the difference between the 513 and 723 loader option, I had to go to the 513 due to a clearence issue in my horse pen areas. Yea, I would have liked to have the added capacity that the 723 gave.
As to the 513 capability, I have a Bobcat QA set of forks that allows me to move 1200 to 1300 pound square hay bales, I move a carboy tank with 175 gals of water (1400 lbs) for some trees.
Bottom line, I love my 3130 with GST tractor. I have yet to find out as to what it can't do. The added weight and width do have a bearing in my opinion.
Peter
As to the difference between the 513 and 723 loader option, I had to go to the 513 due to a clearence issue in my horse pen areas. Yea, I would have liked to have the added capacity that the 723 gave.
As to the 513 capability, I have a Bobcat QA set of forks that allows me to move 1200 to 1300 pound square hay bales, I move a carboy tank with 175 gals of water (1400 lbs) for some trees.
Bottom line, I love my 3130 with GST tractor. I have yet to find out as to what it can't do. The added weight and width do have a bearing in my opinion.
Peter
RPK
Silver Member
I have an L3130 HST w/ LA723 loader QA bucket, BH90 backhoe, set of Q/A forks and a 7' Landpride rake and loaded rear tires. The HST is so easy to use. I don't do any mowing but I can imagine this would be a great machine to mow with. You probably would't want loaded tires for mowing though. I am in the woods most of the time and wanted the most stable tractor I could find. I have 160 hrs on it and would recommend it highly. Make sure you get the Quick Attach bucket system.
RPK
RPK