L3430 for L3540

[OrangeGuy]

In July 2003 I purchased a new Kubota Grand L3430 HSTC equipped with a 723 FEL, 72" bucket, Bobcat quick attach, one remote, big turf tires, rear wiper, radio kit, and rear lights. The tractor now has approximately 275 hours on it. All scheduled and recommended maintenance has been performed. No other service required. The tractor looks as good as the day it was delivered. This tractor has met and exceeded all my expectations. I don't need anything larger, faster, better.

However...a new Kubota Grand L3540 equipped as above is beckoning me to the dealer showroom. Common sense says the tractor I have will last for the next 20 plus years. Although the new 40 series has some nice new features, I really don't "need" them... or do I? Would I be totally off base to trade my wonderful 3430 just to have the latest and greatest? If only the 3430 had had some problems. If only it didn't lift enough, or push enough, or heat enough, or cool enough, or not start instantly always, or something, it would be much easier to justify sending it on its way for a new one. Oh the agony of this perdicament.

So... any guesses on how much I should have to pay to boot to put this issue behind me?

OrangeGuy

 

[andover farmer]

GO FOR IT!

AS THEY SAY LIFE'S SHORT AND YA GOIN TO BE DEAD FOR A LONG TIME!

I HAVE THE SAME SITUATION. HAD A L3010HST FEL W/ 210HRS. THE TRADE-IN VALUE WAS AN INSULT SO I SOLD IT @ $500 BELOW RETAIL AND BOUGHT A NEW 4330HSTC W/ FEL CASH. SAVED $4,000 OVER DEALER TRADE-IN / PURCHSE QUOTES.

 

[rattler]

What features on the 40 series has you so smitten? I am going through a similar evaluation not currently owning a tractor but weighing the difference in price from the discounted 30 series to the "not discounted" 40 series and asking myself if there is enough difference in feature set to warrant the additional expenditure.

 

[OrangeGuy]

Thanks for the sage advice andover farmer. You're right. Life is short and we should enjoy every minute.

rattler, there are no particular features of the new 40 series that has me "smitten". I just completed a rather successful business deal and thought I should reward myself by purchasing something new. I'm good on cars and truck. My next car will be the new 2008 Camaro as a fun car for my wife and me. ATV is good as is the fishing boat. Got all the tools I need. Well maybe not all the tools, but I add them gradually so little financial pain there. I thought about trading my Kubota F2260 front mower ('98 model with 800 hours) but the new ones (80 series) require a 72" mower to get enough extension beyond the wheels with the mower to adequately trim up against abstacles in the yard. I want to stay with a 60" mower. So that left the Kubota 3430. Hopefully the trade price will be just enough to satisfy my desire to reward myself and not so high that I'm just blowing away money. Your point is well taken about the remaining 30 series being discounted to move them out and the 40 series looking for early adopters willing to pay a premium price. I guess I will get a trade price and see if the number satisfies my desire or extinguishes it. Thanks for your reply.

OrangeGuy

 

[Bob_Young]

You'll kick yourself from now 'til the middle of next year if the 3540 has any kind of problem...and, it being a new model, there's bound to be a few. If the L3430 works well for you, hang onto it. I read enough tales of woe on this forum (in all colors) to count my blessings. My Kubotas aren't the latest or the greatest, but they're sure reliable, get the job done and don't have issues. I remind myself of that forcefully whenever I start drooling over tractors I don't need.

If you're determined to go ahead anyway, you might want to wait 'til they work the bugs out of the L40s. Better yet, consider a second tractor (well...second Kubota, I see you're overrun with ACs); something like a B model with turfs for that light touch around the yard. I can't believe how useful my B7610 has been....thought I was nuts when I bought it; now think it was some of the best money I've ever spent.

FWIW
Bob

 

[GarthH]

Hi Orangeguy

I am just looking at a 3430, maybe we could make a deal on increasing the value at a tradein. Our local dealer is getting a 3430 in the next week and will be giving me a price. If you are interested send me an email garth.hetterly@shaw.ca

Garth

 

[john_bud]

rattler, there are no particular features of the new 40 series that has me "smitten". I just completed a rather successful business deal and thought I should reward myself by purchasing something new.
OrangeGuy

Orange,

Keep the tractor. Get a Backhoe with a hydraulic thumb, 3 buckets (12, 18, 24"), a front grapple bucket and a retro-fit loader joystick control that has function buttons to actuate the grapple.



jb

 

[OrangeGuy]

Thanks for the replies!

I am not too concerned about purchasing the first tractor of a new model from Kubota. All three of my past Kubotas were purchased in the first year they were introduced. None have ever needed any service other than regular maintenance (close to 1500 hours total). In addition, the major change from the 30's to 40's is the HST Plus. However, thats not new technology to hydrostatics and I 'm very confident in Kubota's ability to incorporate this technology into their tractors.

Adding a B Series (or BX) to update my aging Allis Chalmers 620 is a possibility, but I suspect alot more dollars to move up. Plus...I only put about 20 hours a year on the 620 and I kind of like the old girl. She's been around for 30 years, and just like the wife, I'd like to keep her around.

OrangeGuy

 

[n8wrl]

Having just traded a low-hours tractor myself, I'd say go for more of an upgrade. Either something substantial for the 3430 (like a backhoe as suggested) or a bigger bump in HP. I went from 3130 to 5030 and love it. The delta was not huge, but I suspect that's partly because of the end-of-line for the L30 series.

Life IS too short, but so is $$. Max out your Roths first, maybe a 529 gift to kids, grandkids, nephews, neices, etc? Sorry - I sound like my Dad. Of course, he retired at 53...

-Brian

 

[Croomrider]

Wait 6 months or so until the 30 series are all sold off of dealers lots at huge discounts. Your L3430 will be worth more as a used tractor then and the L-3540 might be getting some better discounts from Kubota.