Buying Advice L3940

[toyocruiser]

Hey

I have been internet and catalog drooling over a L3940 for the last few months.
I finally stopped by a dealership today wanting to test drive a L3940 with GST transmission.
They did not have one but they did price me one out.
It came to 24,200 tractor GST and loader.
I was hoping for some tips as I have never purchased a new tractor.
Good price yes or no.(located central Alabama)
Also how happy are GST owners happy with them.

Thanks for all the help

 

[Whitnel]

When pricing a L3240 it was aroud 22 to 23k, that was a HST model. So that number sounds close. When I worked in AL last year I made alot of trips to Oxford for machine parts. There was a pretty good size dealer there, Beshers Kubota. They had alot of tractors on the lot. May give them a try and see if they have one to drive. I did not do any business with them so don't know what kind of people they are.

 

[PHILIP8N]

The L3940 is a very nice sized tractor. Reason you do not want HST+? Are you looking at quick attach on loader? Are you looking at standard buckert or HD round back bucket? I would also get 1 or 2 rear remotes. What will you be using for ballast on back? Philip.

 

[om21braz]

The price you have is good, approx. 15% off list. The L3940 GST seems to be a very good machine. A friend of mine has had one for about 3-4 years now with no hiccups at all and he is rough on equipment.

 

[NC4AB]

The price you quoted looks very good based on the pricing in my area.

I looked at and test drove a L3940 GST but wound up spending a little extra mnoney to upgrade to a L4240 which got me a heavier loader / 3 more hp.

As far as GST it depends on your use. We will be using the L4240 (when it gets here) primarily for agriculture (plowing / planting / spraying / corn picking / bush hogging). The GST just made sense for what we are going to use it for.

You might want to look at the HST for ease of use, there is not much difference in price between the 2 transmissions.

I would recommend thinking about adding at least 1 remote just in case you ever need it. I'm guessing it will be cheaper now than later.

 

[Tibbits]

I have GST on an L3430 and like it. I also have HST on a BX1500 and like it. GST benefits (my opinion): you can get more power as less is wasted than on the HST transmission, great for 'set it and forget' tasks like mowing, discing, plowing that require constant speed and direction. i also assume it is mechanically less complex than HST and may equate to less problems over the years and maybe cheaper repairs?? Using a FEL to move material is OK as no clutch work is needed (but not as easy as an HST).
HST is great for moving around (like mowing).And the larger tractors have cruise control so big jobs are OK as well. If you've never used a manual transmission, HST has a quick learning curve.
If I was buying a new tractor (which I wouldn't do), I'd do a lot of test driving between the two types since you hold the cards. I think I'd go with HST, but not sure. I haven't used HST for hard work with a tractor bigger than the BX1500, just mowing.

 

[TripleR]

The 3940/4240 are really nice size machines. I am sure GST machines have their place, but I prefer HST on this size tractor. I am constantly changing directions mowing and doing FEL work. I also do some pretty heavy digging with a box blade and the HST works well for this.

If I was going to be farming, I would consider GST, we have Hydraulic Shuttle Shift on our M8540.

 

[Agrantina]

The 3940 is an excellent tractor. I have 3240 GST and really like it.. Have about 100+ hrs on it and use it mostly for food plots and light farm work (gardens) The GST has been great and no regrets for me.. I know that some have said the HST-GST are the same price but not so with me. My dealer had a GST and flat told me that most folks walk right by it to look at the HST- Now the HST are WAY cool and easy to show wife-kids how to use, but for the $1000 diff I went with the GST. Now I do understand if you use a loader or you are in forward/rev alot-alot then I can see the need for the HST- For me- I dont have a FEL on mine right now- (maybe later) so after driving a geared tractor alot the GST was a big step up... Either way it choice as both are awesome...

AndyG

 

[Grateful11]

The HST is just so darn easy for anyone to use. Whether Bush Hogging, loading manure, moving round bales, even pulling a grain drill. In that size tractor it was a no brainer for us. Now when you get up into the over 100hp tractors it's gear drive and power shuttle for us.

 

[toyocruiser]

Thanks for all the replies and advice.
I have not ruled out the HST, but am al little more interested in the long term life of the GST. I know everyone will think I am knocking the HST but I am not.
I was raised around large farm tractors and heavy equipment most of which had a shuttle shift type transmission and have always been fond of the performance and reliability of this type of transmission.
I hear that the HST is dependable but I am not familar with the maintenance requirements of the HST.
Thanks for all the tips and advice.