Buying Advice L4310 GST - Urgent advice requested!

[mudisme]

Ok, I have been lurking for some time. I seek advice from
the gurus of tractors...so I came here first!

I was all set to buy a L3010 for landscaping use. The dealer
ordered it today!!!! It cost $17,400 with FEL (thanks for all the great posts)

The problem: The dealer has a L4310 GST that was ordered for someone else and the deal fell thru. He offer it to me today for $3100 more or $20,500, it too has a FEL.

What should I do? Would I miss the HST that much? Could I sell it in a couple of months and get my money out of it, if I wasn't satisfied?

I patiently await your responses.

Steve

 

[Bird]

Tough decisions, Steve. The 4310 would be considerably more tractor, and as far as I know there's nothing wrong with the GST, but for me personally, I just like the HST too much to change unless I had to.

Bird

 

[Thomas]

mudisme,
Maybe if you could make a deal w/ the dealer that you would trade it back in for the L3010,but I think you have better luck selling it out right to get your money back.

Just go w/ your gut feeling.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[mudisme]

Great idea Thomas! I will bring that up if I decide to go with the "Hoss".

Steve

 

[MarkV]

Steve,

I think my question would be, what kind of landscaping are we talking? If you are looking at large wide open areas the GST may work just fine for you. The extra horses are always nice. If you see yourself in tighter settings I would want the HST. Just 2 more cents.

MarkV

 

[mudisme]

Thanks Bird. That is what I wanted to know...I was leaning that way due to all the comments about the advantages of HST when working long days.

Just wanted to know if the deal I was offered was too good to pass up.

Many thanks,

Steve

PS - I was told my L3010 would arrive in 5-7 days with a day to set up. I got a call late today that they were sending someone to Atlanta to pick it tomorrow!

It is like Christmas day...when I was 10!!!

 

[Bird]

Congratulations, Steve. I know the feelings of anticipation./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Have fun with the new tractor.

Bird

 

[Billc]

Steve, looks like I'm late with my advice, but I will give you my 5 star advice anyway....o.k., maybe it's not 5 star, maybe it's more like a blue light special.

I'm with MarkV, how will you be using it? What's your property like, rolling or flat? About how many hours a week on average will you be using it? Mainly, and going back to what MarkV said, are you using it on wide open land, or stop and go situations?

Next I'll stick with Bird. HST is the only way to go if you are doing stop and go stuff. The HST is worth it's weight in gold. IMHO gears and GST are only for farming fields.

I have a M5400 that's gears, it's the only way it comes. I bought it instead of the 4310 HST. I wanted the extra hp, FEL lifting capacity, and because it was a "real" tractor. Plus the 5400 was about the same price as the 4310 HST. These are similar reasons why you were considering the 4310 GST.

I've learned over the last year that I spend a lot more of my time doing loader work, clearing my property, in general doing a lot of back and forth work rather than brush cutting large pastures. If I had it to do again I would buy the 4310 HST because it is so much easier to use. You don't have to do all that stopping and shifting. I know a GST is better than straight gears but it is still not a hydro.

The other day my neighbor had a small area cleared where he is going to build a barn. He didn't want to impose on me so he hired someone to do it. The guy used a Bobcat. Bobcats use a HST drive. I couldn't believe how fast he was. Everytime I watch someone with an HST I realize my mistake. I should have bought the HST to do all the clearing work and then, IF I wanted a bigger tractor for the brushcutting work, to buy it then.

Steve, don't get me wrong, I love my tractor. It has never given me even a second of grief. But it is not a HST. Get the HST.

Bill Cook

P.S. Hope this reinforces your decision.

 

[bsauter]

I'd have to agree about the HST. I have a L3010 HST Steve and it is a real workhorse. Over thanksgiving I ripped up 12,000 sq. ft. of sod with it and I was a believer.

Extra HP is always nice but I'd have to go with the HST if I had a choice. It is fast and easy to use.

Like the others said, think about your application and then make your choice. Good Luck!

Brad, Kubota L3010HST, loader, R4 tires
Pictures at http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=179207&a=9183978

 

[mudisme]

Thanks for the info Brian. Sincerely appreciate your opinion as well as your experiences.

I can't wait 'til my baby comes home!

Steve