Buying Advice L4310 GST - Urgent advice requested!

mudisme · Jan 10, 2001

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 · Jan 10, 2001

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 · Jan 10, 2001

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 · Jan 10, 2001

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

Steve

MarkV · Jan 10, 2001

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 · Jan 10, 2001

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 · Jan 10, 2001

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

Bird

Billc · Jan 11, 2001

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 · Jan 11, 2001

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 · Jan 11, 2001

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

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

Steve

mudisme · Jan 11, 2001

Re: L4310 GST (DUH!)

Sorry about that Brad (calling you Brian...what a stupe!)

Thanks also for posting those pics...looks great!

Steve

mudisme · Jan 11, 2001

Bill,

Since you are a "Gold Member"...let's call your advice golden.

I have really gotten some great advice and that includes yours. Nice to hear from someone who has the GST. I will be using my tractor for clearing on my property but it will primarily be used in landscaping work, so I definitely think the HST is the way to go.

Thanks again,

Steve

PaulB · Jan 11, 2001

Maybe too late to chime in, but for me HST is essential - wouldn't consider a tractor without it.

ScottF · Jan 11, 2001

I know I'm also comming in late with my 1-1/2 cents worth (I'm working up to the full 2 cents) but here it is anyway. I'll probably be the only one going against the grain here, but I might opt for the 4310 (your dealer's price seems in line with what I've seen around here). I had a L2900DT (older version of the 3010) and traded up for a L4310DT. The L2900 did fine and did everything I wanted, but I wanted more power and a little more lift from the FEL (note key word "wanted" not "needed"). I stayed with the regular gear tranny (yeah I know, I can hear everyone's keyboard warming up getting ready to tell me I should have gone with the HST) - I'm not old, but I guess you can call me old fashioned - I like Kubota's syncro gear trans - almost impossible to grenade! However, most of what I do with mine is cut grass - the extra ponnies help on a 6' cutter in high grass. I have used a HST and they work great - I can see how someone would get spoiled.

Anyway, I said all that to say this, I have no complaints about my 4310 with the gear trans. Personally I think you'll be happy with either one. Good luck.

Scott

mudisme · Jan 11, 2001

Hi Scott and thanks for the reply. All opinions are welcomed! There is no right or wrong opinion here as it depends on the type of work and personal preferences.

I think I will stick with the L3010 due to the type of work I will be doing. Having a larger tractor would have it's advantages and disadvantages. Also, the type of work I will be doing with alot of stopping, starting and backing up make me think the HST is the way to do.

Thanks again,

Steve

ScottF · Jan 11, 2001

Steve,
For the stop and go work you'll be doing I think you're probably making the right decision. Good luck with your new tractor/w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif - I know you'll enjoy it.

Scott

gordon · Jan 12, 2001

For landscaping go with a HST trans no if's no ands and no buts!!! Night and day for alot of forward and backward work. Your production will be alot higher with the HST.
Gordon

MChalkley · Jan 13, 2001

I miss the old days. Back then, when someone posted a question about hydrostatic vs. hydro-clutch vs. straight manual, I (and Bird) raved about HST, then, for the next week or so, the position had to be defended against all the nay-sayers. Nowadays, by the time I get to post a response to the topic, 15 people (including Bird, of course - some things never change) have already said it all. And there's barely a whimper of disentment. Sigh... Maybe I should switch sides just to keep things interesting. Of course, then I'd have to buy another tractor to keep from being a hypocrite. Maybe an M9999... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

MarkC

gordon · Jan 13, 2001

How times change, I used to be one of the guys fighting you and Bird about the HST versus GST. Until I got to use a HST for a hundred hours or so this past spring. Then I changed sides, live and learn.

But after using a GST for so long it took a few hours to get used to the HST. Had to remember the foot pedal---not the throttle---not the throttle---not the throttle. Once I got that through my think skull. My production went way up, amazing isn't it, when you work the tractor instead of the tractor working you how much you can get done.

Gordon