New Kubota L3400

[curly]

Hello people,

I'm new and also gonna be a first time tractor owner. We have been given 20acres by my wife's mother which may be 40 acres soon if the neighbor sells us 20 acres. Probably about 7-10 acres that need to be bush hogged. There are about a million pine trees down from pine beetles and that will also be a large part of what I'm doing, cleaning up that mess.

Most of the land is wooded and will remain that way, but I'll be dragging downed trees up to be split for firewood.

I plan on getting the L3400 with fel and bushog. What else will I need to go with those 2 attachments? Weights, canopy, anything that I can matbe get a deal on now.

I have only been lurking here for about a day or so but I read where someones backhoe caused a crack because it was mounted on a 3ot rather than a 4 pt mounting. Is that something I need to worry about...since I'm not getting a bh, is it only a bh problem?

Thanks,
Curly

 

[canoetrpr]

curly:

Welcome. The L3400 is indeed a nice machine and I expect it will do the job well for you. I have the HST model.

I just got the tires loaded about a year and a half after purchase and it makes a heck of a difference - so be sure to get that done upfront.

I regret not getting remotes and TnT right off the bat. I'll probably add these but it is always easier to get it done as part of the deal. If you are doing any grading TnT will help substantially.

If you are not getting a backhoe, definately get a toothbar for the FEL. I got mine as part of the deal but others here have one from Markham Welding and are quite happy with it.

Get chain hooks welded onto the bucket as part of the deal also. Great for moving around trees.

You *may* want to consider also looking at the L3240 with the LA723 loader. It is a bit more money but you do get a fair bit for it - in particular the LA723 loader seems quite good. Don't get me wrong - the loader on my L3400 is more than capable. Was just moving around bucket fulls of gravel this weekend with no trouble at all.

I would not worry at all about the cracks thread or any one of or two of issues you hear on this board - mine or anyone elses. The reality is that problems of any kind generally surface to the top and they occur with all brands. Unless you see something to be a general trend that is being reported by many many users, don't let it influence your decision much. That said, if you are getting a backhoe be sure to get one with a stout subframe rather than a 3PT model. I'm sure that there are those that use a 3PT hoe with no problems but there is no question that it will stress the rear end compared to a sub-frame.

On the whole the L3400HST is a great no frills machine

 

[Marcussen]

I would also get a box blade, it works great in combination with the FEL. The canopy depends on if you are using the tractor in areas with low hanging branches. (Get an easily removable canopy). I don't think you need any weights.

 

[curly]

... I have the HST model....

Is that like an automatic? I've tried to figure that out exactly what HST stands for. How about in English, what does that give you that the gears don't.

OK, I went and read a couple of threads on HST and I think I'm getting the standard gears...I guess I just like to do my own shifting. Now is there something I'm missing here or do some people actually prefer the manual shift?

...I just got the tires loaded about a year and a half after purchase ...

He said it comes with the back tires loaded with water and anti-freeze...is that what you mean?

...If you are not getting a backhoe, definately get a toothbar for the FEL. I got mine as part of the deal but others here have one from Markham Welding and are quite happy with it...

Thanks, I'll get that added.

...Get chain hooks welded onto the bucket as part of the deal also. Great for moving around trees...

Thanks, I'll get that added as well.

 

[TalonDancer]

I've driven 4&5 speed manual transmissions for decades... but I am getting a L3240 HST.

The manual shift on a tractor is different than on a car/truck. You change the gears with the gear shifter by your right hand BUT you change the direction (forward and reverse) with a "shuttle" stalk on the left side of the steering column and increase/decrease engine speed with a stalk on the right side of the steering column. Backing up slowly, changing gears and pulling away forward quickly requires both feet and three hands

With a standard HST you switch from forward to reverse with your right foot. With the HST plus in the 40 series (e.g. L3240) this pedal can optionally be used as both forward/reverse and a "gas pedal" in either direction. This makes it more like a car/truck. But the best part is an HST will hold the tractor still at idle while switching from forward to reverse without pressing the brake. Not so important for flat-landers but us hill-folks don't like rolling down them backwards by accident

You might also want to look at the GST which is sort of like a 'manual automatic'. You still shift between forward and reverse using the stalk on the steering column. But it has a "gas pedal" and allows you change gears without pressing the clutch. The best part is that the forward and reverse gears are aligned so that (without actully changing the gear setting) you are in a higher gear going forward than reverse.

Talon Dancer

 

[simonmeridew]

Hi Curly:
I got an L4400 two years ago. I got a 3 Point Hitch Farmi winch for mine because I do a fair amount of logging with it. You can pull logs and firewood out with the drawbar and a couple of chains, but it's easier and safer with a winch.

I have the gear tranny on my tractor which is what I want: works well. I hate the constant "whine" from a hydrostatic (HST) tranny. Probably just personal preference. If you're doing a lot of front end loader work you might want HST.

simonmeridew

 

[curly]

About how much extra is the HST? The extra is why I've always got a manual trans on a car

 

[curly]

HST trans are for "girlie-men".

I'm going to slowly back away from the keyboard now ...

Sorry Ray, I got ya quoted here...you're in for it

OK, speak up folks.

Who's got the HST and who has the manual? And are you satisfied with the one you have or would you swap out in a skinny minute if you could (for free)?

Thanks,
Curly

 

[RobJ]

Most of the land is wooded and will remain that way, but I'll be dragging downed trees up to be split for firewood.

since you mentioned dead pine trees and beetles, then fire wood. I don't know anyone that recommends burning a softwood in a fireplace. Great for outdoors though.

 

[curly]

since you mentioned dead pine trees and beetles, then fire wood. I don't know anyone that recommends burning a softwood in a fireplace. Great for outdoors though.

Yeah, the pines aren't really for burning. Although I don't have any problems getting btu's out of any properly dried wood and have burned plenty of pine in my woodstove...as long as it's seasoned properly it won't do any harm at all.

 

[TalonDancer]

About how much extra is the HST? The extra is why I've always got a manual trans on a car

IIRC the HST costs about a grand more than the manual.

BTW I originally assumed I would buy a manual. I have always preferred/purchased manuals in cars/trucks even if they cost the same. They just give me more direct control. But after using an L39 for 10 days I realized how busy your hands are in a tractor, operating the FEL and/or raising/lowering the 3 point w/ a box blade etc.

Drop by your dealer for a test drive of each tranny before you decide. Don't just drive them around the lot --
1 - pretend you are coming to a ditch carry a heavy load in the FEL: slow down, raise the bucket (for clearance) and downshift to get more power through the low spot and reverse the process coming out the other side.
2 - pretend you are spreading material with the box blade: back up slowly over the pile of material, lower the BB, shift to forward, shift to a lower gear for power to pull the material and accelerate to spreading speed. Then imagine doing the same thing at the edge of a ledge

FWIW I'm sure many of the folks on this forum do these tasks with ease using manual trannies. And with time, I'd probably get the hang of all the hand controls and be calling HSTs "girlie-men" trannies But I'd kinda like my right foot to have more than the brake to worry about.

Talon Dancer

 

[wushaw]

I only have manual trannys on my vehicles but when it comes to FEL work and box blade on my tractor I love my HST. I don't want to be worried about shifting when I am worried about the job at hand. I do have a little gear tractor and it has it's place doing other stuff.

 

[curly]

TD,

Sure makes a lot of sense when look at like that. I guess what scared me was a couple of threads about the tractors doing nothing with a load...seemed like they were just sitting there. One was talking about how this 20 yr old tractor that had 18 hp (I forgot the real number of horses) that outpulled his brand new 28hp (I forgot that number too) Kubuta with HST.

But you are right, this ain't no car or pickup, and I will have a lot more to do with my hands than just change a gear every now and again. As I said, this will be my first tractor.

My wife may be pretty good on the manual, seeing as she can eat a sausage biscuit, put on make-up, talk on the cell phone and spank my 9 yr old who's in the back seat while changing gears doing about 50-60 on the highway

 

[canoetrpr]

Curly: I have a 5 speed car and love the HST on the tractor. I have no doubt that after enough time the manual would become second nature but the HST really is great when doing loader work.

Around here resale is MUCH easier on an HST tractor and dollar for dollar you get your money back and a tractor sells much easier with an HST.

Don't think I'd buy a manual tractor. I'd go for either HST or GST.

 

[curly]

Curly: Around here resale is MUCH easier on an HST ...

RESALE...I ain't gonna sale it. Well, I guess there's always trading up right

But I did go ahead and ask him to add in the HST price...so I'm prepared to pay for it now. But each time I think I'm ready to pull the trigger somebody tells me about another brand tractor that I feel obligated to look into...dang frustrating to say the least.

 

[Mahana79]

if I had to buy my L3400 over agina i would opt for a model with shuttleshift. I think that is my biggest complaint, well and add on as many remotes as you can afford third function for the loader and atleast 2 remotes for the back

i havent had any problems with my gear tranny in my L3400 for loader work i usually use 3rd gear and low and reverse ranges. the speed is about the same in both directions. My right foot handles the diff lock, throttle and brakes i keep it idled up around 1500 rpm then use my foot to give it more if needed. my left foot handles the clutch. My right hand operates the loader stick, the three point lever (which dont get used at the same time) and the occoasional time i need to adjust the throttle by hand I.E. I have my heel on the diff lock. not very often though. and my left hand pretty much runs the steering wheel and range selector.

Like i said the only thing i would change drivetrain wise would be a shuttle shift to make the forward/reverse changes quicker and easier. because if i go any higher than Low 4 l8ike say High 1 then my forward and reverse speeds arent the same good forward but dog *** slow in reverse. but with shuttle they would be almost the same like maybe a 12x12 shuttle.

 

[Rockyridge]

I’ve got the L3400 with HST and wouldn’t go back to a manual shift. I have use tractors to some extend most of my life and each time I use it I think “what a sweet little tractor.” If I were using it daily for farm work like racking hay or plowing soil for hours on end I would probably consider manual trans. but for the general working around the place the HST is great.
One of the things that I noticed it is great for is getting out of a snow bank. (I know who thinks of snow in August) I know that you can use the FEL bucket get yourself moving again but that doesn’t work if you’re into a snow bank higher than the front of the tractor. I’ve tried “rocking” forward and back with manual trans, which can be very hard on the trans, with moderate success. With HST it is just a matter of moving the pedal forward and back and setup a rhythm without pausing in the middle to shift gears really work well. It saved me a few times this last winter.
It’s great for FEL work, after a period of time you’re not even aware of it, you just go forward and back without even thinking about it, no pause to shift when changing directions.
It takes a little time to get used to though because normally if you the engine starts getting overloaded your tendency is to push down on what is normally your accelerator foot. In this case though you need to back off the pedal to reduce your gear ration to allow the engine to speed up and pull the load.
Hope this helps!!

 

[TonyS]

I was going to buy a manual L3400 last year but for all sorts of reasons ended up with the HST - best decision that ever happened - I do a lot of FEL and its great not having to think about anything except press toe down to go forward and heel down to go back - plus its so easy to move it in tight places a little at a time.

In fact the turning radius was one factor that sold me on the tractor.

I gort a backhoe 9for some specific jobs) and a toothbar. Willbe buying a box blade soon.

You will love it - have fun

 

[emmy71]

I was also prepared to buy a gear 3400. Gear tractors are all I had ever operated and I saw no reason to change. The dealer I bought from gave me the keys to a DT and a HST. No contest. The HST is much easier to operate in my opinion. Another opinion I have on the hydro is a safety issue. My wife uses the tractor and she has never operated a tractor in her life. I feel that an inexperienced operator is more comfortable and less likely to get into an awkward situation on a hydro tractor. Just my opinion.

Terry

 

[TalonDancer]

OOPS I was reviewing the L2800/3400 brochure and realized that the info in my OP in this thread is out of date. Kubota has changed the location and functionality of several of the tranny controls on the L2800/3400 manual and HST models in 2007. The concepts are still OK but the details are wonked.

Talon Dancer