Now I stepped in it....Grand L shopping

[CAgnoli]

Okay. A little history. I've had JD 3320 Cab tractor, and New Holland TC25 in the past. I currently own an X748 for mowing six acres of grass. I recently purchased a B2620, and like it, but don't love it. The lack of position control and creature comforts annoys me a little bit.

That said, I stopped at the dealer today to look at A Grand L3240 if he had one in stock. He didn't, he only has a L4240, which I drove around the lot, and obviously liked the features. Here's the quandary. I currently manage eleven and a half acres. Next year we are moving to Tennessee and hope to buy a house with at least 20 acres.

I don't want to buy too small again, so I'm leaning towards an L3540, dealer has the L4240 in stock, would have to order the smaller tractor. If he gives me a smoking deal on the L4249 is it too MUCH tractor? (I know, that's an oxymoron, never enough tractor) but practically speaking its going to mow a lot of grass, for most of its life.

I've asked for a quote on a 3540 with HST+, R4's, 3rd Function and 4 in 1 bucket, with a Box blade and top and tilt. The owner of the dealership said **** work up quotes for me on the 3540, 3940, and 4240 for comparisons.

Two questions. 1) is the 4240 too much tractor. 2) should I be asking for anything else on the tractor from the dealer?

Okay, I lied, third question, mid mount 72" or rear mount 84" mower? I'm thinking taking off a 72" mid mount mower may be a little high on the PITA category, but he has a slightly used very nice one I could probably have for a little bit of nothing.

Thanks!
Chris

 

[beppington]

There's not that much physical size difference between the Grand L's, in my opinion. I doubt you'd be on an L3240 & then get on a 4240 & think, wow this is huge. That acreage would justify just about any CUT, IMO, especially when you go to 20 acres.

I would not get the mid mount mower unless your Grand L will only be a big lawn mower, ie you keep it on all the time. Seems like putting it on & taking it off would be too much of a pain compared to a 3 pt hitch mower. I'd expect that I would dread taking it off, so leave it on when I shouldn't, & then catch it on something when going over a mound ... I dunno, just seems like it'd be in the way too much. Oh but then if you can get a used one cheap ... ! :thumbsup:

 

[crazyangel]

Not sure a MMM is available on the L4240 and larger. Worth confirming with your dealer is you get serious there. FWIW I think the 3540 would do great on all those acreages. For reference, I'm waiting delivery of a L5740 for my 90+ acres.

 

[beppington]

Not sure a MMM is available on the L4240 and larger. Worth confirming with your dealer is you get serious there. FWIW I think the 3540 would do great on all those acreages. For reference, I'm waiting delivery of a L5740 for my 90+ acres.

Oh that's right ... the MMM only fits up to the 3940.

 

[nybirdman]

Having owned a L3130(replaced by the L3240) and currently owning a
L4240;there is quite a bit difference in physical size.The L3240/L3540 are three cylinders and the L3940/L4240 are four cylinder tractors.For your use I think the L3240/L3540 would be a better fit.With grass cutting I would think the MMM would be better.

 

[CAgnoli]

Thanks for all the feedback. I knew you guys would keep me straight! I'll see how the prices come in and report back on what I finally decide to do, with the requisite pictures of course!

:thumbsup:

 

[Martian]

Here's my $.02,

I had a tractor similar in size to the 3x40's and I really wouldn't want to mow my lawn with them, just to big of a machine IMO. The MMM adds another level of complexity. I hate them. I know I'll get flack for this, but I don't care, if I were to buy a tractor with a MMM, I would only get a JD because of the quick attach system, and even then I don't like them on that size tractor.

You will notice a difference between the 3x40 and 4x40, but I don't think it would be a game changer, at least for me. I would actually go for the 4x40 and get a separate lawn mower of sorts. I think you'd be best suited getting the 4240 and a ZTR or other lawn mower and you have the best of both worlds. Again, more than likely the most expensive, but worth it. I would even recommend a separate lawn mower for a 3x40 size unless you have super flat land where you don't need to worry about the extra instability issues of the larger machine.

 

[bilrus61]

How sure is the move next year? Do you know what your moving too or are you unsure what kind of farm/acreage your going to get in TN? If your unsure it might be wise to make due with your B2620 till you KNOW what your getting in TN for sure. I would imagine the transport cost of driving from NY to TN both ways to transport a tractor would be quite a bit too. By getting a tractor before you know what kind of farm your going to get in TN your litterally putting the cart before the horse. You might end up with 4 acres or 104. Open spaces or lots of trees to mow around.......ZTR mower country here in Tenn and KY in that case. If you have new tractor fever (we've all had it, nothing wrong with it) try to just learn all about your options and what you would get for what scenerio you might buy in TN. Once you've got the farm in TN bought then you'll know exactly what kind of tractor to buy. Not the advice you wanted to hear but I think it might be your best option if your for sure going to make the move. If your not going to make the move then just get what you want for your current place. A trade up to a B3030 would be sweet.....my mom has one. The grand L series would be too big and too HEAVY for most lawns here, only a very open lawn with very few trees could be mown with any sort of enjoyment with a grand L. Even then in wet conditions I think it would tear up the turf we have around here something awful......good luck and keep us infromed......future neighbor!

 

[Bswope]

my $.02

For what you are saying the tractor is gonna be use for most of its life, i'm gonna vote for the L3540, its a lighter machine and will be more forgiving on your lawn than the L4240.
When I went to the dealer I wanted to look at a cab 3240 but they didn't have one there and just had a 4240 there, so i took it for a spin and liked it but knew it was too heavy for my grass mowing needs.
Longer story short I ended up buying a L3540 cab and let me just tell you this...... I love this tractor, for its size it is a very nimble tractor and is very easy on my grass. I went with the Woods 72" RFM because I didn't really want to take the mower deck off every time needed to go in the woods or do some heavy loader work but that may not be the case for you and the MMM might be your best bet, just something to keep in mind with the MMM.



Hope this helps and let us know what you decide!
Remember we like pics!:thumbsup:

 

[CAgnoli]

How sure is the move next year? Do you know what your moving too or are you unsure what kind of farm/acreage your going to get in TN? If your unsure it might be wise to make due with your B2620 till you KNOW what your getting in TN for sure. I would imagine the transport cost of driving from NY to TN both ways to transport a tractor would be quite a bit too. By getting a tractor before you know what kind of farm your going to get in TN your litterally putting the cart before the horse. You might end up with 4 acres or 104. Open spaces or lots of trees to mow around.......ZTR mower country here in Tenn and KY in that case. If you have new tractor fever (we've all had it, nothing wrong with it) try to just learn all about your options and what you would get for what scenerio you might buy in TN. Once you've got the farm in TN bought then you'll know exactly what kind of tractor to buy. Not the advice you wanted to hear but I think it might be your best option if your for sure going to make the move. If your not going to make the move then just get what you want for your current place. A trade up to a B3030 would be sweet.....my mom has one. The grand L series would be too big and too HEAVY for most lawns here, only a very open lawn with very few trees could be mown with any sort of enjoyment with a grand L. Even then in wet conditions I think it would tear up the turf we have around here something awful......good luck and keep us infromed......future neighbor!

The move to TN is 100% happening in August of 2013. My employer is already making allowances for the move. I can certainly understand your point. The instructions to the real estate agent were a pretty tall order in all honesty. (20 or more acres, High Speed Internet (the real tough one!), In ground swimming pool, 4 bedrooms, Knoxville area (Within 30 miles of Knoxville).

I'm curious what you think the likelihood the agent actually finding what I'm asking for at a price less than $400k. And to your point, I don't yet know if the 20 acre's are flat or hilly. Definitely a gamble. Will hopefully end up with the 3540 with RFM and worst case can buy a second mower when we assess what we actually buy. Thanks for the input!