Price Check Pricing L2800 vs L3130

[GLLinMO]

Again stopped at local Kubota dealer to look at the L2800. After test driving a coupld of Mahidras - 2615 and 3215 with the shuttle trans, a std gear is out. Price on a L2800 HSt with Kubota loader, front guard and filled R4 tires is $16,200 (price includes 0% financing, but no tax). Seems reasonable to me, but on the board I see where others have paind about the same for a L3400 HST. Not out to squeeze the last cent frm the dealer, just want a fair price. (and also don't want to drive hours to another dealer. )

Looking at the Kubota web site, I noticed the "Grand" L series 3130. Wondering what one of these might go for wiht the syncro- shuttle trans. Dealer is closed on Monday - can stop by on Wed and ask. Wonder how much more than the L2800 HST the gear L3130 is. Seems like a lot more tractor.

Locan Manhindra tractor dealer wants $16,925 for a 3215 gear with loader, guard and R4's. Pretty comparable.

 

[MrChris]

Very happy with my Mahindra 3215HST for about a year now. It was between that and a Kubota L3400HST. Liked the smooth sound and lower vibration from the Mitsu motor when you first crank it up on the Mahindra and the foot controls for the HST, being seperate rather than one piece . I live in the mountains so I liked the turbo feature for the higher elevations.Also when you raised and lowered the FEL on the Mahindra it felt more stable being a mid mount design and I do mostly FEL work so that seemed important. You can also see an object in front of the bucket more. I'm not sure if it's because your sitting up a little more or if the hood slopes more but again it seemed better for FEL work. I got loaded R4s as well which makes it real stable. The floors finished off nicer with a rubber mat and the cruise control seemed easier to set on the Mahindra. On paper the lift capacities were a little higher on the Mahindra, but I don't trust specs on paper all that much. To be honest more people have orange around here and they do have a very good reputation. The Mahindra just felt a little nicer to me and the dealers were about the same distance away. Maybe I just wanted to be different. So far I'm happy wth my choice though. Good luck with yours.

 

[canoetrpr]

I have a L3400HST. Very happy with it. There hasn't been anything it could not do that I have thrown at it.

Last weekend I test drove the Mahindra 3215. The dealer who I have been buying implements from just became a Mahindra dealer so he let me have a whirl.

The 3215 is the same size frame as my L3400. It had R4s which were the same size.

My impression was that the overall fit and finish was quite good but did not compare to my Kubota. I felt that it was equivalent to the Kioti I have seen. Hard to describe in words and I might be biased here being used to my L3400, but overall I find that the fit and finish of the Kubotas is better than the rest... this includes the JD 3320/3520.

The Mahindra was a stout tractor. I really really liked the loader. It looked beefier than my LA463 and I do not doubt that the capacity is higher (by about 40%). It had a really nice skidsteer QA which my L3400 does not (dealer did not know that it was available when I purchased it).

The Mahindra did have more bells and whistles. Believe it had tilt steering although I might be mistaken. It had a nice rubber mat and an almost flat operator platform. I really liked the fact that it had a location for a factory remote option... the remotes for the L3400 are basically the ROPS bolt on type. The setup is MUCH cleaner on the Mahindra 3215 and equivalent Kiotis.

I'm quite sure that over the two, if I were to do it again, I would still get the L3400. $ for $ the Mahindra is more tractor. However, the reputation that Kubota has built up over the years, the fit and finish quality and vast dealer network makes up for the price/value difference IMHO. I think that the Mahindra really shines on the better loader and location of remotes.

I did not like the hydro pedal setup on the Mahindra at all. I found that the reverse pedal was way too far away from where my foot rests. I find JDs HST setup the best and after that I don't mind the treadle pedal on my L3400. I really do like the treadle pedal on the Grand L Kubotas.

All of that said, IMHO the Grand L3240 beats the Mahindra hands down. The frame is larger. The fit and finish superb. It probably prices out higher and again I think that is fair given the reputation, dealer network and fit and finish. You are paying for that.

I don't see someone being dissapointed with the Mahindra 3215. It was a stout tractor. Seemed well built. All parts were metal. Loader was really quite nice over the LA463. Since it is a lesser known brand I would definately make sure that you were happy with the dealer support. One of the early Mahindra dealers in Ontario is no longer a dealer and I can't imagine that his customers are having a great time getting parts and so on.

 

[GLLinMO]

Appreciate any and all comments.

One more question for the Kubota faithful - Why does it appear that the L2800 gets no love? With the HST, besides less power, seems identical to the L3400. Dealer said the price for a L3400 was about $1500 higher than the L2800.

3215 is a nice machine. Does cost more than the L2800 HST, when equipped the same. that's why - if spending more for the 3215, should I consider a L3400 or L3130......?

I probably do not need the most power - I am sure either would be fine for me (currently 5 pancake flat acres and a few too many horses). Just want a good machine, and the best value for the $$$ - within reason. HST or Synchro-shuttle definetelypreferred for loader work.

Thanks much, Gary

 

[art]

Gary, it's kind of funny having been selling compacts for over thirty years. I remeber the B2150 with a 72" deck! How can it run that big deck! It really depends on the operators! The Cub lowboy wih only 15 horsepower for many years have run 60" decks on less then 20 engine horsepower and that was on gas!
Many people recommend and will overpower when purchasing. Then need to go buy a lawn mower or another piece to mow with. It is less money to size up if need be but many people will find with a little patience that the little tractors will also do the work.

 

[Bob_Young]

One more question for the Kubota faithful - Why does it appear that the L2800 gets no love? With the HST, besides less power, seems identical to the L3400. Dealer said the price for a L3400 was about $1500 higher than the L2800.

The L2800/L3400 frame size is about perfect for a 5 ft. standard/light duty bush hog....and 5' bush hogs are very popular for maintaining large unimproved open areas on small acreage. Still the L2800's HP rating is near the low end of what's considered acceptable for a 5' hog (5HP per foot of brush cutter or 25HP). It's actually below the 25HP minimum if you take the rule of thumb to mean PTO HP.

The L3400, on the other hand, provides a comfortable HP margin for those times when a 5' hog is used in heavy stuff...or fits no matter how you interpret the rule of thumb.

Not saying the L2800 can't do it; it's just that having taken the financial hit, most folks would rather have a few extra ponies, than risk having too few.
FWIW
Bob

 

[teg]

Hindsight being 20/20, back when I bought my L2800 (June '05) the L3400 was about $700-1k more... over the 3 years it would have been worth it BUT I barely could afford the $15,800 (w/ 5% tax).

The L2800 is plenty big and powerful enough for the jobs I need. I heard once, a smaller machine can do as much as a larger machine, it takes longer and you might have to do things differently. With 5 acres, I can't see you needing more tractor... maybe a little less.

Do you have money left for attachments?

 

[GLLinMO]

Stopped by the Kubota dealer again to look and find out "how much more" for the L3400. L3400 is $1050 more. Thus with R4's and loader, L2800 HST is $16,200, L3400 HST $17,250 - both included the , 36 mth financing. I suspect the L2800 is fine for my purposes - But an extra 5 hp for $1k is a pretty good deal.

Also stopped by the Bobcat dealer - Had a new 25 hp HST model with loader discounted for $17,850 w/o tax Seemed like a nice machine, but not worth that kind of money. Will take the wife for a Kubota look on Saturday. These current financing deals exprire soon - I supect some will be continued. But Iwant to make sure I get the right machine - not in a real rush.

 

[ToddW]

FWIW, my L2800 HST has been awesome.

/Todd

 

[canoetrpr]

I don't think you can go wrong with the L3400 for an extra $1k. You will get a good chunk of that back resale time even if you plan to keep the tractor for 10 years.

The Bobcat tractor is a rebadged Kioti CK25. The CK30 is a decent tractor to compare to the L3400. It prices and specs out similarly you will find.