Questions for L3240-L3940 owners

cschlaps · Jan 14, 2008

Although I am a newbie when it comes to posting here, I have been reading TBN for a couple of years now as I plan my tractor purchase. The time is finally nearing, and after many rentals and test drives at local dealers, my search is focused on an L3240. I'd like to hear a summary of thoughts and suggestions based on experiences with these.

My list of chores will primarily be 3/4+ mile road maintenance, ground engaging activities, and snow removal. No grass cutting for me. Here is how I'll likely be outfitting it:
L3240HST
LA724 loader with QA 72" round back bucket and tooth bar
BH75A backhoe w/ 16" bucket
Loaded R1's
7' rear blade
6' box blade (or 7'?)
QA pallet forks

I haven't gotten a final package price yet, but from what I've seen, the pricing I'm getting is pretty good. Local dealer here gives a pretty standard 15% off Kubota MSRP.

One specific question I have is about the power to weight ratio. For the work I'll be doing, I need more weight (that's why my search took me from the L3400 to the L3240). The 3940 would be nice, but I think will be cost prohibitive at this time. Since the frame size, weight, and lift capacities are basically identical, the 3240 seems like it will be adequate - it might just take a bit longer to finish the road than with the 3940.

Again, any comments all of you can offer will be helpful! I am extremely impressed with the machine, and think it would work very well for me.

Thank you for your time, and for making this such a great site!
Chris

TalonDancer · Jan 14, 2008

I have a little over 220 hours on my L3240. In that time I've...
* spread 30+ yds of road base (FEL & Box Blade)
* dug 3 20x6' soil profiles (BH)
* excavated 170ish tons of soil, gravel, limestone rock and boulders from a slope (FEL, BH)
* distributed 30+ yards of gravel on the construction driveway (FEL & R4s*)
* built 3 (10x20) level construction tent pads on a slope (FEL & R4s)
* built several water control berms (FEL)
* moved 30+ pallets of limestone (Pallet Fork)

During that time I've hit the limits of the L3240, LA724 and BH90 several times...
* > 30% slopes (shifted down to M from H)
* overloaded pallets (took a few rocks off)
* solid limestone ledges (hired a Case w/ a BH mounted rock ram)

What I would have done differently had I known what I know now...
* considered L3540 for a few more HP to handle steeper slopes in H
* considered L3940 w/ LA824 for more lift

BUT... I'm still very happy with my L3240. We could all use more HP and more lift from time to time. But the L3240 w/LA724 & BH90 has been able to do everything I really needed.

My L3240 has almost always been configured as a TLB. The BH90 nicely balances the LA724 with a full bucket or full pallet fork WITHOUT any additional ballast.

Talon Dancer

* The flat tread bars on the R4s have been very useful when packing loose material.

marinegrunt · Jan 14, 2008

The 3240 will do you a good job. What ever you get, you will at some point wish you had a little more power. I would look into getting draft control for maintaining a 3/4 mile road. I don't know what to tell you about the snow. Never see the stuff.

machmeter62 · Jan 14, 2008

I think your choice and size of tractor will get the job done; and HP will probably rarely be an issue. I have a 30 HP Kubota L295DT/TLB (R-!'s) and a Kubota L-35TLB 35 HP (R-4's) only; both have 9' BH's Horse-power has never been an issue with either. I always run out of traction first! The R-1 tractor has rescued the R-4 tractor several times in muddy conditions!

Unless you are only pulling fence posts, minor landscaping, and no future construction........opt for the 9' hoe!! If you are going to do any serious trenching, working in confined areas, digging to the limit of the 7.5 hoe, it will become a (PITA). The reach was always an advantage in confinement too, where the shorter reach is too short. And also less constant re-positioning of the tractor along the trench, which means more changing seats. There is also many other things the bigger hoe can do with the boom. I also believe the resale value will be enhanced too, if you ever decide to sell it?

TalonDancer · Jan 15, 2008

machmeter62 said:
....Unless you are only pulling fence posts, minor landscaping, and no future construction........opt for the 9' hoe!! If you are going to do any serious trenching, working in confined areas, digging to the limit of the 7.5 hoe, it will become a (PITA). The reach was always an advantage in confinement too,....

I agree. The classic comparison of digging depth for trenches is very misleading. I have used my BH90 for a lot of other stuff I never thought of as ''requiring" a BH. In almost every case the extra REACH was a major plus. In several cases anything shorter and I simply could not do the task without damaging something by running over it with the tractor.

Also take a good look at leg space in the operator area of the BH75 vs BH90 before you make your final decision.

Talon Dancer

cschlaps · Jan 15, 2008

Excellent advice, all. Thank you!

I've been waffling on the size of the backhoe, and these recommendations may push me over to the BH90...

I've also been waffling on the FST vs. HST question, but am pretty sure I'll end up with the HST after test drives and other advice here on TBN...

Chuck K. · Jan 15, 2008

Also take a good look at leg space in the operator area of the BH75 vs BH90 before you make your final decision

This was a major factor in getting rid of my BH75, the power was moderate but the operating area was way too small for me.

You might want to compare the price the woods BH90x with Hyd. thumb, I use the thumb far more often then I thought I would.

Ranger Rick · Jan 15, 2008

I've also been waffling on the FST vs. HST question, but am pretty sure I'll end up with the HST after test drives and other advice here on TBN...[/QUOTE]

If you are going to be doing loader work you will definitely want the HST. I spent 28 years in parks using gear tractors and loaders and now I have my own L3940 HSTC. I can move up to pick up a load without slipping the clutch to inch up on what I want to pick up. I would not go back to gears by choice.
Ranger Rick

cschlaps · Jan 16, 2008

Thanks all for the advice. I'm pretty sure on the HST now, and the larger backhoe. The wallet is going to complain a lot, but I'll keep reminding myself that this is a long term investment!

Any other advice or experience with the Woods backhoe? That's something that I hadn't thought much about. The thumb is a great idea, and getting it from the factory has its benefits. Any thoughts on the cost comparison between the Woods and the Kubota backhoes? I would imagine they are pretty similar...will have to price one next time I stop at the dealer.

Also, I've heard rumors of coming price increases from Kubota - has anyone else heard anything similar?