Retirement Present L3240

[TMR]

Our JD dealer has a 3023 (I believe) with loader for $19,800. I didn't see any bells or whistles, doesn't even have individual brakes or quick attach loader.

May be one of the three 30xx JD series which are "economy" versions...I am referring to their main line 3320/3350/3370 and similar 4320, etc models.

Thanks...Tom R

 

[ovrszd]

I would probably go with a five footer on that size, but who knows, the six might work out OK.

I was very surprised that the chassis size is very close to my L4400. It has smaller rear tires than my tractor but otherwise is very similar in size. Within a couple hundred pounds of the same weight.

This tractor has the rear wheels set all the way in and it would still be wider than a 5' cutter.

I'm anxious to talk to him today and see how he got along. I'm a HP junkie and don't think I'd be satisfied with the 3240 but I'm open minded enough to give it a chance. Most important is that he's satisfied with it, not me. :thumbsup:

 

[ovrszd]

May be one of the three 30xx JD series which are "economy" versions...I am referring to their main line 3320/3350/3370 and similar 4320, etc models.

Thanks...Tom R

Yep, I bet your right!!!

If the Internet pricing is any indication I think the L3240 could be bought new for $22K or maybe a pinch less. Not sure about the JDs.

 

[TMR]

I was very surprised that the chassis size is very close to my L4400. It has smaller rear tires than my tractor but otherwise is very similar in size. Within a couple hundred pounds of the same weight.

This tractor has the rear wheels set all the way in and it would still be wider than a 5' cutter.

I'm anxious to talk to him today and see how he got along. I'm a HP junkie and don't think I'd be satisfied with the 3240 but I'm open minded enough to give it a chance. Most important is that he's satisfied with it, not me. :thumbsup:

3540 seems to just add 3 HP...3940 gets you 5-6 more HP and appears to have a different/larger frame. Maybe a 3940 or a 4340 would be more appropriate for a 6' cutter? Tom R

 

[TripleR]

I was very surprised that the chassis size is very close to my L4400. It has smaller rear tires than my tractor but otherwise is very similar in size. Within a couple hundred pounds of the same weight.

This tractor has the rear wheels set all the way in and it would still be wider than a 5' cutter.

I'm anxious to talk to him today and see how he got along. I'm a HP junkie and don't think I'd be satisfied with the 3240 but I'm open minded enough to give it a chance. Most important is that he's satisfied with it, not me. :thumbsup:

That way of thinking is so foreign to me.:laughing:

The physical size is not my concern, but rather the HP.

When my wife and I were looking at them, the L3240 was the first one we really liked, but were concerned with the lack of power. It was lined up with the 3540 and 3940. Noticing the very little difference in the 3240 and 3940, we decided to get the 3940. Of course by the time I got home, I had decided to go with a cab and needed at "least" a 4240 and then bought a L5030 and have now concluded my next one will be a L5740. Oh, yeah bought an M8540 since then.

I run a LP RCR2672 with my 50 HP, but mow some pretty heavy stuff. Like I said, maybe a 3240 will spin a six footer OK, but I would not try one for my uses.

Anyway, it's a great little tractor and I sure wouldn't turn one down.:thumbsup:

 

[Baby Grand]

4WD lever: Up for Asphalt; Down for Dirt! That's the only way I can keep it straight. Full credit to somebody here on TBN who mentioned that in another thread.

L3240GST with Woods 5" Hog & R1s set about 62" outside to outside - plenty of power and very maneuverable. Maneuverability has been a big concern for me as I have been reclaiming some open space that has grown in over the past 20 years, judging by the size of the trees. I think it would handle a 6' well out in the field if not trying to knock thick, waist high grass down to 5" in a single pass. Definitely would want the FEL on or front ballast for that cutter.

This tractor compared very closely with the green 3230 when I was shopping in 2007. No regrets at all on this purchase.

-Jim

 

[hawkeye08]

My Brother is retiring from farming all his life this Fall. Rather than give his money to Uncle Sam he decided to give a little of it to himself!!!

He had been talking about buying a Compact tractor for quite a while. He finally decided Kubota was his best choice. Originally he was looking at the L3700SU. I talked to him pretty hard about looking for "Bells and Whistles" such as extendable arms, tilt wheel, cruise control, etc., etc. At first he said he didn't need any of that and would be content with a base model.

He used my L4400DT a few times and immediately decided he wanted HST. He used it a couple more times and then started talking more to me about what comfort features to look for. I again told him that extendable arms were very important. Makes hooking/unhooking a lot easier. I said we could probably add those to the L3700SU if that was his tractor of choice.

I also talked to him about not buying too small a tractor. He has a 4WD New Holland backhoe and said he could use it if the job was too big. Each time we talked I gently nudged him about not buying too small and not buying without comfort features.

The other day he visited the local Kubota dealer. He called me and said he'd bought a tractor. He bought a L3240. He did real good!!! This tractor was bought new last Spring and the owner ran a bush hog with it for 21 hours, then traded it for a new L3240 with cab cause he didn't like getting dirty and hot. My Brother bought his L3240 with L514 loader and 21 hrs for $19K. I found a couple scratches on the step, the loader has never been used, no dings or scratches anywhere else. This tractor is brand new. Only thing it's missing is the swivel seat.

Bonus for me was I got to glance at a Massey 1635 while he strapped his tractor to my trailer. Bummer part was it was gear drive.

Congrats on both the tractor and retirement. I am sure your brother will enjoy both. Our L3130 is just the right size and of course like everyone, more power would be nice at times, but it was what we could afford. We really did not want the B/BX after looking at the L3130. I really like the cruise for mowing.

 

[k0ua]

Looks like a great tractor at a great price.. I bet it spins that 6 foot cutter just fine.
I also like that brake pedal layout.. I would not have to wear my tutu dress with that one (previous thread about kubota brakes):laughing:
James K0UA

 

[DiezNutz]

I hadn't looked at the new Grand L Kubotas until by brother bought his. I was very pleasantly surprised when I looked carefully at these pictures of his L3240. Check out the brake pedal and treddle pedal locations. There's plenty of leg/foot room on the platform and the operator can easily run the brakes with the left foot while running the treddle with the right.

Very very nice! Congrats to your brother. :thumbsup: When will he be joining TBN?

Looks like Kubota's been listening, this addresses most of the complaints about the brake pedal locations, and should even make the HST treadle easier for most. Looks great.

Though I don't get what the issue is with the 4WD lever... I'm used to having to pull one toward me (in this case, "up") to engage 4HI anyway. :confused3:

 

[k0ua]

Though I don't get what the issue is with the 4WD lever... I'm used to having to pull one toward me (in this case, "up") to engage 4HI anyway.

I agree, I wondered what you other guys were thinking about pushing down on the handle to go into 4wd. the Pull up seems normal to me for going into 4 wheel. I guess it is all just personal preference.
James K0UA