Satisfaction check on Grand L40?

[Kendall69]

My *guess* is that unless I got a real lemon I'd be ok. It is a Kubota after all and the odd repair could be handled by a local non Kubota mechanic.

Kubota is probably one of the only tractors taht I would not worry about service etc.
My local guy gave me the line about service, but was 5k higher, so I bought 2k miles away, and the tractor hit the ground running, first week 50 plus hours, and never ever went to the dealer in 9 years.
Pretty much bullet proof.
I bought one of the first HST, if they were going to have problems it would have been on the one I bought, but now with many years under their belt, no worries.

 

[TalonDancer]

...[Also to question a post above why would you want cruse control in reverse ???]

Because _when used in junction with Auto Throttle_ the "Cruise Control" lever does not provide cruise control funtionality. In this mode it actually is an infinitely variable gear shift lever.

You can see what I mean by placing your Grand L40's the hand throttle idle, swithing on Auto Throttle, then pressing down on the HST pedal. My L3240 will rev up to around 2,000 RPM before it even moves an inch forward UNLESS I gently push forward on the "Cruise Control" lever. With the HST in M and Cruise Control all the way forward, I can use the HST pedal to vary the speed of the tractor from very slow at 1000 RPM to 4+MPH at 2,200 RPM. The only thing that resembles "Cruise Control" about this behavior is that with the lever all the way forward and my foot completely off the HST pedal, the tractor still moves forward very slowly.

IMO without using the Cruise Control lever, the Gradn L40's Auto Throttle feature is nearly* useless. And since the Cruise Control lever is disabled in reverse ==> the Auto Throttle feature is nearly useless in reverse.

Talon Dancer

* Auto Throttle (without using Cruise Control) is useful for some tasks. For example, loading the FEL bucket, because the high reving engine keeps the hydraulic pump at full tilt and provides power without speed to the tractor.

 

[Don R.]

My L4240 with the heavier 854 loader has been unstoppable. I've been using the FEL and box to build a ranch pond and I've moved approx 200 yards of dirt so far. The Bush Hog does a good job on sage also.

I purchased a brand spankin new 4240 from my favorite local dealer, with the 854 loader and 6' Bushhog Squealer. It is a 4wd, Hydrastatic drive, and looked to be all that I wanted. Until.....I put the bush hog to work. So, it went back to the dealer, and I now await delivery of the 4740 which will have the hd loader, hydra, 6' box blade' and 6' bush hog. I can hardly wait to see how this is going to perform as I don't have the funds to go up to the turbo model.

 

[bmiker]

I not trying to insult you about the cruise control. But why would you want to use it with the auto throttle's just for letting your foot rest when you are mowing or riding long distances. I might not be seeing everything but I think it works good and glad to have it when needed.You also talked about using cruise in reverse. Why would you want to do this. Just asking-- might learn something.

 

[Deerlope]

I would buy the 5740 in a heartbeat if it came in a GST tranny.

 

[yzbdsbp]

I have the 3240......I wish I had time to say all that is good about this machine....I also purchased the loader for it....I have really put it to the test a few times on some downed trees left over from katrina....dint let me down at all. Now I have a set of pallet forks, so I am really getting some use out of it now. Now I just have to build a bigger shop to keep her in!!!

 

[TalonDancer]

I not trying to insult you about the cruise control. But why would you want to use it with the auto throttle's just for letting your foot rest when you are mowing or riding long distances. I might not be seeing everything but I think it works good and glad to have it when needed.You also talked about using cruise in reverse. Why would you want to do this. Just asking-- might learn something.

Maybe I wasn't clear in my previous reply.

I do NOT want to have Cruise Control _functionality_ in reverse. In fact, I have no interest in being able to move forward or reverse without pressing on the HST pedal.

What I want is for the Auto Throttle to actually work without rev'ing the engine to 2,000 RPM just to move the tractor at all. In forward, I can do this by moving the "Cruise Control" lever forward a little. This reduces the RPM required to just move the tractor. With Auto Throttle ON -- if I push the "Cruise Control" lever nearly all the way forward, the tractor will move forward at low RPM's (e.g. 1,200) and I can use the HST pedal to reach reasonable speeds without revving the engine above 2,000 RPM. All I wish for is that I could do the same in reverse. IOW with Auto Throttle On, I'd like to back up the tractor, without reving the engine to 2,000 RPM just to get it to move.

FWIW Discussing this can be confusing because the name of the lever is "Cruise Control". But it behaves quite differently depending on whether Auto Throttle is ON or OFF. The lever DOES provide cruise control functionality when Auto Throttle is OFF. But is does NOT provide the same cruise control functionality with Auto Throttle ON. For example, with Auto Throttle ON, if you take you foot off the HST pedal the tractor will quickly slow to a crawl even if the "Cruise Control" lever is all the way forward.

Talon Dancer

ps I love my GL3240 but people considering a Grand L need to understand that the Auto Throttle feature will NOT allow them to use the HST pedal like the throttle pedal on a GST.

 

[dutchman56]

I was looking at both 30 and 40 series. I really wanted a cab model with GST.
The dealer found a L4630GSTC as there was still 3 left unsold in Ontario. This was the only model with GST in the 2 series so went with it. Have about 32 hrs on it now and love it.

 

[Leejohn]

I also got a new L4240 and didn't like the engine going over 2000rpm before moving. I just adjusted the throttle linkage of the auto throttle so my tractor starts moving at about 1000rpm or just a little over. Works real good now.

Lee

 

[TalonDancer]

I also got a new L4240 and didn't like the engine going over 2000rpm before moving. I just adjusted the throttle linkage of the auto throttle so my tractor starts moving at about 1000rpm or just a little over. Works real good now....

That sounds great! I haven't gotten the shop manual yet So I've been wary of making any adjustments to something I didn't fully understand

Where did you adjust the throttle linkage? At the HST pedal end? Or up near the oil filter?

Did the adjustment affect the normal HST mode?

Thanks in advance - Talon Dancer