Comparison Seeking advice from experienced Grand L operators/owners

[KewlTracks]

Hi guys/gals, I am new to the world of tractors and I am seeking some advice from some seasoned users/owners.

My intended use for a tractor will be for snowblowing a long driveway and to landscape a 2 acre property which includes moving big boulders (measuring between 2 to 6 feet diagonally).

When I first started looking I found a second hand L3240HSTC but after checking around a bit, it turned out to be almost as expensive as a new one so I decided to walk away. Then I received a quote of $38,900 for a new L3240HSTC with the LA724 and a 74" snowblower with hydraulics (taxes in) from a nearby dealer.

Since then I found a second hand L4240HSTC with the LA854 for $38,900 (taxes in) which has less than 100 hours and 1 year left on warranty.

First I wonder if the L4240 is overkill for my use? I have no idea on the ability of either of these tractors so I wonder if anyone on here has operated these two tractors and would be willing to share their experience.

Thanks in advance for your inputs.

 

[crazyal]

I only have limited experience since I only got my 4240 this summer. The first question I have to ask is do you live in Canada? You're prices seam too high to me (if you're in the US).

I think the big rocks could be a problem more than the snow. Do you just need to move them out of the way or are you planning on lifting them to make a wall? If just moving them then you can drag them (I've heard of people rolling them onto an old hood and then dragging the hood). If you need to lift them then I would think the 854 loader could be the difference, 4240 and larger models only. You'll also want to load the tires.

 

[DavidVT]

I have a 3430 which is an older version of your smaller choice but without a cab. I have a total of 12 acres. When we bought it we also had horses. Our PRIMARY justification was for snow removal (plow) and then landscaping/ pasture work, etc. Over the years we added a brush hog and used back hoe to the scraper blade it came with. A fisher plow on a quick attach plate for the FEL does the heavy snow removal when needed.

It has been plenty large and stable for my needs. For really large tasks I have simply brought in an excavator and paid an expert for a days work.

Given a choice, and even knowing how little the tractor is being used now, I would still opt for the largest tractor you can afford (and store) with the strongest loader that is appropriate for that tractor. Make sure you budget for the important attachments you might want. For me, the small backhoe has been a back saver. The quick attach bucket has also proven to be a good choice.

If the deal and warranty is good, I would not be afraid of a slightly used unit providing the price is right. My first 3430 was slightly used when I received it.

Good luck!

 

[PHILIP8N]

The cab sure does run up the cost of the tractor! I have picked up some some rocks, largest was probably 4' across x 2' x 2'. I think it would be harder to get anything larger in the bucket. I use my tractor mainly to mow 2.5 acres and move snow on a long driveway. My only advise is to make sure the 3240 has the grunt for the type of snow in your area to properly operate the snow blower. My choice would be the 4240, not much difference in physical size. Philip.

 

[TripleR]

I own neither, but was going to buy a GL4240 when I found my L5030 HSTC. The best advice I can give is buy for the tasks and not the acreage. If the tasks are not too demanding, hundreds of acres can be managed with a small tractor and conversely if the tasks are hard, a big tractor is needed on small acreage.

An argument can certainly be made for a smaller tractor and renting something for the big tasks.

We get so little snow here, I know nothing about snow blowers.

 

[rpraymond]

I have a 3430HSTC that I bought mainly for snow removal of a long driveway. It works fine for the purpose but I have to ease into deep heavy snow. More HP would help in those situations. If your driveway has a lot of drifting and you need to clear it quickly I would go for a bit more HP.
Hurry, snows coming!

 

[nybirdman]

I owned a L3130 HST(compares to L3240) for a couple years,nice tractor but I traded it for L4240HSTC with the 854 loader;;this thing is a beast.Very capable tractor,I snow plow,box-blade,roto-till ect.,have a thumb on the bucket and tooth bar.Cab is great summer and winter.

 

[KewlTracks]

crazyal:
Yes, I am in Atlantic Canada. The prices are steep but we are used to over paying for everything around here. ;o( Good tip on moving the rocks. I just want to pile them near the property line for now, maybe in the future I'll try to build a wall, depending on how much I like my neighbour! )

I am not too concerned with moving the rocks, after all I can alway drag them as you suggested or do as DavidVT and TripleR suggested and hire an excavator for a few hours to move them.

The main reason for the tractor would be for snow removal and moving dirt around to landscape my property next summer.

PHILIP8N:
Your point on getting a machine with the required grunt to handle the type of snow we have around here is exactly one of the nagging questions in my mind. Not knowing how much the L3240 can handle is what makes me consider the L4240 but I question whether I need the extra 10 HP. The snow throughout the winter isn't soo bad around here, it's usually a dry snow and being surrounded by trees, we are somewhat sheltered from the wind so the snow doesn't get too hard packed; except for the first and last snow falls which usually consist of wet heavy snow.

You got that right rpraymond.. there is an urgency to get something, we alreay have a nice cover on the ground, and it looks like it may be here for the long haul.

nybirdman: When you say that the L4240 is a very capable tractor, can I interpret that as there is a noticeable/measureable difference with your ex L3130? I can imagine that 10 additional HP would be noticeable but while snowblowing or moving a pile of dirt will the operator really notice a big difference?

My primary reason for looking at the cab tractors is to be sheltered from the snow while snowblowing. When I finally decide to buy one of these beasts, I will be on cloud 9!

By the way I really like your blade setup.

nybirdman or anyone else: just curious, how would does a L3240 (or equivalent) compare in fuel consumption with a L4240?

Thanks everyone for your inputs. Very much appreciated.

 

[PHILIP8N]

Engine spec sheet with fuel consumption is attached. You will have to match the bore and stoke from the tractor brochure to the engine brochure to find the correct engine. Fuel consumption for each engine is listed. Just remember, a 32hp engine producing 32hp is going to consume about the same as a 42hp engine producing 32hp. Philip. Actually, the engine brochure file was too large to post. Send me private e-mail and I will forward to you.

 

[crazyal]

I can say from experience with my full size Case backhoe that snow is a lot easier to move than dirt. I would think the 3240 would lift a full bucket of snow without a problem. The 4240 does have a larger loader that can lift more but also lift higher, something nice when you are making a large pile of snow. The extra HP will come in useful if you have any future plans, maybe a brush hog or rototiller and I'm guessing it would allow you to go faster with a snow blower (don't know for sure yet).

A cab would be nice but I find where I am I don't have much in the way of wind to deal with nor do I have houses and other things that I need to worry about so I can blow in either direction so I opted not to get a cab. If I had drifting snow problems it could have been different.