Trade offs on B3030 vs L3400...

[beersngars]

Going to order my tractor next week and have a few last questions. My choices are between the B3030 and the L3400 (maybe the L3130 if the price isn't too much more). I have read all comparisons here and elsewhere and it seems to come down to the B's bells and whistles or the L's weight and strength but spartan ammeities. My dealer has a L3400 but no B3030 for a side by side look.

Soooooo, I guess my questions are:

1) I don't see cruise on the L. Is this correct?
2) If I bought a 3 point change system like Pat's quick change. do I still need the telescope arms?
3) Not planing on using a PHD a lot, but the B3030 has no clutch. How big a deal is this?
4) What else am I missing?
5) My take on the L's taller front tires are they woul be a plus on rough ground. Is this a fair assumption?
6) Last and perhaps most important, for general woods clearing/cleaning on somewhat hilly and off camber, is the additional weight an asset or a liability?

Thanks a lot far any and all input.

 

[crazyal]

I don't own either but have been looking at both (more the 3130 than the 3400 as I need a mid PTO). The 3030 is more like a grand L (nicer features)while the 3400 is more like a 7800 (basic tractor) IMO. I can't answer most of your specific questions but I think a 3130 will run you about $1000 more than a 3030 but is a lot more tractor. I've been told that this is the last year for the grand L 30 series and is being replaced by the 40 series. Finding a new 3130 could be hard and if you do it may not have the transmission you want. On the other had the 3240 isn't and comes in gear or FST, GST, and HST. So if you don't mind the clutch and want to save some money you can get the FST.

I think the taller front tires are more to handle the extra weight the FEL can handle on the L series. They may help a little in the woods but as long as you get 4wd it shouldn't matter much. I would think more weight will help if you plan on skidding logs. I'm not sure about the 3400 but the grand Ls are wider than the 3030, a plus for stability.

 

[Toolguy]

If you are not going to mow lawn with it I would get the L3400. I own a B3030 and it is a nice tractor and will do anything you are probably going to ask of it. The lack of a clutch is no big thing, IMHO. The only thing you would ever want it for would be PHD and that is only if you used one a lot. That being said, bigger is better when doing heavier work. Taller tires will go over rough ground better. Extra weight is good on hills and uneven ground. Loader capacity is also a little better on the L3400. For what it sound like you want to do the L3130 would be even better if you can find one you like. Nothing wrong with any of them. I would get the one that gives the most bang for the buck and most suited for the job. Good luck.

 

[emmy71]

Going to order my tractor next week and have a few last questions. My choices are between the B3030 and the L3400 (maybe the L3130 if the price isn't too much more). I have read all comparisons here and elsewhere and it seems to come down to the B's bells and whistles or the L's weight and strength but spartan ammeities. My dealer has a L3400 but no B3030 for a side by side look.

Soooooo, I guess my questions are:

1) I don't see cruise on the L. Is this correct?
2) If I bought a 3 point change system like Pat's quick change. do I still need the telescope arms?
3) Not planing on using a PHD a lot, but the B3030 has no clutch. How big a deal is this?
4) What else am I missing?
5) My take on the L's taller front tires are they woul be a plus on rough ground. Is this a fair assumption?
6) Last and perhaps most important, for general woods clearing/cleaning on somewhat hilly and off camber, is the additional weight an asset or a liability?

Thanks a lot far any and all input.

I have a L3400HST and I can answer the the first two questions. The HST has a mechanical cruise control. There is a lever on the left of the seat that when pushed forward actually moves the hydro pedal forward to maintain speed. I have the Pat's easy change and do not have telescpoing arms and have no problems. I use my 3400 mainly for rotary cutting and woods clearing. Does a great job. Plenty of power and the extra weight helps. I have the rear tires loaded. I have never operated a 3030 but I am sure it is a fine tractor.

Terry

 

[beersngars]

If a L3130 is not to be found, what about the L3430?? Do the Grand series come with the front and rear hydro outlets? How much more are they than the L3400? I would also be interested if model changes are expected in Sept. I think I could be very happy with the B3030 but this is likley to be the first and last tractor purchase and am hoping to get it right the first time.

 

[art]

There are so many questions here, how many acres do you have? Do you plan on finish mowing with htis tractor? Thats a start.

 

[canoetrpr]

Unless you are finish mowing I see no real advantage to going with a lighter tractor. I'd say a L3400 and an L3240 are the better buy w/o finish mowing.

I've got an L3400HST with a Pats and I can't see the need for telescoping links with a Pats. Implement hookup couldn't be any faster.

The GL series does have a lot more than just gizmoes though. It is a physically bigger tractor. With the optional LA724 loader the loader capacity is substantially better as is the 3PT lift capacity.

I would very highly recommend that you try all the machines side by side. You might want to travel to a dealer that is away from you so that you can have the opportunity to do this.

 

[beersngars]

There are so many questions here, how many acres do you have? Do you plan on finish mowing with htis tractor? Thats a start.

No real finish mowing any time soon. Brush mower is all I expect to need at present. I own 45 acres with about 38 being woods. This is a cabin and not a home. In the long run it will become home in my retirement but thats a while out (at least 10 years and more likely 15). I can't see ever using a MMM, so the mid PTO is not an issue. The front and rear hydro ports are a bigger deal to me. I would like to "clean" my woods so I have more of a tree'd yard and still mow it with a brush hog.

 

[TalonDancer]

If a L3130 is not to be found, what about the L3430?? Do the Grand series come with the front and rear hydro outlets? How much more are they than the L3400? I would also be interested if model changes are expected in Sept. I think I could be very happy with the B3030 but this is likley to be the first and last tractor purchase and am hoping to get it right the first time.

AFAIK the Grand L40s are replacing the Grand L30s. So so I'd be surprised if you find a L3430 if you can't find a L3130. But every dealer has a different inventory. So you may get lucky and find a real deal.

FWIW I recently compared a L3400 to a Grand L3240 The price difference for the basic tractors with HST and R4 tires was roughly $2,400 (on $13,950 for the L3400). You can go online to see what Kubota says you get for that extra $2,400

I decided to get the L3240 because...
* the FEL hydraulics are built in (the control is part of the tractor not the FEL)
* the L3240 Loaders come w/ universal Quick Attach (I'm getting an HD bucket and pallet fork)
* the LA724 Loader was stronger than anything I could get for the L3400
* the L3240 3 Point is easier to adjust (maybe I won't need a TnT?)
* the L3240 could be configured w/ the larger BH90 Back-hoe (reach)
* the L3240's HST is significantly more sophisticated (I felt more comfortable driving it)

I started out making a direct comparison -- configuring both tractors as similarly as possible (e.g. QA FEL, BH75, etc). But of course, the final total for the L3240 was more than just the $2,400 more than an L3400 because i got a bigger FEL and Back-hoe, etc..

Talon Dancer

 

[crazyal]

The mid PTO for me is for snow removal not mowing (not sure where there is so snow might be an issue). The main reason, probably the only for going with the L3400 over the GL3240 would be to save money. Not sure how much you want to spend.