Used L 3430 HST vs New L3240 HST

[geedub]

Hi all. You may remember me as the lovable city boy who was helping his fiance find a tractor last year. That effort did not result in a purchase and I'm at it again. I think part of the reason she didn't buy the last tractor I recommended was that the price of $20,800 was out of her comfort range. As a result I've decided to focus on smaller tractors for now. 45 HP would be nice, but realistically I think she would be fine with a smaller tractor. We have great neighbors with large tractors who are always willing to help in a pinch.

The reason I didn't put this thread in the Kubota section is that it's more about new vs. used than it is about brand.

And now Ladies and Gentlemen, from the Buying/Pricing/Comparisons section at TractorByNet, for the 1000s in attendance and the millions watching around the world, LLLLLET'S GET READY TO RUUUUUUUUMBLLLLLLLLLE!

In the used corner, weighing in at 3305 lbs. and hailing from Osaka, Japan with a record of 445 hours and 1 owner, we have Kubota L3430 HSTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT:



And in the new corner, weighing in at 3395 lbs, and also hailing from Osaka and featuring the HST PLUS transmission and an even record of 0 hours and 0 owners, Kubota L3240 "Grand L" HST PLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUS



TALE OF THE TAPE:

L3430
Year: 2004
Hours: 445
Condition: very good
Drive: 4WD
PTO HP: 27
Lift capacity: 2650 lbs
Implements: 723 FEL, box blade, 48" finish mower, landscape rake
Asking price: $16,500
Terms: cash on delivery

L3240
Year: 2008
Hours: 0
Condition: new
Drive: 4WD
PTO HP: 25
Lift capacity: 2650 lbs
Implements: 724 FEL
Asking price: $18,850
Terms: 24 month financing at 0% interest

Our referee tonight is the odd mix of crusty farmers, tool junkies and property maintenance geeks at the world famous TractorByNet forum.


I want a clean fight, no whining about gear trannies, tractor color, or bigger is better.


*DING* And that begins round 1...

 

[canoetrpr]

I think I would tkae the L3430 in that situation. The implements would be worth a few thousand if you need them and were to have to buy them new.

Don't get me wrong, I like new. The 40 series is pretty awesome. 400 and some hours is not a heck of a lot however and you are effectively paying no more than $14K for the tractor vs. $19k for the new one. That is a $5k difference!

Not sure how sales taxes work where you are but here you don't pay sales taxes on a private sale but will on a new purchase.

 

[DavidVT]

I own a 3430 so I am a bit biased...

I agree with the above that financially the older tractor looks better if you can swing it. (loan cost?)

I am curious about performance..... I assume no big handicap like one with loaded tires and one without...

If you have the opportunity, drive each one in top gear and then transit up a gentle incline (try to match the hill for each to make a fair test).

If I keep my hydrostat to the floor, I will stall the tractor as the grade increases. I am curious if the new one does this too.

I now drive to the tachometer so simply back off the hydrostat go pedal as the load starts to pull the engine down... Works fine now that I understand it....

Good luck either way! Great tractor regardless of your decision!!

(oh and my wife loves to take the 3430 and move snow, old garages, dirt piles , etc for our friends.... )

 

[dqdave1]

You mention asking price; what you may need to know is the "out the door" price. It may move you to one over the other. 0% financing is always good.
Implements are a plus, as long as you need them. Hours are good as long as it was maintained;ask for records or ask how he maintained it. What did owner pay for it new? Any warranty on used unit? Something to consider.
my thoughts only.

 

[InlineDieselFan]

If you do not need to finance (I guess you may be able to find financing on a used tractor, but then add up the total cost over the finance term).

As mentioned the implements add up in $$$ real quick and are worth some money. My 3430 HST just turned 300 hours old and I am hard on tools, yes my tractor is just a tool, albeit an expensive one. I have had stumps role down from the burn pile that I was stacking and crash into the tractor and break/bend the hood and headlight. Put a stick through the radiator and it keeps going. I can't imagine an extra 140 hours would matter.

Also with the used tractor try talking the person down in price.

Ask about who maintained it and if they have receippts and records.

steve

 

[geedub]

Thanks for the feedback.

In our case the only implement she might have purchased would be the box blade for just over 1 mile of dirt road/driveway. The lawn is handled with a riding mower and what she really needs is a heavy duty cutter for keeping the underbrush down in some wooded areas around the new pond. I can't imagine using the rake attachment. I'm sure we could sell what we don't use so it still adds value.

DavidVT, your point about the stalling is interesting because from what I read the HST PLUS automatically adjusts the speed of the drive motor and the hydraulic pump depending on the load. Since we're novices with tractors I thought this might be a valuable feature.

The 3430 is from a private seller so no warranty. I'm curious how much value you all put on the factory warranty. How common is it to need work covered by the warranty in the first few years?

Cindy would not need to finance the used tractor. With the 0% financing on the 3240 she could use that money over time to invest or pay down her mortgage. Of course the new tractor will include sales tax and I'm not sure if tax will ever be collected on the used one from a private sale.

 

[canoetrpr]

I would not put much value on the factory warranty as long as it is a well maintained machine. There is the odd time you end up with something that is a lemon but for the most part these are good reliable machines that will last a long time.

I can't believe not having a rake after having had one. I use it for a lot of stuff - manure cleanup, general cleanup etc. etc.

You could probably sell the finish mower and get a rotary cutter.

 

[john_bud]

Hi all.
TALE OF THE TAPE:

L3430
Year: 2004
Hours: 445
Condition: very good
Drive: 4WD
PTO HP: 27
Lift capacity: 2650 lbs
Implements: 723 FEL, box blade, 48" finish mower, landscape rake
Asking price: $16,500
Terms: cash on delivery

L3240
Year: 2008
Hours: 0
Condition: new
Drive: 4WD
PTO HP: 25
Lift capacity: 2650 lbs
Implements: 724 FEL
Asking price: $18,850

*DING* And that begins round 1...

I am pretty sure that you must be using troy oz for your pounds or something.

The 723 loader can lift about 1600 pounds. Or about 720 kg (that's how Kubota names them, by kg lift capacity).


I would get the used machine with the extra implements. I would also try and wheedle them down to $16000 or even $15,500. Offer $15,500 cash on the spot, you pick up and take it home.

The HST plus is supposed to be nice, but that's a lot of $$.

jb

 

[geedub]

I assume the lift figure is for the hitch.

 

[john_bud]

Ahhhhh, I normally look at that as 3pt capacity at 24" behind the arms. That's pretty much the standard used to direct compare 3pt capability between machines. Kubota is actually pretty honest on the ratings, some are swayed by the marketing department....

jb

 

[geedub]

Yes john_bud, it's the 3 pt. capacity 24" behind the arms.

I might be confused about the value of 0 vs. 445 hours. I understand that isn't a large amount of time on a good tractor, but it's still exactly 445 hours of use. The question is how much is 445 hours worth of use worth?

Let's say that after adding tax on the new tractor and accounting for the benefit of paying over time at 0%, that the "out the door" difference between the two is $3000. Would you pay $3000 for 445 hours of tractor time? Also consider that the 445 extra hours you get with the new tractor includes newer and more user friendly technology.

Approached from another angle, if we get the new tractor and use it for 20 years the 445 becomes more significant as parts wear. We also get to enjoy the improvements that were made to the newer model. On the other hand if we sell the new tractor after a few years the lesser hours and newer technology would probably result in a significantly higher sale price than with the used 3430.

What do you get for $3000?

445 hrs of use which results in longer service or higher resale.
Newer and more user friendly technology.
A factory warranty and the good will of purchasing the product from the local dealer.
A known maintenance history.

 

[davitk]

Welcome back, Geedub. Just have that girlfriend of yours sign a blank check, take it and buy the one that gives you the most goosebumps. BTW I went and bought the L3240HST while you were hibernating. I sure do like it!

Dave

 

[geedub]

Hey davitk. From what I've been reading the 3240 is a nice little tractor. I believe Cindy thinks buying a new tractor is the same as buying a new car with significant depreciation on the day you buy it. I've been trying to convince her that it's different with tractors.

What do you think about $18,850 for a 3240 w/fel? I haven't asked the dealer to come down yet.

 

[john_bud]

It sounds like you have made your mind up about the new one! Nothing wrong with that.

I think that the price is good. Especially with the 723 loader.

There will be some depreciation - about what you see with the used one. That will hold steady with just a gentle drift down and not the plunge that a new car has where it is worth only 20% of purchase price after 10-12 years.

Buy it and stop the madness!

and I agree with davitk!

VOTE Farve for President - Driver for VP and KGB for Sec. of Defense.

 

[geedub]

Buy it and stop the madness!

I'm trying to help a women. If you know how to stop the madness please tell me. I stopped shopping for several months to let my patience build up.

It's true that I think the best deal is the new tractor.

 

[cschlaps]

I too was in a similar position in deciding between new and a slightly used tractor. In the end, I couldn't justify spending $14k-$15k for a used one without a warranty and without knowing the history of (ab)use when I could buy a new one for $18k. Even my wife agreed with me on that one.

Tractors just don't depreciate the way cars do.

So now I wait for delivery day...

 

[johnk]

I'd rather spend the extra bucks and buy new. At least you know you have a virgin. God knows what the other owner did with or to his tractor. Then the questions arise upon hearing the first odd noise. Did he bust a tooth off a gear, not change the oil etc and the list goes on and on.... I'll take new anyday... Warranties are great and also the piece of mind of what you have...Most anything not just tractors is for sale for a reason. Some of them are because of problems and it's like playing Russian Roulette....Sometimes there are 6 live rounds in the chamber!! I don't want to take that chance.

 

[machmeter62]

I also think the advancements made on the new HST where the throttle is an auto advance; instead of the constant noise, whether the tractor is working or not, would make an easy decision?? Buy new! Makes it more fuel efficient too!

 

[gkh7890]

Have you driven both of them? I absolutely love the 3240!!!! HOWEVER, I really have a tough time with that new pedal they have. The 3430 was easier for me....something to consider.

As for age & hours, average use (according to my conversations w/ several dealers in the Ohio and Indiana areas) should be around 100 hrs/yr. for the average owner.

Is $$$ an issue....I like new but I also like the best bang for my buck too! If you look at the used unit, check the owner's maint. records, get permission and open the ports/fill points and check the fluids, etc. You can always take a mechanic w/ you and check it out....just an idea.

I too am looking for a 32+hp CUT and I'm closely watching the used market....445 hours is nothing to be worried about IMHO. I really like the fact that Kubota makes 100% of their tractors vs. some of the others.

If you can't sell the finish mower, I'm sure you could trade it & the other implements on what you want??!!

Best wishes with your decision!!!

 

[geedub]

I agree with you all who would go with the new tractor but Cindy is another story, and it's her tractor after all. After starting this thread I found an even better deal on a L3130HST. It's a similar situation only this time the used tractor is way under priced I think. It's the tractor in this thread but the owner has also included a 6' Woods rotary cutter and 5' Woods box blade. I'm hooking up a trailer to go look at it today. It almost sounds too good to be true so I won't believe it until I see it.