Hi shane,
I've got an
L4300, predecessor to the
L4400. It too is a 'basic tractor', if anything it's more basic than the
L4400.
The most significant thing you'll miss out on with the 'Basics', gear versions anyway, is the near effortless direction reversals and gear changes. You'll be clutching the 'Basic' and trying to get it to drop into gear, when an HST or GST version would be on its way. Sometimes the gears don't line up, so you have to clutch an extra time to get them spinning and try again.
Since you've got a '64 Ford 4000, you're probably used to this and are saying, "No big deal". If you don't have a lot of loader work to do, it's not a big deal. In fact, the
L3400/
L4400 will probably be easier to handle in this respect than my
L4300 thanks to the new transmission which puts Reverse in the range selector and puts Low Range Forward directly across from it in the shift pattern....so getting gears to line up may not be an issue.
On the move with a 'Basic' and looking for another gear involves clutching, stopping (according to the manual...but we know how that goes), and getting it into gear. With a GST you just select the gear you want; with HST you move the pedal....no stopping or clutching with either one.
Another issue with the gear Basics is that you have a limited number of ground speeds available for any particular PTO RPM. Again, this is no different from your Ford; but think of the possibilities. If you wanted a rear mounted snowblower, you would have only 4 reverse groundspeeds available at 540 PTO RPM; and I guarantee that 3 of them would be too fast. With HST, slowing down to a literal crawl to power through a snowdrift while still turning 540 at the PTO will be as simple as raising your heel a mite.
I'd say in a commercial operation where time is money and you have to be competitive, GST or HST in a Grand L is the way to go. The HST
L3400 would probably work well in this setting also. The straight gear machines are for guys like me, hobby farmers on a budget who don't mind taking a little longer. They shine at field work as well. If you're plowing or discing you don't need to be constantly changing direction or gears.
Other significant factors which differ:
1) weight: The Grand L's are significantly heavier. Weight is good.
2) hydraulic pump capacity: The Grand L's have greater capacity and thus more hydraulic versatility. Still the 'Basics' seem to handle their loaders and 3-pt hitches with ease.
3) Loader and 3pt hitch capabilities: The Grand L's will lift more at both ends, but the issue is almost academic. The loaders on the Basics will easily lift the rear end off the ground even with the rears filled. Same deal with the 3pt. hitch. If they had more muscle, they couldn't use it.
4) The deluxe models offer an option that allows skid steer attachments to be used on the loader. This could be very good
5) cost: With the Basics you have $$ left over for implements
FWIW
Bob
