I have a friend who is on a pretty tight budget. He's had an old Massey that he bought a few years ago and it's got its expected issues which are driving him crazy. He realizes he's gonna need a small tractor for the rest of his life. He is the typical hobby farmer. Big garden, driveway to be scraped, weeds to be mowed, tree limbs to be hauled, etc. He's agonizing between the L3400, B3200, and maybe even an L2800. He's definitely gonna finace one of these three with the front loading bucket. The first thing he did right was finally choose an orange tractor. Personally I'd pick the L3400 for the negligible difference in money. But like I said, he's pushing it to buy one of these tractors. If anybody feels like it and has any earth shattering revelations between those three, please give me a second for your thoughts.
Which would you choose?
- Thread starter Mountaindoc
- Start date
Any one of the 3 would be idea to have. I mean they are about equal in size and are only a few horse power more or less in difference. Is your friend buying one brand new or is he looking at a used tractor? To me I'd go with which ever one has the better price and the numbers are right on the finance plan. The final sale price of the tractor with all the toys will have a huge impact on the monthly payments. So now really its just a numbers game.
I'd say without a doubt have him look longer and harder at one of the L series tractors. Most of us on here who have little tractors really wish he had bigger ones and would give anything to have a big tractor.
I'd say without a doubt have him look longer and harder at one of the L series tractors. Most of us on here who have little tractors really wish he had bigger ones and would give anything to have a big tractor.
He's really wanting to buy a new one. Not many late model used ones in our area (funny how that happens when you're looking for a brand that is built right to begin with and people don't part with them, lol). Anyway, my leaning is definitely toward an L series as well. He's got a 60 inch 3 point roto tiller and some other potentially heavy implements. I'm afraid of those little threaded turnbuckles the B series has for stabilizer bars as opposed to the sliding tubes with pins on the larger tractors. I HOPE the L series has the sliding tubes.
I had an L3650 for 20 years and it did everything that was asked of it. It even pulled and 8 foot offset disc (in low gear) without a whimper. A L-series tractor is amazingly strong and efficient while being fairly light on fuel use.
My recommendation would be to go with the largest L-series the budget will allow given the list of jobs indicated in the first post.
My recommendation would be to go with the largest L-series the budget will allow given the list of jobs indicated in the first post.
I have an L2800DT and would recommend an L Series tractor - the largest that he can afford. I don't know of anyone that wished they had bought a smaller tractor. Also 4wd would be another option I would recommend. My kubota didn't come with the sliding tube stabilizers, just the turn buckle type, but I think it can be a dealer add on. I also added a canopy - great for those hot mid-summer days!
My advise if he is looking for a tractor to keep from now own is go for the most comfortable model of the 3 you mentioned. I would lean more toward the L models for the heavier frame strength but it will bug him from now own if he gets one and really wanted one of the others. With all of them being so close in size there won't be a huge difference in power.
B 3300 hst only; 33hp-25pto/9.9 hyd/3pt 1400/live pto/1764#
L 2800 gear; 28.6hp-25pto/10.5 hyd/3pt 1435/over run pto/2536#
L 3400 gear; 34.2hp-30pto/10.1 hyd/3pt 1435/live pto/2580#
Not a big difference between any of them but look at the 3pt lift cap. and then look at the weight of the tractors. Which one would you feel safer picking up the rated capacity?
I would make 4x4 a must. 30 -35hp 4x4 is equal to 45 - 50hp 2wd as far as pushing power goes and will also be a big plus using a fel.
I have a L 3000 DT 32hp and it handles my 62" tiller with no problem so I would think any of the models he is interested in will handle a 60" just fine.
As far as the stabilizers go those models (as far as I know) come with the turn buckle style on them. With all the new models that have the telescoping type on them now this will probably apply to them but I know for sure that the stabilizers off of a L 4300 is a direct replacement for the turnbuckles. That is what I ordered for mine and they are definately worth every penny spent to change them out.
I think the best choice out of the 3 would be the L 3400. Heaviest tractor of the 3, live pto and biggest ci engine.
Right now is a great time to buy a new Kubota due to the 0% financing for 60 months. Now thru 5-31-2010.
After long consideration if I were your friend I would go with the L3400 even though I might have to squeeze blood out of a stone on ocassion to make the payments.
I'm still not sure how I ever paid for everything I have now with my B8200. It got very iffy there sometimes. I guess I'll just have to put off those other toys I've thought about getting lately and get my work done.
I'm still not sure how I ever paid for everything I have now with my B8200. It got very iffy there sometimes. I guess I'll just have to put off those other toys I've thought about getting lately and get my work done.
If you go to Kubota site and do the build your own and do this between the B 3300 and the L 3400, loaders, bucket, forks, 4WD and gear (3400) the price difference for 60 months is only 25 dollars a month. I know I would go with the L for that small amount of price difference.
aquaforce
New member
Equipment
L245DT FEL, JD450 Track loader, 5' scrape blade&mower, 5x10 trailer, Dump truck
I think there is only about a foot difference in length between a B and a L like he is looking at. I believe in the long run the L series will be a better machine if he works it.
My vote is for the L3400 as well, but also add at least a couple of rear hydraulic ports if he can swing it. My L3010 doesn't have any rear ports, and there some implements that I would like to use, but can't.
Bob
Bob
Marty394,
Just for a quick, cheaper, but somewhat limited fix put a set of quick couplers on the bucket side of the loader control and then just add a couple of hyd lines to the rear with the standard couplers on them and use the loader control to work your implement. It beats $600 for the rear remote kit.
There is no comparison between the B3200 and the L3400, the B3200 is pretty dainty if you put them side by side and look at the running gear. The L3400 with a loader will do allot of work and last a long time, my choice hands down.
You guys have just totally bummed me out.(LOL) I have a new B3200 comming next week. The tractor with belly mower and FEL will be setting me back approx. $35.00/wk. I sold off a bunch of guns and coins to get down to that payment. I don't have a lot to mow, maybe an acre. My property is mostly wooded and there ain't nothin' flat about it. I do have a lot of snow plowing to deal with, and none of it paved. All in all I think the B3200 should fit in and work well for me.