Change of plans? L3240

[SweetFreedom207]

I have been torn on a B2601 and LX2610 like many others. This will be my first tractor. I have 8 acres, 1.5 acres of lawn. Looking for snow removal, some landscaping around the house and managing the timber. (Whole property is fairly wet which is a concern of mine)

I have had a family member approach me about purchasing my late grandfathers tractor. A 2010 L3240 HST with 450 hours. Always been serviced and kept inside, he kept his stuff pristine.

This is way more tractor than I need, and I know this. I know they are completelt different animals. However I am thinking if the price is right then I can always trade in/sell for downsizing if I feel I need to.

$16,000 for just tractor and loder. Does this seem right? I dont recall which tires are on it, if there are any rear remotes, etc. Waiting for more info.

Id have to buy a snowblower, 3rd function and grapple and forks. But this tractor being half the cost of the LX2610 quote I got, there is room for those things. I had already planned on a 3pt blower.

Im mostly wondering if thats a good price so if I find it too big I can sell it for what I paid and go with something smaller for my property.

thanks for the insight!

 

[Nicfin36]

L3240 is a Grand L pre-emissions tractor. Hopefully, the loader has quick attack bucket and remotes. Meticulously kept. I'd be all over that. Those deals are few and far between here. I looked around a bucnh before settling on the L2501.

 

[SweetFreedom207]

L3240 is a Grand L pre-emissions tractor. Hopefully, the loader has quick attack bucket and remotes. Meticulously kept. I'd be all over that. Those deals are few and far between here. I looked around a bucnh before settling on the L2501.

The quick attach was one thing I am very curious on checking. My gut says it doesnt have it. Not sure the expense or if its even possible to change it over

 

[JimmyJazz]

Seems reasonable. I feel you are immediately in a bigger more capable tractor with all your "wants" for 2/3 the outlay. It will probably make grandpa happy. Thats worth something. I feel you are spending too much time thinking about this. If the tires hold air that should work well enough. A lot of "hair splittin" goes on here. Your Dutch Uncle mentioned previously your "working" in the woods from a big picture perspective may be an unnecessary waste of time. I have spent countless hours doing this tractor/woods stuff and have friends that have never done any. Its not like I have been building home sites and recognizing profits. "A mans gotta do what a mans gotta do". Try not to go into debt. Spending money on education and investments early in life should pay off big time in the long run. Tractors in the woods not so much. Just my opinion. Trying hard to not sound like a jerk. Best of luck to you and grandpa.

 

[D2Cat]

It will be quick attach loader. It's the last model before the tier 4 restrictions took place. The Grand L has components that are standard the basic tractors did not have. A nice machine!!

https://kentanmachinery.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/GL40L3240_3540_4240_5740.pdf

 

[SweetFreedom207]

Seems reasonable. I feel you are immediately in a bigger more capable tractor with all your "wants" for 2/3 the outlay. It will probably make grandpa happy. Thats worth something. I feel you are spending too much time thinking about this. If the tires hold air that should work well enough. A lot of "hair splittin" goes on here. Your Dutch Uncle mentioned previously your "working" in the woods from a big picture perspective may be an unnecessary waste of time. I have spent countless hours doing this tractor/woods stuff and have friends that have never done any. Its not like I have been building home sites and recognizing profits. "A mans gotta do what a mans gotta do". Try not to go into debt. Spending money on education and investments early in life should pay off big time in the long run. Tractors in the woods not so much. Just my opinion. Trying hard to not sound like a jerk. Best of luck to you and grandpa.

I agree I have been over analyzing. I consider myself very financially reaponaible so making a decision on a big purchase is never easy for me. Id hate to go too big and not use it considering ill be driving it over finished property

 

[JimmyJazz]

I agree I have been over analyzing. I consider myself very financially reaponaible so making a decision on a big purchase is never easy for me. Id hate to go too big and not use it considering ill be driving it over finished property

Better to over analyze than under analyze. This is perfect for you. If you hate it you should not lose much if any if you sell it. The grandpa connection means a lot and is subject to lengthy analysis. Maybe a good country song will come from it. Glad you solved your search. Note the confidence with which the Dutch Uncle closes the case. He knows you. He was you.

 

[Nicfin36]

I know you say you're worried about too much tractor for your property. I have 10 acres, partially wooded. I don't feel like the L2501 is too much tractor and doubt you would with a L3240. There may even be some cases where you wish you had bigger for some special job.

But, I wanted to comment on the wet statement you made. For me, with my soil type, it really doesn't matter if I had a BX or a M6060, getting off the gravel road during the wet season is a big no no. Other areas not far from me, it is OK, but not my place, which is very frustrating. But, yeah, a heavier tractor on soil will sink more than a lighter tractor, but it makes no difference either way for me since it will make a mess regardless.

Also, you can add a quick attach to the loader.

 

[PaulL]

Buy it. It's good buying, and it's from family. The only downside is if it turns out to be too big and you need to trade, family may feel like you sold it for more than you paid for it.

 

[SweetFreedom207]

I appreciate the feed back from everyone. I am going to make a plan to head to the family farm and take a closer look and drive it around a bit. I am stuck between-

probably being smarter overall financially. Less expensive for more tractor, can piece together with used implements when they come for sale and I see a fit for my needs

vs

having the whole package together, new, warrantied, insured, but at a cost.

 

[dirtydeed]

I appreciate the feed back from everyone. I am going to make a plan to head to the family farm and take a closer look and drive it around a bit. I am stuck between-

probably being smarter overall financially. Less expensive for more tractor, can piece together with used implements when they come for sale and I see a fit for my needs

vs

having the whole package together, new, warrantied, insured, but at a cost.

I think acquiring your grandfathers machine makes much more sense for many reasons.

 

[D2Cat]

SweetFreedom, you're overthinking this WAY to much. That offer is a blessing to you. It will work fine for your needs....take a trailer when you go! Once you see how that tractor works, the functions it has, you will be disappointed in a lessor tractor.

Maybe make you feel more at ease, I use an L4240 on six acres.

I know people tighter then bark on a tree, and they miss out on a good part of life because they analyze until paralyzed.

 

[tbk5]

When I went to buy my first tractor, my wife asked "Are you sure that you are buying enough tractor?" I was buying an L3010. I said yes becasue I was concerned about manuverability in tight spaces. The L3010 is a great machine but in the end, I wish I took advantage of the opening for a bigger tractor. I eventually picked up a garden tractor for small jobs. The L3010 did everything I asked of it but many jobs would have taken much less time with a bigger machine. It is more about weight than horsepower. The Grand L machines are, uh, grand-easy to use and maintain. Pre-emissions is a big plus.

 

[SweetFreedom207]

Thank you for the feedback everyone, I appreciate it. I will be headed there tomorrow morning to take a look at it in person. I will report back with pictures

Does any one know if the Grand L comes standard with rear remotes? I do not know exactly what to look for to know if it has them. Again, I am very new to the tractor world

 

[tbk5]

You'll see the quick connect plugs in the rear if it has them. It was an option on my L.

 

[D2Cat]

The remotes would be an option and had installed by the previous owner, if there are any.

 

[SweetFreedom207]

Went and looked at the tractor today. It is a 2009 L3240 GST. No remotes, pin on bucket, gear shift are all things I was disappointed to see. Has rimguard loaded tires and block heater. Decision time

 

[tbk5]

Hmm. It is really dependent on what you will do with the tractor. For me, looking at the description, no HST would kill it. I use the loader alot. I find it much easier and efficient with an HST tractor. (Recent experience spreading an equal amount of sand in a horse riding ring with an M5660SU (gear) and an L3710 (HST)--it took me 3x longer with the gear drive tractor even though it had higher capacity.)

You can easily add rear remotes and a quick attach adapter for additional dollars. I assume you want the quick attach for the grapple and a front mounted snow blower??? If front mounted, does that require a mid-PTO? Did this tractor have a mid-PTO?

I think it is good that you are thinking all this through before you buy.

 

[dirtydeed]

Hmm. It is really dependent on what you will do with the tractor. For me, looking at the description, no HST would kill it. I use the loader alot. I find it much easier and efficient with an HST tractor.

Same here.

 

[Nicfin36]

OK, I did not want to the THAT guy, but I read the OP's post earlier about not having HST and decided to hold off on commenting. But, yeah, no HST would also be a deal breaker for me. I do a bunch of loader work with the grapple and that back and forth treadle pedal is just so nice to use.