Crunch Time Keep L3901 or buy new L3560

69 SS

Member

Equipment
2015 L3901 HST,with Canopy,LA 525 FEL with SSQA bucket
Sep 26, 2015
103
21
18
Ft. Inn sc
5 yr old 285 hr L3901,selling for 19k cash,dealer offers 17k on trade for new Grand L 3560, a/c cab tractor w air ride seat. Paid off L 3901,going in debt for approx 13-14 k. Wifey say whatever makes me happy. Friends neighbor buying L3901. Doesn't want EA grapple 55 inch ,have to take off for sale,grapple go right on L3560. Can't make up my mind. Somebody help me please. Really can't make up my mind. Does anyone think this is a good deal. Have to make decision this weekend.
 

PaulL

Well-known member

Equipment
B2601
Jul 17, 2017
2,441
1,365
113
NZ
So, sell L3901 to the neighbour for $19K. Take off the grapple and hold it ready for the new machine. Negotiate with the dealer for a better price on the Grand L3560 since you're now not trading a machine. Reduces the amount you go in debt.

The 3901 is a good machine, is it worth $13-14K to you to have a cab, air ride seat and A/C on the L3560? Are there any other features of the L3560 that you need? You're giving up 4HP, but I also know people say the HST+ in the Grand L is an excellent transmission.

Are you sure that $19K is the right price to sell the L3901? That sounds like a good price to your neighbour - but I guess it's more than the dealer's offering you, and it'll make your neighbour happy too.
 

chim

Well-known member

Equipment
L4240HSTC with FEL, Ford 1210
Jan 19, 2013
2,119
1,237
113
Near Lancaster, PA, USA
Are you sure you don't want to go with an L4060 with the extra weight and the added A/C load on the engine? The L4240 replaced an L3200. I went with the theory of an extra 5 horses for the A/C and another 5 so I could run a wider RFM.
 

UpNorthMI

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3200, L3901, MX5800, SVL75-2, KX040
May 12, 2020
850
568
93
Up North, MI
I really like my L3901 and one of the things I like is the open tractor, I just ordered a canopy and will give that a try even though a lot of my use is woodland. I have cabs on my skid loader and excavator I tend to run them with the front glass up most of the time. If you really want a cab buy it, you may miss that fresh air.

if I did it for a living all year round I’d buy a tractor with a cab. For my hobby use, I love the fresh air.

It may make sense to buy up in HP to run air. Good luck in your decision.
 

BobInSD

Active member

Equipment
L5740
Jun 23, 2020
361
123
43
South Dakota
I also prefer an open station, and our winters are no fun at all. I think I would resent a cab half of the year and it sucks going out in the winter any way you look at it.
 

ScottyD

New member

Equipment
L3560
Apr 28, 2020
4
1
1
Mississippi
I have had both the L3901 and L3560. The L3560 runs circles around the L3901. It’s hard to explain but you get so much more tractor with the Grand L. The extra weight translates into much more power even though they are both 37 horsepower. I do a lot of grading and it’s very noticeable working the box blade. The HST+ transmission blows away the standard HST. When I bought the L3901, I thought the HST+ was just fluf and more gadgets and gizmos that would never be used. But it is worth every penny. From having a gauge to know exactly when a regen will take place, to using auto throttle advance to tie the throttle and pedal together, to having a throttle up button on the front loader joystick, I use the features every time I crank it up. Also the LA805 loader is far more capable than the LA525. My lift capacity has improved greatly. I’ve added a canopy with lights and some rear remotes. I use mine in my construction business so I don’t want a cab so I can communicate easier with my workers. I came from a tractor without a canopy so I’m just happy to have one now.