Just bit the bullet and bought a new L3800 hst. After mulling over the teir 3 vs teir 4 engines I decided if it isn't broke don't try to fix it. I know the teir 3 engine is a good one and don't know anything about the teir 4 except what little I have read. The dealer did not have any rebates on the l3800 but after it was all said and done I paid $21500 for it with the loader ( $1000 less than the l3901 with all the rebates ). I hope it was the right decision.
L3800 or L3901 which one ?
- Thread starter mshuffman
- Start date
CaveCreekRay
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3800 HST, KingKutter box scraper, KingKutter 66" rake, County Pride Subsoiler
M,
You did good. As I understand it, the main difference is the exhaust on the new ones has a catalyst built into it. Not a real good idea as diesels run cool, especially when unloaded. This requires a ton of high RPM operation periodically to keep clean. You don't have to worry about any of that stuff.
I have had my low-time used L3800 for over a year now and have put nearly 70 hours on it. Except for a niggling periodic problem with a safety switch that interferes with starting (too busy to troubleshoot), I have really enjoyed the power and capability of a larger tractor. My first tractor was a '74 Ford 2 cylinder with 21 hp.
The HST is awesome. My wife loves running the tractor because of it. That makes the tractor that much more useful to me as I have a ton of landscaping to do and she prefers I catch the 400lb boulders while she drives rather than vice versa. Wives... go figure.
This website is chocked full of people with years of experience in both the use and maintenance of these orange creatures. Spend a few days wandering through the pages and you'll understand.
As for the 3800, if it is your first tractor, you'll wonder how you got along without it. I think of it like a Swiss Army knife. The loader is great for hauling material, be it dirt, rock, or boxes and stuff you are just trying to move from the house to the barn. There are a ton of implements you can get for the back that do all kinds of things. Sure makes life a lot easier.
If you have owned a tractor, you know all this already. Take good care of your new orange friend and it will return the favor.
Congrats!
You did good. As I understand it, the main difference is the exhaust on the new ones has a catalyst built into it. Not a real good idea as diesels run cool, especially when unloaded. This requires a ton of high RPM operation periodically to keep clean. You don't have to worry about any of that stuff.
I have had my low-time used L3800 for over a year now and have put nearly 70 hours on it. Except for a niggling periodic problem with a safety switch that interferes with starting (too busy to troubleshoot), I have really enjoyed the power and capability of a larger tractor. My first tractor was a '74 Ford 2 cylinder with 21 hp.
The HST is awesome. My wife loves running the tractor because of it. That makes the tractor that much more useful to me as I have a ton of landscaping to do and she prefers I catch the 400lb boulders while she drives rather than vice versa. Wives... go figure.
This website is chocked full of people with years of experience in both the use and maintenance of these orange creatures. Spend a few days wandering through the pages and you'll understand.
As for the 3800, if it is your first tractor, you'll wonder how you got along without it. I think of it like a Swiss Army knife. The loader is great for hauling material, be it dirt, rock, or boxes and stuff you are just trying to move from the house to the barn. There are a ton of implements you can get for the back that do all kinds of things. Sure makes life a lot easier.
If you have owned a tractor, you know all this already. Take good care of your new orange friend and it will return the favor.
Congrats!
I agree - you will be much better off with the L3800 than the L3901.
You are very lucky - I was looking all over for an L3800 but could not find one along the east coast so I guess about 3 weeks ago I bit the bullet as they say and bought a L4600 as that is the only one of the 3 I could find - L3200 - L3800 - L4600. I did not want the new emissions stuff.
So far I am very happy - it might be slightly larger than I actually needed but better to have and not need than need and not have.
If anyone else is still looking there is a dealer in titusville nj that has a brand new in the crate L4600 and a dealer in Chester, Va. Only ones I could find.
You are very lucky - I was looking all over for an L3800 but could not find one along the east coast so I guess about 3 weeks ago I bit the bullet as they say and bought a L4600 as that is the only one of the 3 I could find - L3200 - L3800 - L4600. I did not want the new emissions stuff.
So far I am very happy - it might be slightly larger than I actually needed but better to have and not need than need and not have.
If anyone else is still looking there is a dealer in titusville nj that has a brand new in the crate L4600 and a dealer in Chester, Va. Only ones I could find.
bambam31
Member
Equipment
L3800HST 4x4,R1,FEL, 6'disc, 5'bush hog,piranhaTB,6'grader,6'rake, 48"forks
Was in the same situation and chose the L3800 HST, FEL, R1 tires. Pricewise, I paid the same as you. I have not regretted it one bit and I'm glad I got he L3800. It's my first tractor and I've had a blast with it. I taught my wife how to operate it yesterday and she disked two fields. I added a piranha tooth bar and it allows me to do more work without a doubt. Have fun my friend.
Just realized I'm close to the 2 year mark with my L3800, somewhere around 230 hours give or take, been a few days since I've been on it.
Thing I paid a little less for mine but like I said that was a couple yet as ago.
I have a tendency to over think purchases like this, it's always about the money, but looking back I wish I would have done sooner.
Anyway, it's a great little machine and as others have said you'll wonder how you did without it so long. I know my back sure likes the FEL, but I'm not as young as I used to be. Enjoy!
Thing I paid a little less for mine but like I said that was a couple yet as ago.
I have a tendency to over think purchases like this, it's always about the money, but looking back I wish I would have done sooner.
Anyway, it's a great little machine and as others have said you'll wonder how you did without it so long. I know my back sure likes the FEL, but I'm not as young as I used to be. Enjoy!
I think Zimmer Tractor in the Cincinnati area has 6 locations and at least two L4600's still at christmas time 2014, I just bought one from my most local dealer closer to home. Browns Implement.