Which tractor to buy

[johnw]

Been to my local dealer and been quoted on a L3800HST and a L4600HST. With mower, loader, and box scraper about $7k difference. I have 5 acres, use tractor for mowing, grading and material moving etc. Which one in you guys opinion would be better. Personally I like the feel of the 4600 just because its bigger. I feel more stable. The 3800 doesnt really bother me, im just of the opinion that bigger is better. I havent seen much talk on the forum about the 4600 but have seen a few posts about the 3800. What are the pros/cons between the two, and opinions about which to get.
Thanks

 

[johnw]

Im sorry its $5500 difference. 5' rotary mower 60" scraper on the 3800 and 72" scraper on the 4600. Top and tilt installed on both tractors

 

[Bluegill]

Both great tractors! L4600 would be overkill on 5 acres though.

I originally wanted a 4600 for our 400 acres, but got a L3800DT a year ago. Dealer had a very lightly used one (around 10 hrs) for 16k w/60" Land Pride mower. Too good a deal to pass up. It has surpassed my expectations!

 

[johnw]

Thanks for the info. One of the big things thats got me considering the 4600 is the bigger front bucket and lifting capacity (pulling stumps etc) and if i ever opted for a backhoe its bigger as well. So the 3800HST is plenty of tractor? Im new to buying tractors. Ive operated plenty over the years but this is the first purchase for myself.

 

[Bluegill]

Thanks for the info. One of the big things thats got me considering the 4600 is the bigger front bucket and lifting capacity (pulling stumps etc) and if i ever opted for a backhoe its bigger as well. So the 3800HST is plenty of tractor? Im new to buying tractors. Ive operated plenty over the years but this is the first purchase for myself.

The 3800 is enough tractor for me, mowing up to 50-60 acres, logging and taking care of several miles of driveway and logging roads.

But you might need/want a larger tractor.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

If you can afford the extra 5grand I'd so go ahead and get the bigger tractor if that's what you really like and are comfortable with. I can't forsee it being too big for 5 acers. Are you working on any hillsides or slopes?! If so then the larger wider tractor would be the way to go.

 

[ibeamcarver]

I bought an L4600 HST a few months ago, just in time for the harvest. This has been a great tractor, plenty of power, very stable, and very versatile. I got rear remotes for the 3 pt hitch since I have to change implements a lot, and that is a great feature. I can't compare to a 3800 though since I've never used one.

 

[gpreuss]

You have not mentioned anything that really requires horse power. I was doing all of that work on ten acres, with my old L185DT, with about 14 PTO horses. Now I have the L3200DT, and WOW! Power Galore for lifting, moving, mowing, and what have you. What Bluegill said about the 4600 I would say about the L3800. There is no gain in traction, hydraulics or lift over the 3200, and you most likely wouldn't notice the power difference while mowing.
Well, you might be able to mow the 5 acres in an hour less time, but then you'd have to get off the tractor; job done. What fun is that??
I'd go for the 3200, and have another thousand or two for implements and beer. It is a heck of a tractor.

 

[johnw]

Thanks for the great info guys. The cost difference between the 3200 and 3800 is less than $1000. With that in mind I would rather have the 3800 just to say I got some more power lol. Besides top and tilt are there any other "add ons" I should consider?

 

[searay]

Ballast Box.

 

[bcbull378]

You asked what other options, if you are getting a FEL make sure you get the qiuck disconnect and a pallet fork attactchment youll be suprised how much you use it I use mine constintly , when I bought my tractor it came with the pallet fork attachment I thought Id sale it glad I didnt . I have a Grand L3830 and it has all the power I need for what I use it for on our 80 acres mowing , discing , plowing and what ever else needs to be done if it were me Id get the 3800 and use the extra money for attachments if your going to be using it on 5 acres. Id get the 4600 if you feel your going to obtain more property just my opinion.