Buy New L3800 HST or Used L3240 ???

UnionMan

New member

Equipment
M5-111HDC12, L3800 HST , RTV-X1100C, SCAG TigerCat 61" Kawi FX Motor
Aug 21, 2013
104
0
0
Warrenton, VA
Well to start things off I am totally new to Tractors. I used a old ford 2wd tractor over 15 years ago when I was young but thats about all my tractor experience. Well with the recent purchase of 47 acres and the need to take care for it comes the need of a tractor. Most of the area is cleared and high grass with trees lining some pastures and fence lines and also has a stream. I would be using the tractor for keeping down the tall fields and brush at first with a rotary cutter and then in the next year or so When I plan to build my house on the property and sell the one I am in now I will be doing the same things with addition of other maintenance including taking care of the long gravel driveway and also possibility of animal chores with a FEL bucket. I thought I would try things out by looking at local dealers around the area and seeing what they recommend. I was looking to stay around the 20-23K range with a Tractor, FEL, rotary cutter and box blade. I stopped by a couple Kubota dealers along with a Yanmar dealer. I looked at the B3300SU, L3200 and L3800 models at the Kubota and the EX3200 at the yanmar. I haven't stopped by the Deere dealer yet because with some of the things Ive read about plastic parts, and fuel gauges mounted on the hood and what seems to be overpriced models. After getting some prices, paying cash, from the dealers they were follows, EX3200 $19,000, B3300SU $16,500, L3200 $17,800, L3800 $19,350. All of these prices are without tax and with the pin on bucket FEL loaders and R4 tires. After these prices I kind of narrowed it down to the L3800. Here is where it gets tricky. I then looked on the used market since I could same money without paying tax to a person selling a tractor themselves and also maybe "upgrade" this way. I found a local guy selling a 2010 L3240 with a 724 loader QA 72" bucket as well as R4 tires with the rears filled and a 72" rear blade. He is the second owner as he tells me and the machine has only 200 hours and only 15 hours on the 724 loader since when he bought it at the Kubota dealer used he had them trade out the smaller 5series loader with a 724 QA bucket. He is asking $16000 firm and I believe with my small amount of knowledge this is a fair price. I could then put off buying a box blade and try the regular blade out for a bit and but a nice Land pride RC1260 from my local Kubota dealer which he quoted $1300 and still be way under a new L3800 with box blade and rotary cutter with a better tractor.

What are everyone opinions? Is that a fair price for the used L3240? also what would be the best route since the new loader would carry warranties and the used one most likely doesn't? Go used L3240 or New L3800?

Thank you

UnionMan
 

09Ram

Member

Equipment
09 Ram 2500, Grand L3830, GST, 6 ft Brushhog, 6 ft Box Blade, 8 ft Disk, Auger
Jun 8, 2013
45
0
6
Tahlequah, Ok
The L3240 will be a Grand L which means lots of upgrades over the L3800... Only thing the 3800 has on it is a little HP but the Grand L is heavier and has a bigger frame, bigger platform to work from, better seat, better gauges, telescoping lower hitches, bigger/stronger axles and a much improved/stronger loader and probably has a QD bucket... I have an L3830 and I went and compared it to the new L3800 and the differences were HUGE... not belittling the L3800 because it's a fine machine but Kubota should have just changed the letter designation on the Grand L to something else because they aren't even close...
 

bamabota

New member

Equipment
L3200DT, LA524FL loader, 5' Land Pride bush hog
Jul 6, 2013
16
0
0
Oxford, AL
Be sure to ask your dealers about their finance rates at this time also. Zero percent and warranty coverage can make you happy, happy, happy!!!:)
 

UnionMan

New member

Equipment
M5-111HDC12, L3800 HST , RTV-X1100C, SCAG TigerCat 61" Kawi FX Motor
Aug 21, 2013
104
0
0
Warrenton, VA
I forgot to mention I would be paying cash. The prices I showed above for the L-series reflects the $1,000 rebate and the B-series reflects the $700 rebate offers good till end of sept.
 

Bluegill

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L3750DT Shuttle, L3800DT FEL both
Jan 11, 2012
1,560
3
0
Success Missouri
I forgot to mention I would be paying cash. The prices I showed above for the L-series reflects the $1,000 rebate and the B-series reflects the $700 rebate offers good till end of sept.
Good move! Cash price here is less money than 0%. :cool:
 

The_Al

Member

Equipment
L3540, Heavy duty FEL, 9' bachoe, Brush hog, 72" grappler
Jul 19, 2013
154
2
16
MA
I just picked up a new L3540, and it is pretty nice I must say. I was looking at the 3800, and the 4600, but settled on the 3540. The HST with the anti-stall feature for a new user (as I am) is fantastic. It is pretty amazing what this tractor can pickup, and move.

As another comparison, a short time ago I paid for a weekend of a Mahindra with 46HP and had some major issues just trying to clear some brush items out. I was a bit shocked at how different the two machines are, the Mahindra and the L3540, and not just because I own the Kubota now.

A bit off topic, but if you are looking to clear rocks, and rooting systems out I would definitely recommend the root grappler. I would go without the FEL in lieu of the grapple. It is pretty amazing.

Have fun

Al
 

pmhowe

Member

Equipment
L4240, Ford 8N, Kioti CK 2610
Jun 23, 2012
117
0
16
Banner Elk NC
I find it well worth while getting a few prices from different dealers, including Barlows. I eventually bought from my local dealer, but got an excellent price having some numbers for comparison.

I have an L4240, with which I am thrilled. It has all the power I need, all the weight I need, and is fun to work. I bought an L4600 prior to the L4240, but didn't like the jerky 3pt hitch. The upgrade to the L4240 was a good one for me, and I especially like the HST+.

If I bought again, I would get a slightly smaller tractor for maneuverability, especially in the woods. I suspect you would be extremely happy with the L3240
 

aeblank

Member
Jun 19, 2013
411
1
16
Cadillac, MI
I'll tell you that a new L40 (32 or 35) cannot be found. =(. The L60s look nice, but the price hike is significant.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 4
 

Eric McCarthy

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Kubota B6100E
Dec 21, 2009
5,223
6
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42
Richmond Va
47 acres is no small chunk of land to keep up with. My only thoughts are, would an L3800 be big enough to keep up with the chores around the property. A 6foot buch hog is the biggest you could run behing the L3800 as well as the used L3240. I'd say consider a bigger tractor, get the right tool for the job the first time and you wont regreat it and be kicking yourself down the road later.
 

Bluegill

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L3750DT Shuttle, L3800DT FEL both
Jan 11, 2012
1,560
3
0
Success Missouri
47 acres is no small chunk of land to keep up with. My only thoughts are, would an L3800 be big enough to keep up with the chores around the property. A 6foot buch hog is the biggest you could run behing the L3800 as well as the used L3240. I'd say consider a bigger tractor, get the right tool for the job the first time and you wont regreat it and be kicking yourself down the road later.
Big enough depends on a lot of things.

We have 400 acres and a L3800. But I'm not working the whole place either. The smaller 3800 is much better logging in the woods than a larger rig. My brother logs more than I do and has a saw mill. He said recently the L3800 is ideal and he has a look in his eyes when he's around my tractor that makes me nervous. :eek:

Only time I want bigger, is mowing some of the larger areas, 10+ acres. I might get a older 2wd 50+hp rig just for mowing later. But the L3800 does fine really.
 

UnionMan

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Equipment
M5-111HDC12, L3800 HST , RTV-X1100C, SCAG TigerCat 61" Kawi FX Motor
Aug 21, 2013
104
0
0
Warrenton, VA
Eric - I see your concerns about size. I know 47 is no small area but I don't plan on mowing the fields down all the time. It all depends on the growth rate which isn't the best on this parcel. I would just be keeping the grass in check. Around the 2 future homes. 4 acres or so maybe more will be maintained by a finish mower like a zero turn. There us also a creek which chews up some if he land area as well. The more I think about it the L3240 might be the one for me. I would loose a couple horses over the L3800 but I would gain all the bells and whistles. Plus I would be saving some money on the unit to maybe add a hydraulic valve up front and get a grapple. So is $16,000 a good price for that used unit?

Unionman
 

TripleR

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BX2200, BX2660, L5740 HSTC, M8540HDC and some other tractors and equipment
Sep 16, 2011
1,911
7
38
SE Missouri
Absolutely nothing wrong with the L3800, I just happen to prefer the Grand L Series. Like Eric, I would be looking a bit bigger and did after initially thinking an L32/3540 would be it.

You know your land and situation better than I, so I am sure you will be happy with whatever you decide to buy.
 

Bluegill

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L3750DT Shuttle, L3800DT FEL both
Jan 11, 2012
1,560
3
0
Success Missouri
The more I think about it the L3240 might be the one for me. I would loose a couple horses over the L3800 but I would gain all the bells and whistles. Plus I would be saving some money on the unit to maybe add a hydraulic valve up front and get a grapple. So is $16,000 a good price for that used unit?

Unionman
I'd say that's a decent price and a very good tractor. I personally like the L3800 because it doesn't have all the bells and whistles. I also got mine for 15K w/loader. :cool:

But the heavier loader on the 3240 is a plus, as is the price. And 3 years old with 200 hrs is like new, if the machine was treated right. I don't see how you could possibly go wrong with it.
 

BAP

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2012 Kubota 2920, 60MMM, FEL, BH65 48" Bush Hog, 60"Backblade, B2782B Snowblower
Dec 31, 2012
2,513
657
113
New Hampshire
Going bigger is not always better. Granted, you want to have a tractor big enough for the work you are doing. But, you have to be careful that you don't get one to big to do some of the smaller jobs that you need to do around your place. Sometimes it may take a littler longer to do a job with a smaller tractor but it is nice to be able to get into tight places and get the job done. Also, it is easy to get caught in the trap that " it only costs xxx amount more to get one a little bigger" and the first thing you know you have spent more than you can really afford. I have a B2920 with FEL, MMM, Bush Hog, back blade and posthole digger. I mow 1.5 acres of lawn and maintain another 13.5 acres of woodland with trails and have no problems. I can get into small areas and have plenty of power for my equipment. You need to evaluate you own needs and how much you will actually be doing with it. You should go to a dealer that has a good stock of different tractor models, and try out the different models and see which one fits your needs the best. Also, if the are a good dealer, the salespeople should be able to provide you with some guidance. Have fun choosing. It is a big decision.
 

UnionMan

New member

Equipment
M5-111HDC12, L3800 HST , RTV-X1100C, SCAG TigerCat 61" Kawi FX Motor
Aug 21, 2013
104
0
0
Warrenton, VA
Thinking about pulling the trigger on the used L3240 for $16000. I guess kind of nervous on purchasing right off the bat. Only been looking in to tractors for a month or so but feel this is a good deal to pass up on. Specially with new EPA restrictions soon to be in place making prices rise. I think the L3240 would be a good fit since even though its 47 acres it wouldn't be a working farm or need to be mowed too often.

Is $16k a good deal fir a 2010 L3240 with a 724 loader and QA 72inch bucket and a woods 72inch rear blade
 

Bluegill

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Equipment
L3750DT Shuttle, L3800DT FEL both
Jan 11, 2012
1,560
3
0
Success Missouri
Thinking about pulling the trigger on the used L3240 for $16000. I guess kind of nervous on purchasing right off the bat. Only been looking in to tractors for a month or so but feel this is a good deal to pass up on. Specially with new EPA restrictions soon to be in place making prices rise. I think the L3240 would be a good fit since even though its 47 acres it wouldn't be a working farm or need to be mowed too often.

Is $16k a good deal fir a 2010 L3240 with a 724 loader and QA 72inch bucket and a woods 72inch rear blade
It is a pretty good deal and also an ideal size tractor for what you want.
 

UnionMan

New member

Equipment
M5-111HDC12, L3800 HST , RTV-X1100C, SCAG TigerCat 61" Kawi FX Motor
Aug 21, 2013
104
0
0
Warrenton, VA
Yeah by looking there it seems like a fair price. Ive been looking around semi local used. Kind of taking the weekend to decide what I want to do. Stumbled upon a 2011 MX5100 HST on craigs list with a FEL and R4 tires 4x4 with 215hrs for $23,000. Seems like a decent price for that tractor but I just seem to think thats a big tractor for what I need. I just seem bigger tractor = bigger attachtments which all comes down to a even bigger price tag. The L3240 just seems like a good fit but I just cant seem to pull the trigger yet.


Unionman