Congrats on your choice of machines LW. You'll be happy with the L3130, I know I am. Like I said before, I don't have a bucket up front, I just didn't have a use for it, although I'm sure at some point I will wish I had taken the plunge. I rent one if I ever do need it.
I like the metal features of the Kub also. When I was tractor shopping, I looked at the Mahindra, Massey F, New Holland, JD and Kubota. They are all good machines that's for sure, but being that I didn't know too much about tractors, I followed the advice of a farmer friend of mine...he owns an Ag MF, and has access to and also farms with an older Ag JD. He told me to buy a Kubota...said I wouldn't go wrong and that in HIS opinion, they are the best tractor's on the market right now. Me, if it rolls and pulls implements, I like 'em, no matter what the color.
I couldn't tell from your post, did you buy HST? I know you said you prefered manual, but it hurt your back shifting or something. I hear all these guys talking on TBN who own every color tractor imaginable and with FEL's. They mostly all agree that the FEL/HST combo can't be beaten. I wouldn't know, but I really like not having to shift gears. The cruise control feature on the 3130 will grow on you. It's the proverbial "cat's meow" in my opinion.
Good luck, post some pics when you get it. I'll see you around the forum.
Podunk
ps. If I don't ask you, someone else will on here...update your profile...a LOT of the guys check them out...kind of tells info they don't have to ask in a post.
l8r