Which Kubota for the High Country?

[Newkirk]

Hello from a first-time poster and first-time tractor shopper.

I have a total of 175 acres just west of Denver, elevation 8000 feet (see attached JPEG). I run a few head of cattle, have about 1/2 mile dirt driveway, a couple dozen acres of pasture, and the rest is timbered. I'm under a county "Forest Agriculture" plan which requires me to thin 3 acres per year, mostly small lodgepole pines and Douglas Fir.

I'm looking for a good all-around tractor for general usage including road work, minor excavating projects, snow removal, forest work, stock use, etc.

From my reading and lurking about on this discussion board, I've been thinking the Grand L3710, any M-Series, or the new L48 might fit the bill. I don't want to go too small, because the altitude derates the horsepower, but too large might be a nuisance in the forest.

This group has already been very helpful, thanks to the many knowledgable folks who frequent it! All thoughts appreciated (unless otherwise noted [img]/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif[/img]).

-John Newkirk

[Harv]

Newkirk -

Welcome to the board! [img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

That's a great picture to include in your very first post -- looks like a post card. Is it?

My Kubota expertise comes more from shopping than it does from actual usage at this point, but it sounds to me like a large 'L' would suit your needs. I'm in awe of the size and power of the 'M's, but if you're going to be wandering through forests with it, the 'L' might be the best compromise.

8000 feet? [img]/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif[/img] I'll get to work right away to figure out a way to attach oxygen cylinders to the ROPS. [img]/w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif[/img]

[glennmac]

I am familiar with the B's and the mental buying process, and will offer my thoughts.

Focus on how many of your acres you are realistically going to tractor over the next three to five years. Maybe that's 25 of your 175 acres. Then focus realistically on what chores you will be doing on that acreage over the same time period. Finally, focus realistically on the implements you will need to perform your primary chores. The type and size of the implements you need for your primary chores should help inform your choice of tractor.

It seems that grass and sapling clearing will be a high priority. I would say that you would want at least a 6 foot medium duty brush hog for that chore (and maybe 7 or 8 ft.).
You will want a loader, some sort of blade (box or straight or both), and maybe a backhoe.

My feeling is that you need more than a B, but may not need an M because you didnt mention the need to pull large ground-engaging implements. Strictly finger in the wind, but I think you are in 3710-4310 territory. The 3710 gives you the option of having a midmower, but you don't seem to have the need for that.

The reason I mention a 3-5 year time frame is because I found that it is impossible to predict what you will want to do with a tractor "for the rest of your life". You will find that your tractoring ideas evolve quickly once you have the equipment. Thus, I urge focusing on the near and middle term, primary chores. If you find you need a bigger or smaller tractor after 3 years, you will be able to trade up or down with good residual value.

In other words, there is no "perfect" size to begin with. Just don't pick something absurdly too small or too large. There is a range of reasonable size choices, to which you can then apply factors such as price and space considerations.

Glenn

[Thomas]

Welcome John.
I would say thats about 40+hp HST&FEL Kubota [img]/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif[/img] tractor country from your picture,and what a beautiful setting you have!! [img]/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif[/img][img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Thomas..NH [img]/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[Bird]

Beautiful country, Newkirk, and welcome to the forum.

As to which tractor, it's impossible to say without knowing pretty specifically what you intend to do with it, and how much time you have to do it, but I'd say the Grand L3710 you're considering would be the low end. I'd probably be looking at the top end of the Grand L series (if you like HST as much as I do) or the lower end of the M series (if you don't mind clutching and shifting gears a lot).

Bird

[PaulB]

Although I don't think much about the brand name Kioti , I did see a model they call the Forester at the local tractor show last year. It had a full 4 bar roll cage, and other specific requirements for in-the-woods work and safety. The one I saw looked to be in the 25 hp range, but maybe they have a series of "woods ready" tracotrs in their line. As you must know, operating a tractor in the woods is extremely dangerous work, and the model to which I refer had extra guards and implements I had not seen on ordinary compacts. Perhaps somone on the forum knows a bit about this particular tractor, or a similar model offered by one of the major manufacturers?

[Kubota-monkey]

Altitude Decreases Horsepower????

The Ben from MA [img]/w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[MChalkley]

Yep. Especially in diesels, and even more so with non-turbocharged diesels. The air is less dense, therefore less oxygen, therefore less of the fuel burns completely, therefore less power.

As for buying recommendations, I agree with the general consensus so far. I think any of the HST's in the Grand L series from the L3710 on up would do the job nicely.

MarkC

[dullpain]

Welcome to the boards Newkirk - beautiful place. 175 acres, mostly woods, and gotta thin em at the rate of 3 acres a year. Pick out the biggest Grand L put it next to an "M" and see what you think. If the M fits in your woods go for it.

[gordon]

If you can get your hands on one I think that the L-48 might be the ticket for you. Or one of the other large L-series. The advantage to these is the HST trans. Like the others have already said check out the M-series as well gears only on the M-series no hst. Thats the nice thing about the L-48 its hst. As well as a four point rops, a good starting point for a woods cage if your woods are at all thick you will need to do some custom work to the tractor to get it woods ready. You will have to do that reguardless of what tractor you buy. Are you planning on investing on a skidding winch? Do you have experience with a chainsaw and running a tractor in the woods? Good luck!!
Gordon