dannyk
Silver Member
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2001
- Messages
- 179
- Location
- Northern Minnesota
- Tractor
- Kubota and John Deere tractors 20-40HP; skid steer loader
As some of you know, I'm considering a switch from a skid steer to another type of unit sometime in the next year. I'm in no hurry, but I'm starting to gather information so I can make the right choice. I do want to use my various skid steer buckets, as well as an 830-lb grapple, on my new tractor. I can't go too big on a tractor because of my trails in the woods. The grapple is going to be used for brush and relatively small logs, not big boulders (which I move with my Kasco Rooter).
The LA723 loader on an L3430 in one possibility for me, but I have never used a loader on a tractor, so I need some input. With the skid steer, changing buckets in the field is a snap. The quick attach is right in front of me, and with a simple touch of the control levers, I can change the angle of the machine relative to the bucket or grapple. I store my buckets outdoors, although the grapple is on dollies in a garage.
Now with a tractor loader I'm not so sure how simple it would be to switch implements on the loader. I look at those glossy pictures Kubota puts out and it seems to me that the quick-attach is going to be where I can't see it. It would be like feeling your way around in a dark room to find a window latch, and if you get lucky, you get to open the window. If not, you can waste a lot of time trying to do something very simple. Please tell me I'm wrong about this! (The sloped hood of the L39 is very appealing in this regard, but I would have to modify my garage door some, and, in addition, I don't want to spend more than I have to on a tractor.)
My second question relates to tractors and loaders in general. My skid steer loader is rated for 1300 lb. The LA723 loader is rated for 1587 lb, so I assume I could actually LIFT more with any of the L's that use this loader (L3130, L3430, or L3830) than I can with my skid steer, assuming I add adequate weight on the three-point-hitch. I probably still couldn't DIG nearly as effectively as with the skid steer because I wouldn't have the same weight behind the digging bucket (my skid steer plus tracks is over 6000 lb and has 43 hp). Am I right about this? (I am trying to get my major rock removal and grunt work done with the skid steer before I switch to the tractor.) I guess the short question is, "Is the L3430 with quick-attach and auxiliary hydraulic outlet on the LA723 loader an appropriate unit for my skid steer 830-lb grapple and buckets?" I'm trying to get a feeling as to how the L3430 might compare in capabilities to my skid steer.
I would be very grateful to those of you who have the LA723 (or similar loader with quick-attach) to share your experiences!
Danny
The LA723 loader on an L3430 in one possibility for me, but I have never used a loader on a tractor, so I need some input. With the skid steer, changing buckets in the field is a snap. The quick attach is right in front of me, and with a simple touch of the control levers, I can change the angle of the machine relative to the bucket or grapple. I store my buckets outdoors, although the grapple is on dollies in a garage.
Now with a tractor loader I'm not so sure how simple it would be to switch implements on the loader. I look at those glossy pictures Kubota puts out and it seems to me that the quick-attach is going to be where I can't see it. It would be like feeling your way around in a dark room to find a window latch, and if you get lucky, you get to open the window. If not, you can waste a lot of time trying to do something very simple. Please tell me I'm wrong about this! (The sloped hood of the L39 is very appealing in this regard, but I would have to modify my garage door some, and, in addition, I don't want to spend more than I have to on a tractor.)
My second question relates to tractors and loaders in general. My skid steer loader is rated for 1300 lb. The LA723 loader is rated for 1587 lb, so I assume I could actually LIFT more with any of the L's that use this loader (L3130, L3430, or L3830) than I can with my skid steer, assuming I add adequate weight on the three-point-hitch. I probably still couldn't DIG nearly as effectively as with the skid steer because I wouldn't have the same weight behind the digging bucket (my skid steer plus tracks is over 6000 lb and has 43 hp). Am I right about this? (I am trying to get my major rock removal and grunt work done with the skid steer before I switch to the tractor.) I guess the short question is, "Is the L3430 with quick-attach and auxiliary hydraulic outlet on the LA723 loader an appropriate unit for my skid steer 830-lb grapple and buckets?" I'm trying to get a feeling as to how the L3430 might compare in capabilities to my skid steer.
I would be very grateful to those of you who have the LA723 (or similar loader with quick-attach) to share your experiences!
Danny