I am looking into buying a Bigger Machine

[JOHNTHOMAS]

You can't really "get a lot more power" without getting significantly larger. More power needs more size and weight to stabilize it or the backhoe will just be dragging it around Likewise, with the FEL, more power will just spin the tires if you don't have enough size and weight to get traction....or stability. Well designed equipment is a balance of power and size.

It is, of course, more economical to rent or contract for just an occasional job. But I understand the fun of doing it yourself. Again, renting is cheaper.

If you want to dig with the front end loader, make sure you get a tooth bar for the bucket, and a bucket that is heavy enough for a toothbar.

As for digging out stumps, so much depends on the tree species. Some trees do not have tap roots and are easy to dig out with smaller equipment. OTOH, some species have big tap roots and will take big equipment to break them loose. I've seen hickories with tap roots almost the same size as the trunk!

I have a KX-121 mini excavator and I've easily dug out 24" stumps (no tap root) but have had more challenges getting out an 8" stump with a tap root.

Ken

I thought I'd try out my BH on my BX25 after I first got it. I had cut a small tree down a couple of years ago. I found the stump which was maybe 8" around. I dug a hole about 6 feet around and probably 3 feet deep. It would not budge and kept lifting my tractor when I'd pull at one of the side roots, could never get totally under the center root.
I had a man with a track loader cut some paths back and forth on a steep hillside and I told him while he was over there to take care of the root. He just grinned because he's always grinned at my small tractors. He probably didn't notice when he ran over removing it with his machine. He did later ask to try my BH and of course I let him. He was impressed with how accurate the bucket would scrape back and lift as he dug a small perfect little ditch.

 

[Ken45101]

It would not budge and kept lifting my tractor when I'd pull at one of the side roots

And more power without more weight would have only lifted the tractor faster

Ken

 

[bikerdib]

I can agree with Ken about the root structure of different species of trees. Like I said in my previous post, I'm clearing out some trees in an old creek bed where I plan on making a pond. I've removed some Live Oak; a tree that has a very hard wood, which I thought were going to be the worst but they didn't have much of a tap root so they came out fairly easy. I've removed some White Oak which were a little harder to do than the Live Oak even though White Oak are a softer wood than Live Oak. However, there are still standing some Chinese Tallow trees which I thought would be easy to get down. Chinese Tallow are a trash tree with a soft wood that break very easily in the wind. Those Tallow trees have major tap roots so even though I used a subsoiler to break all the feeder roots going out from the tree, the Tallows are still standing on their tap roots.

 

[lzicc]

Yes, but I am financing and the interest rates are high on used right now. Kubota is offering 0 percent.

Does it have to be new?

I've found quite a few L39's used in the 20-25k range.

 

[jdonovan]

Yes, but I am financing and the interest rates are high on used right now. Kubota is offering 0 percent.

I understand. The need to finance, and the 0% the KCC is offering makes for a more attractive offer for some buyers.

 

[lzicc]

The renting of a bigger machine is a good idea, but I like the ease of being able to do what I want when I want. Very convenient. I also get the occasional people stopping by and asking, "are you for hire" question when I am on my BX22. I turn those offers down, but started thinking if I had a bigger machine to dig ditches, water lines, etc, I could make a little extra cash on the weekends. I wouldn't want to use a BX22 for that type of work.

I did consider the size and weight difference compared to my BX pretty much fitting anywhere I need it too, but I don't see that as being an issue I don't think, but it is a good thought.

You guys are giving me some really good things to think about though and it is very appreciated.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

The renting of a bigger machine is a good idea, but I like the ease of being able to do what I want when I want. Very convenient. I also get the occasional people stopping by and asking, "are you for hire" question when I am on my BX22. I turn those offers down, but started thinking if I had a bigger machine to dig ditches, water lines, etc, I could make a little extra cash on the weekends. I wouldn't want to use a BX22 for that type of work.

I did consider the size and weight difference compared to my BX pretty much fitting anywhere I need it too, but I don't see that as being an issue I don't think, but it is a good thought.

You guys are giving me some really good things to think about though and it is very appreciated.

If your going to do work for others and transport your machine just remember the bigger and heavier the tractor the bigger and stronger the trailer. Some additional cost if you don't already have a big enough trailer. I use a 16' dual axle which does BX easy and B fairly easy but my L3240HST with FEL and implements had the trailer at or past it's max after I figured out I had to also count the weight of the trailer in the total.

 

[bp fick]

We help each other around here, in our "neighborhood", in that broad, rural sense. I'd also help out family, of course.

But permit me just a quiet word of caution about "being for hire". That's a category of liability that you'd need to consider with proper insurance/bonding coverage. Best regards on your future decision making.

 

[LBrown59]

lzicc, I'd pretty much support the recommendations you've already received and just wanted to add a couple of points. Your BX22 is a 2,000 lb tractor, give or take. A large L with FEL and backhoe will be pushing 8,000 lbs. So, even though the horsepower is double, the weight will be four times the little BX. It will do things you wouldn't dream of trying with the BX. But the flip side is true as well. The BX can get into tight places and up close to things where the L is just too big and heavy.
1* So, consider keeping the BX, if you can afford to. It will continue to be very handy.

You've had some recommendations about buying an industrial TLB like the L39/L45. The industrial models are unquestionably excellent, but they are costly, and there are plenty of guys here on TBN, including me, who can represent that the conventional L tractor with FEL and backhoe ain't no slouch either. We decided our work schedule was not going to allow us to rent or hire equipment for digging and stumping, so we bought the tractor/FEL/backhoe package, and it has done everything we needed and more over the past 8 years. Hundreds of trees and stumps (including some whoppers), hundreds of yards of digging and moving, not a single hitch or problem. Don't know if that's anything like your circumstances, but I didn't want you to think your only options were bringing in the big iron or buying your own industrial TLB.

1* I agree : No way would i ever consider getting rid of the BX.

 

[CrestonNC]

The L3800 is about $800 more than the L3700.

 

[lzicc]

I am going to try to make it up to my local dealer tomorrow maybe. They are quoting me a price which is obviously lower than the Kubota retail price, but will Kubota dealers be willing to negotiate more on the price or are they pretty set?

Also, what else should I be looking for? Right now I'm looking at a basic bigger machine with a strong FEL and Strong BH with a foldable ROPS. I like the full cab idea, but don't want to put the money out for that, I can't justify the cost. I can always add a sunshade down the road and a mechanic thumb. I could buy both of those cheaper after market of what I am seeing.

I have a utility trailer right now that I will end up selling to get a dual wheel trailer that will support the new Kubota.

 

[gwdixon]

I am going to try to make it up to my local dealer tomorrow maybe. They are quoting me a price which is obviously lower than the Kubota retail price, but will Kubota dealers be willing to negotiate more on the price or are they pretty set?

Also, what else should I be looking for? Right now I'm looking at a basic bigger machine with a strong FEL and Strong BH with a foldable ROPS. I like the full cab idea, but don't want to put the money out for that, I can't justify the cost. I can always add a sunshade down the road and a mechanic thumb. I could buy both of those cheaper after market of what I am seeing.

I have a utility trailer right now that I will end up selling to get a dual wheel trailer that will support the new Kubota.

Dealers will usually discount about 10% - 12% below the Kubota web site price. Sometimes more if the unit has been sitting on the lot for a while.

You don't say where you are from but give Barlow's a call and see what they are willing to do. Lots of folks on TBN have been quite pleased.

 

[Ken45101]

I was going to make the same comment about using the equipment to do small jobs for hire. I know my farm insurance does NOT cover my equipment if I take it off the farm for hire. I can take it off for volunteer work (in state parks and forests, for example) and I'm covered, as long as I'm not paid for it.

Ken

 

[RobertN]

Some general feedback. You are looking at jumping a couple significant sizes in tractors. You are skipping the larger B series chassis, , and getting in to a larger L series chassis. How much room and property do you have?

I skipped up two sizes. I had a B8200, same size as the current B26, B2710 tractors. Next step was L3410(what I originally wanted). Next step... I got a NH TC40, because of what was available in the local used market(excellent tractor by the way...). It is the size of the Kubota L series a step up from the L3410... It works great on my parents wide open property. It is really on the big side for my wooded 5 acres...

In regards to the FEL, it is a front end loader, not front end digger... If you add a toothbar, you can increase the ability to dig. But it is still more a loader, a scooper, than a digger. A skidsteer is a different story... They do pretty decent digging with the loader, but the loader on those are a little different animal.

FWIW, I would look at all tractors... I bought used, and got my TC40 based on what was availbe on the local market. I REALLY liked my old Kubota, and the L35's I have rented. I would definitely buy a Kubota again. But, I sure do like this New Holland...

I currently have a BX22 that I really like, but I need something with more power, larger in size with better force with the BH and the FEL.

The dealer sent me out some brochures and a price list for different configurations. I think I narrowed my choice down to this.

2010 Model L3700SUHST
FEL is LA463 with a 60" Bucket lift capacity 1014 lbs.
BH is a BH77 lift capacity 3421 lbs. 16" bucket, 7' 7" digging depth

I want to get an idea how much bigger it is compared to my BX22. I don't want to go to much bigger, but I need something that will have allot more power at the BH for digging ditches and for digging out stumps

I want to be able to dig with the FEL. I am going to be building a garage and will have to dig down some for a foundation, maybe 2 feet down in some areas. The BX digs ok, but that is allot of work for that machine and time consuming for me.

 

[lzicc]

I'm from the Pittsburgh Pa area. I have a 2 dealers nearby, Smardt Equipment and Artman Equipment.


I have 2 acres of property right now. Down the road I may be buying another house to fix up and sell.

On my current property now, I have 2 houses, one I remodeled and the one will be tearing down, so the FEL will be used allot dumping the wreckage into dumpsters.

I was going to go up to a B series, but I would rather get something now that is more than big enough for what I need rather than having to by the B series, then sell it to buy a L series. This is an long term investment for me, so I want to make sure I buy something that I will not outgrow. I don't plan on selling this one in the near future. The BX22 I grew out of it fairly fast for the projects that I am doing. It did give me a good idea of what I need though. The BX22 paid for itself many times overs with the work that I did with it.

 

[Ken45101]

Dumping wreckage? Ouch! Just be warned, flat tires are no fun, especially on the rears on a tractor

You will notice that most contractors use a tracked machine or a skid steer with solid tires.

Ken

 

[lzicc]

Oh I know. I dumped wreckage from 2 little houses that were on the property with my BX and I just made sure to scrape down to the concrete floor before running over it. Skid Steer would be nice but not versatile enough for me to justify buying that instead of the TLB.

Dumping wreckage? Ouch! Just be warned, flat tires are no fun, especially on the rears on a tractor

You will notice that most contractors use a tracked machine or a skid steer with solid tires.

Ken

 

[gwdixon]

As far as insurance off-property goes, the Kubota insurance is golden. It covers just about everything with a $250 deductible. It is really not very expensive either considering what it covers.

The insurance has been discussed at length on TBN so a search should turn up plenty of information.

Barlow's is within reasonable distance of where you are located. Lots of people from PA have dealt with Barlow's. They deliver to that area. It is worth a shot to see what they can offer on the several choices you have indicated.

 

[Harvest Moon]

The B26's lift capacities are very similar to the L3700, only in a B sized machine.

 

[easygo]

I think you will be happy with the L but you are also going to miss that BX. Just to mention one thing, the BX will turn on a dime but the L will need at least $1.50. Best of luck.