Kubota L3800 vs Grand L series

[Grandad4]

Grandad, I did take a look at the specs on the M series. They are close, but not sure I need that big of a machine. RaT, I am getting positive feedback on the reliability of the HST+. My concern is how expensive are these going to be to repair down the road. The Standard L's and other series that have the HST seem to be very good machines from what I have heard and I probably would be very happy with one of those. One thing I did like on the Grand L's though is the better seat. It has armrests. I could not find that as an option for the regular L series tractors. Maybe someone would know if you can get the better seat for the regular L's. You that have the standard L's could comment on the comfort of the seat. Many of you have spent many hours in them from what I have read. Thanks to all of you that take time to give your advice. Hopefully I will be able to give some good advice in the future. I am new to this forum and am learning a lot from all of you. JH

About a year ago one of the other folks here on TBN noted a pretty nice high-back seat with armrests at Tractor Supply. I bought one for my L4610, which previously had a comfortable tilting seat but no armrests. Works fine, I think it was about $200. Just a bit of tinkering to install, not too bad. Then I put the old seat on the BX... big comfort improvement for it as well.

Similar seats are available from other places... Northern Tool, ag supply places, numerous online sellers.

 

[jgheck]

Thanks CrazyAl for the input on the HST+. I am considering all this information.

Grandad thanks for the update on the seat. I would like a comfortable seat. It is nice to know that if I go with the standard L HST I could put a different seat on it. Wish that was an option from Kubota. I have gone through some of the same things in buying a car. I wanted just one specific feature and had to go up to the next package level to get that one option. They would not let you buy just the one option. They have there ways of getting you to buy up.

 

[ecoslik]

I think the focus on "computer" is a bit misplaced. Most modern equipment has some amount of electronics, and none of it, or all of it equally across all models, is going to be affected by the elements. I was also concerned that overly sophisticated equipment would have been more likely to require maintenance, but the feedback that I received on TBN and from mechanics made me confident. My experience has been very positive. I really can not imagine having a different tractor or transmission for my needs.

The members here are excellent to focus the question on utility. How is the tractor going to be used? This is a great way to decide if the extra feaures are useful to the OP.

Personally, I have the HST Plus. I have settled into a pattern of using the Plus related features (auto-throttle especially) when I am alternating between heavy lifting and no load driving such as when moving dense/heavy piles of material with FEL over any distance that exceeds 150'. Auto-throttle ensures that I have something close to 2400 rpms so the tractor doesn't stall when diving into a pile for a 2000 lb load of gravel or clay, but auto-throttle also ensures that I only need to listen to the relative quiet of 1400 rpms when I drive with empty FEL back to the material pile.

Normally, I set the manual throttle and disable auto-throttle for constant load work. I tend to operate this way most of all. But, the PLUS features are awesome for the projects when I have material to work/carry.

 

[jgheck]

Ecoslik, thanks for the information. I guess I am feeling much better about the Grand L's after all the positive comments.

 

[Johnbro]

Howdy and welcome to TBN!

It sounds like perhaps you are buying your first tractor? You didn't really talk about any positive or negative experiences you've had in the past with CUTs.

First of all, all the Kubotas are great, and any of the L series will be a great tractor for you.

Second, I don't think the additional electronics/control systems for HST+ vs "regular" HST should be an area where you can expect premature failure. But you could ask your dealer's service dept what kind of incidence they see on problems in that area.

For my money, the major reason I jumped on the GL series when we traded up from our older L2250 was the improved 3PT hitch and the larger loader that was available on the 4240. That said, the big surprise was how useful the 2 speed HST is--I use the Hi/low lever constantly when doing FEL stuff or using my pallet forks. For example, to hitch up the bucket to the QA loader, i leave it in M-Hi, drive up close, then drop it into M-lo to make the last few inches and connect. Even with HST the throttle response in M is pretty quick. And switching the speed selector to L and back to M is kind of a pain for just a couple of seconds.

ditto moving gravel--drive up the load in Med/Hi, switch down to low to pick up a load of gravel and get turned around, then switch up to high to run up the road.

Finally, if you've ever struggled with a standard 3 point hitch, you'll LOVE the telescoping arms on the GL series 3PH.

as for the seat and armrests, I like them but don't find the armrests buy me anything; my hands are on the wheel and loader lever usually.

HTH

 

[jgheck]

Thanks Johnbro, yes this is my first tractor other than small garden tractors for cutting and snowblowing. I had a Bobcat L170 skidloader that I recently sold and kick myself for it. That is why I am looking for a tractor. I don't have a very big place here. About 20 acres but 15 acres is lowland, it has swamp grass and cattails in it. I am making some trails into it though. I would like to use the tractor to move dirt and build trails, do some cutting of the lowland when I can get in, move some snow, level my area that I cut. It has a lot of uneven areas from past farming. I would like to use it to move some rocks, grade my 500' driveway on occasion and just general use. I really would like to get a backhoe for it. I have some trenches I would liketo dig for drain pipes , bury some rocks, maybe dig a small pond for wildlife. I really am not farming, it is really a big working toy for me to safe my back. I do want a good FEL as I have some big rocks. My skidsteer really could move rocks well. If I get a backhoe I think I want one that is substantial, I know there will be times I will need the extra reach and depth. This forum has been very good on giving me others personal experiences. I want a good machine but don't need all the bells and whistles. The problem I find is with the standard L series the loaders are not as good or they don't take the larger backhoe, unless you start to get up into a much bigger tractor. I really need to get out soon and start driving some. I have though of John Deere and New Holland 4WD as well, but have the feeling that the Kubota is a better tractor. I have also considered getting an older tractor like a Ford with a loader, 3pt hitch, and blade. Not sure if you can put a backhoe on one of those old ones from the 50's or 60's. There sure are a lot of Ford 8N's out there and the models that followed them.
I appreciate all the help on this.
I will let you know what I finally decide after I finish my research.

 

[Grandad4]

Your work sounds very similar to what I've been doing for the last several years. Just my opinion, but if your budget allows it, the Grand L's with the 854 loader and HST+ would be the cat's pajama's for what you are doing. Backhoe would also be great. That's what I bought 9 years ago (well, it was the comparable model at the time, at least ) and I haven't regretted it for a moment. Wouldn't knock the similar Deere, NH or other good brands' products, though. By all means, check them all out and pick the one that suits you best.

 

[TripleR]

I have also considered getting an older tractor like a Ford with a loader, 3pt hitch, and blade. Not sure if you can put a backhoe on one of those old ones from the 50's or 60's. There sure are a lot of Ford 8N's out there and the models that followed them.
I appreciate all the help on this.
I will let you know what I finally decide after I finish my research.

I love old tractors and my brothers and I have three Ford 600 Series as well as a mid 60's Case. They are fine for bush hogging/shredding and a little dirt work, but that is about it.

I was recently talking to one of the guys who rents one of our farms reminiscing about old tractors. He had come over to look at one of my Kubotas. He has a John Deere of similar size. We both agreed we were glad we no longer had to use the older tractors. I like them, but sure love my HST or hydraulic shuttle shift, synchro transmissions, powerful FEL etc.

 

[jgheck]

Grandad and TripleR both good comments and things to consider. I was wondering if the Grand L is a little more tractor than I need, but would like the capability of the larger bucket and backhoe. I know what you mean about having the HST though, which is not available in the older tractors. Also the advantage of having 4WD compared to 2WD. With so many choices it is harder for me to make the decision on which way to go. I know once I purchase if I didn't get what I should have I am going to say I should have spent the extra money and got everything I needed.

 

[TripleR]

It really is hard to pick the right "one" tractor. When my father in law retired, he bought a new tractor 2WD with and less than two months later, he traded it in for another one but with 4WD and FEL. A few years later, he decided to buy one with a cab. We went over the brochures and against my advice, bought a smaller than recommended tractor and traded in his old one; again against my advice. Less than two weeks later, he traded his new 70 HP one in on a bigger one with shuttle shift. A couple of weeks later went back and bought his old one when he realized one tractor was not a good fit for all he had to do.

There are no "universals" in buying tractors, but I have seen far more people buy too small than buy too large. Our needs are so diverse, we have to have multiple tractors which is much easier than buying one tractor to "do it all".

If you are concerned about physical size, the L3240/L3540 are a really nice, compact size with pretty good power.

Good luck, we all know how hard this is as I have almost bought the wrong tractor a couple of times.