Buying Advice New Guy - Looking to Buy

[TripleR]

The warranty is not worth it to me as I have only used one a couple of times and none on a Kubota and I am in my 60's. I bought a used 2003 L5030 in March 2010 with 735 hours and saved a lot of money. It's been a great tractor. I did get a full service history from the dealer with it and a full service.

Sometimes I buy used and sometimes new.

 

[Bluegill2]

I've bought 3 used Kubotas, first in 1984 and haven't needed any warranty.

That said, the latest, L3800DT w/FEL, Gear Drive, 14 hours. Best one yet and I love it! :thumbsup:

Either tractor will do fine, get the one the fits you best.

 

[CPM]

I like this forum - there's some really helpful people about.Thanks!

 

[Grandad4]

Others have given good advice. I'd only add a couple of comments. First, regarding the slasher. You have enough acreage that you'd benefit from a 6 foot size so it covers your tire tracks and cuts a little more on each pass. If the vegetation is heavy or you'll climb some uphill gradients while mowing, having 40 horsepower or more will make quite a difference in mowing performance with a 6 ft. slasher.

Second, do some research concerning the weight and overall performance of a 4 in 1 setup on tractors of this size. A few years ago 4 in 1's were discussed regularly on this forum as an upgrade, but lately it seems more owners configure their tractors with a quick-attach bucket that is switched out with some kind of grapple attachment when picking up brush, logs, debris and whatnot. That isn't precisely the same as a 4 in 1, of course, but it preserves more of the working payload of the FEL when compared with a single, heavy 4 in 1 bucket. If you absolutely need the 4 in 1, it's another reason to go up to an L4240 or larger, which all have much stronger loaders.

As others have said, the HST+ looks like it would be very worthwhile for your use.

 

[CPM]

Thanks for the comments re: the alternate to a 4in1. I wonder what the cost comparisson would be? Is there something that would pick up rocks and logs?

Would a separate attachment have more capacity than a 4in1? I suppose they might be lighter but would the hydraulics be the same?

 

[CJBOTA]

CPM,
Carefully think ahead and my advice is to go a little bigger then what you think you need. I started with the B2920, then went to the L3700, and now I have a MX5100. And in a couple years I will probably have a M7040. Even the larger Kubota's, especially HST models are agile and move around well in tight places. ( woods)
The MX5100 HST is a fantastic machine. That is my recommendation if you can swing it. It may be a little more then you want to spend but you will thank me the first time you hear that Turbo wind up. It will do everything the smaller models you mentioned will do and a lot more.
Also,give serious consideration to the R1 tires. The R4's have there strengths and it was a tough decision for me but you just can't beat the R1's when it comes to traction. You can have the largest tractor in the world, but if you don't have traction, you may as well stay on the porch. A little extra weight in the back ain't a bad thing either.
Good luck!
CJ

 

[crazyal]

If it was me I would forget the 4 in 1 bucket and get a normal bucket with the skid steer quick attach system and then get a grapple. I don't know how much of a price difference it would be (can't be too much) but I think the grapple will be of more use as the tines can did into the ground some to help get under logs.

As for HP, the more you buy the quicker you'll finish most of the work you're thinking of doing. A 3540 will be right at the bottom end of the HP required for a 6' brush hog, a 3940 might be a better option. I think the only reason for going with a 4240 (or larger) would be for the extra lift of the loader.

The HST+ transmission is a real nice feature. I can't think of the last time I've used my 4240 and haven't used the H-DS feature, it's like being able to shift down a gear without stopping or even slowing down. It's just real nice not having to stop and shift into a different gear.

 

[CPM]

What would I be losing by not having the 4in1 and just the regular bucket and a grapple?

Presumably a grapple would be better for timber than rocks? I have a lot of volcanic rocks I'd like to use for walls etc. Some are on the surface, and some partially buried.

The 3940 would suit better but my budget is being stretched more and more!:confused2:

[Edited: This has probably been gone over before, so I'll try a search]

 

[George the Beagle]

I've never used a geared Kubota, but have used a geared Ford w/FEL, and I can tell you I'd much prefer HST for loader work. The geared tractor requires more practice/experience, and also you'll probably have substantial clutch wear. With the HST there is no wear at all with the FEL, and it's a lot easier to use.

 

[Grandad4]

What would I be losing by not having the 4in1 and just the regular bucket and a grapple?

Presumably a grapple would be better for timber than rocks? I have a lot of volcanic rocks I'd like to use for walls etc. Some are on the surface, and some partially buried.

The 3940 would suit better but my budget is being stretched more and more!:confused2:

[Edited: This has probably been gone over before, so I'll try a search]

Suggest you do a search in the "Attachments" section. One fella just posted some photos of his grapple on an L3240 including one of handling a large rock.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/234621-now-i-went-did-4.html

I don't know much about grapples, but they appear to come in different sizes and weights. You'd probably want one that's not too fragile, but not so heavy it overwhelms the tractor.

I think the issues with 4 in 1's were that the buckets themselves were quite heavy and took up took much of a tractor's FEL lift capacity, and you need a heavy machine with more hydraulic capability - at least a full-size TLB, or even a track loader - to take full advantage of them.