Advice On First Kubota Purchase

[LD1]

For HST, there is no difference other than power between the L3800 and L3200, and either will pull a 5' bushhog through a pasture with ease.

I would be looking at the L and NOT the B. Since you are used to the n. Physical size and weight wise, the L is nearly the same. And nearly the same pulling ability. Not trying to insult the B, as it is a good tractor, but compared to your N, It would feel small.

 

[k0ua]

Get the HST, you will not regret it, and if you can swing it, you should get the SSQA bucket. You might want some pallet forks later.. very handy. Also you can buy or make many other SSQA attachments for your Front End Loader. If you ever think you would want these things, now is the time to buy, it is much cheaper to do it now than later.. I know..

James K0UA

 

[TripleR]

Really either a larger B or the L will be OK on your property, but be sure to spend as much time as possible on both before buying. I won't buy another tractor without position control 3PH which many of the B's don't have and the price of the ones with it get pretty close to the cost of an L. I tried an L out and found the work platform to be a little awkward to get onto and off and didn't like the bump in the middle, overall ergonomics just weren't right overall. What bothers one another will like so fit the machine to you. I wound up with a Grand L, but that is going to really cost you, so spend some time on those you mentioned and see which fits you the best and go from there. Both are good tractors with lots of happy owners.

Between the L3200 and 3800 my choice would be the 3800 for the reasons mentioned.

 

[mopac01]

Really either a larger B or the L will be OK on your property, but be sure to spend as much time as possible on both before buying. I won't buy another tractor without position control 3PH which many of the B's don't have and the price of the ones with it get pretty close to the cost of an L. I tried an L out and found the work platform to be a little awkward to get onto and off and didn't like the bump in the middle, overall ergonomics just weren't right overall. What bothers one another will like so fit the machine to you. I wound up with a Grand L, but that is going to really cost you, so spend some time on those you mentioned and see which fits you the best and go from there. Both are good tractors with lots of happy owners.

Between the L3200 and 3800 my choice would be the 3800 for the reasons mentioned.

TripleR - what part of Missouri are you in? I'm now just outside KC, but grew up in St. Louis.

I've never looked forward to getting on my N. Partly because I had to mow with my hand on the hydrolic lever since the slightest difference in engine RPM going uphill vs downhill would change the height of the mower. With the engine off the mower IMMEDIATELY started to drop. I also never looked forward to going out there because at least once a summer it wouldn't start for one reason or another. It's not that it wasn't repairable, but my time is limited with 4 kids, a time intensive summer work schedule and when I had time for a project I wanted it to be the intended project and not another "tractor project." And let's not forget that if I got the mower stuck I couldn't raise the hydrolics without disconnecting the PTO shaft first. I can honestly say I won't miss the N and would get some satisfaction with simply putting it in neutral and pointing it at the pond were it not for the environmental damage to the pond.

I've noticed the Grand L and an earlier poster who suggested an even larger Kubota. But for 5 acres that are "finished" and just need to be maintained and a firm resolve for my next move to be in a pine box I think anything larger than an L3200 or L3800 is going to be a lot like swatting flies with a sledge hammer or getting a 16' double axle trailer to haul a push mower.

 

[TripleR]

TripleR - what part of Missouri are you in? I'm now just outside KC, but grew up in St. Louis.

I've never looked forward to getting on my N. Partly because I had to mow with my hand on the hydrolic lever since the slightest difference in engine RPM going uphill vs downhill would change the height of the mower. With the engine off the mower IMMEDIATELY started to drop. I also never looked forward to going out there because at least once a summer it wouldn't start for one reason or another. It's not that it wasn't repairable, but my time is limited with 4 kids, a time intensive summer work schedule and when I had time for a project I wanted it to be the intended project and not another "tractor project." And let's not forget that if I got the mower stuck I couldn't raise the hydrolics without disconnecting the PTO shaft first. I can honestly say I won't miss the N and would get some satisfaction with simply putting it in neutral and pointing it at the pond were it not for the environmental damage to the pond.

I've noticed the Grand L and an earlier poster who suggested an even larger Kubota. But for 5 acres that are "finished" and just need to be maintained and a firm resolve for my next move to be in a pine box I think anything larger than an L3200 or L3800 is going to be a lot like swatting flies with a sledge hammer or getting a 16' double axle trailer to haul a push mower.

I live in what is often referred to as "Swampeast Missouri" as it was almost all swampland prior to the Little River Drainage District drain most of it turning it into fertile farmland. I lived and worked in KCMO my first year and a half on my job beginning in 1975, office was at 615 E. 13th Street, I lived one block in the city limits up at Claycomo and spent my spare time riding my bike through the countryside. I imagine it has all been swallowed up by now.

Picking just the right size tractor can be confusing, one time I went shopping convinced I needed a B2920 and came home with a BX2660, another time I went to buy a B3200 or L3400 and came home with an L5030.:laughing:

I can identify with your Ford N to some degree as for many years my only tractor was a Ford NAA, never knew when it would start or I would have to walk home in the middle of a job.

You might want to introduce yourself here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/midwest-great-lakes/228416-missouri-roll-call-show-me.html

 

[jeff9366]

The "Grand L" L3560 is not larger. It has HST+ transmission, spacious cockpit, pin adjustable stabilizers and telescoping lower links, which, in combination, make hooking up implements a breeze; its quieter and another 700 pounds over the "regular" L series.

My dream.

http://www.kubota.com/product/L60/lineup.aspx

 

[GPintheMitten]

Brings back memories. I'm 63 and for 30 or so years, did a lot of work with my old 2N, no loader, no live pto. Raised 3 kids that had horses, built 2 barns, lots of fencing, manure spreading, brush hogging, rear finish mower, snow plowing, plowing gardens, pulling an old disk that was too big, etc.

Got divorced 12 years ago and sold everything.

About 2 years ago, I bought a B2620 with loader and a 60" belly mower. I added a rear blade, a 5' rear snow blower and 4' tiller, bought an old 4' brush hog and just recently bought a post hole digger.

I was going to buy a B2920 but found a good deal on a used B2620 (3 horspower difference).

I am so happy to have an HST, loader and a pto I can shut off independent of the 3 point lift. This thing is awesome. For what work you describe and amount of acreage, I think the B2920 would work fine for you.

But I agree, get on the platforms, test drive them and then make your decision. But any of the models you mentioned will be so much better than the 70 year old technology you have been using. And you can get some money out of the old N.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Also, just ordered a set of telescoping stabilizer arms to replace the turnbuckle stabilizers that come with the B2620. from Mark Hodge StabilWorks Cost was $167. I'm also considering getting Pat's Easy Change system for the 2 lower links.

I want to make it easier to change implements in my old age and some of my implements are pretty heavy.