New guy here... really need help choosing one of these tractors (or other suggestions

[mrwizard64]

Glade, i have no idea how to weigh these rocks man... They are heavy... Lol.

 

[gladehound]

Glade, i have no idea how to weigh these rocks man... They are heavy... Lol.

Ha! I didn't expect you to actually weigh them. Just get an idea.

For example, if the density is 150 pounds per cubic foot a the bigger rocks that you expect to carry out of there look to be about a cubic yard (27 cubic feet) then you are looking at ~4000 pound rocks. While the largest of CUTs might be able to carry these, you really would want a full size utility tractor or a 50+ hp TLB (tractor loader backhoe)

If the larger ones are only 3 cubic feet they are around 450 pounds. For these a sub compact could do the job.

The other thing that will affect tractor size selection is how much digging you plan do with the backhoe and how many rocks are under the soil (and their size). You may want to ask if you can demo whatever tractor you are interested in to make sure it can do what you want.

I think if I just bought ~20 acres and were planning to dig some foundations I'd want some sort of dedicated TLB like a JD 110 or Kubota M59. If not that then a large frame CUT like the L series with the backhoe that you are looking at seems like a reasonable choice.

 

[Teachu2]

Ha! I didn't expect you to actually weigh them. Just get an idea.

For example, if the density is 150 pounds per square foot a the bigger rocks that you expect to carry out of there look to be about a cubic yard (27 square feet) then you are looking at ~4000 pound rocks. While the largest of CUTs might be able to carry these, you really would want a full size utility tractor or a 50+ hp TLB (tractor loader backhoe)

If the larger ones are only 3 cubic feet they are around 450 pounds.

CUBIC feet, not square feet.....

 

[paulfun9]

.

I dont understand why the l3940 is so much 'better' when the hirsepower specs are basiy the same as the Kioti?

This all comes down to new vs used, and if this is a goodvalue for the price etc.

I guess the final question is, would you go NEW kioti, with the warranty and newness, or the used kubota, with better hydraulics (?) and features... And 235 hours).

Im counting votes!!!

Having owned Kubota before as well as others and comparing what was on the lots carefully when I last shopped for a new machine (about 2 years ago now) I would buy the Kioti over the Kubota again. I wont say that Kubota is a bad machine because they are not but I cant seem to find anything that gives me the feeling that I am getting anything at a balanced price for the extra money. Some people seem to think the HST plus is worth way more than I feel it is and my uses of the tractors I currently own would dictate that if I needed the HST+ I would be better off having a gear with a power shuttle rather than a HST.

 

[gladehound]

CUBIC feet, not square feet.....

How about.... per square foot of one foot thick sheet rock Hey, it was getting late!

 

[Carl_NH]

Luke, its that L39 Im thinking anout getting!

If this is the one you are looking at -it is a great TLB KUBOTA L-39 TRACTOR-LOADER-BACKHOE-4×4

The Kubota TLB series are built more rugged than the CUT and have skid plates, more hydraulic flow, lift capacity and digging capability than a comparable CUT with a BH.

You definitely want a thumb on the BH, and hydraulic one can be added (cost $800-1000 range) or a mechanical thumb for $2-400. Spring for hydraulic if you can - its great for picking and moving rocks, holding logs for cutting up firewood and many more things.

I would look at both the L3940 and L39 and decide. Not to rule out Kioti, they make fine tractors too, and the CK35 used @ $17,900 is a good deal, or the new ones are excellent machines, but different than the L3940 and L39.

Carl

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

With either tractor, go by your local kubota dealer and talk to some of the techs. Offer them $100 to go inspect the tractors before you buy. Could save you a lot of aggravation being new to tractors.
The grand was likely a homeowner machine but I think a lot of the L39s are contractor owned and CAN be pretty abused. Just buyer beware nor buyer afraid.

 

[jenkinsph]

I would suggest you make sure you have a good grip on the uses and implements you want to use first, as mentioned early in this thread. Better hydraulics are costly but adding them after the fact is more costly. While horsepower is important in sizing a tractor the cost for a few more ponies is often less than additional hydraulic or transmission features. Have to look at the whole picture.

 

[aeblank]

I also have the option of this guy right here:

KUBOTA GRAND L-3940 TRACTOR LOADER 4X4

I have that exact tractor. Honestly, I think the price is a bit high. I paid $23,500 two years ago and mine had 159 hours. Then again, and this goes to my Kubota preference, they don't go down in price much. I'm pretty certain I could sell mine within a week for what I paid for it. Regardless, I love the tractor and would *highly* recommend it. It is smooth and powerful.

I am a Kubota guy all the way, so take all my comments how you wish. I agree that Kioti seems to be "the same" tractor for less money. Equating it to cars, I'm sure you can acknowledge that a there are differences between a BMW and a Hyundai that might have similar numbers. Similar thing here (and no, I'm not calling one a BMW and the other a Hyundai). Is it worth it to spend the extra money? Well, that's up to you. As I understand it, Kubota is the most popular utility tractor manufacturer. That's hard to deny, IMO.

What backhoe? My dad has a bushhog backhoe (with subframe---make sure it's a subframe type) on his L3710. Dug lots of dirt with that baby.

 

[mrwizard64]

All very solid feedback... I will no doubt be having a Kubota mechanic take a look at the used machine. I will arrange that today and get back to you with what he says.

Aeblank, he backhoe he is adding is a BH95... which is definitely a subframe mount... is that what I want, or does that not release quickly?

(Btw, some of the rocks can be up to 3x3x3 but that's about as big as I would expect to be able to move.)

Just to keep everyone on the same page (since there have been some changes throughout the thread) the choice has been narrowed down to two machines, (The used Kioti CK25 is no longer on the table):

We have the used Kubota Grand L3940 (235 hours) with added backhoe for 26,900

KUBOTA GRAND L-3940 TRACTOR LOADER 4X4

And a Brand New Kioti CK4010H with loader and backhoe for 24,500

http://www.leisuresportsnturf.com/2...tory.htm?ID=22702550&Brand=263&Type=2997&fm=1

These things have such similar horsepower, both are HST, and I just dont know enough about Kubota's:

Throttle-Up Switch
Auto Throttle Advance
Hydro Dual Speed (H-DS) HST Hi-Lo Function
HST Response Control
HST Mode Selection

To know if that justifies a $2,000 greater payment for a USED machine. Does the dual speed allow me to pick up bigger stuff on the 'low' setting?

I don't even know man.......... all I know is that after many months of research, I need to pull the trigger on something!