Comparison Kubota L3901 v. L4701

[mason156]

I am wondering how substantial the real-world difference is between these two tractors assuming HST and 4WD.

I know that the L4701 has a different engine with another cylinder, but I am wondering how much of a difference that makes in terms of what the tractor can actually do.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[TripleR]

As far as work done, it won't be a great difference, just take more time as the 4701 will handle heavier 3PH equipment and has significantly more PTO power. The 4701 is wider and longer, so in hills it will be more stable and should have an overall smoother ride.

The 4701 also has a an independent PTO with PTO brake, the other live with built in over running clutch.

The 4701 has left foot breaking making it easier to use independent brakes and HST together for those who need it as it no longer has the unneeded foot clutch, in my opinion, on the other models. It also comes standard with telescoping stabilizer bars and the HST is hydraulic servo controlled making HST pedal feel easier, more like a Grand L.

Many will be happy with the 3901 especially if finances are a consideration, my preference would be the 4701.

 

[jenkinsph]

Without starting a war about the abilities of these two tractors I would say these are different sized tractors. The 4701 can lift more, pull harder and handle larger implements than the 3901. The first thing I would ask is if you have any implements already? That could make a difference. What size implements do you plan on using? It is a matter of scale really, you need to pick the size that works best for you and your budget.

 

[motownbrowne]

The difference is quite large. The 4701 is a full frame size larger than the 3901. You get bigger tires, more weight, more 3 point lift capacity, more loader lift capacity, and more horsepower. I compared the predecessors to these models 2 years ago when I was in the new tractor market. The 3800 probably would have had enough HP to do everything I wanted to do, but the loader lift capacity and the 3 point lift capacity were not that impressive to me. I actually ended up with the MX4700, which has now become the MX4800. The difference between the 4701 and the MX isn"t as dramatic as between the two L models we"re talking about. The MX is a little heavier and a touch longer. My price quotes actually showed the MX being a few thousand cheaper than the L, so for me it was a no brainer. I'd certainly recommend checking out the MX 4800 while you're comparing.

 

[s219]

Agree with everyone else -- the 4701 is a much bigger tractor. Notable difference in size. The engine/HP difference is minor compared to the size difference.

 

[mason156]

Thanks to all for the input. Here's how this all started. I had kind of mentally settled in on the 3901 and then kept hearing the "buy one size bigger than you think you need" advice, which made me look at the 4701. Now my sights have kind of drifted to the L4701 although my budget will have to follow. Ouch. If I am looking at the L4701 I think it only makes sense to also look at the mx4800.

 

[jenkinsph]

Thanks to all for the input. Here's how this all started. I had kind of mentally settled in on the 3901 and then kept hearing the "buy one size bigger than you think you need" advice, which made me look at the 4701. Now my sights have kind of drifted to the L4701 although my budget will have to follow. Ouch. If I am looking at the L4701 I think it only makes sense to also look at the mx4800.

What size depends on what you want to do with a tractor. We can only guess without more information. You can move up and down in size all day long, I would recommend you figure out what implements you want to use and buy a tractor suited to these needs.

 

[mx1alex]

When I was shopping around for a tractor I was looking at 45hp range but found a really good deal on a L3940 I couldn't pass up. I'm still really happy with my tractor but when I brought it home it seems like it shrunk. There's definitely merit to the "buy bigger than what you think you need" thought process.

 

[RollingsFarms]

When I was shopping around for a tractor I was looking at 45hp range but found a really good deal on a L3940 I couldn't pass up. I'm still really happy with my tractor but when I brought it home it seems like it shrunk. There's definitely merit to the "buy bigger than what you think you need" thought process.

I know exactly what you mean. They all look bigger on the lot but as soon as you get them home to your property you soon find out "this isn't as big as I thought it would be".

 

[TripleR]

Really good points, I went out after much research to buy a 30-35 HP. We came across a low hour L5030HSTC that my wife fell in love with. I told her, "no way, that's too big". It was a Sunday, I thought about it over night, tried it out the next day and bought it. We now refer to its replacement an L5740HSTC as "The Little Kubota" as we also have an M8540HDC.

 

[ishiboo]

I know exactly what you mean. They all look bigger on the lot but as soon as you get them home to your property you soon find out "this isn't as big as I thought it would be".

Agreed. My NX looks small now. I'm sure I could get by with my old L3650, but I can do stuff 2X faster and have the power & traction to spare.

People do regret going to small. Rarely do people regret going a size or two up, as the price difference is not that great.

BTW, my buying process was that my L3650 was big enough but I wanted a SSQA loader and modern 0-hour tractor - I had 4300 hours on the L3650! Then I added a cab so I could sell my skid loader. Figuring the losses from the added weight/etc., that got me to the NX4510. Then I figured with losses for the hydrostatic vs my old GST, I needed another 5 which got me to the NX5010. How I got to the 6010 I am not so sure, the details are sketchy. But I'm quite happy. The only change I would have considered would be going with the smallest RX-series powershift, as I definitely miss the self-leveling loader (the 773 is a vertical lift machine) and I don't think I needed the hydrostatic and its associated problems/losses.

 

[jenkinsph]

Agreed. My NX looks small now. I'm sure I could get by with my old L3650, but I can do stuff 2X faster and have the power & traction to spare.

People do regret going to small. Rarely do people regret going a size or two up, as the price difference is not that great.

BTW, my buying process was that my L3650 was big enough but I wanted a SSQA loader and modern 0-hour tractor - I had 4300 hours on the L3650! Then I added a cab so I could sell my skid loader. Figuring the losses from the added weight/etc., that got me to the NX4510. Then I figured with losses for the hydrostatic vs my old GST, I needed another 5 which got me to the NX5010. How I got to the 6010 I am not so sure, the details are sketchy. But I'm quite happy. The only change I would have considered would be going with the smallest RX-series powershift, as I definitely miss the self-leveling loader (the 773 is a vertical lift machine) and I don't think I needed the hydrostatic and its associated problems/losses.

I like the 4520 hst cab tractor (60hp) I have now too. I like having enough power to get through most jobs faster. That said your NX6010HSTC is a very nice tractor too. I would also point out that a good selection of implements is another important consideration that a new buyer needs to think about. You have a nice collection of implements and they are not cheap either.

Haven't really heard much from the OP in detail yet but I suggested he consider what his implement needs are then pick a tractor to fit.

Lots of guessing going on in this thread imo.

 

[murphy1244]

Make sure it clears the barn door if that's where its staying.

 

[mason156]

As several people have pointed out I never really did say what I was planning to do with this tractor. Sorry about that.

I live on a hundred acres in eastern CT. We have a farmer down the road who hays the ~15 acres of fields and the rest is woods. The land is hilly with a mix of terrain. A lot of the work would be in the woods.

We have been here a while and have been remodeling an old house. Now we're starting to turn our attention to the outside. We are more weekend warriors than dedicated farming types, but our weekend warrior undertakings are pretty ambitious. We've taken down buildings, gutted and redone the house, etc.

We heat with wood and have been surviving on muscle and an old farm truck- both of which are now tired. The edges of the fields have grown in with the normal CT mix of prickery garbage and we would like to cut it back and keep it open. My wife is a big-time gardener / landcaper and has very large plans for formal gardens, rock walls etc. The property has several areas that have piles of old metal junk that we would like to remove. We also have a fair amount of snow and I have two driveways to clear, the longer of which is ~500 ft. Mostly what we find is that everything on this property is bigger than you think and we're tired of taking it on in hand-to-hand combat.

My guess on implements would be a FEL and some forks, a brush hog, possibly a chipper/shredder, and possibly a snow blower.

 

[ovrszd]

As far as work done, it won't be a great difference, just take more time as the 4701 will handle heavier 3PH equipment and has significantly more PTO power. The 4701 is wider and longer, so in hills it will be more stable and should have an overall smoother ride.

The 4701 also has a an independent PTO with PTO brake, the other live with built in over running clutch.

The 4701 has left foot breaking making it easier to use independent brakes and HST together for those who need it as it no longer has the unneeded foot clutch, in my opinion, on the other models. It also comes standard with telescoping stabilizer bars and the HST is hydraulic servo controlled making HST pedal feel easier, more like a Grand L.

Many will be happy with the 3901 especially if finances are a consideration, my preference would be the 4701.

Without knowing all the data Larry provided I was going to suggest you spend some time doing deep reading of the specs. It's common for people to think they are only buying a few HP. Most times there is much more to it. Larry has pointed that out.

There appears to be enough difference that you need to decide what you need. If you need the advantages Larry listed in regards to the 4701 then it's worth the difference in price. If you don't,,,,, it isn't.

But don't think they are the same tractor with a different engine.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

If you have any questions about the MX4800 I'll do my best to help.

 

[wcampbell47]

I have an L3901 HST with FEL. I find it to be powerful and quite nimble as compared to an L4110 I use occasionally. Much more tractor than my B3200 even though there is only 5 to 6 hp difference. I think there is 10 hp difference in the L39 and the L47 plus a whole bunch of size and weight difference. If you are going to be pulling stumps, moving boulders and ripping out trees then maybe the L4701 is the way to go. If you are going to do some gardening and brush hogging then the L3901 would be enough tractor.

I use mine to load material into my trailer at my dirt/gravel yard then to spread the material at the job site. It is more than enough tractor for my tiller and 5 foot brush hog. I also pull a 6 foot finish mower with it. I like it because it does not rut up lawns I work on unless the ground is saturated. Thinking the 47 would be much heavier and not suitable for work around the house. IMHO

 

[Fallon]

It's not a few HP, it's a few hundred to a thousand lbs. Weight defines what a tractor can do, HP just defines how fast it can do it. Really the only exception to that rule is PTO stuff, and even there mostly you need a bigger heavier tractor to properly toss around that implement anyway. The difference between my L3200 (minus tier4 emissions) & the new L3301 & a L3901 is ONLY an engine & a few HP. The L4701 is a bigger heavier frame to go along with those extra ponies.

 

[The Deerslayer]

As several people have pointed out I never really did say what I was planning to do with this tractor. Sorry about that.

I live on a hundred acres in eastern CT. We have a farmer down the road who hays the ~15 acres of fields and the rest is woods. The land is hilly with a mix of terrain. A lot of the work would be in the woods.

We have been here a while and have been remodeling an old house. Now we're starting to turn our attention to the outside. We are more weekend warriors than dedicated farming types, but our weekend warrior undertakings are pretty ambitious. We've taken down buildings, gutted and redone the house, etc.

We heat with wood and have been surviving on muscle and an old farm truck- both of which are now tired. The edges of the fields have grown in with the normal CT mix of prickery garbage and we would like to cut it back and keep it open. My wife is a big-time gardener / landcaper and has very large plans for formal gardens, rock walls etc. The property has several areas that have piles of old metal junk that we would like to remove. We also have a fair amount of snow and I have two driveways to clear, the longer of which is ~500 ft. Mostly what we find is that everything on this property is bigger than you think and we're tired of taking it on in hand-to-hand combat.

My guess on implements would be a FEL and some forks, a brush hog, possibly a chipper/shredder, and possibly a snow blower.

I too went through a similar process contemplating the same models you are. When I started to lean toward the L4701 I looked at the M line because it seemed to be alot more tractor for the money, but the additional cost vs true benefit to what I needed was not worth it in my situation. The additional size and reduced maneuverability for my needs in the woods was also a factor.

I ultimately went with the L3901 HST and am extremely satisfied. Looks like we are in the same area and I use a number of the same implements as you are planning.

 

[aeblank]

Also keep in mind, with a larger tractor come larger implements. Good for "getting more done", but can really hurt the pocketbook.