Comparison Kubota L3901 v. L4701

[Ryansweatt2004]

Larger tractor may also mean larger truck and trailer to haul it. This was a deciding factor for me hen buying the l3901 vs the l4701. I wanted the biggest tractor I could afford and haul around without having to go out and buy an new trailer.

 

[wcampbell47]

Larger tractor may also mean larger truck and trailer to haul it. This was a deciding factor for me hen buying the l3901 vs the l4701. I wanted the biggest tractor I could afford and haul around without having to go out and buy an new trailer.

Ditto.

 

[ovrszd]

Larger tractor may also mean larger truck and trailer to haul it. This was a deciding factor for me hen buying the l3901 vs the l4701. I wanted the biggest tractor I could afford and haul around without having to go out and buy an new trailer.

I have been there. But my need for a larger tractor was real. I wasn't just buying the biggest tractor I could. So the hauling issue was overcome.

 

[bookmyer]

The 4701 is a much bigger tractor than the 3901. I opted for the 4701 since it had significantly more lift capacity than the 3901 and I wanted to run a 6 foot shredder. I'm sure the 3901 could run a light 6 foot shredder but it would be near the upper limits IMO. I also looked at the MX4800 but decided I really did not need the extra size even though the cost difference was negligible. I am happy with it so far. I definitely went the direction of leaning toward a bit more than I need most of the time. But I just like tractors!

 

[TMR]

Larger tractor may also mean larger truck and trailer to haul it. This was a deciding factor for me hen buying the l3901 vs the l4701. I wanted the biggest tractor I could afford and haul around without having to go out and buy an new trailer.

Put me in this "bucket" also. I will need a new trailer and likely a new truck also in either case. Not sure I want to make the jump to 3/4 ton class PU...rougher ride and more $$$$$ than a 1/2 ton class with trailer options. Also, I think the L 3901 is plenty for my needs and physical size larger begins to be a negative in the woods??

Thanks...TMR

 

[jenkinsph]

Put me in this "bucket" also. I will need a new trailer and likely a new truck also in either case. Not sure I want to make the jump to 3/4 ton class PU...rougher ride and more $$$$$ than a 1/2 ton class with trailer options. Also, I think the L 3901 is plenty for my needs and physical size larger begins to be a negative in the woods??

Thanks...TMR

I think everyone should buy the size that fits their needs the best. But I have had my last 1/2 ton pickup, the 3/4 ton and larger pickups can do so much more around a farm or worksite it is no contest. As far as ride is concerned any of the newer 3/4 ton trucks ride very well. I pull my equipment with an F550 most of the time and it rides well too. This includes 4x4 trucks as all of my trucks have it. Today all the Chevy, Ford and Dodge trucks have a good ride imo. Years ago it was different as some were rough, times change though.

 

[jenkinsph]

Put me in this "bucket" also. I will need a new trailer and likely a new truck also in either case. Not sure I want to make the jump to 3/4 ton class PU...rougher ride and more $$$$$ than a 1/2 ton class with trailer options. Also, I think the L 3901 is plenty for my needs and physical size larger begins to be a negative in the woods??

Thanks...TMR

I think everyone should buy the size that fits their needs the best. But I have had my last 1/2 ton pickup, the 3/4 ton and larger pickups can do so much more around a farm or worksite it is no contest. As far as ride is concerned any of the newer 3/4 ton trucks ride very well. I pull my equipment with an F550 most of the time and it rides well too. This includes 4x4 trucks as all of my trucks have it. Today all the Chevy, Ford and Dodge trucks have a good ride imo. Years ago it was different as some were rough, times change though.

 

[wcampbell47]

Put me in this "bucket" also. I will need a new trailer and likely a new truck also in either case. Not sure I want to make the jump to 3/4 ton class PU...rougher ride and more $$$$$ than a 1/2 ton class with trailer options. Also, I think the L 3901 is plenty for my needs and physical size larger begins to be a negative in the woods??

Thanks...TMR

There are times I am glad I tow with a 1 ton. By the time I put the L3901 with FEL and heavy implement on the back on the trailer I can not feature towing with a 1/2 ton. The V10 may be overkill but it is nice to have the power if I need it. I don't go down the road with the bumper nearly dragging the pavement. I am well below the rated capacities for the truck when towing.

 

[Ryansweatt2004]

I tow my l3901 with FEL and box blade behind my 08 half ton Toyota Tundra. The 4.7 v8 has plenty of power and suspension to tow it. That said, I'm just about at the limit of my trailer and I wouldn't ever want to tow anything any heavier without a heavier rated trailer and some stronger rear leaf springs.

 

[jenkinsph]

View attachment 452788

I tow my l3901 with FEL and box blade behind my 08 half ton Toyota Tundra. The 4.7 v8 has plenty of power and suspension to tow it. That said, I'm just about at the limit of my trailer and I wouldn't ever want to tow anything any heavier without a heavier rated trailer and some stronger rear leaf springs.

As Campbell mentions I also don't want to tow at near rated capacities. In mountain terrain I much prefer towing at 66% of capacity instead of 100%. The reason I bought the F550 is because of bigger brakes, 4.88 rear end gears, 33,000 gross combined weight rating. Most of the time the truck, trailer and payload (tractor and implements) is about 22,000 lbs. Truck and trailer are a split on weight at about 11,000 lbs. each. That helps when I have to park on a slope and get out to chock the wheels on the trailer. I don't need the trailer to drag the truck down a slope.

 

[dalroo]

I do not believe my story is unique, but like a lot of others here have probably also done, I spent a lot of time as a novice trying to determine what was the best fit for MY needs. Looked at the Ls, MXs, 4045e, Kioti, and others. There are many, many options and it gets confusing trying to compare apples to oranges. I ended up with the MX4800, although came close on several others, but felt for the price it filled every check box. It is a heavier tractor which was a big bonus. So far, although still new, I've had no regrets.

When looking though, one thing to consider on the MX is that the price difference, while negligible compared to the L4701, means you may be getting fewer features. My MX4800 did not come with rear remotes, extendable lower links, or a third function on the FEL. Again, for me, that was not a deal killer, but for others it may be, and although these functions can be added, it is usually more cost-effective to do so when buying new as a package.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I do not believe my story is unique, but like a lot of others here have probably also done, I spent a lot of time as a novice trying to determine what was the best fit for MY needs. Looked at the Ls, MXs, 4045e, Kioti, and others. There are many, many options and it gets confusing trying to compare apples to oranges. I ended up with the MX4800, although came close on several others, but felt for the price it filled every check box. It is a heavier tractor which was a big bonus. So far, although still new, I've had no regrets.

When looking though, one thing to consider on the MX is that the price difference, while negligible compared to the L4701, means you may be getting fewer features. My MX4800 did not come with rear remotes, extendable lower links, or a third function on the FEL. Again, for me, that was not a deal killer, but for others it may be, and although these functions can be added, it is usually more cost-effective to do so when buying new as a package.

That's interesting, I added those excact 3 things you mentioned when I bought mine.
Then went and got a quick hitch so the extendable 3pt is not so useful! Live and learn.

 

[ovrszd]

I do not believe my story is unique, but like a lot of others here have probably also done, I spent a lot of time as a novice trying to determine what was the best fit for MY needs. Looked at the Ls, MXs, 4045e, Kioti, and others. There are many, many options and it gets confusing trying to compare apples to oranges. I ended up with the MX4800, although came close on several others, but felt for the price it filled every check box. It is a heavier tractor which was a big bonus. So far, although still new, I've had no regrets.

When looking though, one thing to consider on the MX is that the price difference, while negligible compared to the L4701, means you may be getting fewer features. My MX4800 did not come with rear remotes, extendable lower links, or a third function on the FEL. Again, for me, that was not a deal killer, but for others it may be, and although these functions can be added, it is usually more cost-effective to do so when buying new as a package.

Very well stated.

I've lost track of the number of discussions I've read comparing tractor models. Of those, if lengthy, the critical list of features you mentioned usually gets buried beneath all the personal opinions.

For my uses I need all the features you mentioned and more. I once bought a tractor without those features. Ended up adding most aftermarket. When I bought my current Kubota I used that mistake to properly set the tractor up to meet my needs. I'm much happier now and the tractor is much more capable and useful to fit my needs.

A simple price comparison never touches these issues.

 

[Ryansweatt2004]

As Campbell mentions I also don't want to tow at near rated capacities. In mountain terrain I much prefer towing at 66% of capacity instead of 100%. The reason I bought the F550 is because of bigger brakes, 4.88 rear end gears, 33,000 gross combined weight rating. Most of the time the truck, trailer and payload (tractor and implements) is about 22,000 lbs. Truck and trailer are a split on weight at about 11,000 lbs. each. That helps when I have to park on a slope and get out to chock the wheels on the trailer. I don't need the trailer to drag the truck down a slope.

Where I am here in Maine it's mostly flat with low foothills. I wouldn't tow it through mountain areas unless there was absolutely no other option. That said, I rarely tow it more than 10-15 miles from home as well.

 

[TMR]

Where I am here in Maine it's mostly flat with low foothills. I wouldn't tow it through mountain areas unless there was absolutely no other option. That said, I rarely tow it more than 10-15 miles from home as well.

Since I am in a position that I will likely need to buy a new tow vehicle in any case...I will give strong consideration to a 3/4 ton instead of a 1/2 ton. I could probably work with a trailer set up 1/2 ton on many of the models I am looking at...but a 3/4 ton would give me more cushion and flexibility. That is, when I discover that I really NEED a bigger tractor after the first year Thanks...TMR

P.S. My current vehicle is a 12 year old Toyota Land Cruiser with 6,750# tow rating AND 170K miles. I think I would be OK using during the summer...perhaps with a BX or a B 2650...particularly if I had a dual axle trailer that allowed appropriate positioning on the trailer bed. Currently have a 6'x10' single axle...which was OK when I tried it last summer with a BX. I also loaded a B 2650 and was a little hitch heavy. Might have been able to move the weight around a bit...but wouldn't want to go to an L series. TMR

 

[Fallon]

When I bought my L3200, back blade & rotary cutter they fame home on a borrowed 20'? Trailer behind my 2009 Toyota Tacoma (rated to pull 6,500lbs). I'm guessing I might have been upwards to 1,000lbs over that on the 30 minute slow back roads trip.

I have since picked up a 16' (plus really long tongue) tilting deck trailer with a pair of 7k lbs axles. Love the trailer, but it rides rough & I can only balance it because of that long tongue hanging the loader or implement off the deck on the tongue. With just the tractor & loader on that trailer I'm under weight, but engine, suspension & brakes are obviously maxed, more so than I'd like.

Enter my new beater farm truck. 2005 F250 with a service body & almost a quarter million miles when I got it. It pulls a lot better. It actually rode better hauling 1.8 tons of gravel in the back & really didn't perform noticeably worse while doing it. I don't like pushing my machines to the limit either, so I'm happy with the beater farm truck for that role now.

I'm sure my Tacoma is more truck than an old 1/2 ton, but definitely not quite in the same league as a modern half ton. I'd look at a modern 3/4 ton for any real hauling. Ride isn't as nice, but its designed for work more than comfort.

 

[newbury]

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.

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.

That was my problem, lots of research led me to trying to find a 35 to 40 HP tractor that would lift a ton on the 3pt.

Then I stumbled on my M4700 and the price was right. It was too big for my trailer until I turned the back wheels around.

But I squeezed it in.

Now that I'm getting to use it in the woods in Mississippi I find it about the max size

I would want for the woods I go through. Plus it clears my garage door by only an inch or so!

 

[aeblank]

...until I turned the back wheels around.

Drives me batty just looking at it!

 

[TripleR]

newbury, Nice tractor, you sure were lucky to find that tractor in good shape, they sure don't stay for sale long.

 

[ovrszd]

.Enter my new beater farm truck. 2005 F250 with a service body & almost a quarter million miles when I got it. I'm happy with the beater farm truck for that role now.

You consider a 2005 a beater truck??? We are sooooooooooo far apart. I consider my 2000 F250 Powerstroke with 210,000 miles my primary vehicle.......