Another which to buy

Bayou1535 · Mar 26, 2019

First time post but I've been reading for the last 6 months and watched every youtube video possible relating to options with subtle changes after everyone's ideas and similar questions. Have patience and bear with me through this journey, also help me spend some money lol. My property size is 19 acres total including house, barn and a 1 acre pond. Within that 20 acres, I have a large shop, the 1 acre pond, large-long-looping gravel driveway (1000 feet). I have an acre to 2 acres across a creek that is unusable. I also will be fencing 12-13 acres in for livestock with the tractor I purchase. After fencing in the land (12-13 acres), minus the land across the creek (1-2 acres) I will roughly be taking care of 4-5 acres which won't be mowed with the tractor. The 4-5 acres will not be finished mowed either, arleast not all of it. I will be using the tractor for setting the fence posts, 1000 foot driveway maintenance, round bale (small) moving and odd jobs at the house.

I would really like to move small round bales for the livestock with the FEL but would use the 3 point if necessary, I've read read plenty about moving round bales with the FEL and smaller tractors. Originnally I was thinking that a L2501 would be enough and I'm sure it is but I'm leaning towards an L3560 or L4060 non cabbed-HST. I've went and looked at a L2501 and a L3901 but have not sat on a L3560 or L4060 or been next to one. The L3901 would be the right size except for the round bales, I'm assuming. I don't like the hump in the floor nor and the joystick location or the features the L3901 lacks from the L3560. The L3901 is not drastically cheaper than the L3560. If I had a L3901 I wouldn't complain one bit but if I'm buying, I want to get what I want within reason. I understand getting bigger than what you think you need but I also believe you can chase that for ever. I'm thinking the L4060 is way more than I need and the L3560 is still more than I need but were I should be. The L4060 woulf cost me roughly $2,500 more so it's not a huge difference. Is the L3560 the odd one out in the grand series, I know a few on here has one? Anyways, I'm open to your suggestions. Thanks

Fallon · Mar 26, 2019

An economy L isnt safe for handling big bales. I had a L3200 (same as a L2501 other than emissions tweaks) & moved some big square bales with it on pallet forks. It did it, but wasnt stable even with loaded R4s & lots of ballast way back. My new(ish) L4060 will lift a big bale no sweat with no ballast & heel more stable than the L3200 with 1/3 of a bale.

An economy L will move a big bale on a 3pt bale spear fine I'm sure, but that's not wise to loose the ability to stack bales unless you really have other constraints.

The only real difference between a L3560 & L4060 is tire size & HP. Both will lift the same load (get the big loader, dont think about saving a couple bucks on the small one). The bigger tires on the L4060 will give it a but more traction, but not much. You need more power to run a PTO impliment (mower) or drive at max speed down the road. But the lower HP machine will do the same job, just a hair slower. In Colorado my lack of Oxygen makes my L4060 equal to a L3560 at sea level. I often want more power for mowing & roading, which I do a lot as a side gig. But I'm fine with the payment on a cheaper machine.

Fallon · Mar 26, 2019

Oh, and shift a HST transmission, move a bit, then shift it again a dozen times or so. Every HST tranny by every OEM sucks. Then realize HST+ on the Grands has an electronic shift on the fly high/low range & you have to shift that clunker tranny 50-75% less. You learn to love HST+ quick.

Weight us what makes a tractor work, HP just defines how fast. A Grand weighs almost double what an economy L does. A Grand would luterally pull circles around an economy machine dragging a bigger load.

tradosaurus · Mar 27, 2019

I'm going to go with MX4800 or MX5200 with HST

https://www.kubotausa.com/products/tractors/economy-utility/mx

TheMadOne · Mar 27, 2019

L3560 is the only 3 banger of the grand Ls. It also has a slightly shorter wheelbase.

The L3560 and L4060 share the same front axle, which is smaller than the one on the rest of the Grand Ls.

I don't know of anyone who opted for the LA555, everyone gets LA805.

Jchonline · Mar 27, 2019

There is a L3560 LE out now, I would look that way. They reduced the price by $2500 and only removed $1000 worth of add-on (lights, etc) that can easily be purchased and added back. There are also other brands if you arent set on Kubota. Deere, LS, Kioti, RK/TYM, Massey, New Holland, Branson, others.

oosik · Mar 27, 2019

Your safety should be a concern here. Don't opt for a tractor that will be right on the ragged edge of its capabilities, if lifting a bale. Get a unit that will safely & easily lift a bale. Besides, like most of us - you are going to find many more jobs to do, once you get a tractor.

I went from a 26 hp unit to a 64 hp unit. Never regretted that size jump.

jeff9366 · Mar 27, 2019

Bayou1535 said:
I'm leaning towards an L3560 or L4060 non cabbed - HST.

Jchonline said:
There is a L3560 Limited Edition now.

L3560 Limited Edition is a cab equipped model.

Bayou1535 said:
Is the L3560 the odd one out in the grand series?

The L3560 is the solution for those who purchased an L2501/3301/3901, then decided the tractor was too light.
L3560 allows tractor/weight trade up using same width implements.

When I was shopping for a Grand L, mostly for work in north Florida woodlands, a T-B-N contributor suggested I buy a 1-1/4 inch stick of PVC pipe, cut it at 66", the width of the larger Grand Ls, mark it at 60", the width of an L3560 and walk around my property PVC in hand. I did. It was apparent a 60" wide L3560 would fit through more tree gaps than a 66" wide Grand L.

So I bought the L3560 and have been very happy and much safer since.

TheMadOne said:
I don't know of anyone who opted for the LA555, everyone gets LA805.

LA805 with optional SSQA L2296 heavy-duty, round-back FEL bucket, includes me.

The primary reason shoppers trade up to a second tractor is desire for more tractor weight.
The second reason shoppers trade up to a second tractor is for additional Loader lift capacity.

After WEIGHT the big attraction on all the Grand Ls is the HST/PLUS electronics augmented transmission. I operate for weeks without a stall in Loader work. I stalled my Kubota B3300SU fifteen times per day doing Loader work.

VIDEO: Kubota HST Plus Transmission Features - YouTube

Keep in mind that even with the ROPS folded NONE of the Grand Ls will pass through a door with an 87" header, pretty much a standard for USA garages. I had the local welding shop section out 4" of the lower portion of ROPS so I could rest L3560 in my humidity controlled garage. January 2013 cost: $200.

I discern two advantages to L4060 over L3560:

1. Wider bucket, greater cube capacity.

2. 6" wider tractor stance for stability.
But as you can spread ALL Grand L rear wheels, whether with R1 or R4 tires, I am not sure this is a real advantage.
However, this should be considered if you may wish to operate a Moldboard Plow, where the wheels/tires must align front to rear.

I discern one disadvantage to L4060: The three cylinder engine in the L3560 has fewer parts than the four cylinder engine in the heavier Grand L models.

628pm · Mar 27, 2019

While I don't have a tractor the size you need, If I was going to buy one, I would look at one with a cab. As you get older the creature comforts make a difference. If the cab tractor would clear any low hanging branches (trim branches) think how nice it would be during the hot summer mowing, you wouldn't get all of the pollen and other things thrown from the bush hog. Then during the winter you would be cleaning your drive in comfort. I know everything adds up in price but if it is a long term purchase in my opinion it would be worth it.