Price Check Kubota L3560 Open Station

[tycoonbob]

Fair enough, so get a trailer with dual 7k axles with brakes on both. That can be done. Am I seeing correctly that you are towing with 4 straps, and not chains?


I'm expecting the sales guy from my local dealer to call me today. I'm going to talk to him about the loader and see what he says. I know he won't be happy about it, but isn't it my happiness that really matters?

 

[BRMyers]

Fair enough, so get a trailer with dual 7k axles with brakes on both. That can be done. Am I seeing correctly that you are towing with 4 straps, and not chains?


I'm expecting the sales guy from my local dealer to call me today. I'm going to talk to him about the loader and see what he says. I know he won't be happy about it, but isn't it my happiness that really matters?

Yes, I used four straps, working load limit of 3,333 each. Something else I did, was buy small Velcro straps so I could roll up all the excess and store them nice and neat, which as you can see in the picture had not happened yet.

 

[4570Man]

There’s nothing wrong straps if you do it right. They should hold on the tractor and the trailer and touch nothing in between. Chains are a lot easier

 

[tycoonbob]

Well, I did it. I bought a L3560 open station with the LA555. Will I regret not getting the 805? Maybe one day, but not today. After laying eyes on it and playing with it at the dealer, it's more tractor than I was originally looking at, but I fell in love with the ergonomics and features. I just like staring at it, lol.

I think I'll be quite happy with it, and I look forward to delivery later this week. They said the kit was missing a few things like screws for one of the panels, 2 lever knobs, etc. They ordered them, but it'll take a few days. I totally forgot to get pictures of it, but I'll definitely get some when it gets delivered!

 

[BRMyers]

Congrats on the new tractor.

 

[kubotacres]

Congratulations on your purchase. You will be pleased. If you had prior comparison of the loader, I have no doubt you would've waited on the la805. You will be fine though.

 

[ovrszd]

Congrats on the new tractor!!!

No offense meant here. You don't know the difference in regards to the loader. You'll readily accept your loader's limitations as we all do regardless of the number on the side.

 

[AllByteNoBark]

I think you will really like the L3560, I no mine is just what I need. As far as towing the tractor, I have towed mine around 350 miles so far with my '19 Ram 1500. I have a 20+2 dual axle Rice with 7k axles, brakes on both axles and have no issues. The truck is rated well over what my total comes to according to the scales. You are correct that tongue weight will become the first issue if you load the truck with anything while towing. I prefer chains and binders. Buy two 20 foot chains and make 4 10 foot ones, add some clevises, 4 binders, and your good to go.

Enjoy your tractor!

 

[tycoonbob]

I'm very excited, and I know I will be able to do a lot with this tractor. I will be shocked if I run into limitations with the 555 loader, and worst case that just means doing smaller loads at a time...not the end of the world.

As far as towing, I have my eye on a 18+2 dual axle trailer (7k axles, brakes on both) made by Diamond T Trailers. I have a 12' utility Diamond T trailer that I love; it's well built and I have a dealer not 15 minutes from me that I like. I'e been planning a new trailer purchase for a while now, so maybe by spring that will happen. Just want to make sure I get the right kind of trailer for any load I would put on it, and this tractor will definitely be the heaviest load I'd have on it, pulled behind my 2018 Ram 1500 Rebel. I was planning ratchet binders and chains, which is something I have no experience with. For moving cars and such, I've always used proper straps, opposite corners, ~45 degree angles. Have always had good luck with that, but I figure this tractor may give me a reason to buy some good chains and binders? We'll see, and I'm in no hurry since I don't need to be able to move the tractor off my property any time soon. Can't wait!

 

[Fallon]

Tractor is 4k, loader is 1k, loaded tires adds almost 1k, trailer is 3-4k. That puts you at nearly or over 10k without an impliment. You need a pair of 7k axles under that load.

Best case scenario on a half ton truck is 12k of tow rating. That's a stripped 2wd regular cab inevitably. Even then there is rarely enough payload for the tongue weight.

Curb weight on a SuperDuty is 7-7.5k GVWR on a 3/4 ton is 10k & a 1 ton is 11.5k or so. Figure 1.5-2k tongue weight, fuel, driver, passengers & the pile of other crap you always have in a truck & a 3/4 ton gets sketchy.

I've towed my L4060 with my 2005 F250 V8 gasser. It will do it but it's pretty anemic up here in Colorado. Upgrading to a 1 ton diesel as I barely have enough side work in the summers to justify towing it.

 

[tycoonbob]

I believe you're over estimating on the trailer weight and loaded tires. 30 gallons of fluid per tire is what they use, and using windshield washer fluid it's probably about the same 8lb/gal like water. So that's ~480lb, not 1k. A 7x20' trailer with 7k axles is more around 2500lb or so.

I think my truck will do fine the few times I would actually tow the l3560 with it.

 

[4570Man]

What tires are on the tractor. I’d think they’d hold more than 30 gallons. And I don’t think you’ll find a 2500 pound trailer of the length and capacity you’re wanting. 2940 pounds from the Big Tex website.

 

[Fallon]

I believe you're over estimating on the trailer weight and loaded tires. 30 gallons of fluid per tire is what they use, and using windshield washer fluid it's probably about the same 8lb/gal like water. So that's ~480lb, not 1k. A 7x20' trailer with 7k axles is more around 2500lb or so.

I think my truck will do fine the few times I would actually tow the l3560 with it.

Quite likely, from a safety perspective I've always rounded up. I need to get the tractor, trailer & common impliments across a scale for a more accurate answer.

I'm hauling for a side gig which means commercial so I need to be more concerned about being legal in addition to being safe. Your likely to slide under the radar if it's just personal. I've recieved a fair bit of education on some stuff I wasnt aware of recently. Thankfully from TBN & not the hard way.

The beater F250 was up to the task although pretty anemic up here in Colorado with our lack of oxygen. I probably was overloading things a bit though. It's being replaced by a 1ton diesel with better GVWR.

My 22' deckover tilting deck is 4k. Stout trailer, but the tilting frame & gear adds a bit. I'd question how solid a trailer with a pair 7k axles is if it's much under 3k.

 

[tycoonbob]

R4. My dealer is the one who gave me the 30g per tire number. Whether or not it's valid, it's all I have to go on.

Thank you for sharing the Big Tex trailer weights. I must have misread some other information I previously found, but now I see you weren't too far off at all with your numbers. This indeed makes me more concerned that I may not be able to safely move my L3650 with loader/bucket, and a box blade with my current truck.

Tractor ~3500lb, loaded tires another 500lb, LA555 right at 1000lb, and L2256 is another 250lb. That with a ~3000lb trailer is 8250.
Box blade is another 400-500, depending on model (likely would get a 66-72" model).

My truck is rated at 6,900 GVWR, 15,975 GCWR, and max towing of 10,170. If I get a proper trailer around 3,000lb...I should be under limits with the weight of gear above.

6,900 GVWR + 8,250 for trailer/tractor...that's 15,150, which is 825lb under my GCWR, so I'd be legal. Definitely would want a weight distribution hitch and brakes on both axles. To be clear, my truck with passengers and gear is going to be significantly less than that 6,900 GVWR...but it's nice to go off that number. I'd say that's about 1k over what I'd really be for my actual truck weight.

 

[ovrszd]

Here's a Rimguard tire chart for fill numbers.



View attachment Rimguard tire fill chart.pdf

 

[tradosaurus]

So I'm in the process of buying my first tractor. I have ~12 acres, mostly flat/open pasture in central KY. I've got lots of loader tasks on the property, but I also have a ~750' gravel drive to maintain, ~7 acres of pasture to maintain, will eventually get into livestock (few cattle, so moving around hay I suppose), and plan to deal with a ~2 acre food plot (thinking rototiller, or plow+harrow??).

Anyway, I was originally looking at a Kioti CK3510SE HST, but Kioti wouldn't finance me, which was quite odd. Went to the Kubota dealer down the road, and it was a much different experience. Talked, looked, and compared models they had (primarily looking at the L3901 and L4701 they had, since the L3560 HST falls in between those two in physical size), but I'm pretty set on the L3560. They don't have one, but they can get one for me in the next few days, so I was quoted $26,800+tax for a L3560 open station, LA555 loader with 66" SSQA bucket, fluid filled tires (windshield washer fluid he said??). I'm fairly certain it will do all the jobs/tasks I have for it, but is this a fair price? Should I reach out to other dealers further away (this one is only 20 minutes from me, next nearest is about 1.5 hours)?

This dealer did tell me that the Grand L's don't really see the rebates and things L01's and smaller see, so I don't think there is any room to negotiate here. The upside is the tractor is brand new, still in the crate at another dealer. They said they'd go get it and assemble it in the next few days if I wanted it, so I assume that's factored into the price as well?


Also, any thoughts on the L3560 compared to a Kioti CK3510SE? Similar power and features, but I think some of the little things on the L3560 are winning me over, like the power up button on the loader control. Just not sure yet if I will like the rocker peddle deal.

Comparing the specs of a L3560 to a L3301 I don't get the value unless you are getting a cab.

700 lbs more weight, 2 hp more at the PTO, and a nicer layout for $5K more than I bought a L3301.

 

[tradosaurus]

Having owned a B3300SU, a predecessor to the L3301, and now having an L3560, believe me a Grand L is worth the additional money to almost all that buy them.

Describe your experience and the differences that make it worth the extra money.

 

[tycoonbob]

Comparing the specs of a L3560 to a L3301 I don't get the value unless you are getting a cab.

700 lbs more weight, 2 hp more at the PTO, and a nicer layout for $5K more than I bought a L3301.

It's more than just a "nicer layout". HST+ is the big selling point, as well as other options that are standard with the grand L. The extra 700 lbs and 2hp are nothing to scoff at either. Bigger loader, telescopic lower links, Auto Throttle Advance, H-DS, more legroom, better seat, tilt steering wheel, electric pto switch, nicer hst pedal, throttle up button...that's pretty much all the things that convinced me to spend the extra for the nicer machine. I just fit better on a L3560 than I did a L3901.

 

[4570Man]

Comparing the specs of a L3560 to a L3301 I don't get the value unless you are getting a cab.

700 lbs more weight, 2 hp more at the PTO, and a nicer layout for $5K more than I bought a L3301.

You get a quite a bit stronger loader, a nicer operator platform, a nicer seat, way nicer 3point arms. Aside from from having double the gear ranges the HST+ runs almost silent vs the whine of the other one. The R4s tread pattern is a lot better. Overall the Grand is a much nicer machine. You’d have to run both machines for a couple hours to appreciate the differences.

 

[Fallon]

I upgraded from a L3200 to a L4060HSTC.

The bigger machine has a pretty noticably worse power to weight ratio. A L3560 will be even worse. But that extra weight gives you so much more traction & stability. It's way worth it.

I find most of the bells & whistles on HST+ gimmicks. Except for that 2 speed shift on the fly transmission. That, the cab & the weight make the upgrade worth it. Really HST+ is the reason I stuck with Kubota when upgrading to a cab. 3 years & 350 hours in I have yet to change my opinion on that 2 speed function as the deciding factor.

Given the amount of mowing I do & my big mower I wish I had a L6060. If I had it to do over again I might have gotten a bigger engine. But I'm in no way disappointed in the L4060. Really the only value in more HP for me is roading & spinning the mower. 0 value for traction stuff as I'm traction limited not power limited.

I could barely tow the L3200 with my Toyota Tacoma (6,500lbs towing capacity). I quickly upgraded to the beater F250 after doing it. Towing the grand is noticably more of a deal, but I was pretty much on the path to the F350 & new trailer anyway. Its suprising how big of truck & trailer you end up needing to properly haul a not terribly big tractor.