L3901 vs L4701

[RonSwanson]

The MX5400 is really nice too though and that might be an option.

 

[Peter 315]

Nice his and hers tractors.............

 

[fried1765]

Good point. Thanks. They are saying $900 for either model for filled R4 tires too.

Buy the tire liquid fill valve at TSC...$10.
Then, small 110v transfer pump ($30), and windshield washer fluid @ approx. $1.50 per gal.
Probably $150-$180 total cost..... a whole lot less than $900!
WWF is not quite as heavy as Rimguard, but for it's weight per gal., it is VERY cost effective.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

The MX5400 is really nice too though and that might be an option.

Don't forget to test drive both!

 

[RonSwanson]

I just test drove a 3901 and 4701. 3901 was HST and 4701 was geared because thats all they had in the back. I really like the 4701. I dont think itll leave me wanting for more capability like the 3901 probably would.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

I just test drove a 3901 and 4701. 3901 was HST and 4701 was geared because thats all they had in the back. I really like the 4701. I dont think itll leave me wanting for more capability like the 3901 probably would.

Yeah, pity you didn't get to drive the MX5400 too for comparison. But if you're seriously considering the 4701, you should really consider the MX5400 for the following reasons:

1. The incremental cost of the MX5400 is very small compared to the L4701, much much smaller than the cost of going from the L3901 to the L4701, i.e. you're in the fine-tuning territory, financially.
2. The L4701 something of a product orphan carrying potentially less resale value. There's a reason dealers don't carry them on the lot (at least the two vermont dealers near me), unless they're used. It's because they're so close to the MX5400 that for the price it's well worth the upgrade to 5400.
3. The L4701 is 62.4" wide. The MX5400 is 69.7" wide - more stability, and probably (guessing) more options on tire spacing if you want it.
4. The L4701HST is 37.8 PTO HP. The MX5400HST is 46.5 PTO HP. That's a nice step up, an extra foot of whatever PTO attachment you want to power, or more power to the smaller implement.

You can see I'm pushing the 5400, because that's what I chose in my own very recent purchase, for the above reasons and more. And I'm really happy with it, it is an awesome machine. Of course that extra $2k or so may be the deal breaker, and in my case I also upgraded some of my attachments from 5' to 6' with the extra machine width, which you don't have to do but may be a price or other consideration.

Good luck! (And test drive a 5400 if you can). All that said, I'm sure the 4701 is a fine machine too, but I'm definitely not having any buyer's remose about the extra money I spent on the 5400. I'm sure retirement is over-rated anyway, right? (As in I may just have pushed mine out, but the l3901 probably would have done that too).

 

[Milo]

Originally Posted by RonSwanson View Post
Good point. Thanks. They are saying $900 for either model for filled R4 tires too.

Buy the tire liquid fill valve at TSC...$10.
Then, small 110v transfer pump ($30), and windshield washer fluid @ approx. $1.50 per gal.
Probably $150-$180 total cost..... a whole lot less than $900!
WWF is not quite as heavy as Rimguard, but for it's weight per gal., it is VERY cost effective.

$900 for filled *R4* tires isn't that bad when you consider the R4 tires themselves cost an extra $532 over the standard R1's. So you're paying them $368 for Rimgard and labor to fill the things up.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

$900 for filled *R4* tires isn't that bad when you consider the R4 tires themselves cost an extra $532 over the standard R1's. So you're paying them $368 for Rimgard and labor to fill the things up.

If I had a leak I'd probably rather it was beat juice over windshield washer fluid, but perhaps I'm overestimating the environmental friendliness of the Kubota branded beat juice, and underestimating the environmental friendliness of windshield washer fluid.

 

[Peter 315]

If I had a leak I'd probably rather it was beat juice over windshield washer fluid, but perhaps I'm overestimating the environmental friendliness of the Kubota branded beat juice, and underestimating the environmental friendliness of windshield washer fluid.

How many gallons of windshield washer fluid are sprayed on car windows every year ....... I'm guessing a lot.....

 

[RickB]

If I had a leak I'd probably rather it was beat juice over windshield washer fluid, but perhaps I'm overestimating the environmental friendliness of the Kubota branded beat juice, and underestimating the environmental friendliness of windshield washer fluid.

Kubota branded beet (sp) juice?