That is a nice tractor. I think it is a good size tractor for you. It would be nice if it had a 723 loader, I guess they cam on 3130. Like the guys have said you can get a new Kubota for 0% APR for 60 months and no payments til April 1, 2013.
32 HP? Is it enough?
- Thread starter 5thGenTexan
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5thGenTexan
Member
When we get the house built we will have a ÿard" inside the fence that I will probably mow with a walk behind mower. The rest will be whatever grows and will have to knock it down a few times a year depending on rain. I think I will need a tractor that will do some work and on occasion drag around a rotary mower. I don't see myself messing around with 3 acres of nice pretty grass or anything. 
joshuabardwell
Elite Member
I have about the same size property as you, and I can tell you that a 32 HP tractor is almost certainly overkill. I mean, if you have the HP, you'll use it, but you can definitely get the jobs you're planning on doing done with a tractor in the 25 HP range. A 25 HP tractor may have about 20 HP at the PTO, so it'll easily pull a 4' finish mower. At a speed of 4 MPH (pulled out of my rear), you will mow 3 acres in 1.7 hours. If you go up to a 30 HP tractor, that gets you up to about a 5' mower, and your mowing time goes down to 1.3 hours. You saved 24 minutes. The point is that, on a property as small as you're talking about, the extra mowing speed that the bigger tractor gets you doesn't pan out. If you had 30 acres to mow, you would save 240 minutes, and that would be a big deal, especially when you count in fuel costs. But with only three acres, you're just not getting that much out of the extra horsepower.
What about the blade work? For ground engagement, HP is only half the equation. HP is worthless without traction. Tire type is one of the things that determines traction, but since all tractors can get the same tires, that's not a differentiator. Weight is the other thing that determines traction. You take two tractors, both with the same HP, and the heavier one will out-pull the lighter one. There are folks on TBN with 20 HP tractors who say that the tractor will spin the wheels. So at that point, any additional horsepower that the tractor might have would be totally wasted, since it can't translate the HP into motion. On the flip-side, if mowing is going to be one of your primary uses, a lighter tractor may be preferable, because it will mess up the grass less. You can still do ground-engaging work with a lighter tractor--especially a 4wd--it just takes a little longer. My tractor weighs about 3000 lbs, and I would hesitate to use it as a primary mower because it's so big and even when the ground is dry, it really leaves an impact. If the ground was wet, forget about it.
Last thing: this comment?
If you like orange, buy orange, but your thought about other colors not having the "beef" is just baloney. Nobody could say that Deere lacks "beef" with a straight face, but setting Big Green aside, all of the major manufacturers make excellent, excellent tractors that will get the work done. Frankly, today's CUT and SCUT tractor buyer has so many excellent choices that it is sometimes too much. You really can hardly go wrong. Deere. Kubota. Kioti. Massey. New Holland. Heck, these days you can pick up a Bobcat (same as Kioti, just different color) for dimes on the dollar, since they are dropping the line. Every one of these tractors will do the work you need (which, let's face it, is not that demanding) day in and day out for years to come. There are differentiating factors that might make one of them more appealing to you than another. But just take the idea that any of them don't have the "beef" and throw it out the window. "They look better in pics"? Look a little deeper than pics before you make your decision. Look at the tractor in person. Sit in the driver's seat. Drive it around. Operate the loader. Talk to the dealer. Check out financing options (if relevant). Consider parts availability and service. Consider resale value. Compare specs.
What about the blade work? For ground engagement, HP is only half the equation. HP is worthless without traction. Tire type is one of the things that determines traction, but since all tractors can get the same tires, that's not a differentiator. Weight is the other thing that determines traction. You take two tractors, both with the same HP, and the heavier one will out-pull the lighter one. There are folks on TBN with 20 HP tractors who say that the tractor will spin the wheels. So at that point, any additional horsepower that the tractor might have would be totally wasted, since it can't translate the HP into motion. On the flip-side, if mowing is going to be one of your primary uses, a lighter tractor may be preferable, because it will mess up the grass less. You can still do ground-engaging work with a lighter tractor--especially a 4wd--it just takes a little longer. My tractor weighs about 3000 lbs, and I would hesitate to use it as a primary mower because it's so big and even when the ground is dry, it really leaves an impact. If the ground was wet, forget about it.
Last thing: this comment?
If you like orange, buy orange, but your thought about other colors not having the "beef" is just baloney. Nobody could say that Deere lacks "beef" with a straight face, but setting Big Green aside, all of the major manufacturers make excellent, excellent tractors that will get the work done. Frankly, today's CUT and SCUT tractor buyer has so many excellent choices that it is sometimes too much. You really can hardly go wrong. Deere. Kubota. Kioti. Massey. New Holland. Heck, these days you can pick up a Bobcat (same as Kioti, just different color) for dimes on the dollar, since they are dropping the line. Every one of these tractors will do the work you need (which, let's face it, is not that demanding) day in and day out for years to come. There are differentiating factors that might make one of them more appealing to you than another. But just take the idea that any of them don't have the "beef" and throw it out the window. "They look better in pics"? Look a little deeper than pics before you make your decision. Look at the tractor in person. Sit in the driver's seat. Drive it around. Operate the loader. Talk to the dealer. Check out financing options (if relevant). Consider parts availability and service. Consider resale value. Compare specs.
Parkranger
New member
I had the the same concerns and I can say that the Kubota L series will not disappoint you. If you are looking at used Kubotas, I would call up Barlow Equipment and see what they have. They are great to deal with, honest, and will not over sell you. They helped me when I was loooking for a used tractor and I got a gret deal.
As for mowing, the question is if you are going to mow weekely with a finish mower or monthly with a roatary brushhog-style mower. That may change what tractor you need and the tires you will need. The L series you included in you firsrt post is a great tractor and will run a small rotatry mower nicely, but with the ag tires and the weight, it could rut up a yard.
As for mowing, the question is if you are going to mow weekely with a finish mower or monthly with a roatary brushhog-style mower. That may change what tractor you need and the tires you will need. The L series you included in you firsrt post is a great tractor and will run a small rotatry mower nicely, but with the ag tires and the weight, it could rut up a yard.
JOHNTHOMAS
Super Member
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2008
- Messages
- 7,719
- Location
- Somerset, Ky
- Tractor
- F2690 4WD RTV X1140 MX5400 HST ZD1211
Interesting way of picking the machine for you.
I know over the years most of us on this forum recommend a person define their needs/jobs and machines that will do those jobs are recommended and if a price range is given then the choices can be narrowed down to a few more specific machines and here in the Kubota forum most of us Kubota owners recommend a Kubota model. We do have some owners of other colors hanging out over here in Orange country that want to push the tractor they own, maybe to feel better about their choice.:laughing:
Your way of saying I have so much money and I want a tractor (based on it looking like a full sized tractor), only and then telling your jobs is just a bit different way of going about it.
My first Kubota purchase 10 years ago was a BX2200 MMM FEL which I bought to be a lifetime mower with a high priced wheelbarrow on the front. I was surprised at the work it would do looking like a lawnmower. I started doing most jobs on my 5 acres of hillside myself rather than hiring the work out. The big lawnmower done so much that I traded it to a B7800 FEL and for 3 years tamed my 5 acres and then traded the B7800 to a L3240. The L3240 was to big and I started looking for reasons not to use it instead of looking for reasons to use it. Traded the L3240 to a B3200 and went back to hunting for jobs to do.
I also bought from Barlows since JD wanted $3000 more for the equal tractor and NH wanted $2500 more for the equal tractor. Since the original purchase I've bought a total of 13 and will be 14 Oranges (well the RTV1140 is camoflage) tomorrow from Barlows.
If it looking BIG and not LITTLE bothers you more than getting the best deal to do your jobs for the least amount of money then go find a BIG used one.:cool2:
boggen
Elite Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2011
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- 3,789
- Location
- Trivoli, IL
- Tractor
- SSTT (Sideways Snake Tain Tractor) and STB (sideways train box) tractor, dirt harvester
ya kinda setting yourself up for trouble. when buying used. and trying to get something specific. look around, and if you can, take your time, and check the websites, over the next 3 to 6 months. get out there and check a few tractors out there, that look promising.
buying used, can be more about, upkeep and care a tractor has had, and then what you will need to put into it, to keep it up and running.
buying used, can be more about, upkeep and care a tractor has had, and then what you will need to put into it, to keep it up and running.
nybirdman
Super Member
I owned a L3130 HST with the 723 loader for four years.Pulled a two bottom plow,ran a five foot bush hog,six ft.sub-frame snow plow and ran a five ft.roto-tiller.Excellent tractor,I traded up mostly for a cab.They did offer a smaller loader for this tractor(500?).Mine was 4wd with R1 (AG) tires.Maybe a bit much for lawn work but over-all a great tractor.
EE_Bota
Veteran Member
I could work the heck out of three acres with the tractor you posted.
Bluegill2
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2012
- Messages
- 1,876
- Location
- Success Missouri
- Tractor
- Kubota L3800DT, L3750DT Shuttle
My first Kubota was a 2wd L245. I cleared and kept 10 acres mowed with it. Then moved to the much larger place (400 acres) here and wore out 3 light weight 5' mowers with it. Then upgraded to a old L3750 12 years ago that my brother still uses. I'm now mowing, logging, box blading over a mile driveway and doing loader work with the L3800DT and love it. Sure I could use a larger tractor, but this small one is what I wanted and what I like in a tractor...
johnk
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2003
- Messages
- 2,618
- Location
- western NY
- Tractor
- Kubota GST Grand L3130 w/ 723 loader, Ags
My Orange 3130 works for me. I mainly use it for loader work and pulling a box scraper. At times I wish I had a bigger tractor and at times I wish it was a little smaller. 1 tractor isn't perfect for everything but nice to have 1 in the middle to all your chores.. Tough choices out there..
