Long post - yow! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Larry -
Hang on to that financial advisor, she sounds like a real "keeper"!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Do you know how many guys would give up their front end loader for a woman who says "honey, why don't you get the more expensive one"??!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
OK, now that you've opened the door for me, here goes. I was biting my tongue before, because I've taken some deserved heat in the past for my budget-stretching advice, but I don't think I'm going to be out of line here. (I'm SURE someone will correct me if I'm wrong). /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
You expressed some concern about whether or not 41 net hp/36 pto hp (4330 DT) is enough. It would probably be fine for what you're going to do, especially if you went with a gear tranny like the FST (in the DT), or a tranny you haven't mentioned and is also GREAT for the tough stuff you have in mind, and is much easier to operate, the GST.
Having said that ... and anyone who's read some of my posts will see this one coming right down Broadway .... the next step up from the 4330 is the 5030 to my way of thinking, as expressed in my previous post. And the 5030 is not just a 4330 with a bigger engine. The 5030: has 220 lbs. more 3ph lift, a longer wheelbase, 1" more ground clearance, a stronger front axle (I believe), is 5" longer, has a wider stance, has a larger fuel tank, has 8-bolt rear wheels vs. 6-bolt, has wider front tires, takes category 1 or 2 implements, has more hydraulic flow, weighs 230 lbs. more, and has 11% more torque than the 4330. If you're at all concerned that you need or want more power, the 5030 has it to spare, even with the hydro.
You mentioned dragging logs as one of your tasks, and the extra 3ph lift could come in handy. Ditto the front axle with the 853 loader and the grapple you're going to buy. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Also the extra weight, wheelbase and power, both engine and PTO.
There's some conventional wisdom that I keep hearing that says "get the most hp you can in a given tractor line". Since I see the Grand L's as two lines, the 3 smaller, and the 3 larger, i see the 4330 at the bottom and the 5030 at the top. (The 4330 weighs about 200 lbs. more than the 3830, is about 4 inches longer, and takes the bigger loader, so the front axle is probably a little beefier). That's why I see two "tiers" in the Grand L line, with the top 3 a little bigger and heavier, hence the 723 vs. 853 loaders.
As for the HST: I have it, I love it, I wouldn't give it up. But my tractor has one task: getting logs and brush out of people's yards, in tight quarters. But for the type of work you're doing, the GST would be a fine choice too, maybe even better. Plus, you won't lose the 1.5 or so PTO hp if you go with the GST. (Whatever tractor you get, I hope you don't get the FST).
See some of the posts by SkyPup and others about GST transmissions, they ALMOST had me wishing for one, but not for what I do.
HOWEVER: if you're not going to be plowing fields all day, getting a 5030 would make all of your HP worries go away, and the power loss from the HST would be a total non-issue. The 5030 with hydro is amazing and incredibly fun to operate. You will never run out of power, just traction.
Lastly, cost. My 5030 HST with 853 loader, QA, R4's, and HD bucket was $24,950. Yep, a good deal, but I didn't hold a gun to anyone's head, or even haggle. You might get a 5030 GST for 23 and change. Not WAY over budget, although I'd be curious to know what kinds of numbers your dealer was throwing around. ** [Oops, you told us in your previous post - hmm, so the joys of having 50 diesel horses at the command of your right foot might not be so out of reach, if you beat your dealer up a little /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif One thing I left out of this post is that the 5030HST is just an astonishing piece of machinery, with a "fun factor" that is off the charts, and is amazingly productive] **
If you get a 4330, that's a home run too, or at least a stand-up triple. Just giving you some of my thoughts (lucky you). /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Again, if you go with the 4330 I'd make it a GST, or an HST if you think you want the INCREDIBLE ease of operation and control that it offers, at the expense of a little bit of power, and slightly higher maintenance.
Also, there's another bit of conventional wisdom that says if you're going to be doing a LOT of heavy ground-engaging work, or even bush-hogging day in and day out, a gear tractor might be better. The hydro would get a little hot on a hot day, but it's nothing a good external oil cooler couldn't cure. The loss of PTO hp (around around 4-5%) is more of an issue.
My last point (HOOOOORRRRAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!) /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif involves my "Theory of the Conservation of Money as it pertains to buying a tractor". I've said this in one other post, but I'm going to repeat it. In the First Law of Thermodynamics, energy is neither created or destroyed, it just changes from one form to another. Same with tractors, except substitute "energy" with "money". Going to the Bahamas is spending (destroying) money. Buying a tractor is converting money into a tractor. Your money is still there, it's just in a different form. When/if you sell the tractor, you get most of it back anyway, especially with a Kubota. You will have had the use of the tractor for relatively little money in the long run, and probably even made money with the increased value to your property and not having had to pay people to do things that you can now easily do yourself, and have fun doing it. (Hey, is there a space limit on posts?).
SkyPup just made that observation about the increased property value, which really steamed me because I'd been thinking about it for a while now regarding another thread, and never said it. He who hesitates is lost I guess. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif But it's so true, tractors often do pay for themselves. Mine sure did. Some might say, yeah, but you use it in your business. To which I might reply, hey, we're all in business. The business of making our lives fuller, more satisfying, more rewarding, and easier, while getting ahead at the same time.
OK, that's it - but just remember, YOU <font color="blue">Any thoughts? </font> asked for it! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Good luck, John D.
