B 50 series or L? , LOTS and LOTS of questions

[AKRazn]

Hi there,

I have been reading this site for about a year now, trying to gain all the knowledge I can about compact tractors and have learned A LOT, so thank you everyone for your contributions. I am in the process of purchasing my first compact tractor for my remote property here in Alaska. I have 5 acres of HEAVILY wooded land right on the ocean and am looking for a tractor to help me clear the land as well as other building projects, i.e. water lines, burying power cables, erecting structures, firewood and eventually general grounds maintenance. In addition I will be using it to do snow removal around my office building and home here in Alaska.

I have read (and agree) that one should get the next largest tractor over the one they think will do the job. My problem is that my land is ONLY accessible by boat so the tractor has to fit on the front of one of my landing crafts. These size constraints have led me to look at either the B2650, B3350 or one of the L's (not Grand L). I see that the lifting capabilities of the 26 and 33 are the same as well as GPM flow on the hydraulics, being that I am at sea level is the extra $ of the 33 worth it? Why? or would going to the L be better?

If looking at the L's I know they cost more but they can lift more as well, seems justifiable? Also I was told by a dealer that the L's do not have mid PTO? I don't plan to add a mid mower for a few years but eventually that would be a nice feature, what other options would be out there that would make the L a good decision?

I would also like to get a brush hog at some point, I have seen videos online where the brush hog is attached to the front of the tractor? is this possible with the skidsteer attachment style front end of the 2650 and 3350? or is it possible on the L as well? or is it really worth it and a pull behind easier? What kinds of Brush Hogs would you recommend? What kinds will work with the 50 series or the L series?

Being that my main intention of the tractor is for land clearing of 100+ year old Sitka Spruce, alder and devils club / scrub brush I am interested in a grapple brush bucket as well. I do own and regularly use a log arch that I tow behind my ATV so I am thinking the tractor would be able to handle larger logs with the arch than the ATV and not sure if the grapple bucket would be of use? My thought being I can buck up the logs with chainsaw and haul them with the log arch, or is the grapple bucket the way to go?

When building and pricing out the various models on the website there are a few options I am not sure of what they are / what they do?
1. 3rd position loader valve? I assume that is to be able to use grapple buckets etc?
2. Lift Rod Kit?
3. Telescopic Lower Link Kit?
4. Hydraulic Angulation kit on loader? does this allow various attachments to pivot from left to right?
5. Wheel spacer kit? I assume this is just as the name implies but is it needed / worth it?
6. What size bucket for excavator? 12" seems to be a bit small but 24" seems to be big? I have no idea on this one. We have at most 12-24" deep top soil, then we get into the shale rock etc. so digging water lines and burying power cables etc. is what I plan to do with the excavator as well as dig up roots on the tree stumps etc.
7. Snow blower? how big will the 50 series handle is it worth it to go up to the L? I have read that the 50 series has more creature comforts? I do not plan to purchase the cab as I am worried about branches etc. and fogging of windows in our wet climate.

I have also read that either the 50 series or the L have an independent PTO? not sure what / if / how that is useful?

Tires, I have read that many go with the R4 tires (this was also suggested by the dealer) but we get a lot of rain and have a lot of moss on the ground on my property and I have read that the R1 tires do better? the property is mostly flat (maybe 100' at most of elevation change gradually sloping back from beach).

What is everyone's thoughts on the extended warranties?

I know this is a TON of questions but I thought this seems to be the best place to get first hand knowledge instead of a salesman's advice. Thank you in advance for any and all replies!

 

[AKRazn]

Also wondering about adding a hydraulic thumb to the backhoe instead of the mechanical? I used to work road construction to pay my way through college so I am fairly proficient in operating. I have never used a mechanical thumb but figure I can get used to it if adding a hydraulic one is to much of a pain?

 

[mike69440]

Hi there,

I have been reading this site for about a year now, trying to gain all the knowledge I can about compact tractors and have learned A LOT, so thank you everyone for your contributions. I am in the process of purchasing my first compact tractor for my remote property here in Alaska. I have 5 acres of HEAVILY wooded land right on the ocean and am looking for a tractor to help me clear the land as well as other building projects, i.e. water lines, burying power cables, erecting structures, firewood and eventually general grounds maintenance. In addition I will be using it to do snow removal around my office building and home here in Alaska.

I have read (and agree) that one should get the next largest tractor over the one they think will do the job. My problem is that my land is ONLY accessible by boat so the tractor has to fit on the front of one of my landing crafts. These size constraints have led me to look at either the B2650, B3350 or one of the L's (not Grand L).
(not Grand L). IMHO, that is a bad thing not to seriously consider.

I see that the lifting capabilities of the 26 and 33 are the same as well as GPM flow on the hydraulics, being that I am at sea level is the extra $ of the 33 worth it? Why? or would going to the L be better?

Forget the B series, tires are way too small for what you intend.

L3540, Reason being, the L7214 loader is the minimum i would get for anything but "Yard Work"

37/26.5 HP (Gross/PTO)

$22,410.00 starting MSRP, Can you move 5500 Lbs.

Load tires when you get it off the boat. or Send loader and BH on on seperate trips, that way your only moving 3500 lbs Bare tractor.

If looking at the L's I know they cost more but they can lift more as well, seems justifiable? Also I was told by a dealer that the L's do not have mid PTO? So what I don't plan to add a mid mower for a few years but eventually that would be a nice feature, what other options would be out there that would make the L a good decision?

I would also like to get a brush hog at some point, I have seen videos online where the brush hog is attached to the front of the tractor?
Don't get fancy. There is a reason most work off the 3 point.
Is this possible with the skidsteer attachment style front end of the 2650 and 3350? or is it possible on the L as well? or is it really worth it and a pull behind easier? What kinds of Brush Hogs would you recommend?

Get the heaviest 5' Rotary cutter you can get, Tractor will take a 6' hog, but the 5' will work better in rough going.
What kinds will work with the 50 series or the L series?

Being that my main intention of the tractor is for land clearing of 100+ year old Sitka Spruce, alder and devils club / scrub brush I am interested in a grapple brush bucket as well.
How may Acres are you clearing? An Acre can be a lot, even in Alaska!

I do own and regularly use a log arch that I tow behind my ATV so I am thinking the tractor would be able to handle larger logs with the arch than the ATV and not sure if the grapple bucket would be of use? My thought being I can buck up the logs with chainsaw and haul them with the log arch, or is the grapple bucket the way to go?

Haul, drag logs with the 3 Pt hitch, They make attachments for that.

Grapple will work on small stuff. Get Rugged grapple, 5' will work, independent jaws will pick odd shaped stuff better.

When building and pricing out the various models on the website there are a few options I am not sure of what they are / what they do?
1. 3rd position loader valve? I assume that is to be able to use grapple buckets etc?
Yess get this
2. Lift Rod Kit?
Only if you like spending money
3. Telescopic Lower Link Kit?
If you can afford this in big scheme of things, yes
4. Hydraulic Angulation kit on loader? does this allow various attachments to pivot from left to right?
Not on that small a tractor, the L724 is limited on what it will lift.
Forget the L5XX loaders, L3310 L3910, etc. Grand L!
5. Wheel spacer kit? I assume this is just as the name implies but is it needed / worth it?
Wheel Spacers for chains and weights, uh, got to have
6. What size bucket for excavator? 12" seems to be a bit small but 24" seems to be big? I have no idea on this one. We have at most 12-24" deep top soil, then we get into the shale rock etc. so digging water lines and burying power cables etc. is what I plan to do with the excavator as well as dig up roots on the tree stumps etc. Sounds Like 12" bucket is just right for water lines, stumps, at most 16" bucket.
7. Snow blower? how big will the 50 series handle is it worth it to go up to the L? I have read that the 50 series has more creature comforts? I do not plan to purchase the cab as I am worried about branches etc. and fogging of windows in our wet climate.
Will you just forget the B series,!

I have also read that either the 50 series or the L have an independent PTO? not sure what / if / how that is useful?
Control like hogging in tight places, backing up, etc.

Tires, I have read that many go with the R4 tires (this was also suggested by the dealer) but we get a lot of rain and have a lot of moss on the ground on my property and I have read that the R1 tires do better? the property is mostly flat (maybe 100' at most of elevation change gradually sloping back from beach).

Rocky, get R4, Mud, R1 R4 realy need chains in snow, moss, etc.

What is everyone's thoughts on the extended warranties?
I take my chances. Kubota is fairly safe bet. Kioti / Mihindra, TYM, ok but cruder.

Get Grand L
Also they hold value.

I know this is a TON of questions but I thought this seems to be the best place to get first hand knowledge instead of a salesman's advice. Thank you in advance for any and all replies!

Bite the bullet, you will thank me later.

See My comments in context

 

[AKRazn]

Thank you very much for the input!

I looked at the grand L and the larger L series but I am afraid they may be too heavy once I get all the implements on there. I would like to avoid having to make multiple trips to get the tractor out there and back each year as I intend to bring the back to town to do snow removal during the winter and store it in my heated shop. It is a 2 hour one way trip if the weather is good burning 30 gal / hr in the boat to get the tractor out there so I'd like to only go one time each way.

Looking at Kubota's website it looks like I would have to go to the L4701 to get any greater lifting capacity than the B2650. I didn't see a L3540 as an option so I assumed the 4701 was the next closest? L3301 & 3901 lift 1965# the B2650 lifts 2139# the L4701 lifts 2870#

Looks like bare weight of the L4701 is 3307#, the loader says it weighs 530 # bucket is another 100#. I couldn't find the weight of the BH92 but I was told the weight of the B2650 backhoe from the dealer is 2500#. So I would imagine that the BH92 is at least that heavy. Maybe 3000#? so then I am broaching the 7,000 mark and that may be a bit out of my capacity or at least limit me to only flat calm days of which there aren't many in the gulf of Alaska.

I would love to have a larger L but I think it is too large for my boat limitations.

I Like the idea of a 5' hog makes sense that it will be better in the thicker stuff and the stuff here i THICK.

I plan on clearing all 5 acres of the land. I have the rest of the island full of trees etc. if I want to go for a walk in the woods. Sunshine is more a premium here than shade so I want all the sunlight I can to reach the property.

will get the attachment for the 3 point hitch to tow logs for sure.

OK on 3rd position valve, still not sure what lift rod kit is? still not sure what telescopic lower link kit is? didn't add that much cost may as well get it and use it when I figure out what it is.

Wheel spacer seems like a no brainer for me. and a 12" bucket seems like a good idea, hoe will pull it easier and I can just make a few extra passes, no big deal.

Tires still not sure what to do. I plan to clean up my rock beach and make better landings for the boat so maybe R4? but then the ret of the property is mossy thick wet trees so R1? probably go with R1 as will get majority of use in the trees and snow plowing.

Thanks again for the input any others out there with any ideas?

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Wow! Looks like you want a lot from one machine. A light tractor will take extra hours to do heavy jobs which you seem to have plenty of. A heavy machine can push, pull, dig and manipulate stuff much easier and quicker than a light machine that is being moved around by the "stuff". It even looks like your almost out of tractor range and into construction equipment range. I've owned from the BX1500 to the Grand L3240 with most of the BXs and Bs made by Kubota and anything below the L3240/L3540 will disappoint you unless..........you hire someone with a big machine to come do some of the heavy work and then you do the maintaining and scratching slowly at the remaining work with a light weight L or bigger B. Maybe even a B26TLB. I went from a BX25 to a B2620 FEL BH back to a BX25 and the difference in the BH digging power is quite a bit. The BX25 BH now seems way underpowered after the B2620 BH. Weight is your friend on a tractor that is expected to do heavy work as with all the implements that will be bought for it. I know that what your needing has been and is needed by others in Alaska so there are people with the equipment and bigger boats to get it there for the one trip to do the work. I paid for some work on my property and never regretted it. The heavier construction equipment is safer and can do in an hour what would take days or weeks on a to small tractor which again isn't construction machine.
The side walls on R1s are not as strong as the sidewalls on R4s for doing heavy carrying and digging. Also R1s are easier punctured. R1s are called turf tires for turf work. Both will probably have some traction issues on slick moss and you may need some form or cleat or chains on tires on the moss.

 

[varmint]

Didn't read everything for content, but a couple of thoughts: The L series loaders may not lift much more (?) but the buckets should be larger and the reach greater. Could be relevant? R 4s with chains would be your toughest, most unstoppable tire set up. Weight will be you friend when you are working, your enemy when transporting. Tough choice. Salt corrosion will be an issue, but I don't know what you can do about that, or if one choice is better than another, tractor-wise. Anyway, we await your final decision, and the photos, with interest!

 

[Grandad4]

Looks like bare weight of the L4701 is 3307#, the loader says it weighs 530 # bucket is another 100#. I couldn't find the weight of the BH92 but I was told the weight of the B2650 backhoe from the dealer is 2500#. So I would imagine that the BH92 is at least that heavy. Maybe 3000#? so then I am broaching the 7,000 mark and that may be a bit out of my capacity or at least limit me to only flat calm days of which there aren't many in the gulf of Alaska.

Your implement wèights are off but you total is pretty realistic. Kubota loaders in the size range for a 4701 generally add 1,000-1,400 lbs for the mounting brackets, hydraulics and arms, with another 300-400 lbs for a 72" bucket, so you're way light on the loader. But you're equally heavy on the BH92, which is something around 1,900-2,000 lbs, so the total package, in working condition, is going to be around 7,000.

 

[bilrus61]

Go with the L. Transmission on the Bs is cast aluminum and on the Ls its iron. I would go with the R1 ag tires as your remote and less chance of getting stuck. My R4s did terrible in the snow here in Kentucky, I was surprised how they filled with ice and snow and just would spin. Chains would have helped I'm sure however..........On the snow clearing the locals will know what is best of course.

Forget the belly mower idea. Too much trouble. Get a dedicated yard mower or a push mower if your young and healthy.

Get a bucket tine kit and don't fool with the grapple bucket. Just lift the logs with the tines. Get a medium duty bush hog. Once the area is cleared a heavy duty is over kill. Clear it with a Chainsaw. Load logs in the bucket and brushy tops on top of the bush hog to transport. The link arms are really nice IF your switching implements often. If your going to just have one or two and switch once or twice a year save the money.

Much of what you have sounds like chainsaw work as much or more than tractor work. Are you wanting the backhoe to dig up stumps? Why not rent a dedicated trencher faster and cheaper than a backhoe. How remote are you? Can you make multiple trips with your LC? Make a trip with the bucket and loader first, drag them off the LC then go back later for the tractor and attach the loader and bucket at your home. Like the other poster said you can also fill the tires once you get it there. Just some thoughts from me, take care and good luck with your new place.

 

[AKRazn]

Does anyone have any links or documentation on the different weights for the different attachments for the various tractors? I know the dealer had one but there isn't a dealer in my home town. I am surprised that Kubota doesn't publish that info? or at least I have not been able to find it. If I can get the total weight of say a TLB or a bigger L and it is within my range I will definitely go that route. Like I said I want to get the biggest tractor that I can get to fit on the boat.

I realize that there are companies out there that will do transportation but for one single job or even to piggy back we are talking 4-6K per trip to 8-12K per year just in transporting it back and forth, not really in the budget.

Can anyone tell me their thoughts on a TLB? what is the difference between that and say the L or the B2650?

Thanks again!

 

[groundcover]

Gunna need a bigger boat ! :laughing: