I decided that it's time I get a cab tractor. It will be primarily used for snow removal on a commercial lot. Looking at the 47 and 54 60 series. .. These things are 50+ k.....I know they are two entirely different machines but for 50k, I can get a real nice used Cat 420 or Deere 310/410 which would be far more capable. I have a L3700 SU TLB that I'm going to keep for other tractor work. Does anyone have experience with the L series pushing a 9 foot snow box ?
Buying a cab tractor
- Thread starter Tomtint
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TSO
Elite Member
My buddy picked up a super HD 7' snow box and we played with it one day. He has a L3540 (35 HP) and I have a Massey 1648 (47 HP). Mine handled it a little better, but the snow, while deep, was pretty light. I could probably handle a lighter ditty 8 ft box that wasn't able to hold as much volume, but not if the snow gets much heavier.
The biggest problem is weight & weight distribution ... When the push box fills up, it causes traction loss and makes turning nearly impossible. Straight runs are ok if you can get traction. I think that's the limiting factor with these sized tractors.
FYI, the L4760 specs about identical to my 1648... And the L5460 has a few more HP, but the weight is the same.
Also, FYI the actual pricing, at least here in Mich, should be closer to $41k -$44k for those.
Vids:
L3540 https://youtu.be/AdSMD08kd3E
1648 https://youtu.be/yxir9jFUkM0
The biggest problem is weight & weight distribution ... When the push box fills up, it causes traction loss and makes turning nearly impossible. Straight runs are ok if you can get traction. I think that's the limiting factor with these sized tractors.
FYI, the L4760 specs about identical to my 1648... And the L5460 has a few more HP, but the weight is the same.
Also, FYI the actual pricing, at least here in Mich, should be closer to $41k -$44k for those.
Vids:
L3540 https://youtu.be/AdSMD08kd3E
1648 https://youtu.be/yxir9jFUkM0
TSO
Elite Member
Oh yeah, it bounced both of the tractors ... Mine has wheel weights, his tires are loaded. The L3540 just couldn't lift it with as much force so i don't think we caught the bounce on film.
I think we figured it at around 1400lbs. It's 7 ft wide, 4 ft deep x 4 ft tall, I think it's 3/8" steel.
pmsmechanic
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Interesting to watch these two video's. There are a lot of conversations on this forum about how R-4's need to be chained in snow and yet both of you were able to make your engines work before running out of traction. I'd love to swap a set of R-3's on one of these tractors and see the difference.
TSO
Elite Member
It's worth mentioning that we both siped/grooved our tires. Definitely an improvement over standard R4's. Also, we have lots of weight on them. I have 540 lbs of wheel weights and that back blade weights almost 1000 lbs. He's got probably 800 lbs of fluid and a couple hundred lbs with his back blade.
George2615
Super Member
That's a big and heavy pusher box. Mine is 7'6" wide but only about 30" high and weighs about 800 lbs. That 1400 lb. box would work better on a full size industrial tractor but may be too big for yours. I don't have the bounce with mine.
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pmsmechanic
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And both of you have cabs.
TSO
Elite Member
Yeah it's built for heavy skid steers, definitely not for CUT'S. He practically stole it off Craigslist, otherwise wouldn't have bought it.
TSO
Elite Member
Looks like your Michigan pricing is better than our New England pricing. The best price I got on a L4060 cab was $40,000
Yeah, Midwest pricing seems to be near the best. I actually just transported a new Kioti NX6010 for a TBN member, from here to NY ... He saved something like $4k-5k buying it here, even after transport.
Not a perfect comparison, but my buddy bought his L3540 cab/loader here 2 yrs ago for around $30k
art
Super Member
Just a thought, if your snow removal equipment is working you should be on near bare surface! That would mean that the chains would give you less traction. With box blades on the front we often weight them on the front to help hold it down for steering.
Snow removal is never the same here. Sometimes it is light and fluffy but other times, ( and more often than not ) it's heavy and wet. And with traffic going over if constantly, it packs down before it can be plowed and salted. That's what worries me with either one of the Kubotas. I don't think they will have the weight needed to push a box up any kind of grade that may be slippery.
lawn_king
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I have a 2008 L 3540 cab. I set it up with a new ZM Industries 7' pusher this winter, for use on a 3 acre commercial account. The 7' is the perfect match for the 3540. If you want to push a 9', i strongly recommend you look at the largest 40/60 series L models!
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9 would be the minimum worth while. I'm beginning to think that a Bota will not be the way to go. I'm now looking at Cat 420-426 IT series TLB that can easily handle a 10 foot or bigger box. They can also be found with low hours / use for less than the Bota.
9 would be the minimum worth while. I'm beginning to think that a Bota will not be the way to go. I'm now looking at Cat 420-426 IT series TLB that can easily handle a 10 foot or bigger box. They can also be found with low hours / use for less than the Bota.
Fallon
Super Member
My L3200 (32 HP & 3500ish lbs + plows) runs into power & traction limits in a foot of snow often enough. Mostly on drifts & slightly uphill. I run a 7ish foot converted truck plow on the loader & 72" back blade. I have R4s & have yet to try the chains I bought a year & a half ago. I'd guess you'd be looking at at least 40hp & 4,500 lbs to run a 9' properly.
Also, weight won't help on ice much really. You just end up with a bigger tractor sliding out of control. The only help there is chains to dig in.
Grateful11
Veteran Member
Looks like your Michigan pricing is better than our New England pricing. The best price I got on a L4060 cab was $40,000
Take a look at the front axle on the L4060 and I think you'll see the models above it have a larger front axle with grease fittings. I think it's sorta like the the difference between our L3940 and the L4240 and up. I believe the L4760 and up gets you a heavier loader. Just something to think about
