Buying Advice Buying L4600 & stuff!

[storii]

Hello TractorByNet!

I'm in the process of buying my first tractor. It'll be used for landscaping, snow removal, brush hogging, maintaining a pond, maintaining a 2000+ foot gravel driveway, some logging, etc. on my new 68 acre property.

I will admit I'm **totally** new to tractors.

I've spoken with several salesmen at a bunch of different dealers and have a pretty good handle on what I want, but I want to run things by some knowledgeable people who aren't trying to sell me a tractor. AND, being a woman buying a tractor, well, I'm not entirely sure that the salesmen steer me the same way they steer the guys.

I'm looking at a Kubota L4600dt (gear drive) 4WD with AG tires (loaded for ballast), LA764 FEL, the BH92 BH with hydro thumb, a Land Pride RCR1860 (60") brush hog, a Land Pride RB1584 (84") rear blade and a Meteor 68" rear snow thrower.

I figure I don't want the HST because I'm a transportation junkie and really enjoy driving stuff, it's one of my life passions. I can fly airplanes and helicopters, my truck, race cars, I've operated trains and trollies, and 70' boats. I understand, from what people have told me, that my life would be easier with the HST but, I dunno, I want to really feel like I'm really in the seat. I want to know that I can hop on another tractor and drive it, no matter what it is.

I'm getting AG tires because I have some really muddy areas and I really, really don't want to get stuck. I won't be using the tractor for my lawn.

Do any of you know if that rotary cutter is any good? Should I go bigger? I'll be brush hogging maybe 10-15 acres 3 or so times a year, I figure.

What about the rear blade? Any thoughts on that for this tractor too? I'd like to use it for grading dirt (a lot of uneven ground on the property from previous HEAVY logging equipment, in addition to some other landscape work), removing snow, and maintaining my gravel driveway. Should I be looking at box scrapers instead, and give up the idea of an "all-purpose" blade?

As it stands today, I'm not planning on any remotes. I assume they're easy enough to add later if I need them, right?

My ultimate question, I suppose, is looking at the above, is there anything obviously stupid?

Thanks for your thoughts!

-Tori

 

[creekbend]

Why are you getting or wanting a 5 foot rotary mower instead of a 6 footer?

 

[creekbend]

BTW, Welcome aboard. Best wishes.

 

[Ace3]

I would look into adding a 3rd function valve to your loader and adding a Curtis plow for snow removal. A snow blower with a gravel road is nothing but a stone thrower and shear pin breaker not to mention having to twist around to look over your sholder as you are backing up. A box grader is the tool to use for maintaining your road. Check out the Everything Attachment website. They have a ton of information there on impliments and how to use them.

 

[storii]

Why are you getting or wanting a 5 foot rotary mower instead of a 6 footer?

Thanks for the welcome! Because I was originally getting an L3800 and the dealer recommended it and I carried it forward. But now I'm thinking I could easily (should) go with a 6'. There's no reason to get the 5 footer, other than a slight maneuverability advantage, right? Should cutters, as with snow removal tools, be outside the wheelbase?

 

[Ace3]

Yes, they should cover the wheel base. If you have any hills I would also reccomend that you have the wheels set wide for stability.

 

[storii]

I would look into adding a 3rd function valve to your loader and adding a Curtis plow for snow removal. A snow blower with a gravel road is nothing but a stone thrower and shear pin breaker not to mention having to twist around to look over your sholder as you are backing up. A box grader is the tool to use for maintaining your road. Check out the Everything Attachment website. They have a ton of information there on impliments and how to use them.

Thanks Ace3! I'll check out that site!

 

[1fastbob]

I just bought an RCR1872 Landpride 72" rotary mower. It is great! I have mowed some really tall CRP grass with it (2 to 3 feet tall) and it works very well. I run it with my newly acquired L4600 HST and I am very satisfied with both. I would not go bigger than 72" on the mower.

 

[TripleR]

I won't try to talk you into a different model or transmission and will rather address on areas addressed.

I've operated tractors for a LOT of years and only recently, three years, started using a hydraulic top-link and it is in my opinion one of the single best things you can buy. I put Top and Tilt on my last tractor and love it; could live without the side link, but will never give up the hydraulic top link.

The rotary cutter is good quality, but would probably go with a 6' and get a slip clutch. I like chain guards if available and have them on my LP RCR2672.

We own both back/grader blades as well as box scrapers; LP BB2584 and LP HR3584 and there is no comparison in smoothing dirt, the box scraper is our first choice. Our back blade is rarely used and we could easily live without one. We really like the hydraulic scarifiers, but are not a "must have", just really nice as you get older.

You can add remotes later, but I have found it much preferable and cheaper to include it in the initial package deal.

I agree on ag tires and setting them wide.

I know absolutely nothing about snow blowers.

If a dealer treats you differently because you are a woman, I would consider looking for one that doesn't. My wife and I are treated just the same and the shop foreman recently took her back to look at progress on a project, he talks to both of us the same as does the salesman and owner of the dealerships.

Good luck in your purchase; you will find a lot of really knowledgeable members here. I too come here for feed back on prospective purchases.

 

[Bluegill2]

You're on the right track. Great tractor choice! Great trans choice! I don't like HST at all.

Get the 72" mower for the L4600 and enjoy...

 

[Kyle241]

That will be a very nice tractor! I agree about the all purpose blade, I wouldn't see a need for it and would rather go with a box scraper. As for the Meteor blower, I have one and they work well. I've used it for 10yrs without issue. I see you're getting the thumb for your BH, that is very nice. I did not as it's another $4k up this way and I was thinking of a grapple someday instead.

From the description of everything you'll be doing on your property, it's similar to what I do so you should be happy with the 4600.

 

[storii]

Thanks again everyone!

I'll be getting the 72" cutter instead of the 60"; I'll probably get a box blade for landscaping and a front snow plow blade for taking care of the first snow or two, before I can use the snow blower.

My order will be in tomorrow! I can't wait!

 

[Ace3]

Great. Let us know when it arrives ... and we like pictures.

 

[DAY]

Ditto what Ace3 says about everything attachments! Watch every video Ted and Peanut make- twice. (that way, when you go into the dealershp you will know MORE than most of the salesMEN!:laughing:
Also, get the rear remote(s) at time of purchase.
Many, many folks here say the box blade is the single most useful attachment.

 

[Piston]

Have you considered a grapple for your front end loader? They are amazingly useful for any type of woods work. If you have any logging cleanup to do I couldn't recommend one enough. Just as TripleR wouldn't be without a hydraulic top link, I would never be without a grapple. I really don't even have much use for my bucket and could get along without it, aside from snow.
Regarding adding hydraulics later, just order them now, it is so much easier. For a great idea of how much work it is to add hydraulics, take a look at the link in my signature. I have a very similar tractor to yours and have used it for many of the similar tasks you describe. Only thing I'm wishing for now, is a snowblower, but I won't get one without a cab.
Keep asking questions!
-Matt

 

[storii]

Well I've bought it! I'll be taking delivery in about 10 days (I'm going away for 8 of those days). It seems they need to put my tractor together... I'm going in to the dealer as soon as I get back, they'll go over the tractor with me to make sure everything is a-okay (since I didn't get to check out MINE before buying) and once I accept it they'll deliver it (I don't have a big enough trailer for it, yet). It's kinda neat to see how it's all crated up for shipment from Kubota....

 

[storii]

@Piston: I thought about a grapple, but I think that's going to have to wait until next spring. I have piles and piles of tree branches all over my property, half a tree here, half a tree there, I can only imagine how incredibly useful a grapple would be. But along with the box blade, it would just sit in my shed until april or may, and financially it makes more sense for me to buy them then. I suppose it's good to have stuff to look forward to, right?

Thanks again all!

 

[Piston]

Congrats on the purchase! :thumbsup:

You are right about the purchase of the box blade and grapple, if your not going to use it until spring, there is no need for it right away. It will give you plenty of time to read the millions of threads of "what size grapple should I buy" Also, since you will have time, it would be a good idea to spend some nights browsing craigslist for a good deal on a used box blade.

 

[Ace3]

@Piston: I thought about a grapple, but I think that's going to have to wait until next spring. I have piles and piles of tree branches all over my property, half a tree here, half a tree there, I can only imagine how incredibly useful a grapple would be. But along with the box blade, it would just sit in my shed until april or may, and financially it makes more sense for me to buy them then. I suppose it's good to have stuff to look forward to, right?

Thanks again all!

If you are even thinking about a grapple then have them put the 3rd function valve on the loader as they are building it. Don't forget that if you wait until spring for the box blade and grapple you will not be able to finance it with 0%. 0% financing is like free use of Kubota's money. Just someting to think about.

 

[storii]

If you are even thinking about a grapple then have them put the 3rd function valve on the loader as they are building it. Don't forget that if you wait until spring for the box blade and grapple you will not be able to finance it with 0%. 0% financing is like free use of Kubota's money. Just someting to think about.

Thanks Ace3!

I saved up and am paying cash for my tractor, the box blade and grapple are over budget at the moment. I thought about financing, 0% is attractive, but after getting all the details it doesn't seem like 0 to me. I wouldn't get the $2000 off for cash, plus there are nearly $400 in fees (not counting insurance which I'll do either way). So the way I see it, financing really costs me at least $2400, it's not 0.

I am getting the 3rd function valve and three remotes now though.