Decisions decisions

[Diamondpilot]

I agree with the above post. I looked at the major brands also then stumbled on the others and found out that I wanted a heavy tractor for its HP and with good lift capacity on the FEL and 3 point. I ended up with a 28HP Jinma and it will easily lift 2000#. Only thing I have not been able to lift with it was full pallets of Pergo Flooring. That stuff is heavy.

To give you a idea my tractor with me on it and the rear tires filled, FEL, and a grader blade on the 3 point is 5,600#. Weight and lift capacity are your friend for doing work. These Light Weight machines are for toying around the yard in the suburbs.

Chris

 

[kiotiken]

Weight and lift capacity are your friend for doing work.
Chris

I agree, weight = traction and traction = work. I could could spin my tires all day long on my 955, but it didn't get me anywhere!

 

[KU Gator]

One thing worth checking at the dealer is the 3 pt hitch and how smooth it will raise with a load on it. The Lxx00 Kubotas have been plagued with a jerky hitch when trying to raise the hitch a small amount with a load. I believe the L4400 is an exeption in that it does not suffer from the issue. Some owners seem to be ok with it, but is something you should test at the dealer with something heavy like a box blade or rotary mower attached to make sure you will be ok using it in your application.

 

[TripleR]

Pretty much what Kiotiken said; my preference is Kubota and in particular the GrandL, MX and M Series. I have a bad left leg, so anything with left foot brakes is a "no go" for me, so I have little experience with HST like this with the exception of our 2305 that I avoid using unless absolutely necessary.

The best advice I can offer is to try them all out and pick the one that feels right and will do the work and don't be concerned with color/brand.

 

[kiotiken]

Pretty much what Kiotiken said; my preference is Kubota and in particular the GrandL, MX and M Series...

The Grand L is a heck of a nice tractor, and I'd love to have one. If I were in the market for one though (I wasn't willing to spend that much money on a toy), my list of comparable tractors could have changed. The Kioti CK 30 that I bought and the Case Farmall 31 (runner up) aren't in the same class as the L3240 or L3840 (or the same price range). I think the DK 35 (discontinued after this year) would stack up quite nicely to the L3240 and be a lot cheaper and the DK 40 would be fair for the L3840. I don't know what model from Case would compare.

For me, the CK line came very close in specs to the L3240 and it $10,000 less. To be fair, I never drove one, it was safer for my marriage that way.

The OP has very hilly ground from the look of the pictures, so no matter what you buy, get the tires filled, it will give some ballast, give you better traction and improve stability greatly.

 

[hawkeye08]

I like my Kubota. If I needed to do your job, I would ask the rock company if they could spread the load to more pallets, less weight each. If you were getting 3 pallets of rock, could they add a fourth pallet and move some rock from each of the 3 pallets to have 4 pallets, but less weight on each...

We bought the tractor that met most of our needs, knowing that we may have to rent something for the other jobs. If I could have afforded more tractor or a cab, I would have got them.

Nice work, good luck!

 

[hunterridgefarm]

First off. This forum can't be beat for information. Like many before me,
I'm pulling my hair out about which tractor to buy. I've narrowed it down to the Kubota L3800HST and L4400HST, with the appropriate FEL and forks. I'll mostly be using the tractor in my backyard,
moving large rocks for a massive retaining wall project. This will include back filling gravel and dirt too.
I'll also use it to harvest large cedars (in the woods) at my folks place and some day when my dad gives up his lawnmower-use it to shred the 4 acres, etc..

I like the size of the 3800 for manueverability in tight places, which is key. It also agrees with my trailer and budget. Where I get nervous is unloading a pallet of rocks from a trailer.
After getting the pallet down, I'll be moving the rocks individually or in smaller quantity. I hate the idea of spending and extra $4,600.00 on the 4400 - to unload a pallet 20 inches to the ground.

This decision is agonizing. Typical pallets are 1/2-1 ton.

If the 3800 fits your budget, trailer, and other task you need done get the 3800. I understand hating to spend $4600 to move a couple of pallets of rock.

I have been in the same position. I have a L3130 and have moved tons of rock for lanscaping. Once I tried to move a pallet of brick which the 3130 would not lift. I made one pallet of brick into two. You could do the same with the rock. Bust the pallet on the trailer and make two out of it. I have also purchased pallets of rock and brick from the same supplier and told them my tractor would not lift the pallets off my trailer and asked if they could take one pallet and make it into two, they were more than happy to do this. Even when I buy only one pallet they will do this. You could ask the supplier if they would do this for you.

Also very nice job on the stairs:thumbsup:

Edit: Looks like hawkeye08 has the same idea!

David

 

[Martian]

As I've never done anything to look that good in my life I don't know how much you would need something like this but I would recommend something like a JD 110 or Bota L45 with a BH and then you get plenty of lift for the pallets but also a nice BH for tearing up the areas that your about to lay down. They are both really nice but if you could see use for a BH you would really appreciate either of those. They also have the 3PH and stuff on there for when you need to do other stuff such as landscaping.

My biggest advise though is when you are lifting those big heavy pallets be sure to have plenty of rear ballast as without it you will find that your front axel will be gone, or you'll lift the back end off the ground and tip - neither are very fun.

 

[TripleR]

The Grand L is a heck of a nice tractor, and I'd love to have one. If I were in the market for one though (I wasn't willing to spend that much money on a toy), my list of comparable tractors could have changed. The Kioti CK 30 that I bought and the Case Farmall 31 (runner up) aren't in the same class as the L3240 or L3840 (or the same price range). I think the DK 35 (discontinued after this year) would stack up quite nicely to the L3240 and be a lot cheaper and the DK 40 would be fair for the L3840. I don't know what model from Case would compare.

For me, the CK line came very close in specs to the L3240 and it $10,000 less. To be fair, I never drove one, it was safer for my marriage that way.

The OP has very hilly ground from the look of the pictures, so no matter what you buy, get the tires filled, it will give some ballast, give you better traction and improve stability greatly.

I don't know much about Kioti tractors as they are not practical for me, but someone posted a video of a DK40 I think and I was really impressed with it.

Fortunately my wife likes Kubota tractors after years of using John Deere mowers and a 2305, so the additional money a Kubota costs did not affect my marriage fortunately. Now if I try to take her BX2660 away THAT would affect my marriage.:laughing:

 

[Rock Man]

I'm going to sit on my hands a little while longer and do, 'due diligence .'
Though, I am sick of paying the guys down the street to move a pallet occasionally, they always seem to be in the way.

Thanks for all the insight, there's much to consider and as the wife said. "those rocks ain't goin nowhere."
Have a merry christmas and with any luck I'll ride my new tractor into the great unknown of 2012.