Buying Advice Extra weight or Backhoe?

[nybirdman]

The L3240 is a lot more tractor than the other two,no tier 4 stuff either.I had a L3130 ,the L3240 is it's replacement.They did offer two different loaders;a five series(maybe 514) and the 723 which has more lifting capacity.
I assume 4WD and HST but they did offer a glide shift transmission
Back hoes are nice if you have a "lot" of work for them,expensive lawn ornament when you don't.

 

[IslandTractor]

I've cleaned up very similar land here in coastal New England using a couple of different approaches with both a smaller (Kioti CK) and larger (Kioti DK) tractor. It can be done either way successfully. If time is important get the biggest heaviest tractor with a strong loader and grapple. If time is not critical but money is, then use the smaller tractor in conjunction with chain saw, grapple bucket and then go back with a rented mini excavator to dig out stumps.

I'm not sure that an L3301 is heavy enough to push over 6" trees. My Kioti DK is considerably heavier and using a grapple to dig up roots before pushing, I can get those sort of trees out without needing to cut them down. MUCH cleaner and less work in the long run than coming back to dig out a stump. To be clear, my standard approach involves a backhoe with ripper attachment to more efficiently tear out the side roots before pushing the tree over but if I don't have the backhoe mounted I can still get the job done with the loader. Again though, the Kioti DK loader is substantially stronger than the Kubota L series loaders so YMMV.

If clearing the trees and similar non mowing work is you main goal, you might consider Mahindra or Kioti in addition to Kubota. Generally, Kubotas are lighter and optimized for mowing. The other two are heavier and that can be an advantage doing land clearing. You get more loader for the buck too which is particularly useful in ripping up roots with a grapple.

 

[sbeausol]

I've cleaned up very similar land here in coastal New England using a couple of different approaches with both a smaller (Kioti CK) and larger (Kioti DK) tractor. It can be done either way successfully. If time is important get the biggest heaviest tractor with a strong loader and grapple. If time is not critical but money is, then use the smaller tractor in conjunction with chain saw, grapple bucket and then go back with a rented mini excavator to dig out stumps.

I'm not sure that an L3301 is heavy enough to push over 6" trees. My Kioti DK is considerably heavier and using a grapple to dig up roots before pushing, I can get those sort of trees out without needing to cut them down. MUCH cleaner and less work in the long run than coming back to dig out a stump. To be clear, my standard approach involves a backhoe with ripper attachment to more efficiently tear out the side roots before pushing the tree over but if I don't have the backhoe mounted I can still get the job done with the loader. Again though, the Kioti DK loader is substantially stronger than the Kubota L series loaders so YMMV.

If clearing the trees and similar non mowing work is you main goal, you might consider Mahindra or Kioti in addition to Kubota. Generally, Kubotas are lighter and optimized for mowing. The other two are heavier and that can be an advantage doing land clearing. You get more loader for the buck too which is particularly useful in ripping up roots with a grapple.

I've poked around at the Kioti's and I've certainly noticed they are heavier in general, but looking at the CK35 it comes in around 3200 lbs. The L3240 is the same with a wider wheelbase, and the L3301 comes in around 2800 lbs with the same wheelbase. I'm not sure how loader strength compares. The DK40 looks like a beast at around 4,000 lbs, but in fairness the L3940 comes in at 4,000 lbs as well. Of course I have no idea on price, but I'll ask around. Coming from someone who went from a CK20 to a DK40, is it safe to assume you undersized your first tractor? Maybe I'm putting too much into it, but I guess I'm trying to create the opposite problem - large tractor which I sell when the work is done for a smaller one...

Regardless of brand, it sounds like the backhoe might not be as useful for me as a grapple?

 

[landpride64]

Sbeausol. I'm in central MA and have a l3240 hst w la724 loader for sale. PM me if interested.

 

[sbeausol]

Sbeausol. I'm in central MA and have a l3240 hst w la724 loader for sale. PM me if interested.

PM sent

 

[IslandTractor]

I've poked around at the Kioti's and I've certainly noticed they are heavier in general, but looking at the CK35 it comes in around 3200 lbs. The L3240 is the same with a wider wheelbase, and the L3301 comes in around 2800 lbs with the same wheelbase. I'm not sure how loader strength compares. The DK40 looks like a beast at around 4,000 lbs, but in fairness the L3940 comes in at 4,000 lbs as well. Of course I have no idea on price, but I'll ask around. Coming from someone who went from a CK20 to a DK40, is it safe to assume you undersized your first tractor? Maybe I'm putting too much into it, but I guess I'm trying to create the opposite problem - large tractor which I sell when the work is done for a smaller one...

Regardless of brand, it sounds like the backhoe might not be as useful for me as a grapple?

1) I agree with John Thomas that if you have just one task requiring big equipment it makes sense to rent the equipment or hire it out.
2) As I recall from when I compared them, the DK40 is significantly heavier and has a stronger loader than the 3940. Just compare at the front axles. I think DK40se can be had for about $22K these days with loader if you can find one new. 2700+lbs of lift from the loader is a beautiful thing when combined with grapple for clearing land but, see #1.

 

[HarryN]

I vote for the backhoe!