Grand L 3130 purchase

[L3130]

Here is what mine looks like with a Curtis soft cab, BH90 Backhoe, R4's and L723 loader if your interested.
My L3130

 

[Timmmmah]

ok now i still havent gotten it, what benefit are the Industrial tires over ag? they do look better but tearing up turf isnt a consideration for me since most of my land is horse area...

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

<font color="blue"> I have had the L3130 GST with the 723 loader for a year now, 10 acres w/ horses in North Georgia ... <font color="red">I wished I would have bought the L3830, just because </font> , not that it really would make much of a difference in what I do. </font>

Rory, could you please expound a little on why you wish you had bought a 3830? That's a lot of money to spend "just because".

While my name is not Ramon, I have often opined that the 3130 is a little light in the HP-to-weight dept. IMHO. The 3130 is considerably heavier than the similarly-powered B7800 for example. I have seen guidelines that say for "field work", a good range is 110-140 lbs/PTO HP. The 5030 is around 111 and the 3130 is around 180. I believe the 3830 is right around 140, which is why I've always thought it would be worth the extra money "in the long run".

I just thought I'd ask you your thoughts, in light of your statement, <font color="blue">"I [wish] I would have bought the L3830." </font> It just seems to me that it's "best" to get the tractor you will be happy with long-term.

Is a lower-cost tractor always the most "cost-effective", all things considered?

 

[Rory_Rhodes]

CT_Tree_Guy - You are right in the HP to weight ratio. I notice a bit of power loss going uphill cutting pasture or bush hogging, but it is workable. I also wish for more "umph" at times when using the FEL. What I learned post purchase was that the big price difference was when you got to the 4330 or above. It seems like the extra 7 HP 3130, would add to and be more then I ever need for what I do. Had I have really investigated more or found TBN, I would have sprung for the difference. Difference in cost versus gain and resale value probably would have been worth it. Am I unhappy with the L3130, absolutely not.. It's just like me to want more..

 

[Rory_Rhodes]

Great looking tractor. Just curious, was the Curtis Cab expensive? Easily (under and hour) removable?

 

[L3130]

Curtis cab was like 2 grand. Doors only come off, But very easy, 10 secs. I got the cab with heat for the winters here in New England. It also came with extra lights for the back hoe and loader. Well worth the money in my oppinion.

 

[rk246]

Ags, give more traction, more dig into the soft stuff, R4's float mroe and tear up the ground less, all depends on what you need. I live where it rains 9 months of the year, I need the traction to get around, a friend of mine has the same tractor with R4's and wishes for the ags, he has been stuck a couple of times.

 

[rk246]

John,
I didn't see the cost difference as that great for the increased power, The 3830 only cost me about 2500.00 more, 8 more hp, no trouble climbing the hills, well worth the money, plus the bigger tires.....

Ryan

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

<font color="blue"> The 3830 only cost me about 2500.00 more, 8 more hp, no trouble climbing the hills, well worth the money, plus the bigger tires.....</font>

Ryan - OK, OK, geez, don't lay it on quite so thick or they'll get suspicious! All in all though, nicely said. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Your check is in the mail,

John

 

[L3130]

Ahh might as well just get a Grand L5030. I figure this if you get that you will never have to worry about not having enough power then. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[rk246]

Very true, but I know for sure there is a serious price jump between the 3830 and the 5030.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, but its only money....

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

<font color="blue"> Ahh might as well just get a Grand L5030. I figure this if you get that you will never have to worry about not having enough power then. </font>

Hey, has anyone ever put dual Garrett TA3123 turbos on a 5030? What a pain, there's barely enough room for the intercoolers! Am I going to have to relocate my radiator?

Thanks in advance, John D. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[NewToy]

Leave room for the propane injection system. It's great to have that little button for an extra boost. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif


John

 

[L3130]

I go for the Supercharger myself. I think 700 to 800HP is enough. Well just enough. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

 

[Timmmmah]

ok well I took delivery friday and I love it, there was a few comments about being underpowered and no way! it does everything i want it to so far... glad i opted for this unit and not the NH... Thanks for all the input and will post pics later! thanks once again..

 

[5030]

John:

Subjectively, my 5030 was a wimp compared to my new tractor and, I have a turbocharger now. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Daryl, you're slipping! You don't just have a turbo, you also have an intercooler! Go ahead and shout it out, I sure would! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Hey, will your M9 engine bolt into my 5030? Just wondering. I'll move some sheet metal around if I have to. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I'm still not quite ready to stop wondering out loud if Kubota should have just skipped the 3130 altogether in the Grand L line. The 180 lbs. per PTO HP doesn't even take into account the weight of a 3PH attachment itself, much less a box blade filled with dirt. Let's see, where's a Grand L catalog that's not all worn out - OK, here we go ... using a GST, just to make it fair ... 3,260 lbs. for the bare tractor, 1,000 lbs for the loader, and 600 lbs. on the 3PH, that's 4,860 lbs. divided by 25.5 PTO HP = 190.5 lbs per PTO HP. The same math on a 3830 gives you 152 lbs, and on a 5030, 120.5. Fill a box blade with 1,000 lbs. of dirt, and the numbers go to 229, 183 and 143. Just thinking out loud here ...

John

 

[hunterridgefarm]

("OK, here we go ... using a GST, just to make it fair ... 3,260 lbs. for the bare tractor, 1,000 lbs for the loader, and 600 lbs. on the 3PH, that's 4,860 lbs. divided by 25.5 PTO HP = 190.5 lbs per PTO HP. The same math on a 3830 gives you 152 lbs, and on a 5030, 120.5. Fill a box blade with 1,000 lbs. of dirt, and the numbers go to 229, 183 and 143. Just thinking out loud here ...")



OK John you have convinced me...I totally agree...

The 5030 is way to LIGHT for the weight/PTO hp. Look at all the extra weight I am going to have to buy and put on the 5030. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[5030]

John:

More gadgets to go kaput, more hoses to rot and more initial expense.

I need my wife's Percherons for a tractor but, how would I ever hook up a PTO /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Hunteridge -

I feel that the cost of the anvils that I purchased on EBay to weigh my 5030 down was well worth it in the long run, although I must admit that it will take a while to defray the costs of shipping. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

John