Grand L Series 3 versus 4 Cylinder Engines

Anonymous Poster · May 7, 2003

First, I would like to thank the members of this forum for their many invaluable posts, which have helped me in my tractor search. I am looking hard at the Grand L series tractors after having borrowed my neighbor's L3130 tractor last winter to move some snow with his FEL. (We have a horse operation in Northern VA and are currently using a 'loaderless' JD 950 for mowing, harrowing, etc.) We would like to have a good strong tractor to take care of 25 acres, including some fairly rigorous brush hogging in the back fields and need the loader for 'manure management', etc. The 950 has trouble with the bush hogging out back and is challenged by harrowing at a reasonably fast speed.

We like the Grand L Series and my wife likes the HST which she can drive easiliy. I am a little concerned about the power drop with the HST and want to be sure that there is enough horsepower (and some to spare) for all likely uses. Has anyone looked at the model line where it jumps from 3 cylinders (3130 through 3830) to the 4 cylinder models (4330 through 5030) and if there is a noticeable power/torque increase with the 4330? The numbers tell a story- PTO power is 34.5 versus 30.5 in the HST, but a real seat of the pants dynomometer test with the tractor in working conditions would tell more than a drive around the parking lot can. I guess, better said, based on experience, is the 4330 worth $1,500 more than the 3830 in the HST?

ON the pricing front, I got a quote of about 20% off list for a L3830 and the tractor mounted extras (FEL with quick change bucket, R4's, etc.) but all implements seemed like they were at full list price. Is this standard practice?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Egon · May 7, 2003

Just thoughts.

Chances are you should be listening to what the wife prefers to drive or you may be doing the driving yourself.

The bush hogging should only be real serious the first time if it is kept up.

Then again a little more power is always nice but consder size difference in tractors when handling manure or operating around buildings.

Egon

5030 · May 7, 2003

I've enclose pictures of the Grand L 5030HSTC.

Show your wife this picture and tell her that the stereo plays Buddy Jewel really well and the air conditionong will freeze you out. Then tell her that the HST is about as easy to drive as her SUV. Show her the next picture and tell her that if the tractor will lift that bale, it will handle anything you have to do. At this point, take her to the local Kubota dealer and buy one. It's a 5030 HSTC with a LA851 loader.

As far as power drop, you will lose about 3 realtime hp., at the pto. Kubota engines have a really good torque rise and it's the torque figure not the horsepower that will drive the implement during heavy work. People base tractor purchase decisions on pto horsepower alone. The horsepower plays an important factor, but the realtime torque rise is what is important for maintaining implement speed versus ground speed.

Daryl
Forage Services, L.P.

5030 · May 7, 2003

another picture, this one of the LA851 loader with a bale on it.

JATO_RaT · May 7, 2003

3050 or is it 5030 or is it LA 851 or LA 853 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

One thing for sure is the L5030 is a great tractor. I had a L48 which utilizes the same engine as the L5030 and a considerably stronger loader with a bigger bucket. Power was really never an issue. I now own a L3830 as of yesterday. I find that the 3 cylinder is every bit as smooth and quite frankly, much quieter then my L48 which already was pretty quiet. The only time power is an issue is going up hills in medium or high. There will be a noticeable load on the engine which simply means you back off on the hydro pedal. I asked about the L4330 and the dealers mentioned this would be the same scenario with them as well. The torque on the L4330 HST and L4630 HST is the same and about 18 ft lbs more then the L3830 HST. I considered moving up to the L4330 HST but had already moved from the L3130 to the L3830. The few hours I now have on the L3830 have really impressed me. The sound level is truly amazing. I hear the mower blades much louder then the engine. This is definitely not true of my International or even my L48. Rat....

5030 · May 7, 2003

RaT:

We have been through that discussion before. Remember, I own JD's as well as Kubota's. 5030, 3050, it's all generic!!!

Lets see........I've got 2 Internationals, 4 John Deeres 1 Kubota, 1 Ford, an MTD lawn mower and a Honda 4 wheeler. All diesels except the MTD and the Honda. I had 5 John Deeres but the one in the post is junk.

Also, we have an Allis articulated front end wheel loader, vintage unknown.

I forgot to include the trucks...........
1 '98 Western Star 450 E model Cat 13 double over, 1 '94 International 400 Cummins, 13 double over, 1 Volvo tri axle dump, 400 cummins, 18 speed with low range. and a couple of junkers too. Assorted trailers including grain trailers, tankers, dumps and vans.

I'd list the implements, but it would take the whole page. Thank God, farm credit loves me.

So as you can see, I get numbers mixed up. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Check out my post under JD Supeersteer Photo's. That's a 4050.

Daryl
Forage Services, L.P.

Anonymous Poster · May 9, 2003

Thanks to all of you who responded to my questions. I have been out of town for a few days and didn't get to log in. That 5030 is one sweet looking tractor! I am going to try to get down there with the wife again so that she can give the different models a whirl. Just another question on implements. Is it normal to get some kind of discount on implements during a tractor purchase? I am looking at a manure spreader and a new brushhog and I believe that they were quoted at full list.

Thanks again.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( another picture, this one of the LA851 loader with a bale on it. )</font>

5030 · May 9, 2003

Go to a farm auction and buy a used spreader. I don't know if you have livestock or horses, but a spreader that spreads horse dung will last about forever as it's not as corrosive as cattle dung. Just hose it out every few months. I have a New Idea which I bought at auction for $500.00. It's a wood bottom model, 18 feet long with a hydraulic end gate. It came from a cattle operation but was cleaned often and stored inside. If you have to have a new one, I'd recommend a New Idea as they have a coated plastic bottom that will last a thousand years, besides, the company that I drive for sells New Idea all the galvanized steel that they use in the sides of the spreaders and I've been to the factory and watched them build them. They are put together really well. I don't know if your delaer is charging you list or not, but I will list what my 5030 cost:

L5030-$31,800.00 (with LA851 loader)
Bobcat style quick detach-$380.00
Round back excavation bucket-$300.00
Rear work lights-$125.00
Rear wiper-$125.00

The R-4's were included in the tractor price as was 2 sets of rear remotes and the C.D. player. Not included in the price but worth the price of admission was the smile on my face the first time I took the 5030 out in a blizzard to blow snow. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif