Help with new Kubota Grand L HST 30 Series

[FL_Cracker]

I’m really getting close to the d-day on a new tractor. Here’s the problem, which tractor?

I want a Kubota Grand L, HST with a front loader. I have 52 acres with quite a bit of gravel road and about 7-8 acres of pasture. I will be cutting the pasture with a bush hog for now and need to box blade the gravel roads several times per year. I’m still clearing some areas of the property and clearing debris. I will have a third set of hydraulics added to the loader so I can use an existing grapple I have from my skid steer loader.

One issue is the capacity of the front loader. The rating at the center of the bucket on the LA853 model is about 1800 lbs. Will I be able to get a 1 ton pallet of fertilizer off my trailer or is the 1800 lb. rating the drop dead max it can lift?

I leaning toward the L5030 because I want plenty of power and I intend to rent a over seeder this summer and next summer and it requires 50 hp. I also have a 6” chipper with power feed and I think it will require a lot of HP

Is the backhoe worth buying for general farm use or do you find it ends up sitting doing nothing most of the time?

Cab and Air looks and feels great but I wonder if it has problems with every day use. I don’t need the cab from harsh weather as north Georgia doesn’t get much snow. Any body with can & air experience.

Boy, that’s a lot to ask but it’s a big number to just jump….. without getting some opinions.

Thanks,

 

[jhbusa]

FL, I have a L5030 that's about 5 months old (65 hours). I love it. In fact, I used it to brush hog about 20 acres today. I don't think you'll have any problem with the FEL, but make sure you hang something heavy off the back and go slow.

I spent the break in period knocking down tree's up to 12". Probably not the best way to break one in but it worked well. Be sure to get the heavy duty FEL bucket.

I had an opportunity to get a enclosed CAB and am glad I didn't. I have 65 acres. 1/3 - 1/2 of it is wooded, the rest hilly pasture. I would have destroyed it by now the way I use this tractor.

I'm not familiar with backhoes ... yet.

Good luck on your choice.

 

[tjkadar]

I would keep leaning towards the L5030 or might even consider a M series tractor for what you are planning to do. I think, in the long run, you'll be happier with the bigger beast.

 

[txdon]

FL Cracker, here is a backhoe thread that discusses the many uses we have found for the backhoe. It is nice to know when you need it it is there, otherwise I would be doing it by hand or not doing the job at all. If you do not get a cab, get a canopy it sure is a lot cooler in the shade and there is some protection from falling limbs. If the 5030 will not pick up the pallet just throw a couple of bags off. You may need the weight of the backhoe when you lift the pallet.

 

[Partsman2]

There is no substitute for horse power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[GeneD14]

The L5030 for the aded power comes in real handy. As others have said I would use plenty of ballast on the rear when lifting heavy pallets with the loader.

 

[FL_Cracker]

Thanks for all the info, I guess once I get to that larger chassis then the additional HP comes cheap and I should buy all I can.

The backhoe troubles me because of the cost. Will I get the use and are there a lot of uncommon projects that arrise that a backhoe fits the bill. I thinking of the obvious and it seems like it won't get used much. I know if I have to rent one for a one hour job I just won't do it.

Any thoughts on odd or speciality jobs that I'm not thinking of right now?

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[jmc]

That 2000 lb pallet is not only more than the rated load but probably further out than the midpoint of the bucket. Those two things together may be a stretch for that fel.

I think someone on this board mentioned that the M series is not available in HST.

 

[grandad]

The cab 5030 is a really class package that would do well for most of what you'll get into on your 52 acres.

Some of the 5030 owners may be able to comment better, but I would think offloading 2,000 lb pallets is probably beyond what you'd want to be doing with this size tractor. I can pick up about 2,000lbs in the bucket of my 4610, which has pretty much the same loader, but putting that weight another 3 ft. forward would not be safe. I'm thinking you'd want heavier tractor - maybe a 75hp ag tractor or thereabouts - to handle a load like that.

That might make some sense for other work you'd be doing also. If you have the budget for a 5030 with backhoe, you might skip the backhoe and shop in a higher HP range.