I am looking into buying a Bigger Machine

lzicc · Jan 11, 2011

I currently have a BX22 that I really like, but I need something with more power, larger in size with better force with the BH and the FEL. Since the finance rates are really good now through Kubota, I am leaning towards buying new. I called my local dealer to get a price on a B26 TLB. The salesman told me that I will be further ahead if I would order something specific for my needs. He said I would save some money doing it that way also.

The dealer sent me out some brochures and a price list for different configurations. I think I narrowed my choice down to this.

2010 Model L3700SUHST
FEL is LA463 with a 60" Bucket lift capacity 1014 lbs.
BH is a BH77 lift capacity 3421 lbs. 16" bucket, 7' 7" digging depth
34 HP Diesel 4WD
Industrial Tires
Free Delivery
Price quoted is $26,460 Plus Tax.

I want to get an idea how much bigger it is compared to my BX22. I don't want to go to much bigger, but I need something that will have allot more power at the BH for digging ditches and for digging out stumps. The BX did ok digging up stumps, but it took some time. It also didn't have the power to tear the larger roots.

I want to be able to dig with the FEL. I am going to be building a garage and will have to dig down some for a foundation, maybe 2 feet down in some areas. The BX digs ok, but that is allot of work for that machine and time consuming for me.

Can anyone give me some idea's if I am looking for the machine that would work for me. I know it is hard to get an idea of what I am using it for, but I mainly want something with at least double the power than what I have now.

I haven't seen the L3700 in person yet to get a visual on the size, but it looks like the weight of the machine will be allot better. The BX22 isn't heavy enough for the work I want to do.

Also, does the price seem to be a decent price of what I am being quoted?

THX.

kuboman · Jan 11, 2011

lzicc said:
I currently have a BX22 that I really like, but I need something with more power, larger in size with better force with the BH and the FEL. Since the finance rates are really good now through Kubota, I am leaning towards buying new. I called my local dealer to get a price on a B26 TLB. The salesman told me that I will be further ahead if I would order something specific for my needs. He said I would save some money doing it that way also.

The dealer sent me out some brochures and a price list for different configurations. I think I narrowed my choice down to this.

2010 Model L3700SUHST
FEL is LA463 with a 60" Bucket lift capacity 1014 lbs.
BH is a BH77 lift capacity 3421 lbs. 16" bucket, 7' 7" digging depth
34 HP Diesel 4WD
Industrial Tires
Free Delivery
Price quoted is $26,460 Plus Tax.

I want to get an idea how much bigger it is compared to my BX22. I don't want to go to much bigger, but I need something that will have allot more power at the BH for digging ditches and for digging out stumps. The BX did ok digging up stumps, but it took some time. It also didn't have the power to tear the larger roots.

I want to be able to dig with the FEL. I am going to be building a garage and will have to dig down some for a foundation, maybe 2 feet down in some areas. The BX digs ok, but that is allot of work for that machine and time consuming for me.

Can anyone give me some idea's if I am looking for the machine that would work for me. I know it is hard to get an idea of what I am using it for, but I mainly want something with at least double the power than what I have now.

I haven't seen the L3700 in person yet to get a visual on the size, but it looks like the weight of the machine will be allot better. The BX22 isn't heavy enough for the work I want to do.

Also, does the price seem to be a decent price of what I am being quoted?

THX.

You can get into Kubota's web site and download all the specs in PDF. This will give you all the dimensions. I think you will find the L to be quite a bit larger than your BX, but also more capable.

bp fick · Jan 11, 2011

Really, really need to see them in person, side by side, or on the same lot, just a few feet apart. The difference is pretty astounding.

Also, most dealers would certainly allow you to at least take them around the lot for a bit. Better yet, rent one for a weekend. Might cost a few hundred, but you're talking thousands of bucks here.

JOHNTHOMAS · Jan 11, 2011

An L is alot bigger than a BX.
If you have ongoing jobs or see a few years ahead of jobs then to buy a machine for the jobs is OK. If the jobs are one time or can be done and finished in a short time I believe it's better to hire out those one time jobs to a more specialized machine and it will save money.
Digging a basement or deep crawl space for a house can be done fairly quck with a track loader which can also uproot big tree roots in very short order. If you just want to buy another tractor then go for it.

lzicc · Jan 11, 2011

I am going to go check them out side by side in person for sure. When I bought my BX22, I had a house that I purchased that I was fixing up and just needed something to dig up one side of my foundation that was underground about 5 feet. I figured the BX22 would do the job which it did. Then I found so many other projects that I was able to use it for. I dug out about 25 pine tree stumps. They were big pines trees, so the stumps were pretty large. The BX took some time and did ok, but I am thinking if I can get a bigger machine, I could pull tree and roots out all at once. The trees average about 40' tall anyhow. If I can't pull them, I want to be able to dig out the roots fairly easy. I have about 40 more large pines that I want to get rid of, plus with the garage project I will be start this year, a bigger machine would make my job that much easier. I know that I will have allot more work moving forward also.

What is the difference between the B series and the L series? There are so many models, it's hard to keep up.

I know I want the HST for sure and the L3700 is HST.

gwdixon · Jan 11, 2011

lzicc said:
I am going to go check them out side by side in person for sure. When I bought my BX22, I had a house that I purchased that I was fixing up and just needed something to dig up one side of my foundation that was underground about 5 feet. I figured the BX22 would do the job which it did. Then I found so many other projects that I was able to use it for. I dug out about 25 pine tree stumps. They were big pines trees, so the stumps were pretty large. The BX took some time and did ok, but I am thinking if I can get a bigger machine, I could pull tree and roots out all at once. The trees average about 40' tall anyhow. If I can't pull them, I want to be able to dig out the roots fairly easy. I have about 40 more large pines that I want to get rid of, plus with the garage project I will be start this year, a bigger machine would make my job that much easier. I know that I will have allot more work moving forward also.

What is the difference between the B series and the L series? There are so many models, it's hard to keep up. I know I want the HST for sure and the L3700 is HST.

Have you looked into an L39? The HP is comparable to what you are looking at and it has more industrial strength - especially since it is designed for BH use.

Kubota Tractor Corporation - Tractors | TLB Series | L39

Oops, I see it only has a GST. Maybe an L45 would do the job. A B26 also may be right up your alley. You can check them all out at this link. The photos should give a size comparison.

I have migrated away from BH use on a standard tractor. But of course many have done so successfully. Getting a machine designed for the job(s) seems to be a better bet. See if you can get a try-out of the tractors at the dealer - even if it is only right there on his/her lot. At least fire them up and do a bit of operation of the levers to feel the power.

http://www.kubota.com/product/TLBSeries.aspx

About pulling the tree and roots all at once - can't be done without a large excavator. Even then, they have to dig around the stump in most cases. With my L48 it can take hours to get out a large fresh stump in the 4' diameter category. Old or rotten ones are much easier of course.

lzicc · Jan 11, 2011

Yes I did and I really like that machine, but the price would be too high for me. i would like to stick below the $30,000 range.

gwdixon said:
Have you looked into an L39? The HP is comparable to what you are looking at and it has more industrial strength - especially since it is designed for BH use.

Kubota Tractor Corporation - Tractors | TLB Series | L39

bikerdib · Jan 11, 2011

I'm considered going up in size also (now have a B7300).

Like others have said, going from a BX to an L is quite a jump. It all depends on how often you will need the extra "grunt".

Have you looked at the B3300? My dealer just quoted me $15,100 cash or $16,400 if I use the 0% financing. That's for the tractor with loader, R1 tires. I think a BH was an additional $7,000 (I wasn't interested in the BH, I'd rather rent if I ever need).

I've ruled out the L series for my needs. I really wouldn't have need for anything that large after I finish my current project of making a pond out of a section of creek bed.

lzicc · Jan 11, 2011

I do have a quote for the B3300, but the FEL lift capacity is only 730 lbs as compared to the L3700 with the lift capacity of 1014 lbs which seems considerable more. The lift capacity is a big deal for me. I will be moving large pieces of concrete pads around. The price is about $1000 cheaper going with the B3300.

I am also looking long term on the tractor and will have allot of uses for it down the road.