I am looking into buying a Bigger Machine

[Ken45101]

It's probably a minor issue, but I think the FEL lifting capacity is without a bucket. Net lifting is probably a couple of hundred pounds less.

Ken

 

[Harvest Moon]

It could be apples to oranges but Kubota the B26 specifications list it as "bucket bottom mid point: 1102 lbs."

The specs for the LA463 list "Bucket Center: 1014 lbs"

When I bought my B26 bucket the dealer told me the bucket would hold up fine on the LA463 because the B26 "has a higher lift capacity."

 

[Grandad4]

I'm sorry!! I thought he was really farming and working his tractor. I didn't read ALL the posts. I didn't know he had only 2 acres. How about an MX4700 (48hp). Is this too big?? It will surely hande those stumps and anything else you can throw at it with power to spare for the FEL and BH. Sorry again, no harm intended!!

Not to worry. I hope you don't take things too seriously, because I couldn't resist a little kidding. Welcome to TBN, by the way. I've always liked the MX series as solid, no frills working tractors in the 40-50 hp range. I'm thinking they are still a bit big for the original poster though.

 

[dstig1]

If you really need the lift capacity you may want to think about a skid steer for that. One area where they shine. Or maybe even some sort of forklift (used they aren't always so bad). I think an L is probably way too big for your tractor needs, so it really sounds like youneed 2 machines, or need to decide if you really need 2 macines.

 

[Ken45101]

I doubt the OP wants a skid steer. However, you are right, their lift capacity is higher than a tractor FEL. In today's economy there are a lot of lightly used skid steers available at reasonable prices.

Ken

 

[radioman]

1* I agree : No way would i ever consider getting rid of the BX.

yes you would if you suddenly need cash and got larger projects/land. Its all about timing. granted, you might keep at least one of your BX's :thumbsup:

 

[Jon Chanoski]

I'm from the Pittsburgh Pa area. I have a 2 dealers nearby, Smardt Equipment and Artman Equipment.


I have 2 acres of property right now. Down the road I may be buying another house to fix up and sell.

On my current property now, I have 2 houses, one I remodeled and the one will be tearing down, so the FEL will be used allot dumping the wreckage into dumpsters.

I was going to go up to a B series, but I would rather get something now that is more than big enough for what I need rather than having to by the B series, then sell it to buy a L series. This is an long term investment for me, so I want to make sure I buy something that I will not outgrow. I don't plan on selling this one in the near future. The BX22 I grew out of it fairly fast for the projects that I am doing. It did give me a good idea of what I need though. The BX22 paid for itself many times overs with the work that I did with it.

I live in the Harrison City area about 12 miles from Artman equipment. I started with a used Kubota garden tractor that I bought from where I work and quickly out grew that. I traded it to Bob Artman for a B7610 with loader mower and bagger to expand my after work mowing jobs. Bob gave me a real good deal on the trade in and new tractor with exelant service after the sale. The B7610 set up worked great for 5 years until my side jobs started going another direction more to the field mowing garden rototilling and small excavating side of things. Not only that but it was getting old getting stuck and almost tipping over trying to clean out the cow pen in the mud and snow. So I traded the B7610 in for a L3400 La463 front loader 8ft Bradco 408 backhoe and a five foot bushhog finish mower. Bob took care of me again with a great deal. That tractor loader backhoe setup is an excelant combo!!! The 408 Bradco is a little more expensive but if you can aford it it is money well spent. It is 3 times the hoe that Kubota offers. Bob also sold me a new Hudson 4 1/2 ton deckover trailer to haul my new tractor on. Artmans is an over the top dealer and provided me with lots of good advice and equipment over the years. If you would like to see what I have you are wecome to look at it just give me a buzz. If you see Bob tell him Jon Chanoski says hi.

 

[lzicc]

I went up to Artman this Saturday. Cold to be looking at tractors outside, but I got some kind of idea. I talked with Bob Jr. He is a good guy. He gave me a price on the L3700 with a FEL and BH. He was about $700 more than Smardt which surprised me.

I looked at so many tractors that my head was spinning. There is so much to consider, but there is also price to consider.

Jon, I appreciate the offer and will let you know. The L3700 seems to be pretty much the same as the L3400 other than engine size of what I am reading.

I looked at the B3300 and it didn't seem to be as heavy duty as the L3700, but the price was a little more and the FEL lift was about 200lbs less so I wonder why the price is higher for the B3300. That is what I don't understand. The weight of the L3700 was about 1400lbs heavier which is a plus for me. The B3300 seemed like it wasn't like a stripped down model where the L3700 seems like it is. Maybe it is just me. I also noticed 2 things about the BH, the outriggers didn't seem like it had a wide enough stance mounted on the L3700 and the seat room for the BH seemed a little cramped.

Decisions, decisions. Kubota makes way too models to choose from. Don't know if that is good or bad, but right now, it is bad for me making a decision.

I have a couple of questions.

1. What is the difference between the L3700 and the L3800
2. Why would the B3300 be higher in price than the L3700?
3. The BH I tried on the L3700 at the dealer may have been a BH76 and the one on the quote is a BH77. Other than the boom being curved on the BH77, is there any other difference? Is there more leg room on the BH77 versus the BH76?

BTW, thanks for the input from everyone. It is very helpful to me and I appreciate it. This is a big deal for me spending this kind of money and want to make sure I buy the right machine for me.

 

[gwdixon]

You are getting much closer to making an informed decision. The questions being asked are more refined and specific.

With your dedication it will all turn out just fine. Just don't be in a hurry.

 

[Jon Chanoski]

I went up to Artman this Saturday. Cold to be looking at tractors outside, but I got some kind of idea. I talked with Bob Jr. He is a good guy. He gave me a price on the L3700 with a FEL and BH. He was about $700 more than Smardt which surprised me.

I looked at so many tractors that my head was spinning. There is so much to consider, but there is also price to consider.

Jon, I appreciate the offer and will let you know. The L3700 seems to be pretty much the same as the L3400 other than engine size of what I am reading.

I looked at the B3300 and it didn't seem to be as heavy duty as the L3700, but the price was a little more and the FEL lift was about 200lbs less so I wonder why the price is higher for the B3300. That is what I don't understand. The weight of the L3700 was about 1400lbs heavier which is a plus for me. The B3300 seemed like it wasn't like a stripped down model where the L3700 seems like it is. Maybe it is just me. I also noticed 2 things about the BH, the outriggers didn't seem like it had a wide enough stance mounted on the L3700 and the seat room for the BH seemed a little cramped.

Decisions, decisions. Kubota makes way too models to choose from. Don't know if that is good or bad, but right now, it is bad for me making a decision.

I have a couple of questions.

1. What is the difference between the L3700 and the L3800
2. Why would the B3300 be higher in price than the L3700?
3. The BH I tried on the L3700 at the dealer may have been a BH76 and the one on the quote is a BH77. Other than the boom being curved on the BH77, is there any other difference? Is there more leg room on the BH77 versus the BH76?

BTW, thanks for the input from everyone. It is very helpful to me and I appreciate it. This is a big deal for me spending this kind of money and want to make sure I buy the right machine for me.

The L3700 is hydrostatic only so the power is equal to the L3400 gear drive that I have. The L3400 hydro is about 3hp less. The hydro will eat up 3 to 5 hp on all of the tractors you are looking at and the gear models are also less expensive. I really like having the gear model it is stronger and almost as fast in my opinion. Also the ag tires are the cheapest tire option and offer the best traction. Weight is your friend for the kind of work you talk about so I would say the L3400 L4400 L3700 L3800 are you best bet. Trust me you will not miss the extras on the grand L series when you get it home and start working it. The extra money is better spent on getting the bradco 408 over the Kubota bh76.