Impressed By Orange

[LBrown59]

I don't know about anyone else's tractors, but my three Kubotas just run. It's so great to have a machine that's ready to go to work whenever you are. I buy these things to help solve problems, not become another problem. If I want to work on tractors, I've got the old Fords and the Johnny popper for that.

Continually I see on here to try all the competing models and get the one that "feels right". I don't get that. What "feels right" is normally what I'm used to. What doesn't feel right at first, often feels fine after I've used it a bit. Sometimes it even feels better than what I was accustomed to. With over 40 years of working with tractors and using many Deeres, Olivers, Farmall/IHs, Ford/NHs, a Steiger and now my Kubotas, a new model never "feels right" at first. But you use what you got. Work it a day or two, and suddenly it feels fine.

I wouldn't make "feels good" the deciding factor by a long shot, but carefully consider your needs with regard to transmission choice. An HST can make loader work and lawn duty a breeze. It can make manuevering in tight quarters easily possible where clutch and gear would just lead to disaster. It'll give you the ultimate in speed control and precise maneuvering.

If you go gear, demanding field work is made easier by a Powershift transmission (like Kubota's GST) and a choice of 12 or 16 forward gears. Often a good slow reverse gear is a must....like for backing a 4-wheel hay wagon or running a 3PH snow blower. Pay close attention to the ground speeds available in each gear, especially the lower gears..forward and reverse. Then use your test ride to get a feel whether those speeds will work for you.
FWIW
Bob

<<===>> It must be twice as hard for you to drive all 6 of your tractors at once as it is for me to drive all 3 of my BXs at once <<===>>

 

[davitk]

<<===>> It must be twice as hard for you to drive all 6 of your tractors at once as it is for me to drive all 3 of my BXs at once <<===>>

ROFL

 

[Bob_Young]

Just finished putting new rims and rears on the 2000; it's out next to the road with a For Sale sign on it. I'll give you a good price, LBrown, if you want it. Could even deliver it. You've been saying you're running out of things to do. Maybe you could fix it up all spiffy like FWJ did with his Massey. Something to do this winter while the snow piles up outside.

The JD is next, been a few years since it's run. The 4000 is for backup, should I ever need it, or for getting things done quicker when I have help. It's a keeper.

What do the IT guys call it? Legacy systems....?

 

[Samandothers]

12 Volt
I notice you started the thread in April. Did you buy? If so what did you get? If not here are some comments.

I started by looking at 3400 and ended up with a L4240 with Kubota BH90 backhoe and the 854 loader. I would do it again. I have used the tooth bar on my loader to pop small saplings out of the ground and it really aids when cutting into the ground. I have removed it once or twice to do some smoother finish work with the bucket. The Back hoe has been great to install culverts and remove stumps. I used the backhoe to help cut the graded and level a pad for a building.

I have a 5' rotary cutter and could run a 6' without problem. If you can bump up from the 3940 to the 4240 the loader has a bit more capacity. Your price is close to what I paid for my tractor and loader here in the Southeast. Let us know what you decided on and if you have em post some pictures.