Is a L3130 underpowered??

[kuboman]

I am looking at a L3130 as a possible upgrade from my B3200 and am interested as to peoples opinions on whether it might seem underpowered considering it weighs 1500# more than my B3200. I like my B3200 but need more loader capacity and I have found a L3130 which I can get along with the added size but do not know if the power might be lacking. What do you 3130 owners think:confused2:

 

[Johnbro]

This might not be very helpful but I had a L2250 for 20 years and I thought it was very powerful. The hydraulics were plenty strong and the gearing was such that it could really get down and funky. I would think a L3130 would be a really nice upgrade from a B series.

 

[kuboman]

This might not be very helpful but I had a L2250 for 20 years and I thought it was very powerful. The hydraulics were plenty strong and the gearing was such that it could really get down and funky. I would think a L3130 would be a really nice upgrade from a B series.

Yes a 3130 would be a real upgrade. My b3200 is at the top end for the power to weight ratio and the 3130 is getting towards the bottom end on the ptwr. Need to know if it might be a problem and have me looking for more power:drool:

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Only place I feel that I need more power is going up the hill in road gear with the backhoe on, otherwise it will climb the wall and if it can't it will dig two trenches trying to. A little more power would be nice for the rear finish mower when cutting the thick field. Otherwise plenty of hydraulics and the LA723 loader is very capable compared to the LA513.

David Kb7uns

 

[kuboman]

Only place I feel that I need more power is going up the hill in road gear with the backhoe on, otherwise it will climb the wall and if it can't it will dig two trenches trying to. A little more power would be nice for the rear finish mower when cutting the thick field. Otherwise plenty of hydraulics and the LA723 loader is very capable compared to the LA513.

David Kb7uns

I see you have one. Will it maintain speed in Hi flat out with the backhoe on or will it bog out?

 

[James Loehr]

I have a 2003 L3130 that I'm very fond of. It has done everything I expected it to and more. Could it use more power,sure it's a large frame and heavy compact. The only time power became an issue was with a 72RFM in heavy grass and then it's a hydro I just slowed down a bit. For loader work more power would not help it has more than enough. This tractor was my first new compact and has always been more than I expected.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

First from a B3200 to a different size tractor such as a L3130 is not an upgrade. It is a size up but not an upgrade. I had a B7800 FEL 6' Landpride RFM for 3 years. The B7800 handled powering and pulling the RFM fine even pulling to the top of my steepest hill. The RFM would sort of turn the B at the bottom of the hill when I turned to go back up but it wasn't a problem since I knew it would do it.
Traded the B7800 to a Grand L3240HST FEL and kept the Landpride 6' RFM. The L handled the RFM like it wasn't there except.........when getting near the crest of the steepest hill the L started slowing down with pulling speed and slowed in powering the RFM.
Weight makes a difference especially 1000lbs. Most of the time the extra weight is a good thing for a tractor but pulling an extra 1000lbs up a steep hill is one instance that the extra weight is not a good thing. Flat land then 32HP was enough.
I did trade the L3240HST to a new B3200 after a few months. It wasn't a down grade it was just a trade to a smaller, lower to the ground and less heavy tractor. Honestly I traded because I didn't feel as secure on the hillside on the L as I did on the B's and getting the L out to do a small job was not as attractive as jumping on the B and getting to the small jobs.
In my opinion, if your going from a 32HP B to a thousand pounds heavier L you may want to increase the HP from 31/32 to more than that. If your just working on flat land then it may not be an issue as it was for me on going up steep hillsides.
I've always had small Sports cars and preferred them to big cars most of the time for fun local driving. Long trip, a different story. Same for me with tractors. I guess I prefer the smaller ones but do like and appreciate the "big uns" for a big excavation dirt moving project on flat land or moving bigger rocks.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

I have an L3130 with close to 600 hours on it. It has been used to clear property for my house, hauling red and white oak logs on the loader and pulling logs behind it at the same time. I run a 5' hog in tall thick grass with no issues. I plant a 4 ac river bottom in sandy soil and have buried a 6' disc behind it and only then would it slow down some. I have pushed many large pines over with it. The rear tires are loaded for extra weight and traction. I live in rolling hills and when driving on the road it will slow on steep grades and may need to shift to 3rd gear to top the hill. With the loaded off, no problem. Just remember, a lot of people add weight to their tractor...

The 3130 has ample power for the size tractor it is and I would recomend the 723 loader or equivalent brand. I have a Woods loader on mine. I am very happy with the 3130 but would like to have a few extra horses under the hood. My future plans is for a L5240 Cab or M series Cab.

David

 

[Gordon Gould]

I have a gear L3010 That weighs 5000 lbs the way mine is set up. For my use which is road work and in the woods traction or weight is more of a limitation than the 30 hp. The 30 hp is plenty. If I start to slow down a little more throttle is all it takes to maintain speed. I would opt for more weight. I have never used a HST so it might not be the same.

 

[kuboman]

Most of my use is loader work in sometimes tight situations. Everything else I do like 3pt work etc the 3200 is perfect it just comes to loader work that I find the 3200 lacking. But like JT said the B is so convenient to just hop on and go. I use the pallet forks quite often and that is when I need allot more lifting capacity.
Maybe I just need both:licking::laughing: