Is the L4400 more than I need?

[zkubota]

Getting pretty close to buying, but concerned the L4400 is more than I need. Maybe I should re-phrase; concerned the L4400 is more expensive than what I need. (with FEL)

Brush-hogging--6-10 acres--6 to 8 times a year(mostly on hillside)

Dirt-work--I have a moto track for me and the kids that I like to keep up, currently borrow father-in-law's bobcat. 25 acres of woods, currently clearing brush on (slowly)

1/4 mile of driveway to work probably 1 or 2 times a month--more often with rain we've been having.

other standard honey-dews.

Anyone have any input on this matter. I looked at the L3400, but I'm afraid it's too small, don't know why, mostly the pto hp, and overall size. also, looked at the JD 990, not bad size, but the seems to be no comparison to L4400 once I sat on them both and drove.

 

[JimMorrissey]

Get the next biggest model /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[rope1]

I've been looking at the L3400, how much price differecen is there to jump to the new L4400?

 

[grandad]

I faced a similar decision 3 years ago... and went large for my property with an L4610. Have not regretted it one moment! If you are mostly a weekend warrior like me, time is your most limited commodity. There's no question a smaller tractor could do most of the same work, but it would just take longer.

 

[zkubota]

Right now dealer is giving me a price of around $19,200 w/ FEL. I haven't even priced the 3400 yet.

 

[MTM1930]

I STARTED OUT LOOKING A A L4400.BEST PRICE I GOT WAS $19300 BUT THAT WAS WITH A 703 LOADER, I WOULD SUGGEST YOU GO WITH THE LARGER LOADER.
I ENDED UP WITH A M4800 WITH A 1002 LOADER. WENT TO IT BECAUSE I WANTED THE SYNCHRO FORWARD TO REVERSE TRANSMISSION.. LOVE IT IT IS A HOSS.
GOOD LUCK

 

[Bob_Young]

In Dec. I bought a new L4300, predecessor to the L4400, and at the present time think I might have been better off to go a bit bigger...like maybe an M4900. Got a good deal because Kubota was closing the L4300 out; so I'm not whining. So far I've used it mostly to move snow and, while it doesn't lack for power, it is a bit light. A 7' rear blade loaded with heavy wet stuff pushes the tractor around alot more than I like. This in spite of having loaded rears and an FEL on. I'd think moving dirt for the bike track would challenge the tractor as much or more than snow. A smaller blade might be the answer, but you probably want it wide enough to cover your tracks when angled.

So to my mind, the marginally heavier L4400 would not be too big at all for what you're planning. You've got some serious work there and, depending on the condition of what you're trying to mow, may need all of the 4400's HP. Come spring I'll be running a 6' brush hog with mine and will have a better feel for what it's capable of then. But, at times, my old 50HP diesel Ford 4000 grunts a bit with a 5 footer. Point is, if the mowing ever gets ahead of you, you'll need the ponies to catch up.

If this is strictly a one shot deal, you might want to look at the M4800 (2WD), M4900 or bigger before signing on the line. It's not like they're giving terrific deals on the L4400s or anything.

The member bragging up his new M4800 made me a tad envious /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
Bob

 

[DickBurke]

I just bought 5+ acres in North central Florida for a new home.
We need a tractor to deal with the 4' weeds and bushes, dead
trees up to 1.5', mountains of brush. We will eventually clean
the whole place up. After much research I will get a M4900+
1002 FEL, 5" PTO chipper and a 72" BushHog. Some would say
overkill but I will never have to say it's to dam small. I looked hard at the L4400 but for another $3000 this kid isn't going to make a mistake. **** one of my neighbors just spent $35,000 on a bass boat and he can't even cut his grass with it.