Justify the Buy

[Henry]

I would think about the kind of work you are going to be doing. If you're mostly mowing and doing light loader work you might not get much advantage from the HST.... Moderate amounts of shifting isn't really a problem for me. I own a 790 MFWD with the 70 loader and 60" belly mower and am able to tend my 12 acres very easily. I went thru the same set of choices a year ago and I'm very happy with the 790.

 

[dmccarty]

First of all Bozi you are on the right track and you don't even realize it!

When you start talking tractor and the wife walks away that is a VERY good sign. You are starting to wear her down. Keep it up. I researched tractors/implements for a good 15 months before I bought one. Every day I would go home and tell the wife, "Guess what I read on TBN today?" Oh, did she HATE that question! "All you ever talk about is that tractor!", said the wife.



Eventually she gave in and I got the tractor. The bad thing, at least for her, is that I still come home and say, "Guess what I read on TBN today?" LOL! Poor Wifey!

Course she did get a horse! So she is in the lead Toy Wise.....

But I use the tractor FAR more than she rides that furry critter.

My two cents on the tranny. I don't think you want a non-sync tranny. I drove a manual truck and I wanted a tractor tranny that would drive the same way. So I wanted sync tranny at a minimum but I did not want an HST gearbox either. I ended up with the PowerReverser tranny which I think was a danged good compromise in the dollar department and ease of use. On the 4700 the HST takes away 1.5 HP compared with the PowerReverser. I wanted to maximize HP.

But this is very much a personal decision. For the last couple of work days I was doing FEL work all day long. I could see how I COULD have been slightly more productive with an HST tractor. It would not have been much of a time savings but it would have reduced my control movement. Not a big deal though. I still like my PowerReverser.

Hope this helps....
Dan McCarty

 

[WillingtonPizza]

Here is what $12,650 will buy you at Power Trac
25hp 4wheel drive
hyrdrostatic
60" Mower deck (hydralic)
48" Brush cutter (hydralic)
48" Tiller (hydralic)
FEL with bucket
18" Stump grinder (hydralic)
6 sway hydralic snow plow
what do you know it is even the right color green!

PS. No I do not work for them or know anybody who does, but I have one and it is great!

 

[Bozi]

I have narrowed the field down to two tractors, one being orange and the other green. The choice is between the 4300 and the 2910. I like the physical size of the 2910, it would take up less garage space, more maneuverable, greater ground clearance, and 1200 lbs lighter. But I lean towards the green, a much more capable tractor (IMO), more FEL lift, better hydraulic ratings, 2 hp engine advantage and 5 more PTO ponies, also more comfortable,. The only problem I have with the 4300 is the weight of the tractor, I worry about ground compaction and rutting. Quality is also a concern, the 4300 seems better built(???) The 4300 with the 12/12 power reverser is the same price as the 2910 HST. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I plan on purchasing a tractor this week. Tough choice.

 

[Boondox]

I recently faced the same choice: Kubota B2910 or L3010, or the JD 4300. I ruled out the 2910 very early because it just didn't have the lift and dragging capacity I was looking for. The 4300 is a fine machine, and my local Deere dealer was great...but it cost $2800 more than the 3010 similarly equipped...and JD seemed slower than Kubota in resolving those admittedly rare lemon issues.

Lastly, I priced a few replacement parts on the two tractors and found Deere parts to be significantly higher: about 25-40% higher.

In the end, I settled on the 3010. Your choice is much tougher because you need that wonderful lift capacity without the associated weight. Let us know what you decide.

Good luck! Pete

 

[cowboydoc]

Boondox,
Boy there must be a big difference in dealers. Around here a similiar kubota and john deere the john deere was cheaper. Also for parts the kubota was more expensive, less available, and less service. Only a couple kubota dealers and tons of jd dealers.

Pete,
As far as your tractor the extra weight will be a blessing if you're ever going to really use the tractor. That was a big factor in my purchasing green over orange as I do alot of heavy work with my tractor and similiar tractor to my 4600, I think it was the 3710 or 4310 kubota, the 4600 was bigger all the way around and was cheaper. But then again that may just be dealers around here. The dealer here for kubota says that they are marked up 30%. He gives all customers 15% off. John Deere dealers some were high and some were low. I don't know what the percent markup is but the 4600 was about $2000 cheaper than the 4310 similiar equipped.

 

[GaryK]

When I was checking out tractors I found that the JD comes with the hyd controls for FEL for about $500 installed at factory and the FEL is less $$ too. On the Kubota I was told the controls come with each attachment like a FEL which boosts up the $$ to more that just afew$$$

 

[Bozi]

I would just like to thank everyone for their responses to my question, and for just listening to what I needed to say.. Yesterday, I decided on the JD 4300 HST, 430 loader, and R4s. I feel very comfortable with my decision and look forward to many hours of working around the yard (playing around). I expect delivery next week, so I better clean an area out in the garage for it. I'm sure I will soon have numerous questions, and I look forward to the advice I know I can find here.

Brian

 

[Boondox]

Brian -- That's exactly the rig I almost settled on before opting for the Kubota L3010 (used) because it was closer to my budget. You'll love it! Be sure to post some pics when you take delivery.

Pete

 

[jfakerj]

Brian

Great choice. You'll love it, I do mine.

Jerry