Knowing what you know now...

texbaylea · Feb 27, 2004

This is a little off thread but I am about to buy an L3130 with a723 FEL. My question is - how much weight needs to added at the rear to use the full lifting capacity of the 723. I will need to trade in both of my old tractors to afford this and want to do it right.

ScottAR · Feb 28, 2004

Actually, I might have bought bigger. I have a 1050 (33ptohp) which is a dandy tractor, if a bit short in the britches for more and more of our operation. We are currently shopping for a full size TLB so that will pick up some slack, but I would like a utility I think. Somthing along a 5205 size. A bit more power and weight would be helpful with many jobs. I'd have to sell/trade all our implements though. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

PhilVA · Feb 28, 2004

Ok, I'll jump in here as the new guy on the block.

First I must add that this place was invaluable during my search for the "right-sized" tractor. I was given lots of advice that helped me make the decision that was good for me. Thanks for that; I hope I can give back some of what I've gotten from here, many good ideas and experience.

I ended up buying Orange. Tractor of choice was L3000DT with FEL. It came with a 60" Land Pride brush hog and a 60" Land Pride scraper blade . I have since added a PHD, spike harrow and recently a Box Blade. I have 37 acres, half wooded and the other half pasture for horses.

I've used the tractor for preparing and planting the pastures (borrowing a neighbors disc and spreader); mowing the pastures; preparing a riding ring for my daughters and their horses; skidding downed trees out of the woods after Hurricane Isabel; digging numerous holes for fence posts for the pastures; maintenance of 1600 ft driveway; helping a neighbor pull his tractor out of the mud.

So far this tractor has done all that I have asked of it without any fuss. At this point I'm not sure what else I could throw at it that it couldn't handle. I believe I made the correct choice. It's fun to operate and I go out of my way to find something to do with it; any excuse to enjoy the outdoors. Every once in a while I wonder if having a tractor with a hydrostatic drive may have been better but not really convinced myself of the need for it. I hope this tractor is around for many, many years to come.

GareyD · Feb 28, 2004

I have a L3430 HST with 723 FEL and have found that a 5 foot box blade or bushhog will let me pick up anything the loader will handle without raising the rear end.

GareyD

Deerlope · Feb 28, 2004

The L 3830 serves my needs but if I did it over again I would buy the M-5700 or the M-6800, a heavyer, beefer tractor. I live in a farming area and could work out with it, also do a lot of logging, and could pull more.

GareyD · Feb 28, 2004

I don't know how I could live without changing my circumstances drastically for 10 years...I average about 8 years at a location, and then completely revamp/change locations, lifestyles, etc.

Born in a small town, moved to a big city...got big enough to be on my own and moved back to the country...change jobs - move back to the city...hate every minute of it and save enought to buy a farm...drought, fire, floods, pestilence...outta money, move back to the city and get a job....repeat the above scenario several times in the next 40 years /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

It takes me more time and effort to move my tractors than it does my household goods /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I don't see how a man could possibly live with only one tractor...of course, a man can have a favorite tractor (or 3) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

GareyD

OkeeDon · Feb 28, 2004

I wouldn't change a thing as far as my CUT goes, although if I had to do it over, I couldn't, because the TC18 is no longer available in the configuration I bought it. I consider myself fortunate, because I don't need the extra power of the TC21 or TC24, and the new 18 doesn't do as much as mine. If I was in the market right now, I'd probably step on up to the TC33 rather than the 21 or 24, because the price difference isn't that much. Or, maybe the TC30. Obviously, I'd stick with blue .

The only thing I'd do differently if I could go back a year or so would be to also buy that used International industrial TLB with a root rake that I could have bought at the time for $5K; turns out it was a heck of a deal. But, that would mean two tractors...

srs · Feb 28, 2004

Henro, deep down I think you wished you had purchased the L3130. Come on now, tell the truth, yes??????? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

PineRidge · Feb 28, 2004

What would you choose if you had to pick one tractor to use for the next ten years, and could not change unless your circumstances changed substantially?


I have an advantage since my TC-40D replaced a 25 HP tractor that was too small for my needs. I am happy with my present tractor and plan on keeping it for a long time. Now your post didn't say no customizing so for those of us that have or will be adding tooth-bars, remotes, top & tilt, additional lighting and the like that stuff doesn't count against you! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

thcri · Feb 28, 2004

( Henro I would swear you are laid up with two broken legs and unable to do anything else with these posts, but I'll bite. )

Henro,

Check your forcast, is snow or anything like that on it's way. Maybe you could take your wife out for a movie or something like that. Are you not sleeping at night, should you be seeing a doctor? Is there anything us guys here can do to help? We are all starting to worry about you!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

murph