Kubota 3010 used

[3rdbase]

Hi guys. I've read all the info on the boards about Kubota and am considering buying a used 3010. Here's the situation. I've got app. 14 acres of open, rolling meadow, very shallow slope, located in central Virginia. It's been in hay for a few years, but I'm trying to improve the soil organic content by just cutting and letting it decompose. We're going to build on it in about 5 years. The local Kubota dealer just took a trade in. He's offering a 1 yr. old L3010 HST with 182 hrs on it. Looks new, no leaks, dents or anything else. It has like new R'4 tires which I prefer for my application, a Kubota LA-481 loader with just a few scratches, a K-1904 canopy and he's including a brand new LandPride RCR-1572 bush hog. The 6' bush hog should be OK with the very gentle slope since it's a 4 wheel drive unit.The price is $16,800. I talked to the previous owner. All he did was lift hay with it by using a fork attatchment which I don't need. The rear PTO has never been used. What do the experts think about this deal. There are no secrets in the shadows, the ex owner just wanted a bigger unit. I think the 3010 is adequate for my purposes. Any opinion sincerely sought and appreciated.
Thanks,
3rdbase

 

[Harv]

3rdbase -

The 3010 is one fine tractor. My first choice when I was shopping, but wound up with a used L2500DT.

I don't know the current pricing on 3010's, but I if you could live with less frills, you can get a similarly equipped L3000DT and implements brand new for about the same price. All depends on if the warranty is an issue for you.

If you do go for the deal (and I can see the attraction), I would reconsider the fork setup. You say you don't need it, but I'll bet you dollars to donuts if you had it, you'd use it a lot more than you think. Forks is handy stuff.

Sounds like you're close to some fun times. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[3rdbase]

Thanks Harv,
There's still two years on the warranty, so I feel comfortable after seeing all your (and the other knowlegeable owner's) posts that any problems will hopefully expose themselves. On the fork issue, it sure looked nice but the dealer said he could do the whole rig for $1000 less if I gave up the fork. He said he had another buyer who really wanted the fork , and $1000 seemed steep for it. Again thanks.

 

[Boondox]

Jump on that deal. Great tractor (I have one myself) and a nice price.

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[3rdbase]

Pete,
Thanks. Do you think the 6' mower is OK for my application with a 3010? Ive seen other posts, (Carver et all) that recommend a 5 footer instead. Of the 14 acres, only 4 is on slopy land, and when I mow perpendicular I can limit the slope to 5 percent. I used to own a 1994 Ford 3415. Used it for finish mowing baseball fields in Illinois and had to sell it when we moved. Iand am a tad nervous about the limited PTO HP on these compacts. These boards are exceptional and I sincerely appreciate any opinions from informed, objective tractor drivers.
Regards

 

[Bird]

3rdbase, from your description of what you intend to mow, I'd certainly want a 6' mower with the 3010. I use a 5' mower on my B2710 (just mowed my own pasture yesterday) and for just grass and weeds, instead of brush, I almost wish I had a 6' mower. I keep thinking that someday I'm going to try my neighbor's 7' one on the 2710 (I know I couldn't pick it up on the 3-point without some counterweight on the front end).

Bird

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>LandPride RCR-1572 bush hog. The 6' bush hog should be OK with the very gentle slope since it's a 4 wheel drive unit.</font color=blue>

Tom,

The Kubota 3010 is a super compact... but not for a 6' rotary cutter. {Recommend 5' Max. rotary cutter, 6' finish mower}

You would find out in 5 minutes or less, testing those components on your property... that you would seriously be underpowered {26 PTO HP} using a 6' rotary cutter attacking real brush... not grass.

Even on your old Ford 3415 with 38 PTO HP, you'd have a challenge using a 6' rotary cutter doing some serious brush hogging.

Without offending anyone, I think that particular Landpride 6' cutter is only a grade above a "finish mower" and a very light duty rotary cutter, maybe up to 1" stuff?/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

If you really have your heart set on getting this fine Kubota /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif, then do yourself a favor and renegotiate for a 5' Medium duty rotary cutter and 6' finish rear mower for the best of all worlds.

Good luck Tom. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Bird]

John, for serious "brush" cutting, I'd agree with you, but for mowing what used to be a hay meadow? A light duty 6' rotary cutter ought to be plenty in my opinion.

Bird

 

[john_bud]

John,

Where did you find those "daazzle" eyes??

No fair, you always get the "good stuff"! /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

(Just kidding /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif)

John Bud

 

[3rdbase]

Gents,
Excellent post John and Bird. I'm so close to making this deal I would really appreciate your honest opinion, and I'll likely go with the most conservative. The meadow will never be more than 4" tall. It looks like a lawn-no exageration. I will never let it go to legitimate bush hog lengths. For that application, yes or no, can the L3010 handle a six footer or should I opt for the five. Again-sincere thanks for all unbiased opinions.
3rdbase