Kubota Grand L series upgrade

[bgWI]

Greetings. I have enjoyed monitoring this site for some time and gleaned a wealth of information from you folks. I first owned a B1750 for 12 years with FEL, MMM and the usual 3 pt accessories. Three years ago my dealer sold me the B7800 by making me an offer I could not refuse! We are on several acres of hills and woods and do all our own landscaping and other serious tractor related work. I moved the power TNT from the B1750 to the B7800 using a compact two spool valve custom mounted. We like the B7800 but seems the tractor frame and weight are light for some of our uses. (1,800 lbs vs 3,300 lbs for the L3830) I made custom pallet forks like the big payloaders that hook up and drop off by rolling the bucket. These forks are constantly used as a "third-hand" off loading / moving lumber, rock, block or anything I can palletize. With the B7800 I have the 4690 backhoe with the mounting plates for the "L" series.

Recently the local JD dealer, in the process of sorting out our 425 AWS mowing tractor suggested he could "save me a lot money and make our work easier by selling us a new 3000 series tractor" Well, we looked....orange is still "our color." So now, should we do it better a third time?

Where I'm headed is: Grand L3830 with 753 loader R-4's, power TnT and the BH. I read from you folks that the 753 is much better and perhaps the "3830" is a better HP choice considering the many directions we'll take this machine than the "3430." My best friend/wife suggests I do it right the third time...any sage advise would be appreciated. This could be my last tractor... I would add the triple rear valve based on forum comments.

Your patience on my ramblings is appreciated. I prefer to get things done right the first time...usually.

take care,
Bill

 

[FamilyFarm]

Well, you might guess from looking at my signature below, I am going to throw out the "what about having two tractors?" idea Just a few months ago, I would have thought someone was crazy to suggest I needed two tractors. I admit up front it is not a necessity, but in my case it is turning into a real asset. Will the B7800 do some things well that a larger tractor will not do (or be harder to accomplish due to size, weight)? Is the 4690 backhoe large enough for all your backhoe tasks? Do you have more than one tractor operator to potentially use both tractors at the same time to get things done quicker, more efficiently?
For me, the BX22 backhoe is all I need. The small size of the tractor & loader make it invaluable for smaller tasks, and especially nice for close-in work where one wrong move will tear up the house, the car, the propane tank, etc. And, it's a great mowing machine with the 60" mid-mount mowing deck. I needed a larger tractor, but saw how it was going to be difficult to do some things with the size & weight of the Grand L series tractors. I also have more than one tractor operator (large family including 4 boys!). My 16 y.o. son is very mature tractor operator, granted mostly it has been on the BX22. He has used it more over the last 3 years than I have and takes care of all our mowing needs (the younger ones help with the trimming).
Anyway, it may not be feasible for you, or the best plan. Just consider it. Otherwise, you will love the Grand L series tractors! Get the QA heavy-duty bucket for the FEL. Make sure you don't need the extra power of the 4330 - 5030 with the 853 loader. It's more on the front end cost, but very little more (if any) to operate. Mine seems to use the same amount of diesel as others say for the 3830 - about 1 gallon per hour.
Last tractor - boy I'll tell you, I'm just not going to say that anymore
Best wishes to you in your shopping, decision making adventure!!
Terry

 

[bgWI]

Terry,

More tractors is good theory.....my best friend/wife and I are empty-nested, our two collies don't help (no thumbs) and we have a JD 425AWS dedicated to mowing and a Pug for "wheelbarrow chores." We share the equipment well. Wisconsin winters mandate indoor storage and we are "at limit" with out buildings per county rules. I'll look into the HD bucket. The QA I question because I designed my pallet forks to "hook" on/off with a roll of the bucket from the tractor seat. How might I gain from more horsepower over the 3830? The BH system is pto driven and self contained. We are in very hilly country with woods to clean and maintain. I do have concerns for getting too big, but will check frame dimensions vs parking space. Its nice to hear family members participating on equipment and sharing chores!

thank you and take care,

Bill

 

[bugstruck]

Recently the local JD dealer, in the process of sorting out our 425 AWS mowing tractor suggested he could "save me a lot money and make our work easier by selling us a new 3000 series tractor" Well, we looked....orange is still "our color." So now, should we do it better a third time?

I'd pass on the 3000 series too, but I do like my 325 mower/snow pusher. The "sorting out" didn't sound too good though.

I'd go with the 3830 assuming the 723 loader does your tasks. I've got to say though, when you look at the prices for an upper end L or M series it's enough to warrant consideration, even if you don't need the capacity today. You seem to be climbing the tractor ladder. You may want to think about how many rungs you want to bite off?? I'd grab a few extra or you could be going for number 4 in a few years. At this level, too small could be a bad depreciable asset decision, nobody really needs write-offs. Most don't even qualify. So I'd make this decision count for awhile.

 

[FamilyFarm]

Bill,

It sounds like you are doing a good job of accurately figuring your needs. Will the pallet forks you made fit the 723 loader bucket ok? Sorry I missed earlier that your plan is to keep the 4690 and mount it on the Grand L. I incorrectly assumed you would be selling the backhoe with the 7800 and purchasing a BH90. I have not used a backhoe on a Grand L tractor and had forgotten both the 4690 and BH90 are compatible with the Grand L tractors. If the 723 loader specs meet your needs, then the 3830 is probably your best choice. The larger 4 cylinder Grand L's will get you more loader capacity and handle larger implements if you have future plans that might require them.
By the way, two things I forgot to say in my first response:
1. Welcom to TBN!
2. It blessed me to see you refer to your wife as your best friend! I am blessed to be in that same situation with my wife!!

Terry

 

[john_bud]

Bill,
I agree with your choice. The tractor will grow quite a bit longer if you get the 4 cyl over the 3 cyl. That may be a factor, given the turning radius and such.

I have the older L3410 HST - great machine. There have been more than a few times I wanted more lift, the 723 loader will give you that. But, there have not been many times I wanted more power. It has loaded tires, a 1000# box blade and agressive chains and I will loose traction with the diff lock on and in 4x4. Power it has. Given the bluffs you are in, it would probably be good to have the wheels set all the way out. It really makes it a LOT more stable.

jb

 

[texbaylea]

I strongly recommend the QA. I have several attachments that I use on the loader plus when I am brush hogging I drop the bucket to increase my forward visibility and minimize the chance of hitting something with an edge of the bucket when concentrating on the rear.

Vernon

 

[Hootie]

Well I am "on to". Since I bought the 5030HSTC, I have been working (doing) alot of stuff at the farm. My wife has been using the BX2200 around the home place (hauling mulch, dirt, mowing, etc). She and I moved 30 round bales Monday. I finally relented and let her try her hand at moving and stacking some hay. When we were finished she told me that ever since we bought the 2200, she thought I was really out there busting it. Now she knows this is big boy toys and way too much fun!!

 

[Deerlope]

As you can see by my sig what L series that I have. It has the GST shift with loaded R-1's, 723 FEL w/QA. The hyd pressure was set a little low (2300psi) from the factory and the FEL didn't work well. I put a gauge on it and turned it up to factory spec(2650psi) and it is all the tractor I will ever need.
My dealer did tell me the Kubota is redsigning the Grand-L's for next year. I sure hope that they do not drop the nose like so many others have done.

 

[bgWI]

Just an update and acknowledgement that we are listening to comments on this fine forum. Yesterday my "Lady" and I drove the L3830 and the L4330 around the dealer's terrain. Found out the L4330 revs about 300 rpm less for a 540 PTO speed. The L4330 has US made Titan tires which are about 2 inches taller than the equilevant Firestones on the L3830. (Same size spec by Kubota for each tractor) We liked the L4330, thinking its better to run 4 cylinders easy than 3 at higher speed. The higher GPM pump of the 4330 trips my trigger for the unknown future of challenges. The 853 loader definitely has height and reach! Next week the dealer is bringing over the 4330 with the 853 loader w/ QA (only one in stock) with standard bucket and pallet fork attachment (my lady's choice!) for us to try out on our property. Had I not been reading this forum we would have missed some very good ideas, such as Q/A, triple remote valve, etc. By the number of "reads" I see, over 500, I thought I should update you fine folks and let you know how we are benefiting from your comments. Many thanks and have a great weekend.

take care,
Bill & Brigitta

Its most probably that we'll keep the 4690BH for the time being unless the future owner of our B7800 wants it in the equipment package.