Kubota help please!!!

[billyo]

Hi all...I'm planning to buy a new compact 4wd tractor with a loader & backhoe in the next few days. I had decided on the JD 790 at around $21000 (but still considering the 990 for about 5 grand more). A friend suggested I look at Kubota. I went to their website, and I've figured out one thing - Kubota makes too many different tractors!!!
It looks like the L2800 / L3400 are comparable to the JD 790, and the 3400 is the same as the 2800 with a bigger engine. But what about the Grand L 3130? And the B-7800? These all look basically the same, and judging from the posts on here are reasonably close in price. Would someone care to explain the difference in these machines? I've given myself a headache trying to figure it out from Kubota's site.

 

[billyo]

Hi all...I'm planning to buy a new compact 4wd tractor with a loader & backhoe in the next few days. I had decided on the JD 790 at around $21000 (but still considering the 990 for about 5 grand more). A friend suggested I look at Kubota. I went to their website, and I've figured out one thing - Kubota makes too many different tractors!!!
It looks like the L2800 / L3400 are comparable to the JD 790, and the 3400 is the same as the 2800 with a bigger engine. But what about the Grand L 3130? And the B-7800? These all look basically the same, and judging from the posts on here are reasonably close in price. Would someone care to explain the difference in these machines? I've given myself a headache trying to figure it out from Kubota's site.

 

[LeadPoison]

L2800/3400 are a basic no frills tractor. You can get a hydro tranny as an option. The difference in price of gear shift models is about $1000.


The L3130 has a lot more bells and whistles.

What you should do is go to your dealer and get all the promo and spec sheets you can. Talk to a sales guy about anything that is not clear. Do some test drives. Lay out the promo and specs again and study them for your needs. Test drive again. Make a decision. The work a price that you ae happy with.

 

[LeadPoison]

L2800/3400 are a basic no frills tractor. You can get a hydro tranny as an option. The difference in price of gear shift models is about $1000.


The L3130 has a lot more bells and whistles.

What you should do is go to your dealer and get all the promo and spec sheets you can. Talk to a sales guy about anything that is not clear. Do some test drives. Lay out the promo and specs again and study them for your needs. Test drive again. Make a decision. The work a price that you ae happy with.

 

[FamilyFarm]

As already mentioned, there is nothing quite like a trip to the Kubota place. For one thing, it is difficult just looking at the web site to get an accurate sense of the real size of the different models. As an example, the pictures might lead you to believe that a B7800 at roughly 30 hp would be similar to a L2800 or L3130 at similar hp ratings. In reality, they are very different. I am not familiar with the JD models, so I can't tell you which ones are close to those.
I'm not sure what SIZE (physical size, not hp) tractor you are interested in. The B7800 and B3030 are smaller tractor, lighter weight - both same hp rating. The 7800 is the more "no frills" model and the 3030 with added creature comforts. There are similarities in the L2800/L3400 and the Grand L series, e.g. L3130/L3430. These are larger, heavier tractors with both a more base model availabe and then the Grand L's with more features.
I hope I haven't confused you more! Go to the Kubota place and look them over, test drive them, you will be impressed!
Terry

 

[FamilyFarm]

As already mentioned, there is nothing quite like a trip to the Kubota place. For one thing, it is difficult just looking at the web site to get an accurate sense of the real size of the different models. As an example, the pictures might lead you to believe that a B7800 at roughly 30 hp would be similar to a L2800 or L3130 at similar hp ratings. In reality, they are very different. I am not familiar with the JD models, so I can't tell you which ones are close to those.
I'm not sure what SIZE (physical size, not hp) tractor you are interested in. The B7800 and B3030 are smaller tractor, lighter weight - both same hp rating. The 7800 is the more "no frills" model and the 3030 with added creature comforts. There are similarities in the L2800/L3400 and the Grand L series, e.g. L3130/L3430. These are larger, heavier tractors with both a more base model availabe and then the Grand L's with more features.
I hope I haven't confused you more! Go to the Kubota place and look them over, test drive them, you will be impressed!
Terry

 

[billyo]

Went to a Kubota dealer today, but was too late to take a test drive. You were right - just looking at them cleared things up a lot. In stock, they have a L2800 HST and a L3400 DST, and also a L3130DST. These appear to be basically the same tractor (the 2800 & 3400 are identical) but the 3130 is more upscale (tilt steering, reclining seat, etc...), and their "Intellidash" which I don't think I like. I'm sure there are some mechanical differences, but they look about the same size.
The Deere dealer was still open, so I went there and drove a HST 3120. I had never driven a hydrostatic. Man am I glad that I didn't already buy a gear drive!!! It was great (after I figured out that you don't coast when you take your foot off the pedal...)
Gonna go next week and drive the Kubotas. Unless I'm really impressed with their "GST" tranny, I'll definitely go with HST.

 

[billyo]

Went to a Kubota dealer today, but was too late to take a test drive. You were right - just looking at them cleared things up a lot. In stock, they have a L2800 HST and a L3400 DST, and also a L3130DST. These appear to be basically the same tractor (the 2800 & 3400 are identical) but the 3130 is more upscale (tilt steering, reclining seat, etc...), and their "Intellidash" which I don't think I like. I'm sure there are some mechanical differences, but they look about the same size.
The Deere dealer was still open, so I went there and drove a HST 3120. I had never driven a hydrostatic. Man am I glad that I didn't already buy a gear drive!!! It was great (after I figured out that you don't coast when you take your foot off the pedal...)
Gonna go next week and drive the Kubotas. Unless I'm really impressed with their "GST" tranny, I'll definitely go with HST.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

There are some real differences in that the gear version of the L2800 uses a transmission driven PTO with an overriding clutch. I find this to be a serious drawback to the tractor and could never recommend it as there are other tractors available that offer more sophisticated mechanicals in a similar power/price machine. The same machine is available with an HST and it uses a Live Continuous PTO which is an improvement.

No question that HST is a great feature! You will find that it speeds up mowing work, it also makes front loader work faster and more efficient too.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

There are some real differences in that the gear version of the L2800 uses a transmission driven PTO with an overriding clutch. I find this to be a serious drawback to the tractor and could never recommend it as there are other tractors available that offer more sophisticated mechanicals in a similar power/price machine. The same machine is available with an HST and it uses a Live Continuous PTO which is an improvement.

No question that HST is a great feature! You will find that it speeds up mowing work, it also makes front loader work faster and more efficient too.

 

[FamilyFarm]

Glad to hear you got an opportunity to look them over. I am in agreement on the HST. I have used it for 4 years on my BX22 and just can't convince myself to change now that I am shopping for a larger Kubota.
The L3400HST just might be what you are looking for. I think I would choose the extra HP over the L2800 and you are probably looking at roughly $1300 price difference depending on dealer pricing. The L3130HST will probably add another $1300 or so.
Best wishes in your hunt for the right TOY!
Terry

 

[FamilyFarm]

Glad to hear you got an opportunity to look them over. I am in agreement on the HST. I have used it for 4 years on my BX22 and just can't convince myself to change now that I am shopping for a larger Kubota.
The L3400HST just might be what you are looking for. I think I would choose the extra HP over the L2800 and you are probably looking at roughly $1300 price difference depending on dealer pricing. The L3130HST will probably add another $1300 or so.
Best wishes in your hunt for the right TOY!
Terry

 

[billyo]

I really liked the L2800, but I'm considering going with the 3400 for the extra hp. I've read that the HST's eat up some hp, so I thought I should go with the bigger engine to compensate. Do the 2800's perform well with the HST?
What I disliked about the L3130 was the "Intellidash". I work on automotive electrical systems everyday, so it's not the technology that bothers me but the durability (and repairability...) Give me a few regular gauges that I can glance at, and perhaps a few indicator lights to get my attention, and this would be a serious contender for me.

 

[billyo]

I really liked the L2800, but I'm considering going with the 3400 for the extra hp. I've read that the HST's eat up some hp, so I thought I should go with the bigger engine to compensate. Do the 2800's perform well with the HST?
What I disliked about the L3130 was the "Intellidash". I work on automotive electrical systems everyday, so it's not the technology that bothers me but the durability (and repairability...) Give me a few regular gauges that I can glance at, and perhaps a few indicator lights to get my attention, and this would be a serious contender for me.

 

[cheesehead]

Welcome to TBN! You don't have any tractor equipment listed in your profile so I'm assuming that you are new to tractors. If you could tell us more about the applications you have in mind and what the size of land it's done on we could guide the decision process a little. Horsepower may not be the decision point depending on your application. Weight, attachment compatibility, lift capacity and hydraulics play a big role. I was in your chair about 8 months ago and got enough data here to make the informed choice on tractors and pricing. Please give us another shot at this.

 

[cheesehead]

Welcome to TBN! You don't have any tractor equipment listed in your profile so I'm assuming that you are new to tractors. If you could tell us more about the applications you have in mind and what the size of land it's done on we could guide the decision process a little. Horsepower may not be the decision point depending on your application. Weight, attachment compatibility, lift capacity and hydraulics play a big role. I was in your chair about 8 months ago and got enough data here to make the informed choice on tractors and pricing. Please give us another shot at this.

 

[FamilyFarm]

Regarding the electronics, I may have just missed the posts here on the forum, but I do not recall reading about problems with the system. You would think with Kubota's reputation for building a sturdy, reliable product and the fact that these electronics are going to be exposed to weather, jolts, etc., they probably "overbuilt" them to hold up pretty well.
My experience with automobiles seems to mirror the "how much pride does the manufacturer take in building a quality product?" principle (as I like to call it). I have a 1991 Toyota that I've never encountered an electrical problem on! As a side note to the manufacturer's concern for a quality product, after 9 years (in 2000) Toyota recalled the engine and put in a new short block assembly and did an a/c recall, replacing the a/c compressor. Just recently, on a 15 year old vehicle, I received notice of a recall on the steerring system - it might be faulty, so they will replace it for free! I've owned 7 Honda automobiles, and they've all been practically flawless up to 15+ years old and 200+k miles. I own one now, hard to get away from with the kind of success I have had with them. Anyway, to compare, on my 2005 Ford van, it has been in for numerous warranty work issues, including 2 already for the a/c and it still isn't fixed, turbo and some injectors replaced (diesel engine).
Sorry if sound like I'm anti U.S. made products - NOT AT ALL really - I make a point to buy U.S. made when I can. But, for quality and durability on a high dollar item, it's tough in many cases to find it. It's almost impossible to even get something truly U.S. made anymore. I just purchased a playhouse/swingset combo for my children and was proud to see the company is in Siloam Springs, AR - not far from where we live - then I noticed on the boxes, the manufacturing is farmed out to CHINA /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
My apologies for the long ranting - time to get to Church /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Terry

 

[FamilyFarm]

Regarding the electronics, I may have just missed the posts here on the forum, but I do not recall reading about problems with the system. You would think with Kubota's reputation for building a sturdy, reliable product and the fact that these electronics are going to be exposed to weather, jolts, etc., they probably "overbuilt" them to hold up pretty well.
My experience with automobiles seems to mirror the "how much pride does the manufacturer take in building a quality product?" principle (as I like to call it). I have a 1991 Toyota that I've never encountered an electrical problem on! As a side note to the manufacturer's concern for a quality product, after 9 years (in 2000) Toyota recalled the engine and put in a new short block assembly and did an a/c recall, replacing the a/c compressor. Just recently, on a 15 year old vehicle, I received notice of a recall on the steerring system - it might be faulty, so they will replace it for free! I've owned 7 Honda automobiles, and they've all been practically flawless up to 15+ years old and 200+k miles. I own one now, hard to get away from with the kind of success I have had with them. Anyway, to compare, on my 2005 Ford van, it has been in for numerous warranty work issues, including 2 already for the a/c and it still isn't fixed, turbo and some injectors replaced (diesel engine).
Sorry if sound like I'm anti U.S. made products - NOT AT ALL really - I make a point to buy U.S. made when I can. But, for quality and durability on a high dollar item, it's tough in many cases to find it. It's almost impossible to even get something truly U.S. made anymore. I just purchased a playhouse/swingset combo for my children and was proud to see the company is in Siloam Springs, AR - not far from where we live - then I noticed on the boxes, the manufacturing is farmed out to CHINA /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
My apologies for the long ranting - time to get to Church /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Terry

 

[Robertsen]

I went through the same dilemma trying to decide between the L2800 and the L3400, but then decided on the L3130 with the LA723 loader. The L3130 is a lot more tractor than the L2800 or the L3400. It's not only more bells and whistles but a beefier frame (it weighs 3,305lbs compared to the L3400 at 2,600lbs). It's actually heavier than the L4400. I'm very happy with the choice I made.

 

[Robertsen]

I went through the same dilemma trying to decide between the L2800 and the L3400, but then decided on the L3130 with the LA723 loader. The L3130 is a lot more tractor than the L2800 or the L3400. It's not only more bells and whistles but a beefier frame (it weighs 3,305lbs compared to the L3400 at 2,600lbs). It's actually heavier than the L4400. I'm very happy with the choice I made.