Kubota L3130 vs. JD 4500

   / Kubota L3130 vs. JD 4500 #1  

CentralNC

Silver Member
Joined
May 29, 2007
Messages
126
Location
Charlotte, NC
Tractor
New Holland TC35A
I would like to ask for input on a tractor comparison. I am considering two different used tractors for use on 14 acres that I recently purchased. The land has 11 acres of field (with 10 years growth) and 3 acres of woods. I want to clear the growth and get the land ready to build a house. The initial primary use for the tractor will bush hogging the growth and then maintaining a very long driveway.

I have found a couple of used tractors that I am considering. Would you mind providing any insight on which tractor you would choose and why?

Kubota L3130 4x4 (DT w/FEL) also has quick attach bucket:
- 247 hours on the L3130. A dealer is getting the tractor on trade-in in a few weeks. The tractor + FEL + used bush hog + tax = $13,800.
- It was previously used on a small farm in conjunction with some larger equipment. Very well maintained.
- 25 PTO HP. Has quick attach links on the 3PH

John Deere 4500 4x4 (12x12 Quick Reverse transmission w/FEL). 2001 model year
- 497 hours on the JD 4500. Owned by an individual who used it when clearing land to build his house. Tractor + FEL = ~$14,400 (no taxes).
- Very clean. Looks almost new.
- 33 PTO HP. Does not have quick attach links on the 3PH

The JD weighs about 400 lbs more and seems to be a slightly larger tractor. It does have 2x more hours than the Kubota.

I have a neighbor who has the L3130 and just loves his tractor. It is one tough, strong little power plant.

The JD is located 2 hours away and the Kubota is almost 4 hrs away.

Which would you choose and why? I guess they would both work, but I wonder if I am missing something. Thanks in advance for your advice.
 
   / Kubota L3130 vs. JD 4500 #2  
I have had my Kubota L3130 4x4 for 3 + years.
It has around 398 hrs on it and I have only had it in the shop once for a broken
cable.

We have moved truck after truck of dirt around. We also box blade about 1/2 mile of dirt road once a month + outher things we do around here.

So my vote would be for the kubota.

Ron.
 
   / Kubota L3130 vs. JD 4500 #3  
CentralNC said:
I have found a couple of used tractors that I am considering. Would you mind providing any insight on which tractor you would choose and why?

Kubota L3130 4x4 (DT w/FEL) also has quick attach bucket:
- 247 hours on the L3130. A dealer is getting the tractor on trade-in in a few weeks. The tractor + FEL + used bush hog + tax = $13,800.
- It was previously used on a small farm in conjunction with some larger equipment. Very well maintained.
- 25 PTO HP. Has quick attach links on the 3PH

John Deere 4500 4x4 (12x12 Quick Reverse transmission w/FEL). 2001 model year
- 497 hours on the JD 4500. Owned by an individual who used it when clearing land to build his house. Tractor + FEL = ~$14,400 (no taxes).
- Very clean. Looks almost new.
- 33 PTO HP. Does not have quick attach links on the 3PH

The JD weighs about 400 lbs more and seems to be a slightly larger tractor. It does have 2x more hours than the Kubota.

I have a neighbor who has the L3130 and just loves his tractor. It is one tough, strong little power plant.

The JD is located 2 hours away and the Kubota is almost 4 hrs away.

Which would you choose and why? I guess they would both work, but I wonder if I am missing something. Thanks in advance for your advice.

The quick attach lower links are worth their weight in gold. Trust me...especially if you often have to connect to implements by yourself. And the older you get, the more you will appreciate them.
Do you know the year model of the Kubota? I can tell you that it's somewhere between 2002 and 2006. The newer L3240 started production in late 2006 as a 2007 year model.

I will never buy another tractor without the quick attach. I now have an
L3010 GST with the quick attach lower links, and they are, without a doubt, the best feature of the tractor. By the way, my L3010 is one model series older than the L3130. These are fine tractors that require only minimal maintenance. I vote for the Kubota primarily because of the quick attach, but also because of the lower hours. As a basis of comparison, the 250 hour difference is essentially the same as 15000 miles on a car +/- .
100 hours = 5000 miles I know this is comparing apples to peacocks, but it's an approximation.

Allthings equal, you won't regret the Kubota. Look them both over well before making a decision. The long trip is a one time event. You will live with this decision for many years. It's worth the investment in time and gasoline.

The only thing that might swing my position is IF you needed the additional 8 pto hp. That's a big difference, so think about what you'll be using the tractor for, make your decision, and don't look back.



Good luck
k
 
   / Kubota L3130 vs. JD 4500 #4  
kbota said:
The quick attach lower links are worth their weight in gold. Trust me...especially if you often have to connect to implements by yourself. And the older you get, the more you will appreciate them.

Man.. ain't that the truth!

I love my l3400, but that is one feature that I sorely (lower back) overlooked!
 
   / Kubota L3130 vs. JD 4500 #5  
In all fairness, ask the same question on the John Deere site. I'm sure you will get good objective thoughts there as well.

Let us know what you decide either way.

k
 
   / Kubota L3130 vs. JD 4500 #6  
You will not go wrong with either tractor. I went thru the same process about a year ago. I ended buying a JD 4600 used with 400 hours. The machine was barely broken in . The two major difference I see are the transmission JD Power Reverse vs dt ( standard gear) and hp. I use my machine mostly with a backhoe , JD 48. I really like the JD Power Reverse for loader work, you can change direction without changing gears. Great when you are working on material piles. I run a JD 613 rotary and am able to cut small brush easily up to one inch. I am real happy that I bought used. I have put on 130 hours in the last year. The JD 4600 is the same same basic machine as JD 4500. Injector pump turned up for 4 more hp , 43 vs 39. Good luck, I will be away for weekend.

John
 

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