Price Check Kubota L3560 Open Station

[tycoonbob]

I totally understand budget. I wouldn't want to talk anyone into anything they didn't need.

To check the dealer's price, go to the Kubota website and "build" the tractor with identical equipment. The price will be retail. You should see at least 12% off that. 15% would be better.

L3560 HST, open cab, R4 tires, LA555 loader, L2256 bucket...list price is $29,778. My dealer price is $26,800.00, which is basically 10% off. But I'd also get fluid filled tires, which is what...$200-250?
L4060 HST, open cab, R4 tires, LA805 loader, L2296 bucket...list price is $34,193, so I'd guess ~$3,0775 from my dealer. Almost a $4k increase, but I do get more loader capacity and power. Don't think it's worth it to me, though.
Getting the LA805+L2296 on a L3560 should increase my price about $1k...that's something I need to consider.

Here is an owner's perspective:

I have an open station L3560/HST+ and LA805 Loader with air inflated tires. This combination powers a 1,006 pound, heavy-duty Rotary Cutter through Florida jungle easily, which addresses PTO power. I have never felt the need for additional power in ground engagement tasks since January 2013 when I took delivery. Keep in mind the HST+ has three half-step HST ranges makes for very efficient power transfer to ground, which is why I have air inflated R4/industrial tires.

A cab adds about 700 pounds. Some order a cab model, then load the tires. Then, when they operate on hills, they may wish for more power in some circumstances.

A cab L3560 is amply powerful. An open station L3560 with loaded tires amply powerful.

A cab L3560 with loaded tires, operating on hillsides may be underpowered in some circumstances. But people do this to themselves, when the better solution is a heavier bare weight tractor which in Kubota's line up will have a more powerful engine options.

I appreciate your feedback, especially as an open station owner of a L3560! It's hard to find anecdotal opinions of the open station version. I'm on the fence about fluid filled tires, and it seems you don't see the point.
Also, are you glad you went with the LA805 loader?

 

[jeff9366]

To check the dealer's price, go to the Kubota website and "build" the tractor with identical equipment. The price will be retail. You should see at least 12% off that. 15% would be better.

Kubota corporate often supports dealer price reductions on Standard L tractors.

Kubota corporate never, or rarely, supports price reductions on Grand Ls, so 10% of MSRP on an L3560 would be strong.

I discussed this with my Kubota dealer just yesterday.

 

[tycoonbob]

Kubota corporate often supports dealer price reductions on Standard L tractors.

Kubota corporate never or rarely supports price reductions on Grand LS, so 10% of MSRP on an L3560 would be strong.

I discussed this with my Kubota dealer just yesterday.

I'm seeing right at 10% off list price for the one I'm looking at.

 

[ovrszd]

Not sure where you are located??

10% is not enough off list.

Don't let Dealer use filled tires as a reason to stand at 10%. Many Dealers throw that in as a perk.

 

[jeff9366]

tycoonbob

It's hard to find anecdotal opinions of the open station version.

I have opinions 24/7, to the perturbation of some regular contributors.


I'm on the fence about fluid filled tires, and it seems you don't see the point.

I operate on sandy Florida loam. Never have mud. After a hard rain, ground has no pooled water after twenty minutes.

I am retired. I do not have to plant nor harvest on a critical schedule. Air inflated tires work gloriously in my conditions.

If I were ordering a standard L3309 (2,778 pounds bare tractor) I would load the rear tires.
L3560 is 3,500 pounds, bare tractor, heavier than the L3309 with loaded tires. Tractor weight gives you stability and traction.


Central Kentucky has clay. Do you have to plant or harvest regardless of weather? You may wish to consider R1/ag tires. Only about 7% to 8% of compact tractors are sold with R1/ag tires, but if you MUST work in moist clay, R1s are superior to R4s for traction. Discuss with you dealer whether R1/R4 tires are better for you. I would not load R1s, given the tasks you have outlined. (R1s will imprint tread marks in lawns. R4s do not imprint tread marks in lawns where I live.)


Also, are you glad you went with the LA805 loader?

Yes. L3560 is my third tractor, second new Kubota. I have enough FEL lift capacity for the first time.
How much do hay bales weigh in Central Kentucky? As bales protrude far in front of loader, bales use lift capacity in excess of actual weight.

I highly recommend SSQA equipped FEL so you can switch FEL attachments in less than one minute.
SSQA: Why SSQA loader? site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search

 

[tycoonbob]

Not sure where you are located??

10% is not enough off list.

Don't let Dealer use filled tires as a reason to stand at 10%. Many Dealers throw that in as a perk.

They likely are throwing the fluid in, as well as deliver to my house (which is only 15 miles). Even as Jeff said above, 10% off seems to be good for a Grand L...Kubota doesn't discount them or give promotions on them like they do standard L's. My dealer also told me that yesterday.

But I'm in Kentucky, and he didn't have any Grand L's in stock, and he said it's rare they get open station Grand L's in stock. He checked the "dealer inventory network" or whatever, and the closest L3560 open was one still in the crate down in Crossville TN, about 3 hours away. I just spoke with my dealer and it turns out they have it loaded up and on it's way back to KY. Not sure how long it takes them for dealer prep and whatnot, but I'm hoping I can see it tomorrow and finally lay eyes on it. If all is good, I'll do the paperwork and it'll be a done deal.

I asked about the LA555 vs LA805, and he is telling me that the LA555 is designed for the L3560 and it will do pretty much anything the tractor is capable of. Said if I was looking to unload hay bales from a 2 stacked trailer, yeah...the LA805 is what I would probably want. But I will be lucky if I touch 5-6 4x5 or 5x5 bales a year with a tractor (this is once we fence and get a few cattle). Mentioned something about another customer with a L3000 series (not sure specific) but it had a LA525 loader, had a 5x5 bale on the 3pt and another 5x5 on the loader going down the road. I'm trying to keep myself from buying more than I will need in the near-term (L3560 is a heck of a tractor for a first time tractor owner, no?), so I think the LA555 with 66" L2256 bucket will do me fine. I can always buy a LA805 in the future if I really NEED it, and possibly trade in my LA555 toward one or something.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm excited for you!! we'll be looking for pics!!!

 

[tycoonbob]

I have opinions 24/7, to the perturbation of some regular contributors.

I operate on sandy Florida loam. Never have mud. After a hard rain, ground has no pooled water after twenty minutes.

I am retired. I do not have to plant nor harvest on a critical schedule. Air inflated tires work gloriously in my conditions.

Central Kentucky has clay. Do you have to plant or harvest regardless of weather? You may wish to consider R1/ag tires. Only about 7% to 8% of compact tractors are sold with R1/ag tires, but if you MUST work in moist clay, R1s are superior to R4s for traction. Discuss with you dealer whether R1/R4 tires are better for you. I would not load R1s, given the tasks you have outlined. (R1s will imprint tread marks in lawns. R4s do not imprint tread marks in lawns where I live.)

Yes, lots of clay here, and no I don't HAVE to work if conditions are not good. That was actually the big reason I didn't push my budget for a cab...too hot to mow? I'm going back inside. Too cold to deal with snow? Yeah, it can wait. My dealer said R4 is what he recommended, and that most of the smaller operations he sells to around here, R4 is what goes with it. R1 if I was 40 acres plus and not around a yard, but that's not the case here. I will be in the yard some, so R1's are a no go for me.

I'm excited for you!! we'll be looking for pics!!!

Thanks!

 

[ovrszd]

One of my previous tractors was a 44hp CUT with R4s. I am in the mud commonly and on steep terrain. They sucked. I ran chains on the back in Winter.

From your description, I'd say R4s are a good choice.

 

[jeff9366]

I'm excited for you!! we'll be looking for pics!!!

Me too.