Kubota L3901

[juddspaintballs]

My dealer said the new Tier 4 tractors would be about $4k more expensive than their Interim counterparts.

As for having a cab, I haven't even taken delivery of my new tractor yet and I'm wanting a cabbed tractor I told the wife the next one will have a cab for sure. I can get by in the winter by plugging in my electric heated gear on the tractor, but it's still not as comfortable as a cab would be.

 

[TripleR]

My dealer said the new Tier 4 tractors would be about $4k more expensive than their Interim counterparts.

As for having a cab, I haven't even taken delivery of my new tractor yet and I'm wanting a cabbed tractor I told the wife the next one will have a cab for sure. I can get by in the winter by plugging in my electric heated gear on the tractor, but it's still not as comfortable as a cab would be.

I've told the story before, but my wife actually to buy a cabbed tractor instead of open station. LONG story, but I picked out a GL39/4240 open station when she told me to get a cab; man was she right on that one.

 

[juddspaintballs]

It was hard enough to convince her that I needed to go from the $22k L series I was originally looking at up to the nearly $30k MX5100 so I didn't buy something too small the first time around. Spending an extra $15k on a cabbed Grand L with the same HP this time around would have been a tough sell.

 

[Chilly807]

I was guided from the **00 series to the grand L due to the differences in hydraulic capabilities, and therefor on loader and backhoe capabilities.
My personal observations were that the **00 series seemed to have more exposed breakables down low, where the grand L had the same pieces either better tucked away, or simply higher.

And (at least going by their brochures) the grand L keeps all of the nifty power and computer controlled HST functionality.

The grand L series is definitely a step up, both in features and unfortunately in price too. The problem I see is that with an added $4k in price, you don't get much more except hopefully a smooth 3 point hitch. The 3901 is still an economy series machine, now with a considerably higher price, thanks to a DPF filter system and common rail injection. I really haven't looked at prices across the market since I'm not looking to buy, but I'd suspect the big players are all pretty much the same. That means fewer buyers or more debt load for those that do take the plunge.

Sean

 

[TripleR]

It was hard enough to convince her that I needed to go from the $22k L series I was originally looking at up to the nearly $30k MX5100 so I didn't buy something too small the first time around. Spending an extra $15k on a cabbed Grand L with the same HP this time around would have been a tough sell.

I know what you mean, I just happened to get lucky and there was a used L5030HSTC at the dealer, so the cost was less than a new 4240 open station. Then when the L60's came out, I traded the L5030 in on an L5740 and got almost what I paid for it and put close to 800 hours on it; incrementalism can be your friend. If we had priced a new cab unit right off the bat, we both probably would have stroked out; worth it in the end though.:laughing:

 

[NoSoMo]

Function... same.

Price... uh... lets just say its Tier 4.

So what's the price? You know you should have included this with your post now don't you???

 

[Timberlake]

So what's the price? You know you should have included this with your post now don't you???

I'm looking for my first tractor right now and got quotes from the local Kubota dealers for both the L3301 and L3901. $21,200 for the 3301 and $23,600 for the L3901. I'm trying to justify the extra $2400 for 6 more HP.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I'm looking for my first tractor right now and got quotes from the local Kubota dealers for both the L3301 and L3901. $21,200 for the 3301 and $23,600 for the L3901. I'm trying to justify the extra $2400 for 6 more HP.

It really depends on exactly what you will be using the tractor for. PTO implements, nice to have the additional power. Ground work, nice to have the extra power. People have stated that unballasted, the lower HP models are fine. Fill the tires and you need the additional HP to make full use of the machines capabilities.

 

[Fallon]

I have a L3200 (pre emissions L3301) with R4s. Unloaded tires left me with traction limits. Now that they are loaded I hit HP limits most of the time. I'm running a HST which is a little less efficient than a geared tranny, so loose an extra HP or 2 there.

I regret not getting a L3800, but I'm not sure its over $2k of regret, maybe $1k. I just have to go slower when running the tiller & be more carefully pushing & scooping at the pile. I haven't had to slow much mowing my field, usually a rough ride is the limiting factor. The extra HP will be nice if you are in a hurry, but not much if you putter at a slower pace. The HP has no impact on what the tractor will do, just how fast it will do it, at least with a HST.

I will be replacing my tractor eventually with a higher HP one, but it will be a cabbed grand or other premium model. The cab & other features are the driver not the HP though, I wouldn't bother trying to upgrade to a L3800.

 

[Chilly807]

Pretty much what everybody else is saying.. You need as much hp as you need to get the job done. Why pay for more if you don't need to?
I've never regretted buying the L3400 (other than a jerky 3-point), for power reasons. It runs a 5-foot cutter just fine, will move small round bales, etc. It does what I need done as fast as I want it done. More power = less time, sure. It also means more fuel, more weight, wider roads, more money up front. Buy what you need..