Kubota L4610 HST vs. New Holland TC45DA

[OutBurst]

Thanks for all the help everyone!

I have decided to go for the Kubota for these reasons:

1. Simplicity - less will/can go wrong
2. Loader Capacity - enough capacity to solve 100% of my needs (why spend the money when it won't meet all my needs?)
3. Kubota name and quality - will help with resale value if I ever sell it and all my close, close friends run Kubotas
4. Kubota parts availability - all parts made by Kubota and I have more Kubota dealers near me than any others
5. Thumb on backhoe - I need a thumb sooner than I will have the use for a SSQA bucket
6. Shorter - will fit into my garage with ease (without having to lower ROPS or mess with any canopy)
7. Fewer hours - 1350 personal-use hours are always better than 1550 Public Works Dept hours - if you have ever worked for a PWD, you know what I mean
8. Over $600 in extra filters (oil, hydraulic, air) and fluids included
9. SO FREAKING CLEAN - this tractor is in fabulous shape - I am tired of saving a little money just to go back and spend the saved money on getting it back into good-looking shape!
10. Backhoe - the Woods BH9000 digs 9ft vs the 758C which digs 8ft
11. Metal Fenders - I prefer metal to plastic - easier to fix/repair as the years go on (can fabricate new parts vs constantly searching for NOS parts)
12. Consistent Repair/Maintenance - maintenance records were available and there are dates and hour markings on the filters - shows tremendous care/pride was put into tractor (to me)

I am sure there is more but I feel this just about sums everything up. The New Holland is a very, very good choice but I feel the Kubota fits me better. My father and SSG are picking the tractor up on Saturday (maybe even tomorrow night) - SO EXCITED!

Thanks again! I WILL be posting a new thread when I am able to have some pictures taken!

 

[woolyAcres]

Hi OutBurst-

Sounds like a very solid choice. I'm sure you'll love it. I'll be curious to know if the Kubota can move those 2000# pallets. Please let us know. If she can, maybe my next tractor will be a L4610.

Best of luck and, of course, post some photos when you get her.

 

[varmint]

You win. Post photos? Public works hours... not equal to owner hours. Never worked for PWD, but I do know what you mean.

 

[4570Man]

I think you broke that down good and made a wise choice. If that Kubota can't lift a 2,000 pound pallet off a truck I will be extremely surprised.

 

[OutBurst]

Hi OutBurst-

Sounds like a very solid choice. I'm sure you'll love it. I'll be curious to know if the Kubota can move those 2000# pallets. Please let us know. If she can, maybe my next tractor will be a L4610.

Best of luck and, of course, post some photos when you get her.

Thanks - yes, I believe I am making the right decision. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve!

You win. Post photos? Public works hours... not equal to owner hours. Never worked for PWD, but I do know what you mean.

I will post photos when I can - keep on the look-out for a thread in the Kubota forum over the next week or so! Exactly, some PWD's are very, very good - some aren't. Just not worth the risk.

I think you broke that down good and made a wise choice. If that Kubota can't lift a 2,000 pound pallet off a truck I will be extremely surprised.

I have put over 8 months of thought into this decision - my deployment with the Army is almost over so I've had plenty of time to think about it! As I said, why spend all this money if I can't get a 100% solution to my needs?!

 

[Grandad4]

Congratulations, Outburst. A good choice. That L4610 has just 100 hours more than mine; with continued good care it will give many more years and hours of service. You may want to ask the previous owner if the hydraulic pressure limiter has ever been measured and calibrated to the rated PSI. Kubota tends to deliver their equipment with the pressure set conservatively below the rated PSI; if that's the case, it's a simple adjustment to bring it to the rated setting. That will ensure you're getting the full lifting capacity out of the LA852 when needed.

If you're going to do your own maintenance, having a parts manual and a shop manual are very useful. The parts guide is available online and it looks like the shop book can be ordered from several sources.

 

[varmint]

Grandad makes a good point about the hydraulic relief setting. After seeing the thread about setting the pressure on a L3400, I got a gauge and checked mine- sure enough, a bit low. Next time I have it in the shop, I will mess with boosting it a little- 2450 or so. I have enough lift for my needs, but I like the idea of rated pressure.

 

[TractorGuy]

I wish that NH was closer to me.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Does anyone feel the Kubota is worth the extra $2,000?

Yes. I do.

 

[OutBurst]

Well - the Kubota is now in my driveway! Pictures to follow!