Kubota tractor advice

[SCOOBY14B]

Hey guys, some of you may see my post in another forum about possibly starting up a tractor business. Basically, thinking of buying a tractor with a 5-6' rough cut bushhog, pulverizor or similar, box blade and a front end loader if I can swing it. A few years ago we had some property and would have needed a tractor. I looked at NH, green and Kubota. Tested all three and liked the Kubota MUCH more than the others. I looked at an L3400 series then, and that is what I am considering now. I prefer to purchase a good used unit since I would be starting off with unknown future.

Questions:

1) What kind of hours are obtainable with these tractors? I know it all depends on maintenance, but what would be "too much: to look at?

2) What's the service intervals on these tractors and what (in general) do they involve?

3) How are these tractors on the reliability department? Seems like EVERYTHING know a days is not built like it used to be.

4) ANY advice, recommendations, criticism you can throw my way would be GREATLY appreciated...good AND bad!!

Also, I have alot of experience on heavy equipment and skid steers, but very little on tractors.

One more thing, anyone with this type of tractors, what is the approximate productivity rate of bushhogging, etc (acres per hour, etc)

Again, thanks.

 

[frank_f15]

1st of all , in my estimation going into the tractor for hire business WITHOUT A FEL is not good thinking. 2nd , estimating the acres per /hr brushoging really depends on the size of the cutter and what exactly you are cutting. The bigger the cutter, the bigger the tractor you need and of course then you need a trailer to haul it. Lots of things to consider and DON'T FORGET you will need INSURANCE.

 

[SCOOBY14B]

Appreciate the info, all info is greatly appreciated.

 

[DannyD]

Dont use the K word in your business name........see post on K kops.

Add to the mix, maintanance, fuel, travel time, added wear and tear on your pull vehicle.

 

[Lightning]

I've thought about doing the tractor for hire thing on the side to make some extra cash.. Just not sure if I could make enough to pay for a new tractor...
I was gonna try a get some work moving dirt with my skid steer but then the motor took a crap, so that thing is worthless now, cant get much on trade for something that doesn't run... /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

are most jobs one would do on the side billed by the hour or flat rate by the task?
I was figuring on mainly moving dirt, digging ditches and popping stumps, What is a fair hour rate for this type of work?

Is insurance for the tractor alot more when you use it for making money?

 

[RonR]

Hey its great to see that my value is merely to serve as a BAD example to others............ /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Ron, formerly known as CaptainK________a

 

[schole]

L3400 + bushhog ---> acres per hour?

I have a 5' JD513 'bush-hog' behind my L3400 and hogged my 2.5 acre overgrown, 4'high weeds, sapplings to 1" max diameter around the perimeter in around 1 1/2 - 2 hrs. I could have gone more quickly in the lighter areas except for the pieces of pipe and wood the previous owners had scattered just to keep me interested. The objects which made some of the loudest crashes where a pair of running shoes and an old boot. An 18" section of 3" steel pipe was just spit out with one clean 'cla-twang'.

I couldn't find a used one at a price discounted enough to reflect the hours used -- made most sense to buy new.

Shawn

 

[SCOOBY14B]

Can anyone help me on the reliability and service questions. I've done a search and not found what I was looking for.

What kind of service intervals, what weight/type of oil?

What's the reasonable hours attainable with good maintenance?

Thanks

 

[Gomez]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
what weight/type of oil?

What's the reasonable hours attainable with good maintenance?

Thanks )</font>

As far as type of oil, there are one or two threads about that somewhere around here. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Reasonable hours are, as I'm sure you could surmise, all dependant on use, maintenance, etc. You should be able to attain 2-3000 hours (from what I've read/heard, my tractor is only at 400 hrs)If you're looking at buying used, I think 1500 would be the max that I would look at. I'm sure there are many instances where there are much more than that.

I'd be very cautious with a rental unit. I just keep think the number of times the person in the seat has said "Oh well, it's a rental". /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Good Luck!