L 4400 What's your opinion?

[Notforhire]

Yep. Like new ag tires. Not sure if they are loaded but could easily do that.

I think loading the tires is a must. The only 2WD tractors I have owned were utilities, all had loaded tires and wheel weights. They also had rather large dia. wheels, which I'm sure helped.
It sounds like ddb123 has some actual experence with the same tractor, and could most likely answer any questions.

 

[ddb123]

I think loading the tires is a must. The only 2WD tractors I have owned were utilities, all had loaded tires and wheel weights. They also had rather large dia. wheels, which I'm sure helped.
It sounds like ddb123 has some actual experence with the same tractor, and could most likely answer any questions.

Yeah. L4300 and L4400 are the same tractor, just styled slightly differently. I believe they spec out exactly the same. It sounds like a good fit for what you're doing. It will have plenty of power, just expect some frustrations if you have hills. Fill the tires, that will make a big difference. And not having a FEL taking weight off the back will help, too. It's a great tractor, just lightweight. If memory serves, it's right at 2800 lbs without a FEL. Pretty dang light for a 45hp tractor. Loading the rears will add about 1000 lbs. At that weight, most of the engine is just for pto power (37.5 hp), since you will lose traction way, way before you'll lose pulling or pushing power.

FWIW, I am seriously considering and shopping for a 4wd tractor with lower hp to replace my L4300. But mine is a general purpose unit, and it sounds like yours would be dedicated for a few tasks. The build quality is certainly top notch.

 

[sixdogs]

I have an L4300 with ag tires and do a lot of small lawn and ag work with it. When I'm in 2WD I often get in trouble from being unable to pull the equipment or slipping sideways or whatever. 4WD is night and day different.
In 4WD it is a powerful tractor that is light weight and doesn't tear stuff up and has a small enough size and turning radius to go where others cannot. I don't think rear weight would help a 2WD L4400 beacuse the heavier weight might cause turf damage issues. Just my two cents for my specific use.

 

[HCJtractor]

I have an L4300 with ag tires and do a lot of small lawn and ag work with it. When I'm in 2WD I often get in trouble from being unable to pull the equipment or slipping sideways or whatever. 4WD is night and day different.
In 4WD it is a powerful tractor that is light weight and doesn't tear stuff up and has a small enough size and turning radius to go where others cannot. I don't think rear weight would help a 2WD L4400 beacuse the heavier weight might cause turf damage issues. Just my two cents for my specific use.

I would not care about turf damage (no grass on my hunting place!). And would definitely load tires, and not pull a disc or plow, but often use a 6' rotary cutter and chain harrow. Not having 4 WD concerns me but it's hard to justify this cost, so I don't want to spend more than this. but on the other hand, it needs to be able to go in muddy conditions.

 

[RollingsFarms]

I think you'll be ok with just 2wd for your intended uses. The good thing about Kubota's being light is they won't bog down as easy in the mud as a heavier tractor will. I am also looking for a 2wd tractor to use strictly for bush hogging, except I won't be buying anything as new as what you're looking at. I used to have a 2wd John Deere 950 that was about the same weight as that Kubota just less hp and I took it in some muddy places at times. I got it stuck once but I knew better before I even tried it.

I was about to pull the trigger on an old Ford 3600 recently but it sold before I could get down to brass tacs with the dealer.

 

[sixdogs]

I would not care about turf damage (no grass on my hunting place!). And would definitely load tires, and not pull a disc or plow, but often use a 6' rotary cutter and chain harrow. Not having 4 WD concerns me but it's hard to justify this cost, so I don't want to spend more than this. but on the other hand, it needs to be able to go in muddy conditions.

Just don't be penny wise and pound foolish and talk yourself into what appears to be an artificial savings of a few $$ for no 4WD. I have done this multiple times in the past when I was really broke and seemed to regret it every time. Things sell for given values based on the usefulness they support. Now, because I already have a 4WD, I would be willing to buy that 2WD but would restrict it's use to simple things on dry days when the 4WD issue would not be a concern.
A tractor that gets stuck in the mud--as a 2WD will do--is not only useless but has a negative value for all the frustration involved. I have spent countless hours swearing over 2WD stuff in my younger days and am never doing that again. Lesson learned.

If you load the rear of a Kubota that is already light up front in 2WD you will likely need front end weights to try to balance things out. When I pick up a 1200 lb seeder with my 4WD and weight on the front it is real bouncy. Kubotas have great 3 pt lift capacity but I would not try that with 2WD.
Again, this is just my personal opinion.

 

[Notforhire]

but often use a 6' rotary cutter and chain harrow. it needs to be able to go in muddy conditions.

Ah. I didn't know about the muddy conditions. :shocked:That wasn't part of your OP. If that's the case I wouldn't bother with a 2WD. If you need to back out of an area, it would be rather difficult while dragging a chain harrow, especially if you had it flipped. (Spikes up.).

 

[HCJtractor]

Just don't be penny wise and pound foolish and talk yourself into what appears to be an artificial savings of a few $$ for no 4WD. I have done this multiple times in the past when I was really broke and seemed to regret it every time. Things sell for given values based on the usefulness they support. Now, because I already have a 4WD, I would be willing to buy that 2WD but would restrict it's use to simple things on dry days when the 4WD issue would not be a concern.
A tractor that gets stuck in the mud--as a 2WD will do--is not only useless but has a negative value for all the frustration involved. I have spent countless hours swearing over 2WD stuff in my younger days and am never doing that again. Lesson learned.

If you load the rear of a Kubota that is already light up front in 2WD you will likely need front end weights to try to balance things out. When I pick up a 1200 lb seeder with my 4WD and weight on the front it is real bouncy. Kubotas have great 3 pt lift capacity but I would not try that with 2WD.
Again, this is just my personal opinion.

Just for info, it has front suitcase weights, and I have 5 Kubota weights sitting in my barn that I could also add to the front if I wanted a little more. And of course, it's not always muddy, and I could choose when not to use it. This little tractor just caught my eye and seems like a bargain. I still will have my 4WD M6800. But I understand where you are coming from. My buddy bought a 2 WD truck in haste and has regretted it ever since. Only difference is this would not be my primary tractor, just one to supplement what I have.

 

[Verticaltrx]

For bush hogging a 2wd will be fine, even a light weight unit like the L4400. I almost always bush hog in 2wd anyways, even with our 4wd tractors (B3200, M9540, 5045e). With that said, if I do get into a bad spot I can throw it in 4wd, but only having 2wd wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. I have mowed many acres with my old Ford NAA and a IH 454 including some fairly wet ground and have only had them stuck a couple times.

 

[reggiejr]

Just a thought.
If i was in your boat i would look at the updated L4600 (nothing wrong with the 4400 I just like the new style of the 4600)i think a shiny new L4600 in 2wd gear could be had for the 13-14k range with a warranty and you could get the 0% financing for 5 yrs to boot .I own the L3800 hst (r4 tires)and I love the tractor so far. I use it in 4wd 95% of the time tho but its my only tractor so i'm doing all my chores with one machine so i like the extra traction i get in 4wd .For loader work mines pretty lame in 2wd but in 4wd its a different tractor all together its amazing the difference it makes im pretty sure you already know that from your m series.If its main use will be bush hogging with no loader the 2wd will probably serve you just fine plus you have another machine available to get you out of trouble so i wouldn't worry about it.Good luck let us know how you make out.:thumbsup: