L30 series
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rbargeron
Elite Member
Re: L30 series, Maximum Utmost!
Thanks for your review Mark - I agree with MarkV that your perspective is very valuable. I like the low-noise aspect of your new tractor. Do you think the 3830 would handle a Woods RM-990 finish mower weight-wise? I tried the mower (1200 lb) on a 4310 once and it seemed like a lot of freight for it unless the loader was mounted. There was enough power - but it was less sure-footed with that much weight hanguing back there. What do you figure your box blade weighs with a load? I'll be looking forward to your comments after you have some time with it. Take care, Dick B
Thanks for your review Mark - I agree with MarkV that your perspective is very valuable. I like the low-noise aspect of your new tractor. Do you think the 3830 would handle a Woods RM-990 finish mower weight-wise? I tried the mower (1200 lb) on a 4310 once and it seemed like a lot of freight for it unless the loader was mounted. There was enough power - but it was less sure-footed with that much weight hanguing back there. What do you figure your box blade weighs with a load? I'll be looking forward to your comments after you have some time with it. Take care, Dick B
Re: L30 series, Maximum Utmost!
Dick, I have a finish mower on now and no loader. It is not nearly as heavy as the Woods and consequently is a snap for the L3830. I use it on the hills here and have no concerns about going up and down my hills with it raised. Weight is about 850lbs and 84" cut width. My Woods brush mower weighs in at about 1500lbs. It is offsets quite a bit to the right of a tractor. I have yet to attach it to the L3830, but know it would probably make the front end light, especially without the loader attached. My plans are to sell it with my International. The L4330 has a slightly wider front stance then the L3830 but both use the same rear end and tires. The 3 pt hitch is built much beefier then the older L10 series. The arms are thicker and shorter, the hydraulics are very smooth. I think the external twin hydraulic rams must have something to do with this. I will have to do a experiment with the Woods brush hog I have and the L3830, its a 80" DO80 model with chains on the front and back. Its a beast!
As far as power, I have found that the L3830 is "powerful enough" for me. When mowing uphill in medium, I will have to slow down to about 3 to 4 mph. This actually is pretty close to the speed I mow at on the straights and downhills, the new speedometer gives you that info. The HST transmission makes speeding up and slowing down so easy. You listen to the sound of the engine and automatically adjust the hydro pedal without even thinking about it. The electronic display does two things that I really like, one is the PTO speed shown digitally and the other is the trip time. I have found my mower cuts the same at 475 RPM to 500 RPM as it does at 540 RPM. The reduced RPM makes mowing even more pleasuable with decreased sound and with no noticeable loss in power. The L48 ran great at 1700-1800 RPM, the L3830's range seems to be about 2300 RPM. Even at that though its quieter then the L48. My Kubota came with a spark arrestor and am wondering if this has also added to the quieter running engine then the L48? The more I use it the more I like it. In fact 2 people I know are now considering selling/trading their tractors for a L3130 HST or L3830 HST, no kidding! Rat...
Dick, I have a finish mower on now and no loader. It is not nearly as heavy as the Woods and consequently is a snap for the L3830. I use it on the hills here and have no concerns about going up and down my hills with it raised. Weight is about 850lbs and 84" cut width. My Woods brush mower weighs in at about 1500lbs. It is offsets quite a bit to the right of a tractor. I have yet to attach it to the L3830, but know it would probably make the front end light, especially without the loader attached. My plans are to sell it with my International. The L4330 has a slightly wider front stance then the L3830 but both use the same rear end and tires. The 3 pt hitch is built much beefier then the older L10 series. The arms are thicker and shorter, the hydraulics are very smooth. I think the external twin hydraulic rams must have something to do with this. I will have to do a experiment with the Woods brush hog I have and the L3830, its a 80" DO80 model with chains on the front and back. Its a beast!
As far as power, I have found that the L3830 is "powerful enough" for me. When mowing uphill in medium, I will have to slow down to about 3 to 4 mph. This actually is pretty close to the speed I mow at on the straights and downhills, the new speedometer gives you that info. The HST transmission makes speeding up and slowing down so easy. You listen to the sound of the engine and automatically adjust the hydro pedal without even thinking about it. The electronic display does two things that I really like, one is the PTO speed shown digitally and the other is the trip time. I have found my mower cuts the same at 475 RPM to 500 RPM as it does at 540 RPM. The reduced RPM makes mowing even more pleasuable with decreased sound and with no noticeable loss in power. The L48 ran great at 1700-1800 RPM, the L3830's range seems to be about 2300 RPM. Even at that though its quieter then the L48. My Kubota came with a spark arrestor and am wondering if this has also added to the quieter running engine then the L48? The more I use it the more I like it. In fact 2 people I know are now considering selling/trading their tractors for a L3130 HST or L3830 HST, no kidding! Rat...
Anonymous Poster
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Re: L30 series, Maximum Utmost!
Hi Rat, Good review of the L3830.That would be a good review for the tbn tractor reviews. I have 18 hrs. on mine now, all fel and backhoe work and it never ceases to amaze me, with power to spare.
I've ordered a woods hb72 box blade. Still trying to decide on a brushcutter, looking at woods standard bb60 or bush hog med. 285 series 60. One dealer said 72 would be to big for the hills I live on, said that when it raises up it can swing you around and is more easily to tip your tractor. Never had one so a little confused. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Hi Rat, Good review of the L3830.That would be a good review for the tbn tractor reviews. I have 18 hrs. on mine now, all fel and backhoe work and it never ceases to amaze me, with power to spare.
I've ordered a woods hb72 box blade. Still trying to decide on a brushcutter, looking at woods standard bb60 or bush hog med. 285 series 60. One dealer said 72 would be to big for the hills I live on, said that when it raises up it can swing you around and is more easily to tip your tractor. Never had one so a little confused. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gifRe: L30 series, Maximum Utmost!
I would have to disagree about the brush cutter. I think a 72" would be perfect. Swinging around on the hills would only be a factor if its raised. On the ground, it should actually make you a bit more stable. I use a 80" brush cutter and would want nothing less then a 72". HP wise the L3830 would easily power it, no problem. Having the HST really aids in the brush cutting too. By paying attention to the engine sound, you just back off as needed to accomodate the load. The L3830 is really a joy to have. I'm thrilled with mine. Only 16 hours on it as I have been out of town. Am using about 1 gallon an hour of diesel. I have found 2300 RPM works well for my hills and mower in medium range. I'll get you the picture of the TnT setup I have soon. Take Care, Rat...
I would have to disagree about the brush cutter. I think a 72" would be perfect. Swinging around on the hills would only be a factor if its raised. On the ground, it should actually make you a bit more stable. I use a 80" brush cutter and would want nothing less then a 72". HP wise the L3830 would easily power it, no problem. Having the HST really aids in the brush cutting too. By paying attention to the engine sound, you just back off as needed to accomodate the load. The L3830 is really a joy to have. I'm thrilled with mine. Only 16 hours on it as I have been out of town. Am using about 1 gallon an hour of diesel. I have found 2300 RPM works well for my hills and mower in medium range. I'll get you the picture of the TnT setup I have soon. Take Care, Rat...
Anonymous Poster
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I have the 3130 HST 4wd, fel......and like so many others here, The more I do, The more amazed I am!!! I have just rolled 20hrs on it,..I use it to do pads for room addittions, and concrete work, driveways and patios, But when I have it at home, I just try to find things to use it for! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Right now I am cleaning ditches around my property! I widened my driveway entry by approx. 10', on one end of my yard So my workers can get in & out with utility trailers easier! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I have started to dig up a couple of stumps in my lower yard....hehe
Thats been much my experience about these L30's as well. They continue to amaze me. Not so much in what they can do, but how smooth they do it. The HD bucket also has a nice square back edge inspite of being rounded inside. It works great for back grading. I kept the toothbar from my previous tractor. It's been on ever since. If you don't have one, it's well worth considering. I have R4's on mine and found that I just don't need 20 PSI in the rears so have dropped them down to 15 PSI. They are a little larger then the ones on the L3130/L3430. The really nice feature about the LA 723 is the speed the loader moves at. I have yet to run a tractor with such a quick loader. For as little as I use the cruise control, it really is designed well. Simple and very easy to use. The grille guard for the L30 series is more then just a grille guard, its like a ramming device. I plan to add a expanded metal over it to keep most everything out. In trying to think what I would change on this tractor lineup, suffice it to say, I'm still thinking. Rat...
I am closing in on the 50 hour fluid changes, a simple task on my L48 and I suspect no different here, just one less and smaller hydraulic filter. The manual calls for 10W30, 10W40 or 30W. I contacted Red Line Oil Co. and asked about their thoughts using a oil like Red Line 10W30 versus the standard 15W40 diesel oil. The reply was this:
"We recommend waiting for the rings to seat before installing the Red Line, I would expect that by 50 hours that would have occurred with your Kubota.
The viscosity that they prefer is based on a number of factors, a number of the newer diesel engines are calling for a lower viscosity than the standard 15W40, the 10W30 would be a good choice for your tractor."
Regards, Dave
Red Line Oil
I'll consider Red Line for either the 50 or 100 hour change. It's pricey stuff but I only need 6 quarts. The 10W30 is rated for both diesels and gas, (as are almost all their multigrades) carries all the diesel oil markings like CE/CG-4/CH-4.
I normally would not get this involved in a oil change but I'll tell ya, this tractor has been so awesome, I just have too!
I have had two different people drive my tractor (besides my wife) and both are ready to sell their tractors. One is a NH 2120 and the other a JD 790. The 790 only has 60 hours on it but the guy fell in love with mine and is figuring out how to arrange for one. My brother in law with the NH 2120 cannot believe how nice the L3830 is. Realize that letting someone drive these L30 series tractors is contagious. Best of time with yours, /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Rat...
P.S loader comes off now in 37 seconds, about half that is walking around the front of the tractor lowering the two stands and pinning them. Did I mention this L30 series is awesome?
"We recommend waiting for the rings to seat before installing the Red Line, I would expect that by 50 hours that would have occurred with your Kubota.
The viscosity that they prefer is based on a number of factors, a number of the newer diesel engines are calling for a lower viscosity than the standard 15W40, the 10W30 would be a good choice for your tractor."
Regards, Dave
Red Line Oil
I'll consider Red Line for either the 50 or 100 hour change. It's pricey stuff but I only need 6 quarts. The 10W30 is rated for both diesels and gas, (as are almost all their multigrades) carries all the diesel oil markings like CE/CG-4/CH-4.
I normally would not get this involved in a oil change but I'll tell ya, this tractor has been so awesome, I just have too!
I have had two different people drive my tractor (besides my wife) and both are ready to sell their tractors. One is a NH 2120 and the other a JD 790. The 790 only has 60 hours on it but the guy fell in love with mine and is figuring out how to arrange for one. My brother in law with the NH 2120 cannot believe how nice the L3830 is. Realize that letting someone drive these L30 series tractors is contagious. Best of time with yours, /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Rat...
P.S loader comes off now in 37 seconds, about half that is walking around the front of the tractor lowering the two stands and pinning them. Did I mention this L30 series is awesome?
CTyler
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Did I mention this L30 series is awesome? )</font>
Friday I was digging out some dirt out of my pole building. One of the contractors, that put in our footings, asked if I could dig some dirt. There are a couple octagon areas in the back of the house that needed about 12 inches of dirt cut off them. They are about 12 foot wide and needed to be leveled to the footing.
I had the toothbar off the bucket rolled up and worked my way through it. I thought the dirt was pretty stiff and was working the tractor. I've never had a tractor before this so I don't have a frame of reference.
After I was done they walked up and asked what it had for horsepower etc.. and were suprised it was a 32hp tractor. The commented how hard the dirt was with a shovel and stated "Man that tractor went through there like nothing!" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Then they asked how much it was. I told them with the backhoe, buckets, FEL and other attachments it was about 26k. They all thought that was cheap! Holy cow!
Maybe the L30 series is better than I thought! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Friday I was digging out some dirt out of my pole building. One of the contractors, that put in our footings, asked if I could dig some dirt. There are a couple octagon areas in the back of the house that needed about 12 inches of dirt cut off them. They are about 12 foot wide and needed to be leveled to the footing.
I had the toothbar off the bucket rolled up and worked my way through it. I thought the dirt was pretty stiff and was working the tractor. I've never had a tractor before this so I don't have a frame of reference.
After I was done they walked up and asked what it had for horsepower etc.. and were suprised it was a 32hp tractor. The commented how hard the dirt was with a shovel and stated "Man that tractor went through there like nothing!" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Then they asked how much it was. I told them with the backhoe, buckets, FEL and other attachments it was about 26k. They all thought that was cheap! Holy cow!
Maybe the L30 series is better than I thought! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
