L3000 or L4300

[Big_A]

Hello All,
We are set to buy a new Kubota but are having trouble deciding between these two models. We have fifty acres in the mountians of central VA. We have started an orchard and will be doing some fencing (read using a post hole digger) some time in the future. I bush-hog about 20 acres of this land, 10 is in hay (someone else does this), and 20 is wooded. At some point in time we will have livestock. We push a little snow and have about 1/2 mile of gravel road to maintain. 4wd is a given.

I guess my question is this, is the 4300 worth the extra money for the extra 10 horse? and will the 3000 be all that I need? What other justification can anyone think of other than running a tractor at 70% is better than running one at 100%. Thanks for any and all input. Adam

 

[rjsmit1]

I don't know the models you are considering, but I felt that is was worth it to pay extra to go from 31 to 43 HP on the L4330 that I bought versus the L3130 that I started out looking at. That was after I borrowed my neighbor's L3130 to remove snow last winter. 12 HP is a big difference with a hydro transmission. (Your experience may be different with other models and transmissions.) Also, the key is to look at torque figures. These are harder to find and are roughly reflected in the difference in engine displacement - so if you find that if there is a 1/3 increase in engine displacement from one model to the other, you should notice the power difference, depending on what kind of work you are doing with your tractor. Another point that has been mentioned a number of times on this forum is "I never heard anyone complain about getting too much horsepower." Good luck with your purchase.

 

[Golfgar4]

From a non owner, I'd have to say that Rjsmit1 gave you some good info.

I guess I'd just throw this out. Do you really think the L3000 will need to run at 100% to do the job? If you do, then I would think you'd have your answer right there. It's always better to have some extra power available when you need it.

And besides, if you've been reading TBN, you know you're going to be reminded that no one has ever heard of anyone complaining that they got too much power! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[SageBrush]

Specs

I would say yes.

Going from 27 to 37 pto hp would be felt by me. The torque is also much better and will allow you to use bigger cutters, if you ever want too. 30+ pto hp is always a good idea if the tractor size and cost is ok for you. I would also recommend taking a hard look at the L3830 or L4330 with GST or HST.

 

[soarkrebel]

Well i have a l3000dt and yes it works fine for me. i have mowed a 40 acre field with it and will do it again this year soon. it never missed a beat except for hitting big ant hills and it just bogged a little.
now when i was in a buying mood i really wanted a L4300dt but couldnt justify the extra money for my intended uses.
i wanted a traditional tractor transmission so i stuck to these models.

my 3000 has worked well for me and i have no complaints about dependability. i will say it would be nice to be able to run a medium duty cutter. in my opinion that would be the only real advantage. in 4wd the 3000 will pull ! and i know the 4300 will also.

if you are willing and can pay the extra i think you will like the 4300. if i could i would! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Big_A]

Hello again All,

I guess the old saying is true..."there is no replacement for displacement" I just know that if I buy the smaller one, a year or two down the road I'll wish I had the larger one. Thanks for all the replies. I'll post back when we decide.

 

[Youare]

I've had my L3000 for almost 2 years now. The only time I would have liked a little more HP was when
I was pulling a heavy trailer up a steeeep hill in high gear, the next gear down worked fine.
Other than that the L3000 has never strained doing anything else so far.

I hope the weight of the L4300 is significantly more than the L3000, I did not see the weights listed in
on the specs sheets. Going up the hill on my dirt road in 2WD the rear tires will loose traction and start spinning in high gear around 1800 RPM, and they are loaded. If the L4300 does not weigh more I would guess traction would be an issue also.

If the difference in cost is not a deal stopping issue go for the bigger machine, very rarely is anyone sorry
they bought the bigger of the two.

Randy

 

[Big_A]

We looked at the money and the size and decided to go with the 4300. The local dealer will give it to me for $16,795 w/6' clutched bush-hog (I'm not sure what brand). If that's way off base, someone let me know please. I'm also looking at a 9" PHD so any advice on these is welcome.

 

[Youare]

I had to give $15,700.00 for my L3000DT w/FEL so the price you quote for a bigger tractor with a brush hog
sounds like a good deal. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Randy