L3130 HST Questions

[davetbn]

This is a great website with a bunch of excellent discussions and information. After searching, reading and re-reading everything I could find about the L3130 I decided to make my first post to ask for any first-hand experiences with the 3130.

I'm looking to buy a 3130 HST based on my wallet and the 20 acres we have. This is to maintain 1300' of gravel road, brush cutting blackberries, 1-2" alder, tall grass, and some log skidding, and eventually stump removal and pond and home construction.

What I've gather from previous discussions is you don't want to skimp on HP. With this tractor net is 31hp and PTO is 24hp. The implements for this tractor initially and down the road would be FEL(723), med duty Brush cutter(?), box scraper, 4-5" chipper, backhoe (bh90), counterweight.

My question is this enough tractor to run these implements comfortably in the environment described. After reading post after post the biggest concern is enough pto hp for the brush hog. Any repsonses will be greatly welcomed.
Thanks, ...Dave

 

[texbaylea]

Based on my experience with my L3130 you could certainly do what you want but maybe not as fast as you could with an L3430 or L3830 if your wallet stretched that far. I will probably add a BH90 to my unit some time in the future but can not advise you how well it will work on an L3130.

Vernon

 

[SnoFalls]

I can't comment on brush hoggin ... that probably would benefit from more HP, but ...

On mine, I've not had a situation where I've run outta power. I have stalled it once or twice, but that was hitting roots while gathering some fill. In low range, and scraping about 2"-3" with the fel, it wouldn't start to bog down till the bucket was full.

I thought hard about getting a 3830 instead, but have not been disappointed with the smaller HP. The step up to a 4330 (with the bigger FEL), would make a bigger dent in getting things done faster, but that move was outta my price range.

The BH90 is a nice unit too. It balances the machine very nicely (perhaps a little tail heavy with an empty FEL). When doing FEL work tho, that heavy BH on the back really helps with traction.

Boxblade is next on my list (and a set of QA forks). I'll find out if the power is there for full bites with a 6' BB ...

 

[hunterridgefarm]

davetbn,
Welcome to TBN.

This is just based on my experience with my 3130.

I have the 3130DT (FST) so I have about 25PTO HP. I run a 5'hog through very tall grass at times and have not had any problems. The 5' is the max I would go with unless you were not letting the grass get very tall between cuttings.

I have the Woods FEL same spec as the Kubota 723, HD bucket and tooth bar, works great. 6' box blade, can pull heavy red clay soil with no problem. I am usually in low range 4th gear when working the box blade and FEL. I am currently clearing and on road bed and skidder trail with 5-6" pines growing on it and this tractor has amazed me with what I have been able to do. I have actually had the bucket and box blade full at the same time and seem to have no problem with power.

The back hoe, can't comment, don't have one. There is a member, "L3130", who I believe has the BH on his 3130. You could PM him for his experiences.

I think the 3130 will do what you want it to do. If this is all your wallet can stand then go for it. However if you can afford a little more then check the pricing on the L3830 or L3430 and see how it compares. Kubota has the 0% going right now so see what difference that makes in the payment.

When I bought my 3130 it was what I needed. I could have afforded more but this tractor served my purpose. But things change, I acquired more land through inheritance that I had no idea I would be getting. Went from 50ac. to 172ac. I now need a much bigger tractor which I am looking for, waiting to see new M's. Things always change in life, you may decide to do more with your land in the future, so if you can go bigger go bigger, if not the 3130 will do the job!!

 

[Ritterbeck]

Hunterridgefarm summed it up very well! I love my L3130 (723 Front Loader, Woods 72" finish mower, and Woods 72" scrapper blade).

The Hydrostat is wonderful for Front Loader and Blade work on the drive........etc. with saying this.... if I had to do all over again I would upgrade to the 3830, because the weight and size of the tractor is the same, but you get like 31 PTO HP as opposed to just 24HP. In addition, if you use the 36 month 0% financing, the additional cost isn't noticed that much! I hope this helps!

 

[SnoFalls]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( In addition, if you use the 36 month 0% financing, the additional cost isn't noticed that much! )</font>
unfortunately that isn't available for the L's /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif ...

 

[Henro]

Davetbn,


Clearly stated:3130 underpowered! More than once...

The above thread is worth a read for those interested in the L3130. Seems like this guy was one of the few unhappy L3130 owners that are few and far between...

 

[Theowegian]

I have a L3130, with about 405 hrs on it.
I dont have a backhoe, but would like one. If you want a backhoe, then you should get the larger LA723 loader because the LA513 will not work with a backhoe.

In my opinion the L3130 works fine for the following implements:
Bush Hog Squealer (brush cutter) - 5 ft
Box blade - 5-1/2 ft or 6 ft
Rear Finish mower - 6 ft

Those are the ones I have and I was careful when I was purchasing my implements to match my tractor. I also have R-4 tires and like them as a nice compromise between Ag lugs (R-1) and the turf tires.

OBTW, if you go any bigger on the brush cutter your ground speed will need to be reduced. But of course, it all depends on how thick your brush is.

A 5 ft brush cutter is works well for me because I over lap quite a bit and cut four or five times per year.

If I had to do it over again, I would move up a bit to the L3430 or the L3830 because of my hilly ground. The extra HP would be nice.

dwight

 

[L3130]

I can chime in on the BH90 backhoe. I have one on my L3130 and love it. It is a strong backhoe. Not the fastest, But it gets the job done. If your going to be doing alot of construction you may want to step up to a L39 tractor if your funds allow. As far as horsepower goes it will do the job fine. I did get the L723 loader in which I reccomend for this tractor. Overall I am very pleased with my decision on this tractor and have no complaints at all. But if the speed of the job is a big concern step up to a L39 which is more for the construction envirorment. Good luck.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[davetbn]

Thanks everyone for the great feedback. To summerize; it sounds like the L3130 is a pretty good tractor for the job and it would probably be a bit better with a little more horsepower.

Currently I'm looking at a used 1yr old L3130 with 210hrs. comes with L723 w/HD QC bucket and edge guard, plus a 800lb counterweight on the 3pt. It was a rental tractor and according to the owner has only been rented 4-5 times. The rest of the time is use by the owner. It appears to be well maintained could nealy pass for a new tractor.

Asking price is $18,300. This falls in my price range and given the responses I've decided to have him demo the tractor on the property to see how it performs. This could be the one... but still have and eye out for a 3430 or 3830.

Thanks again for all the comments... they have been a great help!!! ...Dave