Buying Advice L3800 or MX4700 or MX5100?

[ravencr]

Any recommendations on where to buy one at a good price around Iowa or nc/tn?

Chris

 

[Verticaltrx]

A midsize GL will be more maneuverable than the MX and while a smaller tractor will go everywhere a MX will, the converse cannot be said. Generally speaking, a "smaller" tractor will do anything a larger one, but a larger one simply won't fit in some places a smaller one will.

As is often said, "Bigger isn't always better, sometimes it is just bigger."

Not only will a larger tractor sometimes not fit where you are trying to do work, but sometimes they are just harder to use for certain tasks. After trying to do precise loader work or finish grading with our M9540, I'm actually relieved to get back on my little B3200 to do the same tasks. Granted this is a much more extreme size difference than a GL vs MX, but the principles are still the same. With the larger tractors you are just so far away from the attachments that visibility is poor at best. With the loader you just have to watch the level indicator and have a 'feel' for what the bucket is doing and where it is. Using pallet forks is a guessing game as well on a large tractor.

Really it's all about sizing the tractor to the tasks, there are still a lot of things the big Kubota can do that mine can't. Like loading our dump truck, stacking round bales three rows high, lifting materials up to the roof of a building, etc. Those are all cases where there is a specific need for that size tractor.


Just to throw something else into the decision, if you want a small tractor with lots of features and capacity, the B26 Industrial tractor/loader is something else to consider. It has most of the features of the grand L's, a quite substantial loader for it's size, smooth running, nice 3pt hitch and PTO. But it's also fairly compact and very easy to work with. The price on the B26 with a backhoe is up around 30-35K, but without a hoe I think they are around the cost of a small grand L with loader.

 

[ravencr]

Why would I want to choose the B26 over a grand L? I guess I'm slightly confused.

Chris

 

[Verticaltrx]

Why would I want to choose the B26 over a grand L? I guess I'm slightly confused.

Chris

No real reason except it's another model that fits your general criterion. The B26 is a little smaller but more commercially oriented, and in some regards slightly heavier duty. Like I said before, once you narrow down your selection just go look at and drive one of each. There may be something about one you like better than the other. That was my case, the B3200 and L2800 were about the same price, and would have done about the same job, but for some reason I just liked the B better. However, if it's in your budget, I bet the grand L is what you'll like the best. They really are nice tractors. :thumbsup:

Not sure on where to get the best price, but if you are in Boone, head over to Mt.Airy Equipment in Mt Airy NC. Not sure how they are on prices, but they generally have a lot of tractors in stock to look at. Fowlkes Machine company in Wytheville, VA also stock quite a few tractors in that size range. They are local to me, probably a little over an hour drive north from your place in Boone. When I was ready to buy mine I called every dealer within 100mi of here, told them exactly what I wanted, and that I was ready to buy tomorrow if they could give me a good price. Ended up getting mine from Collie Equipment in Danville, VA(which was about a 100mi drive.) There were some other dealers in central NC that had as good of a price, but it was easier to get the tax stuff dealt with in VA.

 

[Turbys_1700]

If I was purchasing a tractor that was finish mowing the majority of the time I would look at the lighter units. If I was going to use ground engaging attachments more the larger unit will be better suited.

With that said, I mow my 4 acres with a 28HP NH 1720 that weighs in @ 3300# with loaded rear tires. That tractor has a 65" wheel base and is very maneuverable and can move a lot of dirt with the FEL and box blade. It is the perfect size for working my small yard.

 

[ravencr]

Yeah I definitely need to find a good dealer to check them out more. I just wonder if I'll be happier with all the bells and whistles of a GL or happier with more power of a larger basic tractor like the mx series. I bet if I never drive a GL I won't miss it...lol. Is it true that I can add a third valve on the front of the mx5100 aftermarket since the factory doesn't appear to offer it?

Chris

 

[Verticaltrx]

Yeah I definitely need to find a good dealer to check them out more. I just wonder if I'll be happier with all the bells and whistles of a GL or happier with more power of a larger basic tractor like the mx series. I bet if I never drive a GL I won't miss it...lol. Is it true that I can add a third valve on the front of the mx5100 aftermarket since the factory doesn't appear to offer it?

Chris

As far as hydraulics go, if you go with aftermarket stuff you can add about anything you could ever want at a later date, regardless of model. One thing to keep in mind though is that especially on the more premium models like the GL and M the factory hydraulics are very high quality and well integrated (integrated joystick, rear remote levers right beside the seat, etc.) When you get into the standard or economy models the hydraulics are often valves just hung on the ROPS, fender, or loader. While I'm sure they are of the same quality they aren't quite as easy to use and they look a little more cluttered IMO.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Yeah I definitely need to find a good dealer to check them out more. I just wonder if I'll be happier with all the bells and whistles of a GL or happier with more power of a larger basic tractor like the mx series. I bet if I never drive a GL I won't miss it...lol. Is it true that I can add a third valve on the front of the mx5100 aftermarket since the factory doesn't appear to offer it?

Chris

L3540:thumbsup:hst-4wd

 

[ChuckinNH]

Yeah I definitely need to find a good dealer to check them out more. I just wonder if I'll be happier with all the bells and whistles of a GL or happier with more power of a larger basic tractor like the mx series. I bet if I never drive a GL I won't miss it...lol. Is it true that I can add a third valve on the front of the mx5100 aftermarket since the factory doesn't appear to offer it?

Chris

It sounds to me like you really want that larger tractor so I would say go for it. You will always wish you had if you don't. If you do, and find that it is really awkward, or hard to use for some things then move down.......... it isn't the end of the world. The only way we can experience the things we want to is to do them. If we had to justify every little thing about the tractors we buy, we sure wouldn't buy many. I like my small tractor, but I have to admit there have been times when I wish I had enough land to turn one of the big ones around.

 

[Wolfy]

Chuck....I noticed your profile said you have and hate v-bar duo grip chains...now I'm wondering since I was thinking about buying a set

 

[TripleR]

Not only will a larger tractor sometimes not fit where you are trying to do work, but sometimes they are just harder to use for certain tasks. After trying to do precise loader work or finish grading with our M9540, I'm actually relieved to get back on my little B3200 to do the same tasks. Granted this is a much more extreme size difference than a GL vs MX, but the principles are still the same. With the larger tractors you are just so far away from the attachments that visibility is poor at best. With the loader you just have to watch the level indicator and have a 'feel' for what the bucket is doing and where it is. Using pallet forks is a guessing game as well on a large tractor.

I sure know what you mean, I don't even attempt "precise loader work" with our M8540, just dig dirt, move stuff and push things over. There are times even when our L5030 is too big and it would be nice to have something between it and the BX2660, but even I have to admit, you really can have too many tractors.

 

[crazyal]

Like TripleR says, there is no one right tractor. My personal advise would be to look hard at the GL3540 with HST. Others could answer this better but I'm wondering if the 3240 would have enough HP for a 6' brush hog. It does have a third valve option. FYI It also does have an option of adding a mid PTO in case a front sweeper or snow blower might be something you would want.

As you can see I went with a GL and never regretted it one bit. The 3540 was my original choice but I opted for the 4240 because the loader has slightly more height (I have an older international dump truck and I wanted to have a little more reach when dumping things into it). My needs are different of course but it at the end of the day when it came to making a choice I like and use the extra features.

When you fill it up if you turn the key on it beeps. If it's near empty it beeps slowly and as it fills up it beeps faster. Once it's almost full it's a solid tone. I don't know what other models have this but it's real nice if you are using a 5 gallon jug to fill it with.

The H-DS is probably the most used extra feature I use. Most of what I do is in mid gear. When scooping up dirt from a pile you just flick a lever (like flashing your high beams) and without even letting off the HST pedal it drops down to low. Then as you back up you flick it again and your back in high. I use it quite a bit if I'm using the cruse control while grading. Going up some of my hills or if I want to make a tight turn and I want to slow down just flick the lever without canceling the cruse.

I do use the auto throttle. It turns the HST pedal into more like a car as it ties the throttle to the pedal. If you let off the engine goes to idle, if you push down on the pedal it revs the motor up. I usually leave the stall guard on, never stalled so I guess it works. I use the tilt all the time when getting off the tractor. The seat does swivel a little bit but I don't use it too much.

 

[foreman Etexas]

I sure know what you mean, I don't even attempt "precise loader work" with our M8540, just dig dirt, move stuff and push things over. There are times even when our L5030 is too big and it would be nice to have something between it and the BX2660, but even I have to admit, you really can have too many tractors.

Dont tell my wife that,please!!!I have already a 5040,7040,Belarus 802 and just let my uncle have my completely redone ford 2000 and after this forum I am thinking about getting the L3540,4wd HST with the R4s.I have lease land all around and hardly ever have my tractors at the same place so I dont think it really sinks in with the wife,im just wonting something to take too the deer lease and use a 5ft shredder and little easier to get around.

 

[gwdixon]

It sounds to me like you really want that larger tractor so I would say go for it. You will always wish you had if you don't. If you do, and find that it is really awkward, or hard to use for some things then move down.......... it isn't the end of the world. The only way we can experience the things we want to is to do them. If we had to justify every little thing about the tractors we buy, we sure wouldn't buy many. I like my small tractor, but I have to admit there have been times when I wish I had enough land to turn one of the big ones around.

It is a dilemma for sure. I have a M-series and previously ran a L-series. The M is for serious farm work in my opinion. It is well suited for a 10 - 12 hour workday and 100+ acres. Plowing, discing, subsoiling, and other ground engaging tasks that require a stout tractor that pretty much beats the job to death.

The OP has many "delicate" jobs to do that the L-series is perfectly suited to do. The Grand L is more versatile than the M-series in my opinion. As stated before, when you want to do a little job it is there and most really big jobs can be done with a little lower gear or a bit more time.

Normally I'd be advocating for "more power" but in this case there are such a variety of tasks that versatility wins out over brute strength.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Chuck....I noticed your profile said you have and hate v-bar duo grip chains...now I'm wondering since I was thinking about buying a set

This is a bit off track, but yes I have those chains, and they are wonderful in the woods, or plowing through snow out in the field, but they are terrible to ride on on pavement, and most of my snowblowing is on that kind of surface. The spaces between the chains are never really in sync from side to side, and it rides like a baby buggy with square wheels that are out of sync. I didn't bother to put them on last winter, but I think the style is basically OK, you just need the version that has a continuous chain all around the tire, or just two link bar chains.

 

[ChuckinNH]

It is a dilemma for sure. I have a M-series and previously ran a L-series. The M is for serious farm work in my opinion. It is well suited for a 10 - 12 hour workday and 100+ acres. Plowing, discing, subsoiling, and other ground engaging tasks that require a stout tractor that pretty much beats the job to death.

The OP has many "delicate" jobs to do that the L-series is perfectly suited to do. The Grand L is more versatile than the M-series in my opinion. As stated before, when you want to do a little job it is there and most really big jobs can be done with a little lower gear or a bit more time.

Normally I'd be advocating for "more power" but in this case there are such a variety of tasks that versatility wins out over brute strength.

That is pretty much my feeling too, but sometimes it is just best to buy what you want, and get it out of your system. Perhaps the M will work for him, and he will be very happy. I see folks using grand L's in RV parks, and they have had them for some time so they must be working for those folks. Everyone is different though. I have an Engineer friend who loves his full size backhoe / loader, and only wishes it had more clearance, and 4wd. He just isn't happy with less than 50 hp, or so for any task, and that is the kind of thing I was addressing with my comments. Only you know how you want to do things. I poke around between all the obstacles in my woods with my little tractor, but my friend Pete just loves to drive over that stuff.

 

[TripleR]

Dont tell my wife that,please!!!I have already a 5040,7040,Belarus 802 and just let my uncle have my completely redone ford 2000 and after this forum I am thinking about getting the L3540,4wd HST with the R4s.I have lease land all around and hardly ever have my tractors at the same place so I don't think it really sinks in with the wife, I'm just wanting something to take too the deer lease and use a 5ft shredder and little easier to get around.

I live on one of our farms while another is four miles away and the other is six. We have a M8540, Massey Ferguson 375, Case 995, L5030, 1954 Ford NAA, 1955 Ford 600, 1961 Ford 600 John Deere 2305 and BX2660 as well as an old Case back hoe, so we are close enough to drive between farms.

If I was in your situation, I sure would want something like a L3540 and just between you and me, I would like to have one anyway.

We do have a gooseneck trailer and truck to pull it, we just don't have anywhere to go so the trailer tags are expired.

My father in law had deer leases and here is his solution; always scared me to death.

 

[ravencr]

Hey guys, I saw a 2007 l4630 with cab and bushhog on my way home yesterday that appeared to be in pretty good condition. It didn't have a loader, but he had some weights on the front. Outside of that it appeared to be a basic grand l. I think he said it had 550 hours on it. Anybody have any idea what it could be worth? And, I was wondering how much it would be to add a loader to it approximately? I built up a basic l4730 assuming that is it's replacement and it was around $36k. When looking at a used tractor is it normal to have a reputable dealer do an inspection of the tractor to check everything out?

Thanks for the help guys,

Chris

 

[teg]

2007 Kubota Tractor L4630 46 hp with snow blower | eBay

KUBOTA L4630, Used KUBOTA L4630, KUBOTA L4630 For Sale At TractorHouse.com - Page 1

Subtract from these the cost of a loader but I'm sure you can add an aftermarket loader to the one you saw... did it look clean and taken care of?