L3901 or L4701 - Deciding which based on transportability

[noose]

Since I didn't take EVERYONE's advice here and buy enough tractor to begin with, I'm now back in the market. I'm cleaning up my JD955 and putting it up and I'm looking at a 3901 or 4701 Kubota. In the end, I want the 4701 and based on my 955 work over the last couple of year, should be more than enough for what I'm doing. That said, I will want to take this to the shop for maintenance once or twice a year. I don't want to buy a new truck/trailer.

I have an f150 supercrew with a max tow package. It's rated for around 9K but I sure as heck don't want to try. I've done about 6500 and that's the upper end of what I'd be interested in towing. My ranch to the Kubota dealer is all rural highway, multi-lane, and 30 miles away. I can easily get away with going 55-60 without causing undue traffic hazards.

My trailer is a tandem 3500 (7K max) that is what I'd call "light duty". I'll have to add a set of brakes as it's limited to 4500 in texas with aux brakes.

I believe the L4701 would run about 4300 with the FEL attached based on 3300 for the tractor (hst) and 1000 for the FEL (pure guess). Trailer is about 1500 so I'd be at 5800 total. While I wouldn't want to tow this regularly we're talking once or twice a year and I have done that kind of load (with brakes). It can still be a major pucker factor if some dumbarse pulls in front, though...

If that's going to burn up my truck, and I can't afford a 3/4, then a 3901 would be about 2800 and I figure about 800 on the FEL (smaller). That plus the 1500 on the trailer puts me at 5100. Not a huge difference but it would be quite noticeable.

Again my distance is only 30 miles and the only time I'd move the trailer is to the shop...

Please let me know your thoughts on the above... Need to decide over the next couple of weeks.

 

[Citydude]

Why haul the loader in for a service call? Take the loader off the tractor and save hauling needless weight.

 

[nybirdman]

Why haul the loader in for a service call? Take the loader off the tractor and save hauling needless weight.

Exactly what I was going to say;you will loose about 1,000lbs.Go with the larger tractor/loader.

 

[teg]

Just learn to do the service yourself... forget about taking it to the dealer.

 

[motownbrowne]

4701 for the win. Also, get a quote on the mx4800. When I was shopping, the MX was cheaper. It's a hair bigger and it's got a little more lift capacity. If you take the loader off of either, you'll be just fine on your trailer.

I think your truck will be fine. When in doubt, lock it out of overdrive and let it spin a few more RPMs.

 

[Fallon]

I just sold my L3200 (same as a L3301) & am upgrading to a L4060. I pulled the L3200 on a 20' flat deck & 16' tilting deck, both had 7k axles on them. I figured my L3200 was 3,500lbs with loader & loaded tires. Early on I used my 2009 Tacoma to pull it, now a beater F250. I figure the trailer & tractor were right at the 6,500lbs tow rating on the Tacoma. A couple impliments almost certainly put it over. Brakes were working hard to slow things down, suspension was getting a bit soft, I could flog the engine & get some acceleration, but took it easy. It wasn't fun pulling with the Taco, but it wasn't hideous as it was slow back roads towing. I'm going to guess your F150 will be taxed a bit, but not have any serious problems as it's more of a truck than a Tacoma & a lighter trailer.

As others noted dumping the loader would help a lot. I never bothered dumping mine the 3 years I owned it, but it was suppose to be easy. As I started doing some side tractor work, dumping the loader wasn't going to be a long term solution, hence the beater F250.

I was happy with the L3200, except for freezing my beard off & getting covered in dust & grime... Resulting in upgrading to a cabbed machine. I wish they made a high HP 3000 series grand as the L3560 is underpowered. The only thing with more HP is a L4060 & L4760, which are a frame size bigger.

If it's only going to be an occasional tow & you can ditch the loader ending up under your trailer & truck tow ratings, I wouldn't wory about either option.

 

[fried1765]

Since I didn't take EVERYONE's advice here and buy enough tractor to begin with, I'm now back in the market. I'm cleaning up my JD955 and putting it up and I'm looking at a 3901 or 4701 Kubota. In the end, I want the 4701 and based on my 955 work over the last couple of year, should be more than enough for what I'm doing. That said, I will want to take this to the shop for maintenance once or twice a year. I don't want to buy a new truck/trailer.

I have an f150 supercrew with a max tow package. It's rated for around 9K but I sure as heck don't want to try. I've done about 6500 and that's the upper end of what I'd be interested in towing. My ranch to the Kubota dealer is all rural highway, multi-lane, and 30 miles away. I can easily get away with going 55-60 without causing undue traffic hazards.

My trailer is a tandem 3500 (7K max) that is what I'd call "light duty". I'll have to add a set of brakes as it's limited to 4500 in texas with aux brakes.

I believe the L4701 would run about 4300 with the FEL attached based on 3300 for the tractor (hst) and 1000 for the FEL (pure guess). Trailer is about 1500 so I'd be at 5800 total. While I wouldn't want to tow this regularly we're talking once or twice a year and I have done that kind of load (with brakes). It can still be a major pucker factor if some dumbarse pulls in front, though...

If that's going to burn up my truck, and I can't afford a 3/4, then a 3901 would be about 2800 and I figure about 800 on the FEL (smaller). That plus the 1500 on the trailer puts me at 5100. Not a huge difference but it would be quite noticeable.

Again my distance is only 30 miles and the only time I'd move the trailer is to the shop...

Please let me know your thoughts on the above... Need to decide over the next couple of weeks.

DO NOT COMPROMISE ON THE TRACTOR SIZE !!!

 

[desh]

You are on the right track with the L4701. I tow mine with a fully capable 3/4 ton truck, however I wouldn't hesitate to tow it with a capable 1/2 ton as long as I knew I was within its tow limits. Either way, take it easy on the speed and keep a safe distance from other drivers, and you'll be fine.
I had the same 4701 vs 3901 debate prior to settling on the 4701. If you buy the 3901, you will probably be repeating this process again in a few years. I recently took my 4701 back to the dealer to get a grapple installed. I couldn't help but notice how small the 3901 now looks in comparison. I have no doubts that I made the right choice in going bigger and could have even stepped up to the MX4800, but the 4701 has more than enough power and size for my needs.

 

[noose]

Exactly what I was going to say;you will loose about 1,000lbs.Go with the larger tractor/loader.

Yeah, if it's not a big deal then no problem. Taking the FEL off of my current JD is unpleasant to say the least. By the time I get the **** thing off then back on (assuming I leave no blood or skin behind), I'd already be at the dealership.

As far as learning to do the service myself - no problemo. I do it all the time on my JD. That said, the first year I'll take it in a couple of times and pay for full service, even if expensive. Anything uncovered will then be under warranty and caught in time.

 

[Garandman]

I think you'll find the vast majority of Kubota owners have zero warranty problems. The 50 hour service is very simple. Even the 200 hour service isn't beyond the average owner.

http://www.kubota.com/service/MaintenanceSchedule.aspx

We're an hour from the dealer and have no trailer. But I learned a neighbor has a mobile tractor service Van so we'll have him do the "hundreds" on site.