L3901 or L4701 - Deciding which based on transportability

noose · Nov 22, 2016

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 · Nov 22, 2016

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

nybirdman · Nov 22, 2016

Citydude said:
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 · Nov 22, 2016

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

motownbrowne · Nov 22, 2016

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 · Nov 22, 2016

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 · Nov 23, 2016

noose said:
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 · Nov 23, 2016

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 · Nov 23, 2016

nybirdman said:
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 · Nov 24, 2016

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.

desh · Nov 24, 2016

noose said:
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.

Removing and installing the FEL on a Kubota is a simple 5 to 10 minute job. I have 10 hours on my tractor, and I have removed and installed it 3 times because i don't like bush hogging with it attached. The dealer will show you how to do it. With some practice, you'll be an expert in no time.

motownbrowne · Nov 24, 2016

desh said:
Removing and installing the FEL on a Kubota is a simple 5 to 10 minute job. I have 10 hours on my tractor, and I have removed and installed it 3 times because i don't like bush hogging with it attached. The dealer will show you how to do it. With some practice, you'll be an expert in no time.

I second this. Removal and reinstallation of the loader is a quick and easy job. I do mine a couple times a year. Never lost any skin in the process.

Fallon · Nov 24, 2016

Garandman said:
I think you'll find the vast majority of Kubota owners have zero warranty problems.

I had a leaky loader hose on the L3200. Was easier for me to grab the warranty hose from the dealer & install it myself, then take the old one back than haul it in myself. And I'm all setup to haul the machine & haul it relatively often.

But ya, minimal warranty issues.

BrokeFarmerJohn · Nov 24, 2016

I have owned many F150's and would not hesitate to haul my 4320 JD (5300lbs) with one, as long as you have a tandem trailer and most the weight is over the trailer axles and not on the tongue of the trailer, but the most important is trailer breaks, if you have a break controller in your truck it will haul and stop just fine all day long. That being said I wouldn't be in the market for a new Kubota, there way too light and for the money there lift capacity on the loader sucks, I would go with a shiny red Mahindra, there more comparable to the grand series of Kubota at a fraction of the cost. Go look at a Mahindra before you make your decision, you will find the Mahindra can lift 1/3 more, has more features and is about 800lbs heavier which helps put a lot more useable HP to the dirt and that makes for an even more useful tractor. Also Mahindra has the best warranty of 7 years.

There all made in India or South Korea

noose · Nov 25, 2016

BrokeFarmerJohn said:
I have owned many F150's and would not hesitate to haul my 4320 JD (5300lbs) with one, as long as you have a tandem trailer and most the weight is over the trailer axles and not on the tongue of the trailer, but the most important is trailer breaks, if you have a break controller in your truck it will haul and stop just fine all day long. That being said I wouldn't be in the market for a new Kubota, there way too light and for the money there lift capacity on the loader sucks, I would go with a shiny red Mahindra, there more comparable to the grand series of Kubota at a fraction of the cost. Go look at a Mahindra before you make your decision, you will find the Mahindra can lift 1/3 more, has more features and is about 800lbs heavier which helps put a lot more useable HP to the dirt and that makes for an even more useful tractor. Also Mahindra has the best warranty of 7 years.

There all made in India or South Korea

Thanks for all the input guys... I went to Kubota today to get a 4701 package... It was a 4701HST 4WD with a square bucket, 6' land pride hog, 6' land pride box blade, and land pride auger. 29.5K with 0% for 72. Hard to pass up... And then he told me they'd sold all 10 they got. Back to the shopping board... The also sold all the 3901HSTs there were the same package. Crapola. Just for grins I'll take a look at the mahindras...

Garandman · Nov 25, 2016

BrokeFarmerJohn said:
I have owned many F150's and would not hesitate to haul my 4320 JD (5300lbs) with one,

//I would go with a shiny red Mahindra, there more comparable to the grand series of Kubota at a fraction of the cost. Go look at a Mahindra before you make your decision, you will find the Mahindra can lift 1/3 more, has more features and is about 800lbs heavier which helps put a lot more useable HP to the dirt and that makes for an even more useful tractor. Also Mahindra has the best warranty of 7 years.

There all made in India or South Korea

What about the Mitsubishi built models? Mahindra, the world's largest paintbrush.

Comparison specs: 355 4WD HST | Mahindra

Mitsubishi lift capacity: 2,700
Kubota: 2,489.

That's 8%. Then they compare their breakout force at the pins to Kubota 500mm forward. How legit.

Guess the real question is why do you have a JD if you perceive Mahindra-branded tractors are such a bargain?

BrokeFarmerJohn · Nov 25, 2016

Garandman said:
What about the Mitsubishi built models? Mahindra, the world's largest paintbrush.

Comparison specs: 355 4WD HST | Mahindra

Mitsubishi lift capacity: 2,700
Kubota: 2,489.

That's 8%. Then they compare their breakout force at the pins to Kubota 500mm forward. How legit.

Guess the real question is why do you have a JD if you perceive Mahindra-branded tractors are such a bargain?

You must be rating lift on the 3pt, the FEL is what I looked at. When I was shopping the L3901 was on my list. Mahindra came standard with a FEL, Kubota was a separate attachment. Mahindra no DPF filter, the 1533 was around 800lbs heavier and all put together the 1533 I priced came in at 3k cheaper than the non grand L3901. I also looked at the 37 workmaster from new holland, 3038E from JD, I priced a case but never got to see one.

I had to have a min FEL capacity of 1200lbs at the bucket, I wasn't as concerned about HP. L3901 (1050lbs), Workmaster 37 (1500lbs), 3038E (1150lbs), 1533 HST (1650lbs). Apples to apples Mahindra came out on top with FEL capacity, 0% down 0% for 84 months, 7 year factory warranty, no DPF filter.

The reason I drove a JD home was only because I came across the deal from a old farmer. I wasn't looking at used tractors only new 30-40hp tractors. Buying new, I would buy Mahindra. I didn't like the JD E series and the Grand L, the R series were both out of my budget and both of those compared to the 1500 Mahindra series better than the non-grand and E series. The one I liked the least was the 3038E, I actually liked the others just weight, price and FEL capacity is how I narrowed down to Mahindra. I'm not knocking Kubota, there a fine tractor but have the lowest lift capacity of any of them and came in light.

One thing I will mention is if you compare dealer networks, JD and Kubota are the best around here, I found they had more in this area and I was most impressed with the local JD dealer, Kubota a close second.

So to summarize, they will all get work done and last a very long time, just some offer a sweeter deal is all. I won't ever put someone down for buying any brand, I'm not sitting in there seat so my perspective and what I find important looking for a tractor may be totally diff from someone else.

I did what seemed to be endless research into each company, each tractor and there's not one that I would stay away from.

The research into companies was the biggest surprise and who makes what and for who. Like CNH is owned mainly by LG and Fiat and the Case, Workmaster/Boomer and LS compact tractors are pretty much the same tractor all made by the same company mainly out of South Korea, just stuff like that. Non of the compacts were made in the states.

TripleR · Nov 25, 2016

Just my opinion:

Do your own service, we have several brands and none go to the shop for service.

If you are set on having the dealer do any service calls, compare the cost the dealer will charge for pickup and delivery to the cost of a proper truck and trailer.

Check rental cost on a trailer if you have a big enough trailer.

For many of us, including me the cost of a proper truck/trailer just doesn't make sense from a financial standpoint.

noose · Nov 25, 2016

TripleR said:
Just my opinion:

Do your own service, we have several brands and none go to the shop for service.

If you are set on having the dealer do any service calls, compare the cost the dealer will charge for pickup and delivery to the cost of a proper truck and trailer.

Check rental cost on a trailer if you have a big enough trailer.

For many of us, including me the cost of a proper truck/trailer just doesn't make sense from a financial standpoint.

True words... I'll look at the required service and just assume it's on me. If I have to take it to the shop and can't carry, i'll just rent for a day. I'm going to call him this AM and find out if they will match an mx4800hst for the 4701 package as the difference in MSRP is very little. If so I'll go that route.