L3901 vs L4701
- Thread starter RonSwanson
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s219
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I generally agree to go bigger than you think, but I don't recall you mentioning any "heavy" tasks that require the increased loader capacity or traction that the bigger tractor will give you. Another consideration is whether the bigger tractor would allow you to work faster or easier. I don't think you can go too big, but if you are working in the woods on trails, then definitely make sure the tractor can move around without crashing into trees or making deep ruts.
I have an L3200 and it's used to maintain my 8 acre property and a 192 acre wildlife area. I run a 6' bush hog for mowing fields and trails. On paper, the L3200 seems awful small and underpowered for 200 acres. But I don't really do any tasks that require a bigger, heavier, more powerful tractor. If I run into situations that do, I already know the L3560 is my next upgrade. It's a great tractor with all the right improvements, but not so large that it will be tedious to use in the woods. But my point is to look at the tasks, and the weights, and the power requirements of what you will do and size to that, not the acreage. I think land acreage can really be misleading.
BTW, the L4701 is more of a deluxe tractor than the L3301/3901, so to me it is more of an upgrade than size. Look carefully at the features and the L4701 has some nice improvements over the smaller L models. I feel like the L4701 falls between the L3301/3901 and the L3560 in terms of content. The 3301/3901 are basic L tractors while the 3560 is a deluxe Grand L. The 4701 is somewhere in the middle in terms of features.
I have an L3200 and it's used to maintain my 8 acre property and a 192 acre wildlife area. I run a 6' bush hog for mowing fields and trails. On paper, the L3200 seems awful small and underpowered for 200 acres. But I don't really do any tasks that require a bigger, heavier, more powerful tractor. If I run into situations that do, I already know the L3560 is my next upgrade. It's a great tractor with all the right improvements, but not so large that it will be tedious to use in the woods. But my point is to look at the tasks, and the weights, and the power requirements of what you will do and size to that, not the acreage. I think land acreage can really be misleading.
BTW, the L4701 is more of a deluxe tractor than the L3301/3901, so to me it is more of an upgrade than size. Look carefully at the features and the L4701 has some nice improvements over the smaller L models. I feel like the L4701 falls between the L3301/3901 and the L3560 in terms of content. The 3301/3901 are basic L tractors while the 3560 is a deluxe Grand L. The 4701 is somewhere in the middle in terms of features.
We just bought a L4701 to replace a 3130. It had a bad connection of some sort that the dealer fixed and while it was in the shop we demoed a 3301. Piece of junk imho. Loud, under powered hst, and way to light in the rear.
Be sure to take a look at the 3560 as well. They are slightly cheaper then a l4701.
Be sure to take a look at the 3560 as well. They are slightly cheaper then a l4701.
tradosaurus
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Get the MX series tractor. It won't be that much more than the L4701. Ground clearance is your friend.
ericm979
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I would look into the grand L series just for the additional shift on the fly two speed transmission part of the HST+. I don't care about the rest of HST+ but I could totally use that feature.
Messicks has a good video on youtube going over the HST+.
Messicks has a good video on youtube going over the HST+.
gsganzer
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Another spec to look at is hydraulic flow (GPM). I'd give serious consideration to the L3560. It would allow you to run a FEL mounted auger or post pounder, if you have any fencing plans.
chim
Elite Member
The HST+ / Dual Speed is a great feature that I use a lot. Handy for starting out in HI range in "turtle" then bumping the lever up into"rabbit". When a little more grunt is needed for a brief time, bump the lever down, etc. My setup is usually with the pedal controlling the RPM's. When mowing I still use that setting but increase the engine RPMS with the throttle lever to a bit over 2,000. Then I control the tractor speed with the pedal. I can slow the tractors for corners and the blades keep spinning at the desired speed.
Bullwinkle123
Platinum Member
I just took delivery of an MX5400 after considering the L3901 and going through the process you're going through (see https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...s/422474-kubota-l3901-l4701-l4060-mx5400.html).
Of course my uses may differ. I considered the L4060 as in the progression of sizes from L3901 to MX5400, as well as the L4701. Here were some of the conclusions I reached _for my situation_:
In the end though, it was probably test driving the vehicles that sold me. Driving the MX5400 and the L3901... just had to have the MX5400. The L3901 also felt cramped for my body, I was even getting strange cramps while driving it becaus of the way I was positioned on it.
Good luck in your decision. I'm feeling good about my purchase, even though after upgrading the tractor _and most of the attachments_, I probably paid nearly $10k more. However I view it as a lifetime investment. I also think the MX5400 will have more staying power if I ever need to resell it. Probably the biggest attachment upgrade was the rotary cutter, going from 5' to 6'. I also went with heavy duty implements, vs the least expensive ones in my initial quote (blade, bucket, rotary cutter - all medium+ duty models), which contributed to the price increase. Of course you don't have to do that, but if the extra rotary cutter foot saves me an hour or two on my field, hey, why not. The tractor will have plenty of power for it.
Caveat, I'm a rookie, I know nothing, this is just the path I traveled for the big shiny new toys in my garage.
[Check your dealers, my nearby dealers had traded in MX 4800 and 5200 models - maybe you can save money there].
Of course my uses may differ. I considered the L4060 as in the progression of sizes from L3901 to MX5400, as well as the L4701. Here were some of the conclusions I reached _for my situation_:
- I was worred the L3901 (HST), with it's 32 or so PTO HP, might have been a bit thin for my needs, but it probably would have done the job.
- I was very worried about stability for my hilly environment. The vehicles get progressively wider and have varying tire spacing options, but fundamentally the MX5400 is 20% (!) wider than the L3901.
- Weight matters, I have a lot of "potential secondary goals" for the tractor, like logging (I have a lot of forest). The MX5400 is a stout machine compared to the L3901.
- The price differential between the L4701 and MX5400 was small. If you're seriously considering the L4701, I'd just skip it and move to the MX5400 which I feel is a substantially superior machine.
- Kubota dealers don't even keep new L4701's on the lot. It's an orphan, because of my preceding point.
- The Grand L models (3560 and 4060) were substantially more expensive, and less power than the MX5400, if I recall correctly (would need to reread my old comparisons). I do not need those bells and whistles. The last thing I want is to download spreadsheets from my tractor. (all that computer stuff in the grand L's).
- There's some peace of mind knowing I've purchased at least one level up from the minimum of what I need, my investment feels better ... future proofed ...
In the end though, it was probably test driving the vehicles that sold me. Driving the MX5400 and the L3901... just had to have the MX5400. The L3901 also felt cramped for my body, I was even getting strange cramps while driving it becaus of the way I was positioned on it.
Good luck in your decision. I'm feeling good about my purchase, even though after upgrading the tractor _and most of the attachments_, I probably paid nearly $10k more. However I view it as a lifetime investment. I also think the MX5400 will have more staying power if I ever need to resell it. Probably the biggest attachment upgrade was the rotary cutter, going from 5' to 6'. I also went with heavy duty implements, vs the least expensive ones in my initial quote (blade, bucket, rotary cutter - all medium+ duty models), which contributed to the price increase. Of course you don't have to do that, but if the extra rotary cutter foot saves me an hour or two on my field, hey, why not. The tractor will have plenty of power for it.
Caveat, I'm a rookie, I know nothing, this is just the path I traveled for the big shiny new toys in my garage.
[Check your dealers, my nearby dealers had traded in MX 4800 and 5200 models - maybe you can save money there].
OP
RonSwanson
Bronze Member
Im kind of leaning towards the L3560 after getting a quote. $2k less then an L4701. Obviously less power but the HST+ is interesting.
Dont know why my wife was looking or who she talked to or what but she was like we should get a New Holland Boomer 40 with a cab. They are cute. Lol.
Which actually isnt a bad suggestion. I was thinking I didnt want a cab because they add so much cost and I really wouldnt be putting a ton of hours on the tractor but might not be a bad idea.
Dont know why my wife was looking or who she talked to or what but she was like we should get a New Holland Boomer 40 with a cab. They are cute. Lol.
Which actually isnt a bad suggestion. I was thinking I didnt want a cab because they add so much cost and I really wouldnt be putting a ton of hours on the tractor but might not be a bad idea.
