L4240 vs MX5100.. tough choice..

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

hi guys, how much is a gallon of Diesel in the USA?

In Australia we are sold diesel by the Litre of which there seem to be 3.78 Litres per gallon, so if CODE54 is correct at using 10 gallons or 37.8 ltres over 7 hours = 1.42 gallons per hour or 5.4 litres @ $1.35 per litre = $7.28 per hour will be my fuel cost.

WEEKLY DIESEL PRICES REPORTwww.aip.com.au/pricing/facts/Weekly_Diesel_Prices_Report.htmCached - Similar
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Week Ending 12 February 2012 ... the data for international crude oil and diesel prices is supplied by Platts ... Cents per litre (A$), TAPIS CRUDE OIL, DATED BRENT CRUDE OIL, GASOIL ... Melbourne, 135.7, 135.6, 135.6, 135.8, 136.2 ...

 

[kleetus]

4.00 ish here for a gallon in Oregon... this isnt off-road diesel though, which is cheaper.

 

[Code54]

We are right around $3.96 here, off road is a shade less

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

Thanks guys, our government has a high tax on fuel so it looks like your prices are cheaper than ours by about $1 per gallon.

Can anyone give me their opinion on how effective the L3800 BH 77 is when digging up roots or ditches as it transpires that i can get an L3800 HST with Kubota BH 77 but cant get the BH 92 on both the L4400 or MX5100 due to local safety concerns and we wont know for couple more weeks more if their BH 92 will be legally be able to be fitted to each.

We have so few choices here in Australia so might have to go for the L3800 with BH even if i dont really want it. MX5100 is my favourite and dealer is suggesting i hire a BH which is not my fav idea.

Has anyone ever had any of the shafts bend on their BH's before? What if any are the maintenance issues with BH's which if there are then hiring might be a better option.

 

[Code54]

I have not used a hoe on the L3800 but did own a L3700 (same as the L3800 but 1hp less and different hood - sort of last years model)
Just so you are aware there is a LARGE difference in the machines. Not that the L3800's are bad, they are not, there great, just much light and a lot less power/lift/etc... I can do a LOT more with the 5100 and do it a lot easier than I could with the L3700. Lifting and moving stuff is far far more stable as the 5100 can be set MUCH wider and really helps on the hills and slopes. I don't mean for anyone to think I am putting down the L3700/3800, I am not, but they are in two different classes and before you buy make sure it is easily able to do what you need. I made that mistake and bought to small (L3700) and sold it a year later to get what I should have bought in the first place (MX5100). Not the tractors fault, all mine!

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

You seem to be answering my questions CODE54 as usual...lol Dont know what i would be doing if i did not have you guys on TBN.

Any one else have any info on BACK HOES ?

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

oh by the way, what was the fuel use difference with L3800?

 

[Code54]

The L3700 was better on fuel but I really have not done enough with my 5100 to give you a real good and fair estimate yet. I do find I run the 5100 at a LOT lower RPM to do the same work she grading and moving material around. Plus I can do more work with the 5100 in less time than the 3700 so that needs factored in also. Say the 5100 uses 1.25x the fuel, but if it does the work quicker it is not running as long so less overall fuel is used (Hope that example makes sense).
I would guess at this point I run about 25% more fuel but that is a very rough estimate and I am not factoring in may things that could be applied to the equation. Plus I am also doing things I could not even do with my 3700 so the slight increase in fuel is minimized by that fact alone.
Good luck in your search!!

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

Thx Code 54, your pretty much cementing my view of the choice I should make.

 

[catskinner]

are there any other tractors I should consider around that price point? 21-27k for base tractor.

as far as what I will be using it for.. I have a 272 acre ranch, mostly wooded, 12-15 acres that will need to be mowed, lots of trees that need removed and dirt that needs moved. elevation is 2500 feet so there will be snow. probably wont be growing any crops.

is there another I should consider?

Massey's MF 2635. I'm on the same road as you. Myself I like simple and powerful, although I found a cabbed McCormick That is real nice.