l4400 hst ......will it be reliable ??? How should i build my Kubota???

[roger 4400]

Hi all of you !! I would appreciate PROS. infos about the new l4400 HST. I NEED your infos, and knowledge because I know nothing about HST. Having a left hip problem I get tired very fast when plowing with my old geared tractor.
I will use the l4400 to cut my grass with a finishing 6ft mower (pto) +- 5 acres, plowing snow (400 ft driveway) and this year we had over 13 feet of it %%%?%%%? ......hAHAHA. Also i,ll use my futur l4400 to do some logging on either flat and hilly grounds but using a pto winch and always using my forest road that are nice ( will not get the tractor in dirty wood to protect all of the mechanic devises under the tractor with HST
BECAUSE of YOU (thank you all) I know that the l4400 is a basic tractor and simple mechanic and less computers...and it should suit my needs (light to carry from one land to the other but strong)
1) is it very RELIABLE (mechanic) and hard working ???
2) Downhill, will the tractor SLOW me if in low HST and a load pushing me ( average load +- 3000 pounds) ??
3) I want a quick attach bucket and a set of forks for the logs (good move ??)
4) Do I have to get the tire loaded ???I want it LIGHT for mowing but HEAVY to pull ( with a pto winch that lift the logs and the end of the logs on a *carry axel * will there be enough weight in the back???? and during winter for plowing I.ll have a snow blower or my 800 pounds cement block on the 3 points.??????) Do I need loaded tires??? because when on my trailer extra weight could be a problem ( 5,300 max. load) (tractor + loader + winch +forks I guess I.m near my limits) .
5) In U.S.A or other part of Canada what is the price of the folowing, I was quote $$29.000 for this set-up (looks expensive to me compared to you in U.S.A.)
L4400 Hst
Quick attach loader
extra hydraulic in the rear
Agr. tire (not filled)
Block heater
and a set of quick attach forks but those were not in the deal......

Thanks for your futur replies ( your knowledge is like ...........a reliable mechanic, pricelessssssssss.......Hahaha) Roger.

 

[N80]

I have had the gear model L4400 for over 2 years now and really like it. I cannot answer your questions about the reliability if the HST (I prefer geared tractors) on the L4400 but suspect it will be just as reliable as the HST on any other Kubota, which I am assuming is quite good. The L4400 HST is a new model this year so there will not be anyone with any long term experience with it.

As for your other questions, yes, a quick attach would be nice on the L4400 but it has a very standard link to the bucket and this might be a little harder than some other models....but maybe not. If the dealer offers it and you can afford it, then go for it.

Loaded tires? Yes. If you plan to use the FEL much I highly recommend loading the rears AND carrying some extra weight on the 3pt hitch. This will make the tractor heavier which is not good for mowing the lawn. Ag tires will also cut your lawn up pretty badly. Not an issue in fields, but it is for lawns. You could consider wheel weights but removing them every time you mow would be a pain. Simply putting ballast on the 3pt when you use the loader is an option, but after nearly 3 years of experience, I like loaded tires and ballast.

Your current trailer is not big enough for this tractor even if the tires aren't loaded.

 

[roger 4400]

Thanks for your reply George !
My trailer can take a load of 5,000 pounds ( I think I wrote 5300 by error) It is a 7K capacity the trailer is 2k so 5k as a possible load. In their spec. data, Kubota says l4400 weight (gear) 3153= 3200 pounds (not loaded)
loader is ???? 1000 (is it more)
pto winch 450 (mine)
forks ?? 250 (wild guess)
-------
nearly 5000 (4900)
but I could put the forks in my F250 without a problem........I know I.m at the limit of weight but just inside unless... Is the tractor weight more or I am wrong in saying that the loader and his frame is 1000 pounds is it a lot more ????? thank you . Roger

 

[FL4400]

Roger I would highly recommend that you do get the tires loaded, even with mine loaded the rear can get light with a load in the bucket.

 

[N80]

I would guess the loader is at least 800 pounds. Loaded tires on the L4400 adds another 800 pounds. Thats 3200+800+800=4800. Pretty much anything else you carry is going to put you over your limit. You could skip the loaded tires and have the winch on for ballast but that would still put you around 4300 pounds with nothing else included PLUS in my opinion you will still be too light for any sort of serious loader work. As FL4400 mentioned above, even with the tires loaded, the tractor is very bouncy with a loaded bucket. I keep a 500 pound box blade on the rear (plus my loaded tires) and that balances okay when the bucket is full.

I'm not a towing guru but the conventional wisdom (at least here at TBN) is that pushing the limits is not the best idea. Of course, a lot of that (in my opinion) depends on how much towing and how far you have to tow and where. Driving 55mph for 20 miles on the highway or country road a few times a month is a lot different from driving 150 miles on the interstate at 70mph or on busy suburban streets 5 days a week.

 

[roger 4400]

Ok you two..........you convinced me... Hahaha I,ll go with loaded tires you win ..... up to now....
thanks Roger

 

[N80]

Also consider that 1) if you don't like them loaded, it is very very easy to unload them (make sure you know what's in them of course) and 2) you can get them unloaded and it is really quite easy to load them yourself.

Wheel weights are another possibility, but they are pricey.

 

[daveinnh]

Roger:
We have an L4310 HST, ~ 7 acres of pasture and 800 LF of drive. The ag tires are loaded with Rimguard and it still feels tippy with a full bucket of wet sand, so I usually have either a implement on back or a 30gal. barrel w/ sand as ballast.

It's been reliable for me, only problem has been when parked facing downhill, the hood dumped rain water onto the battery and it grounded out. I believe Kubota redesigned the hood though.

Yes the HST slows the tractor down.

I bought a ATI "Quick-Tach" for the loader bucket and pallet forks. Next purchase will be a grapple.

I bought and installed a Curtis cab w/ heat - if you can afford, the factory cabs are a lot nicer.

Get at least 1, and maybe 3 rear remotes.

I put chains on the rear (tires slip on the sleet and ice we've gotten this year) make sure you tell the dealer that you want space between tire and fender. I've seen some tractor w/ R-4s that don't have any space there.

 

[roger 4400]

N80, Fl 4400 and Daveinnh thanks for the infos.

Fl 4400, is the engine reliable ?? I know there is as less computer as possible in that model, but I trust more mechanic parts than to much computers (to much wire, connections and possible corrosion.) I am right, thinking this way ??

If someone knows the PRICE of such a tractor ( as describe in my text).

The reason I ask that is that overhere in Quebec, dealers protect their territory... when you go or phone, they ask your address and postal code.........if you are in their *territory* they will quote you otherwise they tell you to go **see * the other one ==a good way to control prices....only way of negociation is that you make them believe you,ll go see for a Kioti.............SO what is the price in your region. thanks. Roger

 

[bjess8]

Roger
I do not know about your tractor but could you tell me where do you get the
winch and what brand and if they have a sight?
thanks

 

[Bob_Young]

Roger, the 134 c.i. 4 cylinder engine they use in the L4400 is quite common in the Kubota line and has been used in a number of tractors and at least one excavator. My L4300 has one and I like it a lot. Very easy starting, very smooth and doesn't use much fuel. I don't think you could make a better choice.

I have noticed that it does like to be worked hard, however. If I just putter around with it for a few weeks, especially in cold weather, it'll begin to use a little oil. If I then work it hard for an hour or so, it'll blow a little blue smoke at first, then settle down, and oil consumption will stop. I figure carbon builds up around the rings if it isn't being worked. It'll do plenty of useful work at idle speeds, but it isn't meant to be run that way

I'd go for the loaded rear tires for sure but, with Ag tires, it will definitely chew your lawn up.

Might be time to trade that 7000# trailer; I haul the L4300 on a 10,000# 20 footer. You'll need that if you take any implements with you. Whatever you use should have trailer brakes.

That price sounds quite high. I'd expect an L4400HST with FEL and your options to run $21K to $23K tops (U.S.D.) in this area.
FWIW
Bob

 

[roger 4400]

Hi BJESS8, the winch is a FARMI model 351 p ( P is for the back plate that help anchoring the tractor when you pull or push the logs). Farmi are known for their clutch that is ALMOST time proof. You can buy those at most tractor dealers or maybe on their site you,ll find a dealer near you. You can also use a bigger winch but the 351 will pull 7,000 pounds. Have a nice day. Roger

 

[N80]

Yes, I'd say the engine is among the best features of the L4400. It is very basic. No turbo. Mine starts easily, even when cold (run the glow plug for 10 seconds). Mine is nearly 3 years old, so it is still 'new' but I've not had a seconds trouble out of the engine. No problem with burning oil, yet. Loads of power for such a small tractor. Despite its light weight and small size, this tractor (4wd) pulls like a champ. Two bottom plow through unplowed clay, no problem whatsoever. Seven foot, 20" disk, disk harrow, with ease, even through deep, wet soil!

After these three years I still feel like the L4400 is a great tractor and among the best bang-for-the-buck machines of any make. There are a few minor areas where the L4400 has room for improvement.

1) The bucket. It has a basic two point attachment, which is fine, but when fully rolled back, it does not roll back very far. What this means is that when the loader arms are down low (the best position for traveling) the bucket is not level. It is slightly forward tilting which makes it so that it cannot be loaded as high because it spills.

2) Hydraulics. Nothing wrong with them. The loader specs are comparable or superior to similarly priced tractors of other brands. The 3pt hitch capacity, well, a comparable Grand L model (4250) has about 500 pounds more lift capacity 24" behind the lift point than the L4400. And you have to be careful about this spec. You have to look in the owners manual to translate what this figure means in terms of carrying an implement. For the L4400 the capacity at 24" behind the lift point is about 2300 pounds. However, the maximum weight for an implement that is carried by the 3pt hitch is 880 pounds. This seems a little low. At the same time, you have to examine what this means to you. For instance, a friend bought a heavy duty 6 foot disk (with 24" disks). I have no idea what this disk weighed but my tractor could barely lift it. It did lift it, but it was obviously straining. Or consider a John Deere medium duty 6' rotary cutter (MX-6) which weighs about 1000 pounds. Technically too large for the L4400 even though the L4400 easily has the HP to run it. A comparable Bush Hog is 940 pounds. For me, this has not been a limiting factor. My LX-6 cutter is light and easy to handle and all I need. The box blade (medium duty), no problem. New 7 foot disk harrow weighs about 800 pounds and is not problem even though it is pushing the limits in terms of weight. If you needed a heavy duty lift disk, you might be out of luck. If you needed a medium duty rotary cutter, you might have to resort to a pull type cutter (I have an old seven foot JD), it works fine but I never use it anymore.

That's about it. Otherwise, its all good. Lots of hp in a small, inexpensive package.

 

[roger 4400]

Bob, $23k would be a real deal overhere. About tires refering to your experience, loaded industrial could be better ( more resistant in forest, less lawn damage......but less traction in snow.....nothing is perfect but with 4wd I guess I would have enough traction, I,m using an old 42hp, 2wd no chains loaded ag tires and a 800 pounds cement block on the 3 pt and can manage ( exept 2 weeks ago, there was 3 ft of snow at the garage door.....I went forward 8 feet and the tractor still in the garage I had a 5ft wave of snow in front of me....I was stuck IN THE GARAGE ....Hahaha , used my small blower and a shovel to make a way for the tractor. $$?$/?$? You,re right about upgrading the trailer (mine is 18 ft, 7000 tandem brakes to all wheels). Thanks for sharing your time and experience.


George, I,m not in agriculture as you seem to be. Where I live it,s almost all forest, 60 acres only 5 acres of lawn. The mower is a Kubota 6ft finishing mower (550 pounds). When you talk about 880 pds, maybe it is the limit weight to keep enough weight to the front axel for riding control ??? Or it is really the safety limit anyway I,ll be carefull and follow your advise.
On my other land 100 miles up north, 145 acres of wild forest. I,ll log some trees on a carry axel ( logs are mostly supported by the axel *depends of lengt you let behind the axel, * and the other end are on the 3 pt winch, if it fells to heavy, I could put the winch aside and take a simple drawbar with a hook so this way I,ll be able to use all the 880 pds on the 3pt. Thanks for your advise and concern.

Thanks to both of you giving me some valuable and reassuring infos about the engine. (my tractor is 49 years old all mechanic and very reliable....but like me, going old Hahaha) (by the way I.m french talking ...so there might be some english error,,,sorry)..... Thanks for taking time sharing your knowledge. Roger

 

[N80]

George, I,m not in agriculture as you seem to be. Where I live it,s almost all forest, 60 acres only 5 acres of lawn.

No, I'm not in agriculture. I just plant some wildlife food plots and have a fairly minimalist approach to that. In all honesty I couldn't be a farmer. Its like anything else one might do as a hobby. Fun as a hobby, no fun when you depend on it for a living.

The mower is a Kubota 6ft finishing mower (550 pounds). When you talk about 880 pds, maybe it is the limit weight to keep enough weight to the front axel for riding control ??? Or it is really the safety limit anyway I,ll be carefull and follow your advise.

No, I don't this is weight distribution issue. Its in the manual. Two whole pages showing the limits of the 3 pt hitch and what the tractor can pull, etc. And to be honest, the specs you see on the marketing spec sheets are misleading in my opinion. You see a figure like 2300 pounds 24" behind the lift point and intuitively you'd think you could handle a 1200 or 1500 pound implement when in fact its 880 pounds. It think it is a little deceitful since the only way you can know this is by looking in the manual (or having an engineering degree). The spec sheet shows no such limit. Anyway, its not really my advice, per se. The tractor may be able to handle more than 880 pounds on the 3pt hitch; I'm just citing the manual. It is easy enough to balance a tractor to handle more weight in the rear (loader does a great job) but breaking the internal components of the 3 pt hitch could get real expensive.

 

[L4400]

FWIW, I run a 110" Befco finish mower behind my L4400 that weighs in at 1290 pounds and it lifts it up with no problems.