L4400 with logging winch?? Is L4400 big enough?

[stump]

Hi all:
This is my first post. What a great site. I'm wanting to draw on your experience so I can make a good purchase. I currently own a massey ferguson 245 (2wd) and use it with a Farmi 351 logging winch. I primarily use my tractor (and will use my future tractor) for winching and skidding firewood (5 cords/year), also for plowing my driveway. I want to replace this old tractor with a Kubota L4400 and am wondering if it will be enough tractor to do the job. My concern is with the 3ph and if the hitch will easily lift the winch and log ends for skidding out of the woods. I read on another tread that the max for 3ph lifting is around 800lbs (in owners manual), but the specs read over 2000lbs. I would like to know that the 3ph would lift the winch (450lbs) and lift log ends (some hundred lbs) over and over, for years and years, without straining 3ph or other parts. Is the L4400 the right tractor for this application? What about the geared model vs HST for this application? Thanks in advance for your replies, as I value the opinions and experience of those who can offer input.
Cheers,
Stump

 

[slowzuki]

I used my L5030 with a Farmi 501 winch for a spring to pull out the logs for my house. It worked fine, no trouble lifting the butts, I've seen even little B21's used no trouble.

The tractor weight is mostly needed for when logs get hung. I had to make sure I was careful with getting by stumps because the winch could pop the front of the tractor right up even with the loader.

I was always nervous of the top link too as I've seen pics of a L10 series Kubota with a chunk of casting pulled out. They sells a reinforcement bracket for 3 ph backhoe use that I was going to get. Never used the winch much after that spring.

 

[dex3361]

I have a L4400 HST and I use it as you described but i dont have a winch, I do leave a 7 foot box blade when I drag log It weighs about 600# and when I am just box blading I will add an extra 500# of weight to help it to dig in. I heard about the so called weak rear 3 point hitch an the l4400 but in use it works fine and it seems plenty strong enough for me. I bought the Kubota to replace a IH424 geared standard shift, because of the similar size and I could use all of my old implements. The HST is a great improvement for the type of work that I do which is mostly brush cutting, FEL work, blade work and mostly it is on rather steep hills. I would recomend that you get the QA Front bucket and consider the extendable lower arms for the 3 point hitch (trust me they are an option)It is also best to get the remote hydralics at the time of purchase..

 

[Bob_Young]

I have an L4300 and an MX5000 (predecessors of the L4400 and MX5100 respectively and rated the same). I'd recommend going one size larger to the MX5100 if you can swing it....but not because of any 3PH weakness. In fact the 3ph ratings on my two tractors are the same and are plenty strong. What's lacking in the L4300 and the L4400 is weight; they're just a little light for what you're planning.

While maintaining virtually the same external dimensions, the MX will give you more weight, power, toughness, FEL capability, ground clearance, and traction; not to mention Cat II 3PH capability. Its bigger tires will hold more fluid and its heavier front axle and FEL will do a better job of holding the front end down when you do load up the 3PH. Yet, it's just as manueverable in tight quarters as the L4300. You could definitely get a bigger, tougher tractor that would look better on paper if you went to the full sized M5040 or larger; but you'd lose the MX's ability to maneuver in the woods.

I think that 800# 3PH limit you saw in the owner's manual applied to implements like bushhogs where the implement C.G. is some distance behind the lift balls. A load far beyond the 3PH attachment points will exert a lot of leverage to lift the tractor's front wheels and effect steering and handling. The 3PH will really lift 3 times that amount; but if the weight is too far aft, the tractor will be hard to manage.

And like dex3361 said, definitely get the extendable lower link arms. They help A LOT (!).
Bob

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Look at the Grand L series, they have a heavier rear end and external lift cylinders on the arms instead of the rockshaft.

David Kb7uns

 

[shakin]

my friend has a grand l 3240 with a fransgard winch this thing gets some use. no problems with it yet. i will tell you i have heard him tell of lifting the front end or dragging the tractor backwards if you don't let go of the cord quick enough if the tree hangs up.

 

[easygo]

I'd suggest before you talk the man into buying a 95hp tractor look at what he is planning to do. Harvest 5 cords of wood and plow driveway. If those are the major tasks you have plenty of power and weight even with an L2800 or 3400. I haul 3 1/2 cords with my little B7510. The L4400 would yard out 5 cords in a short day.

 

[SouthernConservative]

I have a HST - Get it and also while you are at get the rear and front remotes - for just in case you decide to do something .... like build or buy a grapple..

 

[ChuckinNH]

I think if you use your head the L4400 will be more than enough tractor for the winch, and your plans. Actually, I have a little B, and had considered the smallest logging winch for mine. Obviously I couldn't bring out logging skidder loads at one time, but the blade on most of the winches I've seen lock the tractor in place for reasonable work, and the pulling point keeps the weight on the blade. These days, a lot of small scale firewood, and logging is done with ATV's, and using capstain winches powered by chainsaw motors. Several places sell break away pulleys that you can use with straps on trees to route the log you are pulling around obstacles, and I think a couple of them is a good idea no matter what size tractor you have.

 

[stump]

Thanks everybody for your perspectives. I feel better able to make a good choice after reading your posts. I'll see what's out there for used kubotas.
Cheers,
Stump