Looking at a Rental return Kubota L4701 - I have a few Questions

[MtnViewRanch]

I agree as far as looking new, at least look before you purchase this return machine. In the long run I believe that you will be happier with a brand new tractor vs this one that you are considering.

Just my :2cents:

 

[doxford jim]

I have had used and new. I bought the used knowing full well that I would need to do work on it and did it. However, it was a 1959 MF65 and parts were getting hard to find, but it worked very well after me working on it. I bought a Chinese tractor new for about 1/3 of what I would have had to pay for a similar major brand. I do most of my own maintenance and repairs so it has worked out fine for me. I only put about 60 hours a year on the machines, so huge investments just didn't make any sense.
Like others have said, unless you can get a big break in the price of the machine, I wouldn't buy it. You can buy new for a little more and get credit which would allow you to get what you want.
The choice is yours to make - don't let the dealer talk you into something you might regret.
Good luck with your shopping.
jim

 

[All In A Days Work]

OK The rental return with the smaller tires is out. I priced a Boomer 50, WOW I thought Kubota's were Gold. They wanted another $10k for the Boomer.

I have found a used tractor I like, it's a little older but only has 310 hours on it. It is a 2004 Kubota Grand L4330. I'm going to call the guy today, he some other attachments I don't need.

Meanwhile I am going to continue to work with the Kubota dealer on a new one.

 

[LD1]

Might I ask what the intended uses are for the tractor.

Smaller tires = Lower COG which is nice for hills. But it also lowers ground clearance which isnt as good in the brush.

AS to mixing R4's and R1's, I would actually prefer R4's on the front. The fronts dont add a whole lot to tractor compared to the rears. So R1 vs R4 front traction isnt huge. But R4's are usually wider and alot stiffer. Both nice attributes for heavy loader work.

Again though, it all comes down to what the intended uses are of the tractor.

 

[All In A Days Work]

LD1, Mainly dirt work at the present time. I have kind of a long driveway, cut into the hill that is fairly rocky. We get a fair amount of sluf off of the hill, hence the back blade. Moving rock around, cleaning the horse pen and lifting heavy things.

I just don't want to have buyers remorse buying something that I can't put the stock tires on if I want to. I talked to the dealer yesterday and was told that the finder's have been cut where they mount and lowered so the lower profile tires are all that can be used on it.

 

[LD1]

How is the terrain where you are at? Any steep areas?

IF so, you may want/need the lower profile tractor. Lower COG is more stable on slopes, but less ground clearance in the brush. Its a balancing act. If you have no steep areas to worry about, then I wouldnt be looking at the modified tractor. But if you do.....

You could possibly see if the dealer can bring it out to your place and give it a test drive.

 

[All In A Days Work]

No side hill stuff to speak of but the driveway is a little step. I have rented many tractors over the years I never had a problem with the R4s.

I here what you are saying about the lower profile tires being more stable. And if it wouldn't be for the fact that if I was to get the rental return the lower profile tire is all that would fit. I just don't want to be tied to that tire..

It would probably be just fine I just don't want to take the chance.

 

[Grandad4]

The L4330 is a tried and true model. Since it's a "Grand L", it's a bit heavier and stronger than the low-rider you were looking at. With used equipment everything depends on condition, but the tractor could be a good choice if everything checks out.

 

[GManBart]

OK The rental return with the smaller tires is out. I priced a Boomer 50, WOW I thought Kubota's were Gold. They wanted another $10k for the Boomer.

I have found a used tractor I like, it's a little older but only has 310 hours on it. It is a 2004 Kubota Grand L4330. I'm going to call the guy today, he some other attachments I don't need.

Meanwhile I am going to continue to work with the Kubota dealer on a new one.

A Boomer 50 is actually an LS R4047H with a weaker loader. If you can find a new R4047H (they've switched to the XR series now) they run around $22K with R4s, FEL with SSQA, dual remotes, rear work light, 7-pin trailer connector, extendable lift arms and stabilizer bars, cruise, tilt, and horn.

The Boomer 50 I got a quote on was $31K or a bit more (it's been two years)...with the weaker loader :thumbdown:

 

[All In A Days Work]

Thanks to everyone for all of the recommendations, you guys did well on spending my money, LOL. I'm just about set on a buying a new tractor with Stock R4 Tires and Wheels, pretty much everything that was listed to start with. Except that I went with 3 remotes and I'm thinking of going with 1 spring center and 2 float valves. I upgraded the rear blade to the RB3784 with Hydraulic angle. Thanks to MtnViewRanch for the Pro Tip on both of those items.

Still deciding on rather to buy the top & tilt cylinders and hoses from the dealer $795.00 or buy them on my own.

Thanks to GManBart, I ordered both a part manual and a shop manual (I hope I don't need either for a long time). As far as an LS tractor goes I like the look of them but no dealer near by. I actually wanted a Blue tractor to start with but just couldn't swing any kind of deal from the New Holland dealer.

 

[bucktaker]

I would rethink the R4's if max traction what you need. Im still disappointed with the traction of my R4 but manage with 4wd. I came from a 2wd mf 35 R1 to L5740 R4 4wd. If I was to buy again It would be R1's and stay in 2 wd more frequently Also ask if new old stock units are available. I saved a bundle and itd how I got my L5740 a new 2008 bought in 2011 with .9 hrs on the clock with full warranty and fianicing

 

[All In A Days Work]

Thanks for the input bucktaker, It is very dry here, hard packed soil and kind of rocky. I have rented quite a few tractors over the years and I have never had a problem with the R4s.

I looked around four for an older model but they didn't have anything I liked. The L4600 which is a year old model to the one I'm looking at. Which according to the dealer sold like hotcakes when they came out with the tier 4 exhaust system.

Can't say that I'm looking forward to the tier 4 myself, I just hope its going to be ok.

 

[GManBart]

Thanks for the input bucktaker, It is very dry here, hard packed soil and kind of rocky. I have rented quite a few tractors over the years and I have never had a problem with the R4s.

I looked around four for an older model but they didn't have anything I liked. The L4600 which is a year old model to the one I'm looking at. Which according to the dealer sold like hotcakes when they came out with the tier 4 exhaust system.

Can't say that I'm looking forward to the tier 4 myself, I just hope its going to be ok.

I wouldn't worry about Tier 4...it's proven technology in other machines, and it's not like you're buying from a company that won't stand behind their product. Pictures or it didn't happen

 

[All In A Days Work]

My truck has all of the emission stuff and so far so good. My wife loves it as she doesn't care for the smell of diesel. I made the deal, so now I have to wait for them to get it all together. In the mean time, here it is just waiting for a little paint.

 

[coldfingers]

Nice tractor, ha! That will climb those steep driveways.

 

[All In A Days Work]

It's got it all. Scoop, rear blade, chains and even a weld on hook for lifting.

 

[Paul Thornton]

Could use a little air in that front tire.

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[wmonroe]

Looks like it's ready to go!

 

[grm61]

I wouldn't worry about Tier 4...it's proven technology in other machines, and it's not like you're buying from a company that won't stand behind their product. Pictures or it didn't happen

Time will tell...my 02....I think tier 4 on a agg machine that gets run HARD for hours at a time is going to fair much better than a tier 4 machine owned by a home owner, with short run times, and not getting the crap run out of it for extended periods....

I think I bought at the right time

 

[grm61]

I would rethink the R4's if max traction what you need. Im still disappointed with the traction of my R4 but manage with 4wd. I came from a 2wd mf 35 R1 to L5740 R4 4wd. If I was to buy again It would be R1's and stay in 2 wd more frequently Also ask if new old stock units are available. I saved a bundle and itd how I got my L5740 a new 2008 bought in 2011 with .9 hrs on the clock with full warranty and fianicing

Ground pressure.. the 17.524s on your L5740 offer to much flotation for the weight of the tractor IMO.
My DK 45 weighs as much as your L5740 I have R4s, 14.9 24s they are loaded and I get very good traction, I think this tire size is a better "do all" as a happy medium, between flotation and ground pressure=traction for this weight of tractor.

The big fatties look impressive , but don't always offer good performance on too light of a machine.