looking at Kubota 3130 or comparable JD - help!

Doug_Myerscough · May 2, 2005

I was at my local Kubota dealer the other day looking at a 3130 4wd with a LA513 loader and 5' box blade - he quoted me $17,111. First off, does the price sound reasonable?
I looked at several JD's also but the salesman was pretty stiff on the price, he cut me a little slack but not much off MRP - These are the only two dealers I trust in the area, we have a Kioti dealer not too far from here but I haven't heard much about them and I would feel better going with what other folks around here have told me about the reliability and good service departments at the JD and Kubota dealers.
I would appreciate any help anyone could give me on this stuff - I think I need between 30-35 horse to have enough power to do what digging and clearing I do - at the moment, my wife and I are building a seven acre sculpture garden (about three acres cleared) with golf cart paths through about 4 acres of heavily wooded area, a couple of houses, a greenhouse and a few other small buildings. I'll also be using this tractor to build small vacation houses on several other properties and to do a little mowing but mowing is not a big priority since even most of the cleared areas have more gardens planted than I can mow around with anything but a ZTR and a weed eater.
I have an old (antique) small IH that has a loader but the thing doesn't have much power, it needs to retire.

I would appreciate any advice on models that might be good for my situation. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

ronjhall · May 3, 2005

Welcome to TBN. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Price is good if it is for a L3130 HST.
Consider a LA723 FEL. It has more lift and height capacity than the LA513.
Check out this site for Kubota pricing. Click Here.
TBN members have gotten 10 to 15% off JD tractors from dealers that want to deal.
When dealing with the 2 dealers, it may worth a trip to the Kioti dealer and check out the CK30.

Doug_Myerscough · May 3, 2005

Thanks Ron - I'll take a look at the Kioti too - I see that you have a Kubota, have you had good luck with it? I was really impressed with them at the dealership, lots more bells and whistles than I expected in this price range. I'm not a guy who will be trading this in, I'll have it until it's dead before I buy another one so I want to make sure I get the best. The IH was the first one I ever bought (used) and it's lasted 25 years.

Bob_Skurka · May 3, 2005

I will agree & disagree with Ron. The L3130 with the 723 loader is really the beast of the barnyard, but I don't really see the Kioti CK30 matching up with the L3130/723 in terms of capacity. The 723 loader simply has so much more capacity. A DK35 might be a better match up to the L3130, it has more HP but the DK is a heavy duty class machine where the CK is more of a consumer grade unit. As for the John Deere tractors, take a look at the 4310. It is a 32hp tractor that I had the pleasure of playing with a few weeks back. Very nice. Lots of great design elements to make it very easy to work, and a lot of excelent ergonomic touches to make a long day in the seat a pleasure. I used to think the New Holland machines had the best designs, and in some sizes I believe they still do, but the JD4310 is a very nicely laid out tractor with a great design.

Jrrcorp · May 3, 2005

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gifYou'll probably be happy with either the Kubota or the JD. I looked at both last fall and went with a JD 4410 with a 430 loader, skid plates, hydraulic top link, xtra work lights, extendable lower arm links, etc. So I got all the options I wanted because like you, I had my Kubota L275 w/FEL for 25 years and this tractor will last me till I'm plowed under. The hydrstatic drive is really nice (after years of clutch work using the FEL and having a sore knee at the end of the day). Take the time to drive both and if possible arrange to actually work both. Then decide which one feels better to you. They are both great machines but have different features and control placements. This makes opperating them feel different. Of course it's all what you get used to but I found things on both models that I liked but more of them on the JD. It's personal preference so take your time and if it takes you 10 trips to the dealers before your comfortable with your choice then so be it. You don't want to have buyers remorse from being to hasty.

Doug_Myerscough · May 3, 2005

Thanks Guys, I'm going to take another trip down to the JD dealer and look at those models as well as the Kioti dealer. I've been reading some reviews on the Kioti's and they do seem to be worth at least some consideration.

ronjhall · May 3, 2005

I have been happy with my Kubota . I bought it is 2000. Had some problems with power steering. It was taken care of. Bought my first Kubota in the mid 80's. Sold the first one and a Farmall 340 that I had for over 25 years to buy the B2910.

travelingman · May 3, 2005

I have a Kubota L3130, and love it. It cuts my six acres of pasture without a problem and a change to a finish mower and it does the yard too. About to do the 50 hour service. I could not be more pleased. Am looking to keep it for 20+ years. Bought it in Henderson at Lowe tractor. Had the best price. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Doug_Myerscough · May 4, 2005

Well - I went back out to the JD dealer and also to the Kioti dealer. The DK35 Kioti was a darn good tractor for the money. The JD guy still want just about MSRP for everything so I guess it's between Kubota and Kioti. I'm just as confused as ever but I think either one will do a good job.

DK35vince · May 4, 2005

Tough choice ahead of you Doug.
The Kubota L-30 series tractors are darn nice machines. I like them.
I've had my DK 35 Kioti for 3 years now (500 hours) and its great. I have been real pleased with it.
Good luck in your search.