Buying Advice Looking to get first tractor

[jblac197]

The L3901 is a solid machine. How do you plan to move the snow? Blower or blade? Or just bucket? A blower will work great on it. A plow will also work good as long as it's not a ton of snow. Front blades like to spin tires and turn lighter tractors. I run a 6 ft wide blower on a similar size machine but a front blade would be nicer for the lighter snows. I just can't justify one because I also have an atv with a plow that Is much cheaper.

Hey thanks for all the information, all useful for sure! At this point I’m still on the fence really about this as one of the main uses will be to maintain the driveway from both a snow removal and grading it. How would the 3901 handle these tasks? I am ok with being out in the cold but want some opinions as to how this tractor will handle this as now we are hiring out the job in the winters and it isn’t cheap lol I would like to have a tractor the size of the 3901 but heavy like the 4060 but obviously sacrifices must be made as it doesn’t seem as that exists really. As for the financial aspect obviously less is better but I am one to buy once cry once and like to try to get it right the first time. The 4701 is kind of a odd ball in the lineup and as some have pointed out may affect resale so that’s something to think about. Also was thinking about offering my services to mow some overgrown fields to neighbors if I have a tractor so I’m guessing the 3901 would be competent at this task too .... sorry but I don’t have much real world experience and most say go bigger and it makes me wonder how capable these smaller ones are.

 

[newbury]

Welcome aboard "southerner"
I've got about 75 acres up south of Bakersfield and grew up in Underhill/Essex Junction so I know your climate and roughly your topography.

This is good information to have, I知 not really sure where to go now as to which model. I definitely need to have a place to store it and don稚 have a taller door....

What does this "store it" stuff mean?

Do you need a place to put it to protect from vandalism? Weather? Work on it?

Store other implements?

Do you plan on getting more acreage?

As Tractorable wrote:

A cab protects the tractor, its own garage in and of itself, protects all the controls from dust, moisture, ice/snow, rodents, etc. Since you live in Vermont, consider a cab tractor parked outside until you can afford a shed to put it in.

So if you you need a place immediately to work on the tractor you might want to look into a heavy duty Shelter Logic type shelter. And get a tractor big enough for your present and future needs without worrying about "garage door" openings.

 

[leningrad]

I don’t necessarily mind leaving a tractor outside but would prefer to store in a covered garage. Another concern is actual room on the tractor, I’m 6’2 and operated both the 3901 and larger L series in the 4760. Definitely more space on the grand L, it wasn’t uncomfortable on the 3901 but a 5-10 minute test drive isn’t the best way to gauge comfort I guess. Any 3901 or standard L users near my height that can give any opinions on comfort when using for work?

 

[TheMadOne]

I don’t necessarily mind leaving a tractor outside but would prefer to store in a covered garage. Another concern is actual room on the tractor, I’m 6’2 and operated both the 3901 and larger L series in the 4760. Definitely more space on the grand L, it wasn’t uncomfortable on the 3901 but a 5-10 minute test drive isn’t the best way to gauge comfort I guess. Any 3901 or standard L users near my height that can give any opinions on comfort when using for work?

I'm 6'2", wear a size 15 boot and am about 300lbs. I never felt that uncomfortable on the L3301, but I will say the extra room on the grand L is welcome, as there's finally somewhere to put my right foot.

 

[jblac197]

I totally get that. A new tractor is a huge investment. I would have a very hard time spending that kind of $ storing it in the elements. The sun is probably the worst, beating on the nice bright paint won't keep it bright for long. Even just having a canopy/carport type structure is better than nothing

I don’t necessarily mind leaving a tractor outside but would prefer to store in a covered garage. Another concern is actual room on the tractor, I’m 6’2 and operated both the 3901 and larger L series in the 4760. Definitely more space on the grand L, it wasn’t uncomfortable on the 3901 but a 5-10 minute test drive isn’t the best way to gauge comfort I guess. Any 3901 or standard L users near my height that can give any opinions on comfort when using for work?