Multiple Option

[Oliussw]

Hello group,

this is my first post but I’ve been reading a lot here and another forum for a few months. I recently purchased 6 acres for a home build My wife and three daughters currently live in town. The land has been cattle land for decades. It is about 4 acres pasture and 2 acres wooded. I have the following tasks to accomplish before we build later this year:

-Remove many trees, brush, and briars from wooded area.
-Move to brush piles and burn.
-Move cut and stack hardwood for firewood
-Spread fertilizer several times in pasture area
-Keep grass mowed
-Dirt work filling small wash and cutting in a driveway.

in the next 2 years I’ll build a barn and we will end up with ~50 fainting goats, a moderate garden, and possibly buy 5 adjoining acres that will need cleared.

Now to my question, I had narrowed my tractor selection down to a L3901 or finding a used L3560 open station. I want HST, 4x4, at least one rear remote and 3rd function for a grapple. What’s thrown me for a loop is the new L3902. I really would prefer the upgraded seat with armrests, brakes on left, independent pto, and more protective grille. They aren’t deal breakers but would be preferred. The rub is that who knows when I can get one. I want to purchase the tractor I will keep for 30+ yrs but also need one this spring.

My Options, as I see them, are to purchase an L3901 in stock at local dealer, wait for a L3902, or the wildcard purchase a JD 3032E with 1k hrs, loader, brush hog, box blade, and tiller from a friend for $20k to use this season and then sell it for what I paid and buy an in-stock L3902 when they come in.
what would you do?

 

[bdhsfz6]

If it were me, I'd buy the 3901 now and if you really want the added features, immediately order the 3902. You'll likely get all you paid for the 3901 in trade and, who knows, the way things are going, maybe a bit more.

Buying from a friend is never a good idea. Too many things can happen to ruin the friendship. Believe me, I know.

BTW, I would get 3 remotes right away. At some point, you'll be glad you did.

 

[jeff9366]

-Remove many trees, brush, and briars from wooded area.
-Move to brush piles and burn.
-Move cut and stack hardwood for firewood
-Spread fertilizer several times in pasture area
(Keep grass mowed)
-Dirt work filling small wash and cutting in a driveway.

Tractor capability for all except grass mowing are mostly related to tractor bare weight. Kubota L2501/L3301/L3901 are very close to the same weight.

An L2501 will power a 5' or 6' Finish Mower fine.

Some consider an L2501 fine for powering a 5' Bush Hog and other PTO powered implements, others find L2501 PTO power insufficient.

L2501/L3301/L3901 are fairly narrow tractors. If your land is flat or almost flat you should be fine. If your land is sloped or hilly research heavier, wider tractors.

I had narrowed my tractor selection down to a L3901 or finding a used L3560 open station....I want to purchase the tractor I will keep for 30+ yrs but also need one this Spring.

Rear wheel/tire spread is adjustable on Kubota L3560. It also has sufficient weight for six to fifteen workable acres.

When considering a tractor purchase bare tractor weight first, tractor horsepower second, rear axle width third, rear wheel/tire ballast fourth.

 

[Oliussw]

I should have mentioned, my land is mostly flat. There is a pretty steep pond dam that i will have to weedeat. I like the 3902 for the future but have doubts I can get my hands on one by the time I’ll need something. Going to try to get out to the dealer within the next week to see if they have any clue on timeframe.

 

[Rdrcr]

I’d suggest buying the JD3032E. Use it for a season, or two and then sell when you’re ready to buy the L3560. I’d skip the L3901/3902 for the tasks you’ve described above. Plus, I’d also suggest looking at the MX5400.

Mike

 

[Fallon]

I owned a L3200 & upgraded to a L4060 for the cab. The L4060 is definitely much more capable due to the weight. But an economy L will do all your tasks just fine except trees. The Grand L won't do trees much better though. Rent a mini-ex or something to dig out stumps or push them over. Then cut up logs & cleanup with your tractor.

I'd seriously consider the JD just because of the global supply chain fun. It may be your only option in a reasonable timeframe. If I recall it should be pretty much the same as an Economy L. Biggest differences are ergonomics that are only relevant to you.

A grand L is a nicer heavier machine, but the price tag is also heavier.

 

[Oliussw]

After a couple of visits to the local dealer, I’ve narrowed things down to a L3902 or L3560. My salesman was willing to listen to what I needed and I believe is trying to get me into the right tractor for me and not just sell something he had on the lot.
He suggested on waiting for the L02 over buying a l3901 he had on the lot because he thought the added features on the 02 will be much nicer and hold value a little better than the 01. He quoted $30,900 for a L3902 4wd HST. Suggested I install 3rd function myself and save $500 on what they charge.

However, I fiddled with a L3560 they had just gotten in on the lot and like the larger operator station (I’m a big guy) and have heard the HST+ is a real nice addition. Just for giggles, I had him quote it and it came in at $31,770 4wd hst with 805 loader.
I think the $900 difference is worth it for the grand but I don’t want to keep increasing the cost just window shopping. I tend to do that when researching a purchase.
Forgot to add, to deal with my timing needs he cut me a killer deal on renting out a 3301 for weekends until whatever I purchase if delivered. That will get me started on my land clearing and driveway project for the land.

 

[LD1]

I assume those prices are for the limited edition 3560.

They lack a few features of the non LE....but still way more deluxe than the 3901/3902. And you get the bigger platform.and much stronger loader.

My cousin is looking at the same machine.

Hands down the extra $900 is worth it just for the better loader and better hst that the grandL's have

 

[Oliussw]

I assume those prices are for the limited edition 3560.

They lack a few features of the non LE....but still way more deluxe than the 3901/3902. And you get the bigger platform.and much stronger loader.

My cousin is looking at the same machine.

Hands down the extra $900 is worth it just for the better loader and better hst that the grandL's have

Yessir, the LE group of grands.

 

[LD1]

Yessir, the LE group of grands.

Still a no brainer IMO. Get the grand. It's worth 4-5k more IMO based on the features you gain, larger frame machine, and much stronger loader