MX4700 or L3940?

[mkane09]

Hi all:

I'm about to purchase a new Kubota, just not sure which one. I have a L2800 now and love it, just not enough tractor. I have 25 acres, mostly wooded, hilly to steep. I've had about 4 acres cleared for pasture and hope to build a house, pole barn, and horse shelter. My tasks for the new tractor include cutting an adjacent field of 3-4 acres (mature pasture), fertilizing/seeding my newly cleared land, maintaining a 1400 foot drive, setting 160 posts for horse fence. Also, I want a grapple for the front of my new tractor to deal with a massive amount of downed trees. Eventually, I'd like to cut a horse trail to the top of my ridge, about a 1/4 mile each way. I'm about to have a pond built, which will be contracted out, but I'll deal with the trees taken down for the pond.

So, which machine? Regardless, each would have HST and an extra remote for the grapple, R-4s, FEL. I can buy the L3940 from Barlow's for $500 more than the MX4700 (cash deal $23,500). Both have plenty of loader capacity and 3-point hitch capacity. I most likely will not be dealing with round bales, but each would handle it anyway. What about resale 10 years from now?

Thanks for your help in spending my money!!!

mkane09

 

[Grandad4]

Tough choice... they are both really nice machines. Many people rave about the L3940 as a well balanced and well sized machine. Kub probably does not sell as many of the MX machines, but almost everyone who has one loves it just as much. The L is more "up-market", with some refinements that make it easier to use, while the MX is a more basic, hard-working unit with fewer of the bells and whistles.

The biggest functional differences are 1) more hp for the MX, and 2) basic 3 range HST on the MX vs. new generation 3 x 2 range HST+ on the Grand L. Either one is going to have your chore list more than covered, so you'll need to decide if you want more hp or more hi-tech features. Spend some time on each and see where your comfort zone might be. Personally, I could get on either one and be completely happy.

 

[TripleR]

Pretty much agree with Grandad4. I looked at all of them and went with a Grand L as I like the bells and whistles; just depends on your priorities.

 

[Big Bri]

If your looking at the mx4700 you should also look at the mx5100. I think it is only about $1000 more, you get more hp, and telescoping lower link with solid stabilizer bars instead of chains. This will help you when hooking up different implements. I would also go with the MX line if your are going to do a lot of loader work as it has a much beefer front axle.
I'll be honest i don't know what the other "bells and whistles" are on the grand series tractors, so i don't know if i'd miss them.
Good luck with your dissension.

 

[rjkobbeman]

I don't have advice on those specific machines, but I do suggest taking a look in the rear of any tractor you are considering. One I thing I noticed when I was tractor shopping is a big difference in 3 point hitch components. Some look more substantial than others. Some have external lift cylinders and some have internal. I don't know how the internal mechanism works, but they don't look as tough as the external. I could be way off base here, but it was my perception. The lift cylinders are just one example. There are a lot of components back there to compare.

 

[PHILIP8N]

I have been very satisfied with my L3940 HST-2. Main duties are keeping drive cleared of snow, finish mowing, plus every other odd job I can think of; plus other jobs that people think of who knows I have a tractor, but that's okay. Best advise given so far is get a little seat time on both and think of what you need for the future. Philip.

 

[Grandad4]

Philip, I don't mean to get this thread off topic, but have to ask how you are managing with both the front blade (pic #2) and the FEL (pic #3) on apparently the same tractor. Are you adding/removing the FEL mounting assembly each time you change? That's a pretty major changeover!

 

[PHILIP8N]

Philip, I don't mean to get this thread off topic, but have to ask how you are managing with both the front blade (pic #2) and the FEL (pic #3) on apparently the same tractor. Are you adding/removing the FEL mounting assembly each time you change? That's a pretty major changeover!

The FEL has its own seperate bracket on the left and right side, with bars running back to connect to the rear axle. Most of us are familar with this.

The quick-attach sub frame attaches to the tractor via front bolt on mount (shown), side mounts, and drawbar mount. With this quick attach sub frame you can attach front blade, snow blower, or rotary broom.

Either one is fairly quick to remove and install with the aid of hydraulics and quick attach pins, but you can't use both at the same time. No brackets are removed or bolts turned when changing from one to the other. This is a benefit of the Grand L tractor that you may not find on other models.

Philip

 

[Grandad4]

But you have to remove the left and right FEL brackets to use the front blade, right? That was what I was calling the "FEL mounting assembly" . Please forgive my knoweldge gap if Kub has changed the design so it uses pins instead of bolts, as on my older L machine. It does kind of remind me of putting the cultivators on a tractor back in the day. No criticism intended... if it works for you, great, but it kind of surprised me.

 

[PHILIP8N]

But you have to remove the left and right FEL brackets, which are bolted to the frame and axle, to use the front blade, right? That was what I was calling the "FEL mounting assembly" Pardon any confusion in terms, but unbolting those brackets, which are quite heavy and must be torqued to specs when installed, just seemed to be a major changeover. Kind of reminds me of putting the cultivators on back in the day. No criticism intended... if it works for you, great, but it kind of surprised me.

No, You do not have to remove ANY brackets bolted to the tractor to switch from fel or front blade. The large fel brackets on the side stay on all the time. The pic with the front blade was taken last fall. I got the fel this spring. I dont have any pics of the front blade mounted with fel brackets in place, but trust me, you do not have to remove them. Philip.