Necessary Attachments on the L3200?

[tractor88]

I am looking at a new L3200 and wandering which attachments are a "must have" and which ones are a "nice to have". This will be my first tractor so any help would be appreciated. Please let me know why you would consider any of these as must haves. I will be using the tractor for bush hogging, snow moving with loader, and food plots (discing, cultipacker, etc.)

Here are the ones I am looking at so far. Let me know if I missing something else.

STD ATTACH
1. 3pt turnbuckle stabilizer vs. Telescoping stabilizer $150
(Is this a must have? Some of the posts I have read indicate that telescoping is stronger and much easier to use)

2. Std loader 60" vs. Quick Attach Loader Bucket 66" $450
( I will not have forks or any other bucket attachments, Thinking this is probably a nice to have but I can always drop the whole loader off)

3 none vs. Ballast Box $450
(I do not have plans for heavy loader work, mainly snow removal and moving cut wood, etc. Is Kubotas ballast box a good choice at a good price?)

4. none vs. Crusie Control $200
(Is cruise control handy? What applications can you use this for?)

 

[Chilly807]

I have the standard turnbuckle adjusters, and like them. I backed the locknuts off and put a spring pin/hair pin through the end of the adjustment rod so I don't need a wrench every time (thanks K0ua for that idea!)

I wish I'd opted for the QA bucket, although the 60" is plenty for my use. Being able to simply remove the bucket gives you better visibility when mowing, etc. And you don't think you'll want forks now, or a bale spear, but things change over time. Makes for better resale value too.

With loaded rear tires, the ballast box isn't critical. If you don't plan to load them, get the box or something that weighs at least 500 lbs.

Cruise is very good for mowing on long runs. Your right foot cramps up after a while.

Sean

 

[kubotacres]

I have the standard turnbuckle adjusters, and like them. I backed the locknuts off and put a spring pin/hair pin through the end of the adjustment rod so I don't need a wrench every time (thanks K0ua for that idea!)

I wish I'd opted for the QA bucket, although the 60" is plenty for my use. Being able to simply remove the bucket gives you better visibility when mowing, etc. And you don't think you'll want forks now, or a bale spear, but things change over time. Makes for better resale value too.

With loaded rear tires, the ballast box isn't critical. If you don't plan to load them, get the box or something that weighs at least 500 lbs.

Cruise is very good for mowing on long runs. Your right foot cramps up after a while.

Sean

For me the telescoping stabilizers was a must. That what I've been used to on the Grand L and it was the first mod I installed on my L3200. I guess it's what you get used too. But they saved me alot of time and energy not having to mess with those dang turnbuckles...

 

[Slimson]

Definitely get the QA bucket. You may change your mind about forks later. I use the forks more than the bucket.
I use the standard stabilizers- don't really seem much trouble to adjust. I would rather put the money toward cruise.
As for ballast- I usually want some attachment back there anyway, so haven't built a ballast box yet. Would rather put the bucks toward filled tires.
I don't have cruise, but it looks like it would be handy to have as an option to foot control.

 

[DK35vince]

1) Telescoping stabilizers are much nicer to work with than turnbukles.
2) I would want the quick attach bucket.
3) Skip the ballast box and use the money towards a usable implement to hang off the back.
4)Cruise control is great for mowing open areas.

 

[94BULLITT]

1. I say put that $150 toward a quick hitch. You can hook up to a implement in less than a minute with one. If you don't want a QH then the telescopic stabilizers are nice.

2. The Skid steer quick attach is nice to have. Once you get a tractor you will probably want a set of forks. If you are doing a job in a tight are with the SSQA you can drop the bucket easily. It is cheaper to do now than later.

3. Alot of guys on here make a ballast out of concrete. You could make on cheap that way especially if you get the 1/2 price busted bags at lowes. That $450 would be a down payment on a box blade that would make a ballast plus a good implement.

4. I don't think cruise is that necessary, I never use it. I would probably use it if I took a 8 hour trip on the tractor:laughing:

 

[Bluegill2]

1 I have telescoping links on one and turnbuckles on the other. Both work fine.

2 I don't have the quick attach bucket and don't need it. I leave the loader off when not needed.

3 Get a heavy box blade for rear ballast. You should have rear 3pt ballast when doin Any loader work.

4 I don't have cruise and don't need it.

 

[jeff9366]

I have a Kubota B3300SU. At 33-hp and 1,800 pounds it is about the same horsepower as your L3200 on a smaller, lighter frame.

1. I think a telescoping stabilizers are superior to the factory turnbuckle stabilizers on the B and L series tractors. Open following link for short, informative, Stabilworks video:

Kubota tractor stabilizers Kubota [url]www.stabilworks.com - YouTube[/url]

2. I have the Kubota quick attach bucket option on my 54" FEL. Four months ago, while operating in thick brush, one of the Lynch/PTO pins securing the QA pivot pins was flipped out by the brush.The pivot pin gradually worked loose then fell completely out. I did not notice the bucket sagging 3" on the left side until I took a break for lunch, some time later. With only half the bucket supported the tubing frame between the Quick Attach pivots warped......$1200 repair. Fortunately I have Kubota insurance so my out of pocket was the $250 deductible. The Lynch/PTO pins have been replaced by 6mm machine screws and nylon lock nuts, so no longer "Quick Attach."

Go with the standard bucket. It should be as wide as your rear tires, or a hair wider.

( It is uncanny how Lynch pins and Hairpin clips escape.)

3. I do not own a ballast box. If I am going to pick up tree trunks that will challenge the loader, I hang my Wallenstein Chipper on the rear. It weighs 425 pounds and is a fairly compact load.

I have industrial tires on my rig. Tires are NOT filled. I run over residential lawns fairly often and do not want to mark them so I only add the Wallenstein as needed. At least on the B3300SU, one can pick up quite a lot with the bucket without the rear feeling light. I can fill my bucket with green oak firewood, NO chipper, and the rear is solidly on the ground.

If I need to transport a really big tree, I suspend it from an OMNI Hanging Tree and then I drag it. ( You can search OMNI here on TBN for more information.)

4. I like Cruise Control. I think I paid $35/? for it in February 2011. It comes as a kit the dealer installs. I regularly transport dirt and yard debris around a 200 acre residential development and cruise control is nice when trolling at 15 mph.

Two further (non-dealer) options I would recommend are bucket hooks and a Ratchet Rake.

I have Ken's bolt-on-bucket-hooks and I recommend them. Industrial art from Maryland, USA.

Ken's Bolt on Grab Hooks

I use my Ratchet Rake for removing brush and preparing plots. I bought my 52" RR at Tractor Supply for $299. There are a gazillion posts on TBN for Ratchet Rake; search.

 

[jimbo64]

nothing is a must have unless you have some jobs for it-otherwise they just take up barn space-so buy your implements based on what you need to do------a lot of them can be picked up reasonable from people who thought they needed them and then didn't use them.--------

 

[tractor88]

Thanks for all the feedback. The Pats Easy Change Quick Hitch looks pretty handy. Would it still be beneficial to get the telescopic stabilizers with this?

 

[94BULLITT]

The telescopic stabilzers would be nice with pats. If you did not have them the lift arms will fall in and not be the right width for the implement.

 

[jeff9366]

I want to SECOND above comment from Roger/94BULLITT, above.

When backing up to an implement to attach it, without some means to hold the lift arms in a spread position about as wide as the draw pins you want to slip the lift are 'eyes' onto, arms want to snarl on some part of the implement. Before ordering telescopic stabilizers from Stabilworks I used rebar, pounded into the dirt, to stake the tractor lift arms at the appropriate width. It was a pain, but effective. Also, I often lost one or both of the hairpin clips which secure the stabilizer turnbuckles on the B3300 (but not on all Kubotas), which was also irritating.

Telescoping stabilizers making changing equipment much easier. I have a Pat's Easy Change System here but once I installed telescoping stabilizers Pat's seemed redundant so I still have Pat's adapters in the packaging. I may install Pat's yet......one-of-these-days.

Like riding a two wheel bicycle, it takes time to figure out the optimal technique for hanging each piece of equipment on the 3-pt hitch.

You will find connecting the PTO shaft to the tractor, on PTO powered implements, ALWAYS a trial.

 

[Gerold]

I got an L 3200 last winter and love it. I don't have any problems with the turnbuckles. Get cruise control, it's handy. The quick attach bucket is good. I just bought a QA grapple and love it. Beforehand though I would take the bucket off for visibility or maneuvering in tight spaces. Ask the dealer to fill the rear tires (mine doesn't sell the front loader without filling the rear tires). $450 for rear ballast seems to be a waste. Look on Craig's list for a useful implement for that price - box blade, scraper blade, York rake, rotary cutter,... An implement + filled tires is plenty for loader work. If you buy implements new from the dealer you might get a package price and can finance as part of the tractor purchase. On the other hand buying used from Craig's list might get better quality or price. Depends what you need/want.

 

[jeff9366]

Two further (non-dealer) options I would recommend are bucket hooks and a Ratchet Rake.

I have Ken's bolt-on-bucket-hooks and I recommend them. Industrial art from Maryland, USA.

Ken's Bolt on Grab Hooks

I was out in the woods today and snapped some fresh bolt-on grab hook photos.

Note that I have one bolt-on grab hook attached to the cross drawbar for pulling logs which might strain the FEL. Sorry third photo is not all that good......

I have used and occasionally abused Ken's hooks but they have NEVER loosened nor deformed.

No implement on the 3-Pt. Hitch. Tires NOT filled. With this decayed wet log on the FEL the tractor rear felt a little light.

Payne's aluminum debris forks are visisble in photo #1 + photo #2.

 

[bironacad]

An extra set of hydraulic outlets for when you want your hydraulic top link, or tnt or grapple................ :thumbsup:

 

[Slimson]

" pivot pin gradually worked loose then fell completely out. "

I'm under the impression that the B3300SU has a different quick attach than standard skid steer type.
I wonder if the design is more susceptible to this kind of failure. The quick attach on my L3200 seems very secure. Could you post a picture of your quick attach?
Wouldn't want the OP to get a bad impression if it's not the same type.
Here's the SSQA I'm referring to:

 

[jeff9366]

Below photos show Kubota factory Quick Attach mechanism for LA504 FEL which is standard on Kubota B3300SU tractor/loader package.

Operator should just have to remove security pins from four pivot pins, pull them, and nudge the bucket off with the joystick control.

I had the experience where one of the lower security pins flipped out, allowing the left, lower, pivot pin to drop out. Then bucket support frame warped so replacement pivot pin could NOT be inserted.

Offending pivot pin is also picutured, last. I found it a week/$1,200 later, where I had been working. So glad I have Kubota insurance. My out-of-pocket was $250, bad enough.

Now the four pivot pins are secured with 6mm machine screws and nylon lock nuts. Downside is bucket is no longer Quick Attach.

If I had it to do over I would have stayed with the standard, NON-QA, bucket as I have never removed the bucket during first year of ownership.

The four QA pivot pins are exposed to dirt/dust. I lubricate them with graphite.

 

[Slimson]

Thanks for the images.
I never paid attention when I was looking at a B3300SU, just remembered the dealer saying it was Kubota's version.

 

[RobertN]

TnT! I made Tnt setup on my old Kubota B series; it was the Cat's Meow. Awesome! I used it all the time.

Since I got the newer larger tractor(used), TnT has not been in the budget. And I miss it. A lot...