Keith, I'm gonna argue in favor of the
L4300 (or its apparent successor, the
L4400) because I just got one. Like you, I'm totally comfortable with gears and consider things like dual remotes valuable for what may come. If I've got 'em, I'll be more likely to find a use for them. If I have to buy them after the fact and install them, that's just another barrier to exploring a new use for them.
Though sharing the same engine, the
L4300 is not quite the machine the
L4330 is. As you noted, hydraulic pump capacity is less (6.4gpm vs. 9.4gpm). One consequence is that the
L4300 will not handle the
L4330's LA853 FEL. Instead the
L4300 uses the LA682 FEL which nearly duplicates the LA723 loader used on the
L3830 and smaller Grand L machines. I was concerned about that when ordering but went ahead anyway. The difference between the loaders, to quote just one spec., is a lift capacity at bucket center of about 1500# for the LA682/723 as compared to about 1870# for the larger LA853. I doubted the significance of this at the time and still do. Unless rear ballasted at the 3pt. to the tune of close to 1000#, I suspect a 1500# bucket load would stand the tractor on its nose.
Maybe more significant for your application is the availability from Kubota of standard skid steer quick attach fittings on the Grand L series FELs. The LA682 has, as an option, a proprietary Kubota quick attach for which only a limited number of loader attachments are available. Aftermarket skid steer quick attach addapters are available for the LA682, but they are heavy and expensive. I ultimately went without any type of quick attach as it made the Brush Claw I bought with the tractor a much simpler installation.
The bells & whistles of the Grand L series can make ownership and operation more pleasant, no doubt, but what I wanted was a workhorse. With the
L4300, I think I got it. It's not so pretty, expensive or sophisticated that I'll be afraid to work it.
FWIW, I'll quote what I paid off the invoice:
L4300DT w/R1 tires $12930
Block Heater $ 65
Loaded rear tires $ 250
LA682 FEL w/L1790 66" bucket $ 3665
L8408/L8410 Dual Rear Remotes $ 885
------------
Total $17795
I didn't pursue it far, but going
L4630 w/HST and LA853 FEL probably would've added $6000 to the above....more than I wanted to tie up.
There was a sales incentive on the
L4300 that was in force on the day I ordered it (9/30/04). I was told it would save me around $2000. Because of that, I moved a little quicker than I might've. If it's not still available, you might have trouble duplicating these prices. But that $2000 meant alot to me. With it I was able to buy the Brush Claw for the bucket and a Woods HBL84 rear blade with skid shoes. Kubota was probably trying to clear out the
L4300 inventory before bringing on the new
L4400.
From what information I have, the new
L4400 has a few advantages over the
L4300. It's a bit heavier, for one and has a longer wheelbase. More importantly, it has a more convenient transmission arrangement that'll make shuttling with the loader a bit easier. It also has 4 reverse speeds as opposed to 2 for the
L4300. It's essentially an updated
L4300.
If you can get the incentive prices for the
L4300, it's definitely worth looking into. If not, you might want to wait for the
L4400. By spring they should be readily available.
I've noticed, on this forum, that the consensus of the regulars is generally to go top-of-the-line. It's nice if you can afford it, but knowing what people successfully farm with around here convinced me it isn't necessary. Besides, among neighbors and family, I didn't want to become known as the one with the Yuppie tractor /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
Bob
