New buyer, there is a lot to consider, need help

[grwoolf]

I am a first time tractor buyer. I’m leaning toward Kubota at this time. I like the local Kubota dealer and will probably go that route if I can work out a fair deal. I still plan to at least look at JD and NH before buying to make sure I have seen some other options.

How I’ll be using the tractor:
5 Acres, mostly flat, lots of rocks on 1/3 of it.
Primary use over the next 2 years is grading and spreading dirt, moving rocks, brush hog(would like 5ft), installing gravel driveway, putting in yard, landscaping. At some time in the future, I would probably get a pull behind finish mower to mow a couple acres.

Based on this, my primary concern is grading and FEL capability, and max HP for brushhogging.

I definitely want hydro drive, have rented tractors and backhoes many times and love this feature.

Right now, I am trying to decide between the L3400HST and the L3130HST with FEL. I would get the upgraded loader on the L3130. The L3130 is about $2k more.

Here is my current assessment:
L3400HST
Pros
-Price (save $2K)
-More Power at PTO (3.5 more)
-Lighter for Mowing (won’t tear up yard as bad)
Cons
-Jerky 3pt (I have read about this, will try out before going with this tractor – I don’t mind as long as I can precisely control a box blade
-Weaker/smaller FEL
-PTO? – not sure about this

L3130
Pros
-Stronger/Bigger FEL (one foot wider and 600 pounds more lift)
-Extendable Lower Links
-Very nice 3pt features and operation
-Seat, Ergonomics, quieter, etc. – not big deal to me, but worth something
-PTO - ? not sure if this is better, but hydraulic, independent

Cons
-Price (extra $2k)
-Power (probably good for 5ft brushhog, but not great)
-Weight (700+ pounds heavier – probably good for FEL and brushog work, but maybe a bit heavy to mow with)

What am I missing?

I am in $ creep mode on this. I started thinking maybe I could find a used tractor for $12k, then figured for a few grand more go new, another grand gets more HP, a couple more I can get the bigger FEL, etc., etc. I don’t want to overbuy, but don’t mind spending the extra $ if there is value.

Any advice/guidance anyone has would be appreciated. I also have a few other questions on these machines I hope someone can answer:

The L3130 FEL has an option for Skid steer quick release on the bucket. I assume this means I can use attachments for a skid steer. I think this is pretty new for Kubota, can anyone comment on this feature? What would be involved if I wanted to add hydraulic connections for a grapple hook or something. Is this possible? What would the cost be?

Tires – I am planning to go with the standard Ag tires, but will probably want to mow some day. Are the ag tires terrible for mowing? I imagine the industrials are better, but this is another $650, and I am already blowing my budget. If I want to switch to industrial tires later, do they go on the same wheel or is it a different diameter/width?

Can anyone explain the difference in the PTO’s between the L3400HST and the L3130? The 3400 says it is Live, continuous running and the L3130 is Independent. Does that mean the 3400 is controlled by engine speed while the 3130 will run at 540RPM at various engine speeds?

I am also looking at buying the Kubota Canopy for shade. It is like $350, but this is a lifesaver in the Texas summer sun. I don’t mind spending the money if this is well made, but wanted to see if there are any problems with this. I may need to fold down the ROPS to get into my garage, but the dealer said this is not a problem with the canopy and that it faces backward away from the tractor.

I am considering getting my tires filled with the goop to seal punctures. This dealer wants $200-$400 depending on the product, but it seems like a good thing long term. Any advice?

I am also thinking about a toothbar and it looks like the people on this site really like Markham welding, so I plan to go that route.

Is there anything else I am missing that is a must-have?

Thanks for any feedback or advice. Sorry for the long post, I probably should have broken this up into more than 1.

 

[ByronBob]

Welcome,

I can't speak for the tractors you mention but do you really need such big tractors for 5 acres? And how big are these rocks?

Foam filling the tires is a preference to most people. To save a little money try without doing it and see how it goes. If you get flats all the time then fill them at a later date.

Markham does a top notch job for a fair (cheap) price. The toothbar is sweet.

Did you look at the B series?

 

[txdon]

I have not compared the two tractors but the L3130 is similar to my L5030 and I bought it from Lanford in Austin. My manual covers the 3130. I'll try to answer a few of the questions.

The 3130 is rated to handle a 6' mower.

The skid steer attachments, for example Bobcat, can fit on the Kubota skid steer loader type attachment. I got two dealer installed remotes when I bought the tractor and ran a hydraulic hose to the front loader arm to connect to the Bobcat grapple bucket. Two remotes are expensive another thousand $, but are invaluable for box blade TnT work.

Last year Lanford had the Wells AG canopy which is very well made. I have one and is absolutely necessary for the Texas heat. It makes tractor work in the afternoon a JOY.

I got my tires filled with the multi seal. I have 40 acres of mesquite and have had no flats.

I have the industrial tires - They are wider so I am assuming the wheels are different. Wider is better in the sand for me.

The PTO is dependent on the engine speed on the L3130, but because of HST the ground speed is not.

Maybe some others will be able to answer your other questions. See you around!

 

[Bob_Skurka]

For 5 acres, I would look at a smaller tractor. The 2 you are looking at will be GREAT for your initial tasks for the first year or two. Both will be sub-standard for finish mowing a 2 acre yard. I'd downsize one notch and take a look at the next size down. A B3030 would do what you need, it would handle a lighter bushhog. It would be much better suited to your LONG term needs. It would be GOOD for the initial tasks for the first year or two, it would be GREAT after the property is tamed.

In the New Holland line take a look at the TC29 or TC33 (both are the same frame, they are ONLY diffent in the engine, the 33 has a few more ponies). These 2 models are in between the B3030 and and the L3130 in size, weight and capacity.

I'm not sure what JD has at about 28 to 30hp as they seem to be adding and dropping models now. Their old 32hp 4310 was a real beauty of a machine, but a bit larger than I'd suggest for long term, it is being phased out now. I'd probably look one size smaller for a long term use.

I think one thing to consider is that you have the need for 2 different tractors here. Tractor #1 is for the first 2 years. Tractor #2 is for years 3 to . . . I strongly consider you look at a compramise tractor. Find something that is NOT QUITE as big as you'd like for the first two years, but not TOO BIG for years 3 to . . .

Just my thoughts.

 

[grwoolf]

Thanks for the feedback. I absolutely understand that I really need one machine now and will have different needs later. I was orignially looking at the B3030 and B7800, but I just can't imagine being happy with the FEL performance on these. Both of these machines weigh under 2000 pounds. I have been renting skid steers and full sized back hoes for the last 9 months. I know that none of the B or L tractors will move material like those machines, but I still see a big different between the B's and L's just in terms of weight and the capacity of the FEL. In looking at the size/weight of these machines, the L just does not look very big to me and the B's look tiny. Maybe I'm underestimating the B3030.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I don't think you are misunderstanding the B3030, it is light and far lower capacity than the L3130. That is sort of why I suggested the TC29/33 to you as an in-between machine because you indicated you wanted to check out New Holland. Compared to renting full size back hoes, an L series will seem small, but when that 2 acres becomes a lawn with flowers, shrubs and ornamental trees planted in it, the L will seem pretty large & heavy for mowing that area.

 

[grwoolf]

I will definitely check out the New Hollands. Thanks for the info.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Don't forget the other brands near you too! Personally I think many of the machines out today are pretty darn good. I also think the dealer support is pretty important, a great machine from a lousy dealer can give you more grief than its worth, and a lousy machine from a great dealer isn't a bargain either. See what fits you best, see what you like, try the brands in your area and see what dealer seems to treat well, who can offer you support, and see what tractor will match most closely to your overall needs. The price, while important in the decision making process, will fade with time, and a bargain price up front will haunt you forever if you buy the wrong tractor. Find the best fit (machine size, dealer comfort level, machine layout, etc), regardless of brand, buy that one. You will be happiest with that tractor over time.

 

[grwoolf]

I am going to look at other options, especially the NH and JD, since there are dealers reasonably close. It really suprises me that there is such a lack of options in the Austin area. There are no Kioti or Mahindra dealers and you have to go about 30 miles from my work/house for a John Deere or New Holland dealer. This isn't a huge drive, but still a bit of a pain in the butt for service, maintenanace parts, etc.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Personally, I wouldn't go too far for a dealer, it gets to a point where you almost have to have a trailer and a truck to haul the tractor back & forth for service, being close to a dealer often means pick up & delivery is free or at least a very modest cost. And when you factor in the price of trailer or the price of pick & delivery to a dealer, plus time investing (actually time lost) hauling it back and forth then the total cost of ownership begins to really climb. I like to deal locally for service, but I am lucky, I have all of the Big 3 brands within 8 miles of my house.