Buying Advice New L3700SU

[gatrs4u]

Wow what a decision one has to make but I did it...now the proud owner of a new L3700SU...I will post pictures after its delivered...My question for y'all is what type of pto mower should I buy...I have about 5acres to bushhog...After looking at many used ones I've decided to purchase a new one that will cut my land...Thanks for any advise y'all...

 

[hawkeye08]

We bought a used L3130, I think a similar frame size to the L3700SU, but less hp. It has R4 tires and the way it came it is 72" wide at the back tires. This is the process that I went through,

I looked at 3 options,
1) flail mower. I was not sure my tractor could handle the 72" one, so I would have to offset to cover at least one wheel track. Safest choice around people and animals as it does not send rocks flying like bullets.

2) rotary cutter/mower. guideline is 1 ft per 5hp. I have 24-25 pto hp, so really a 5ft would make sense, again the tractor width vs the implement. It is a lot of weight hanging out back there.

3) rear finish mower. It sets a bit closer to the tractor and is lighter than the rotary mower.

We ended up buying a new Land Pride RFM 72". It works excellent and I mowed hillside areas that would have been difficult with the rotary (because of the backing and goher holes). We're very happy with our choice. You could probably run (I'm not the expert) all 3 in at least 72" widths, maybe 84" with the finish mower with the pto hp you have. The owners manual has some limits for the implements to guide you, at least give you some ideas...

Do you have all grass? mix of grass and saplings? flat or hilly? etc.

 

[Code54]

5' brush hog should do the job without a problem.
Did about 5 acres last week with a 4' and it really was not too bad. My 3700 runs the 4' through about anything without even knowing it is there

 

[TMR]

...now the proud owner of a new L3700SU...

Congratulations...I am in the "study" stage of looking for a tractor. From my research so far I don't think I have seen as good a value as the L3700SU...it seems as though Kubota offered the "special" to get a buyers attention. Let us know what you think as you put hours on it...did you get FEL?

Tom R

 

[Code54]

TMR
I felt the same way and ended up getting the 3700 with the loader.
VERY PLEASED - only cons - the 3pt is a bit jerky and the Hydro pedal safety switch is very picky. If it does not start when yo turn the key, tap the pedal and it will kick right over

 

[gatrs4u]

Congratulations...I am in the "study" stage of looking for a tractor. From my research so far I don't think I have seen as good a value as the L3700SU...it seems as though Kubota offered the "special" to get a buyers attention. Let us know what you think as you put hours on it...did you get FEL?

Tom R

Yes it came with it...the box grader was added...

 

[gatrs4u]

We bought a used L3130, I think a similar frame size to the L3700SU, but less hp. It has R4 tires and the way it came it is 72" wide at the back tires. This is the process that I went through,

I looked at 3 options,
1) flail mower. I was not sure my tractor could handle the 72" one, so I would have to offset to cover at least one wheel track. Safest choice around people and animals as it does not send rocks flying like bullets.

2) rotary cutter/mower. guideline is 1 ft per 5hp. I have 24-25 pto hp, so really a 5ft would make sense, again the tractor width vs the implement. It is a lot of weight hanging out back there.

3) rear finish mower. It sets a bit closer to the tractor and is lighter than the rotary mower.

We ended up buying a new Land Pride RFM 72". It works excellent and I mowed hillside areas that would have been difficult with the rotary (because of the backing and goher holes). We're very happy with our choice. You could probably run (I'm not the expert) all 3 in at least 72" widths, maybe 84" with the finish mower with the pto hp you have. The owners manual has some limits for the implements to guide you, at least give you some ideas...

Do you have all grass? mix of grass and saplings? flat or hilly? etc.

It is all grass. about 4ft now...for 18yrs I let my neighbor cut it for hay...to keep it clean for me...he died last spring and since being retired now I'll need to try and keep it mowed down...since nobody wants to cut that little for hay...

 

[johnrex62]

I also have the L3700SU and find the 60" mower just right. It is the same width as the tractor, so wherever the wheels go the cutting deck is in the same spot.

I have a Mowhawk Chief rotary cutter (brush hog) and find it very durable and robust. Compared to the mowers I have seen at TSC, it is a lot more heavily built for about the same money.

 

[TripleR]

Congratulations on your new tractor, nice machine.

Good information from hawkeye08. I went with rotary cutters for a variety of reasons. I used RFM's for years and still own two, but rarely use them. I have two Land Prides and two Woods cutters. They work well on light and heavy stuff while my RFM's only work for light material.

Your needs may be met very well with a RFM or flail. I have never used a flail, but from reading posts and discussions with owners, they seem to work really well.

 

[oneillmj]

Gatrs4u, would you mind sharing what your cost for the L3700 with FEL was? I am in the market in neighboring SW Virginia and would appreciate a cost comparison. Thanks.

Mike

 

[gatrs4u]

It started out at 19900.00 w/fl and 500.00 for the box grader...I was to get down to 18500.00 for all and including the rear tires filled...Not sure if was 100 percent a bargin but after looking at many used ones with 500 + hrs for not much less I feel like I made the right decision...I went to several dealers (4) and this was the lowest I could get...one company quoted 25000.00 and wasnt willing to come down one dime...
Oh by the way does anyone know anything about a price increase of 4%...Just heard it on the gossip column...

 

[CJBOTA]

I run an 84" Befco RFM with my L3700 and it handles it well. I mow about 12 acres of orchard. I just turned over 200 hours and am very satisfied with the L3700 and the Befco mower. By the way, Befco is made in the USA.
cj

 

[ckane]

Congrats on your new L3700. I bought one 2 weeks ago and just put it away Sunday with 11hrs on it. You made a great choice in tractor:thumbsup: This is my first tractor and it is awesome. I bought the Land Pride 60 inch bush hog in matchin' orange and with the FEL and the bush hog hooked up it looks and performs great! I paid about the same price. Tractor $15196..Loader$3425...RCR1860 Land Pride $1489. No complaints so far. I dont believe i was considering a gear drive over a HST. I have been using the front loader to clear some overgrown bush and small trees and the HST is a dream. Good Luck . Your gonna love it!!! P.S. I also had the dealer include cruise control and a three point draw bar with two balls and clevis hook for that price. GET the cruise!!! Some people post on here that they never use it and I LOVE it! Driving down the road or even thru your 5 acres its a great option. It is like having a hand throttle on a HST. It works the same as the pedal. The salesman agreed to include it in the price and went I went back to check on the install the mechanic was crying about how involved it was to install. He had the whole back end of the tractor off, wheels, fenders heck even the seat was off. He said the book paid 1 hour to install it but it took him more hour just to strip it for install. Anyway Good Luck and enjoy...I know you will!!!

 

[EThogfarmer]

I bought one in early June and have really enjoyed it. I also had the dealer add the FEL, drawbar, filled R4 tires and cruise control. I'm glad I added all of those items; I feel they are all necessary for my efficient use of the tractor. Someone else might not use them at all (ymmv).

It's funny; one of my criteria for selecting a cut was to have a QD FEL. So far I haven't felt the need to take off the FEL, it hasn't been in the way in anything that I've done so far. But it's good to know I can if I need to.

I only use the cruise when I mow pastures, but it is a lifesaver when I do. I tried it using only the rocker foot control as an experiment and my leg got tired very quickly. Of course I'm getting older these days.

I run an old 5" Bushhog Squealer and the 3700 has no problems with it. It is almost the width of the tractor and cuts close enough for me. I really haven't used any other implements yet, in fact I haven't taken the Bushhog off since I put it on.

 

[oneillmj]

Thanks for the pricing information.

Mike