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goldbill · Jul 9, 2015

Greetings, I am in the process of purchasing a 2014 L3901, post harvest lease return with the 4 in 1 attachment. I own 160 acre plot which is partially a Doug fir farm and a big game hunting ranch.The land is hilly with many existing logging roads. I plan to use the tractor to remove brush, scrape those roads,make water bars for run off and move down trees / firewood, though not for logging, which I contract.I live in SW Oregon near the coast, lots of water fall.
By the way, check out Oregon big game rules-residents can take 3 bears ( no baiting), as many Mt. lions as able, no closed season till quota filled per zone ( yes you can bait the lions ), one deer, one elk.We eat a lot of wild game meat.
Anyway, what is the opinion of this machine for my needs?

TBN Support · Jul 9, 2015

Hi, Goldbill. Welcome to the forum! I love that part of Oregon.

I am moving your thread over to the Kubota section so that more people can see it.

Walt 2002 · Jul 9, 2015

Welcome,

Walt Conner

Wagtail · Jul 9, 2015

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Enjoy the site.

kcender · Jul 10, 2015

Welcome to TBN.

sandyc · Jul 11, 2015

Welcome to the site. Can't help you with your decision but if the unit was well maintained and cared for then it should be good. Kubota makes a rock solid product.

The Deerslayer · Jul 11, 2015

Welcome to TBN! :welcome:You will find alot of great info here and you may even find it to be a bit addicting at times.:laughing:
As far as the L3901, I recently upgraded to one after a great deal of research. I ultimately went with it and am glad I did. Are you getting a gear drive or HST? Sounds like you have a great piece of property there...and being a hunter, I'm envious! Once you get the machine, you'll need to post some pictures of it....kind of a tradition here. Good luck!

goldbill · Jul 11, 2015

The Deerslayer said:
Welcome to TBN! :welcome:You will find alot of great info here and you may even find it to be a bit addicting at times.:laughing:
As far as the L3901, I recently upgraded to one after a great deal of research. I ultimately went with it and am glad I did. Are you getting a gear drive or HST? Sounds like you have a great piece of property there...and being a hunter, I'm envious! Once you get the machine, you'll need to post some pictures of it....kind of a tradition here. Good luck!

I will be getting the HST, sounded like a better operational set up.Never having driven a tractor of any type, I wanted something that sounded smooth to operate.
I'll post pics of the machine and the general surroundings. Delivery should be in about six weeks, as I need to complete the metal building first. The bears here are known for eating anything oil based, like tractor seats, arm rests, hoses, etc..

goldbill · Jul 12, 2015

goldbill said:
I will be getting the HST, sounded like a better operational set up.Never having driven a tractor of any type, I wanted something that sounded smooth to operate.
I'll post pics of the machine and the general surroundings. Delivery should be in about six weeks, as I need to complete the metal building first. The bears here are known for eating anything oil based, like tractor seats, arm rests, hoses, etc..

Here are couple of pics of some recent, on the ranch, kills. The lion was 25 paces, 12:15pm, both of us headed for lunch. I was 2 stepping my way back, camoed out, tactical sling on my WSM ,325, 220 grn. The bear was a 9 year old male (obvious ). Both shot on logging roads. The critters are like humans, as the brush is for escape.

gwstang · Jul 12, 2015

" The bears here are known for eating anything oil based, like tractor seats, arm rests, hoses, etc.."

Say what? :licking:

Nice kills on the bear/cougar. Pretty sure I would need a change of shorts if I were to "stumble" up that close to a putty tat that big.

The Deerslayer · Jul 12, 2015

Very impressive...especially the mount. If there is a missus there, even more impressive to be able to keep it in the living area!:thumbsup: My wife has always been great about keeping my deer mounts in the living room, I know other guys that are not quite as lucky.

I believe you will find the HST extremely smooth to operate. Huge difference from my gear drive, especially when using the rear blade and any loader work.

goldbill · Jul 12, 2015

The Mrs. suggested the location for the kitty.She shoots her own deer also." I aint hiring to stinking assasin to do my work ".
Thanks to all for kind words and
encouragement .The l3901H. will come with a 4 in 1. Bucket and a rotary mower. I have lots of projects planned to keep it busy.

goldbill · Jul 13, 2015

gwstang said:
" The bears here are known for eating anything oil based, like tractor seats, arm rests, hoses, etc.."

Say what? :licking:

Nice kills on the bear/cougar. Pretty sure I would need a change of shorts if I were to "stumble" up that close to a putty tat that big.

It took about a week to burn off the adrenalin. This is the 7th lion I have seen either myself or on trail cam, I have shot 2, hoping for more ( plus 12 + bears ). Our goal is to reduce the predators in order to increase the pop of other animals and birds.

varmint · Jul 14, 2015

Having had both a gear drive and several HST Kubotas, I would add another reason to get the HST- if you get in a situation where you need to stop or go quickly, the HST will greatly simplify that- lift your foot, and the tractor will stop. It makes operating on hills much easier and safer. The small loss of delivered HP is well worth the trade, and if someone who doesn't normally operate it, say you wife, is in the seat, they will be better off. Constant PTO speed while varying travel speed is another plus.

goldbill · Jul 14, 2015

Varmint, thanks for the info. this type of specific detail helps me.
goldbill.

The Deerslayer · Jul 14, 2015

varmint said:
Having had both a gear drive and several HST Kubotas, I would add another reason to get the HST- if you get in a situation where you need to stop or go quickly, the HST will greatly simplify that- lift your foot, and the tractor will stop. It makes operating on hills much easier and safer. The small loss of delivered HP is well worth the trade, and if someone who doesn't normally operate it, say you wife, is in the seat, they will be better off. Constant PTO speed while varying travel speed is another plus.

All great points. Another advantage is significantly less arm movement from not having to shift. HST allows you to concentrate more on the work you are doing and your surroundings. In addition the precision of moving in smaller increments in forward and reverse is substantially better, especially for a newer operator.

May sound minor, but when doing loader work etc..., I was constantly shifting 1) hi/low range, 2) gear 3) forward/reverse 4) speed....each of these a separate movement multiple times over. I also think my left thigh increased in size due to using the clutch so much:grumpy: Seriously though....you will not regret the HST. Little more cost upfront and minor HP loss....but as stated, worth the trade off.

aeblank · Jul 14, 2015

varmint said:
Constant PTO speed while varying travel speed is another plus.

I think this one is HUGE. For snowblowing or rototilling, it's the only way to be.

goldbill · Jul 15, 2015

Thanks to all for your input. Final purchase, this month, will be: L3901H, 4 in 1 plus regular front loader bucket, rotary mower ( heavy duty ), largest diameter rear tires for stability and traction. Can't wait to get that bad boy on the ranch to do some habitat improvement and pre winter road maintenance.

goldbill · Jul 21, 2015

NEW question, I have the option of either a standard front loader bucket or a fork lift attachment. I can see the advantage of the fork lift in moving logs, yet my friend said I would get more use from the front loader bucket even though I have the 4 in 1.He said I could drag the logs or weld 3 hooks on the standard bucket and chain lift the logs. Any suggestions?