New owner L3901, Mods to make it mine

mike0000 · Aug 27, 2021

My new L3901 was delivered Wednesday, ordered it with HST, loader, third function and grapple.
I opted to install third function myself, grapple is not in stock, 4-6 weeks out.
With the grapple on order, I wanted better grill/radiator protection. I decided to incorporate a LED light bar into my grill upgrade. I’m pretty happy with the results.

Mike

Macinnis · Aug 27, 2021

Yes, this should come standard on all tractors. i Love the black, looks mean.

eddieirvine · Aug 27, 2021

mike0000 said:
My new L3901 was delivered Wednesday, ordered it with HST, loader, third function and grapple.
I opted to install third function myself, grapple is not in stock, 4-6 weeks out.
With the grapple on order, I wanted better grill/radiator protection. I decided to incorporate a LED light bar into my grill upgrade. I’m pretty happy with the results.

Mike

View attachment 711312 View attachment 711313 View attachment 711314

i am going to put led lights on mine also been putting it off, the head lights that are on my L3940 are not real bright! My question to you i was just going to tap into wiring that goes into the factory head lights and just have them come on with the stock head light switch by the steering wheel. Is that what you did, my thinking is might as well leave factory headlights on along with the led lights??

mike0000 · Aug 27, 2021

Hi Eddie,

I ordered the LED light bar as a kit with a wiring harness, it’s wired to the battery, it uses a separate switch and a relay. Kit was from Nilight (20” 126w Spot/Flood Combo) cost about $40.
I tried it tonight, it’s very bright, much better than the existing headlights.

Mike

Roadworthy · Aug 28, 2021

I like the multiple light bar idea. Your FEL shouldn't block all of them at once. I wasn't so creative. I put a single light bar on my ROPS with U bolts and brackets. I fed it from the work light circuit through a toggle switch I mounted in a water proof (or resistant) box. Along the line of personalizing it I also added a right hand grab bar, a bucket level indicator, and the inner air filter.

Smokeydog · Aug 28, 2021

Nice

Professional looking.

mike0000 · Aug 28, 2021

Thanks for the compliments!

eddieirvine · Aug 28, 2021

mike0000 said:
Hi Eddie,

I ordered the LED light bar as a kit with a wiring harness, it’s wired to the battery, it uses a separate switch and a relay. Kit was from Nilight (20” 126w Spot/Flood Combo) cost about $40.
I tried it tonight, it’s very bright, much better than the existing headlights.

Mike

Thanks Mike one of those projects i been putting off more important to do the maintenance Part!

m1garand762 · Aug 29, 2021

I bought a 6 switch weather resistant panel on Amazon and made a wiring harness to power my rear rips light my front canopy light my grill guard light and side canopy lights. I used the last spot for my sprayer. Everything runs back to a fuse panel and is all mounted to a bracket I fabricated and mounted on the studs where the original tool box bracket was located. I cut a piece of rubber to flip over the top adding a little more weather resistance. I do lots of brush hogging and snow plowing at 3 am and the light is perfect for visibility and spotting coons totes and polecats to pick off is an additional bonus

mike0000 · Sep 1, 2021

Adding hydraulic filter and hose protection today.

i7win7 · Sep 1, 2021

Some people just need stickers

Others need toolboxes, mirrors, lights, more lights, radio, cooling fan, did I mention lights?

Adding electrical devices to tractor

Purpose of post: to provide general ideas to fellow tractor owners wishing to add lights, electric sprayers, even some high current accessories for short term intermittent use (think winches, jump starts). I'll start with the high power preparations. #1 good heavy duty wire, at Walmart you...

www.tractorbynet.com

1 Cool ROPS accessory

Flex-a-Lite model 116 radiator fan 2,215 CFM and 11 amp draw. Stirs up quite a breeze. May help with bugs a night when running lights. Ground speed in reverse slightly faster? :unsure:

www.tractorbynet.com

mike0000 · Sep 1, 2021

Nice work i7win7, I definitely see more “exterior illumination“ in my future. I need (ok want) some for the rear of the tractor, probably another led bar, spot light would be cool too.
I could have used a fan like yours to cool me off while brush hogging last week, it was brutal. I had to stop and clean the radiator screen and front cover. Temp. Guage was creeping up on me.

The Deerslayer · Sep 2, 2021

Congrats on your new rig and nice job with the mod. Very impressive that you did it so soon after receiving your tractor. Enjoy!

nytryder · Sep 2, 2021

Great work on your new tractor. I also bought a 3901 just before Christmas last year. One of the attachments I bought was also a grapple. You will need to modify the levers on the quick connect to keep branches from unlocking the levers on the quick connect. I have destroyed two of the quick loaders because of branches raising up the locking arm and allowing that side of the grapple to disconnect while under load and backing up. My tractor is in the shop now to replace the QD for the second time. when it is repaired and returned to me I will fabricate a system to keep the loader arms in their place. I will try to have pics available to show what I have done to help prevent this problem from happening again. Hope this helps.

mike0000 · Sep 2, 2021

Thank you nytryder,
I would be very interested in pictures showing what you come up with. I haven’t owned a grapple, but have wanted one for a long time, so it will be a learning process for me.

Mike

nytryder · Sep 2, 2021

The grapple is a very useful tool but comes with a very steep learning curve. As far as I know the only way to learn is to use it and get acquainted with your new equipment. Are you using the Kubota hyd for your grapple or the Land Pride? The Land Pride (I'm told) is the better system. It is what I have and has worked flawlessly. I would strongly advise adding ballast to the rear tires. I live in Florida so plain water works fine. Farther north water can freeze and cause problems as well. Read the manual and pay close attention to what it says. Watch as much youtube as you can stand and be a regular reader/participant here too. Folks on here are very knowledgeable and always helpful. I see you are from Indiana. I was born I fort Wayne and grew up just north of Laotto and south of Kendalville on old Rt 3 back in the middle 50's. A lot of plowing was done back then. I always loved the smell of fresh turned earth. The crops and all just had a wonderful smell and I miss it so. Even the barn yard wasn't all that bad. If you like give me a call. I'm retired now so most anytime is ok. Take care Jim 321-230-0233

mike0000 · Sep 2, 2021

Thank you for the insight Jim, once the grapple comes in if I have any questions I will contact you, I‘m blessed to be retired too, 6 years ago.
The Grapple and third function kit are all Land Pride.
My dealer loaded tires with fluid due to me ordering the front end loader (Standard for them, w/loader purchase I believe).
I’m replacing a Branson 3510 with the new Kubota, there is a significant difference while using the loader.
The loaded tires on the Kubota really isn’t enough weight when compared to the Branson. The Kubota just doesn’t have the weight I’m used to. I will probably be building a ballast/tool box for loader/grapple work.
I’m far south in Indiana, about 20 Min. North of Louisville Ky.

Mike

nytryder · Sep 2, 2021

True. I usually have the box blade or brush hag attached so most times I'm fine. That 3901 does feel a little light at times even with the extra weight.