Old Ford verse new Kubota

   / Old Ford verse new Kubota #1  

Carter Bamboo

New member
Joined
Jan 1, 2010
Messages
15
Location
Brazoria, TX
Tractor
2600 Ford 1981 model, John Deere 455
I currently have a Ford 2600 1981 model. I need to get a FEL but wonder how happy I would be with one on this 2wd machine. These are rather large and heavy and I have liquid in the tires. I have been out looking at new CUTs w/4wd. I have compared the green 3005 and 4005 along with the orange L3400 and L4400. I like the orange for the best fit and price. I believe the little 4wd L3400 will out perform the old 2wd 2600 for FEL work. Has anyone actually used these side by side for comparison?
FYI, the 3pt on the L3400 still moves in 1/4" increments when rasied slowly. For the fun of it I inquired thru the orange web site and asked if they had any plans on addressing this. They stated they have never heard of the issue before. The ergo issue that I noticed the most was the 3pt lever rides against my right leg when in the lower position. None of this is a show stopper here. I am more concerned that I don't trade down in size too much. I would rather go with the L4400 if I have to, but beleive the little machine will do the trick. I maintain appr 15 acres at the homestead and 5 acres at the bamboo farm.

L-4400DT
Loader w/qd
Foldable ROPS
R4 tires
$20,800.00
$22,467.00 hydro

L-3400DT
Loader w/qd
Foldable ROPS
R4 tires
$16,654.00
$17,644.00 hydro
 
Last edited:
   / Old Ford verse new Kubota #2  
What are you going to do with the FEL? If you want to do dirt work, you'll want 4wd. If you're moving firewood, the ford will be fine.
 
   / Old Ford verse new Kubota
  • Thread Starter
#3  
It will be light dirt work mostly. I get potting dirt delivered and need to move it around some. Occasional limestone for drive repairs. Moving large nursery plants, debris hauling, etc.
 
   / Old Ford verse new Kubota #4  
Sounds like the Ford will do what you need. 4WD comes in handy if you're trying to rip into some solid ground or on hilly terrain. Unless you're just looking for an excuse to upgrade :D
 
   / Old Ford verse new Kubota #5  
I have always been a Ford man With that said I have N tractors and a 1974 2000. I to was looking for a FEI and the old fords were just not the way to go.So I bought a kubota mx5100 in march and I love it has good power and the loader is great never had one before. I'm getting older now and its great for lifting and the four drive is great helps to handle the load . The only thing is it needs weight my tries are not loaded but I do have wheel weights on rear but is still not enough so I made a barrel to go on back about 900lbs works great now .
 
   / Old Ford verse new Kubota #6  
The L4400 will be closer in weight to your 2600 and as others have said the ford will "do the job" especially if it has power steering. The only downside is investing $ in an older unit and maybe not having all the quick attach options and hydraulic flow of the newer models.

Your stated needs - moving plants, maybe pallets of dirt, gravel - it sounds like you could benefit of a quick attach bucket and forks for moving the pallets. The other aspect is weight - full pallets are probably 2000Lbs range so I would be thinking the 4400 would be better, then with a good counter weight and loaded tires as others have said or box/scraper blade too to level your gravel! We like to help others spend $..
 
   / Old Ford verse new Kubota
  • Thread Starter
#7  
The loader I looked at for the 2600 was a BH 2447QT for $6,890.00. I think with that the bucket was pinned and the QD was for the frame. I was told the hydraulics would be very slow on this machine. I do have factory ps, but was wondering if it was strong enough with a heavy load on front.
Yeah, I would like to have another tractor:rolleyes: but really should invest more on the farm infrastructure and expand.
 
   / Old Ford verse new Kubota #8  
$6K or so is a lot to invest when the 2600 with a loader is in the 7-8K range - might be hard to get resale unless you intend to keep it for quite a few years.. Seems like a better deal to sell your machine and invest in new or good used one and for $12-15K you can find a decent unit in your size range. There may be tax benefits as well..

Of course you could keep it and have two tractors - less changing of implements etc.
 
   / Old Ford verse new Kubota
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Resale is a concern even though I keep equipment for a very long time. The 2600 has barely over 1000 hours and is in great shape. Front tires are wearing though.
 
   / Old Ford verse new Kubota #10  
PM Sent Steve. I was in the same boat as you. The 2WD gear shift 2600 ford can't come close to the Kubota 4WD with either hydro or power-shifter.
 

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