Buying Advice Possibly buying a new Kubota L3901 need help deciding

[Foxl3830]

Well guys need some help I have a grand L3830 2005 with front loader 4x4 has 1100hrs I love this tractor only had it for like 4yrs my thoughts were when I bought it was to purchase a backhoe for it sometime in the future. But after reading every ones thoughts on 3pt backhoes I switched to looking for a Kubota and or woods subframe mounted backhoe wow not easy the Kubota bh92 new is right around 10,000 the woods is like 8,000 give or take a little. Tried looking for used especially the Kubota no go only found a few bh90s and bh92s and one woods.my tractor is mint but right now there offering like 84 months 0% financing so I don't want to go backwards in my quest for a tractor/backhoe so I built a Kubota L3901 on line. it is a smaller tractor but hp wise it's about the same I do a lot of 3pt work also and seen videos of them taking the backhoe off looks somewhat easy. And bottom line is just don't know or if I should just buy a another machine and depends on trade in value also any thoughts let me know???????

 

[Fallon]

I had a L3200, same frame as the L3901, just a few less HP. I upgraded to a L4060hstc a year ago. Mostly for the cab, but the other Grand bells & whistles are nice too. Only 8 more HP, but double the weight. That extra weight means I can lift a LOT more & pull a LOT more.

Without looking up your specs I'm just guessing you machine is reasonably close to my new Grant, or at least closer to the grand than the economy machine. You'll miss the extra weight, stability & traction.

My L3200 was a fine machine & got the job done, but it's a lot less tractor than a Grand.

 

[jeff9366]

I have a 'Grand L' L3830 2005 with front loader 4x4 has 1,100 hours. I love this tractor only had it for like 4yrs my thoughts were when I bought it was to purchase a backhoe for it sometime in the future.

I built a Kubota L3901 on line. it is a smaller tractor but hp wise it's about the same. I do a lot of 3pt work also and seen videos of them taking the backhoe off looks somewhat easy. And bottom line is just don't know or if I should just buy a another machine.

You have had your "Grand L" L3830 for 11+ years and put 1,100 hours on it = 100 hours per year.

If you buy an L3901 you will cry, cry, cry about all the deluxe Grand L features you forgo on the Standard L3901 and you will miss the L3830 greater weight and spacious operating station.

Compile a list of the Backhoe projects you want to accomplish then rent a mini-excavator for a day or a weekend to accomplish them. A tracked mini-excavator is far, far, more capable than a tractor Backhoe.

Judging by your total tractor usage of 100 engine hours per year, I would be surprised if you cannot complete Backhoe tasks in one weekend every-other-year with a mini-excavator. (Possibly one weekend every third year.)

All attachments require maintenance and storage. I would only store a Backhoe inside when not mounted on the tractor. Better to rent unless used frequently.

SLEEPYHEADS POWER EQUIPMENT CENTER
696 Route 36
Brookville PA 15825
(814) 849-3399​

 

[bspeedy]

Yeah - the L3901 is for sure a downgrade from the L3830. For the extra money it will cost you, rent or buy a mini ex. Even a really small mini ex will be no less money than a backhoe attachment.

And, unless you have tons of heavy work for it, your 3830 will handle a 3 pt hoe fine if you use your head.

 

[moship]

Foxl3830,

Sent private message.

 

[Fallon]

Yeah - the L3901 is for sure a downgrade from the L3830. For the extra money it will cost you, rent or buy a mini ex. Even a really small mini ex will be no less money than a backhoe attachment.

And, unless you have tons of heavy work for it, your 3830 will handle a 3 pt hoe fine if you use your head.

I'm a big believer in treating your equipment right & generally think a hoe without a subframe is pretty risky. However I keep thinking if I found a great deal on an undersized 3pt hoe for my L4060 I might pull the trigger. It wouldn't do nearly the job a proper hoe would, but it would beat a shovel & bucket spade I have now for my smaller needs.

A mini-ex with similar capacity to a hoe on a small Grand can be found for that $10k mark. It will be half way through its life or more, but still a decent machine, although probably a bit sloppy. Similar story for an old full size industrial backhoe. Another option to consider if you can wrench on older machine & gives you a rescue machine if you get stuck.