Ramon49's post about his L3130!

[_RaT_]

Ramon49\'s post about his L3130!

I think it's been great to see this kind of post. If nothing else, it will get those to think harder about their purchase. Fortunately for me, I was told by my dealer that the L3830 would be a better fit for me, my 84" finish mower and having just owned a Kubota L48. I was all set to buy a L3130 HST. In retrospect, I still think the L3130 would have been fine since I was armed with the knowledge about it's abilities prior to buying it. I mentioned at the introduction of the L30 series that what I really liked about the L3130 was that it was the first time where a tractor was basically overbuilt for it's engine which I took as a good thing. I would rather have a loader with more ability then the tractor, not in terms of safety, but in terms of lift and strength. I would rather have larger rather then smaller tires on a tractor. I would rather have a transmission that if anything, can easily handle the power the engine throws at it. I think you get the idea. I would rather have all these as long as I also understood that this tractor would not be able to do them as fast as a tractor with 10, 15 or 20 more HP could. You cannot fault Kubota and say they underpowered this tractor. You may be able to fault them if they are letting dealers lead folks on by not telling folks about each tractors ability. This tractor obviously has a place. Those who own it can and have responded to that. All the Best, Rat...

 

[Freds]

Re: Ramon49\'s post about his L3130!

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( what I really liked about the L3130 was that it was the first time where a tractor was basically overbuilt for it's engine )</font>

OK, I'm no english major, but isn't this just a different way to say that it is underpowered... that there is too much tractor for the engine /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Sure sounds better for Kubota to put it that way.

 

[slowzuki]

Re: Ramon49\'s post about his L3130!

I had to think this over a while and thought, hey, Kubota could tool up and sell only 5030's in open and cab models for about the same price as the 3130. Kubota makes a lot more $ off the larger L models than the little ones.

Then I thought, some people would appreciate the fuel economy of the smaller engines, and by having the small models, they have to be priced to compete against other 30 hp machines.

So if you don't need the hp, the 3130 is a bargain I feel. It has the weight to move big stuff, the weight to have a big loader, the weight to mount a nice hoe. For once it is a Kubota people can't whine about it not weighing enough for the hp. That is all I hear all day from people who have no experience with the Grand-Ls.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">( what I really liked about the L3130 was that it was the first time where a tractor was basically overbuilt for it's engine )</font>

OK, I'm no english major, but isn't this just a different way to say that it is underpowered... that there is too much tractor for the engine /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Sure sounds better for Kubota to put it that way. )</font>

 

[_RaT_]

Re: Ramon49\'s post about his L3130!

"OK, I'm no english major, but isn't this just a different way to say that it is underpowered... that there is too much tractor for the engine

Sure sounds better for Kubota to put it that way."

Maybe, it may well depend on your needs. Obviously, it is not underpowered for the many who own it and are posting just that here. It may be symantics, but calling something under or over powered could be better be defined by the user. I'm pretty sure based on the size of the tires, the amount of steel in the loader arms especialy when compared to many competitors, the transmission and other items I'm bound to remember after I post, the tractor is well built. If you say its underpowered for your needs, there are 5 more models to choose from all with more HP and varying degrees of extra beefl built into them. If you find the tractor meets your needs and does what you want, it may not be underpowered or overpowered but just what you want. Either way, it's good to let folks know that it has the potential to be an issue for them as it could be with any tractor. Believe it or not, I know a fellow who just the other day said the CAT D11 is underpowered at 950HP. He much prefers the old Allis line that I am completely unfamiliar with. Go figure! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Henro]

Re: Ramon49\'s post about his L3130!

<font color="blue"> I think it's been great to see this kind of post. If nothing else, it will get those to think harder about their purchase. </font>


Rat, I think you are correct there.

While a lot of us might have accused Ramon49 of whining (or worse), his opinion certainly should be worth a lot to those who are in the market for a new, or first, tractor.

His opinion may be most important to those who are moving up in tractor size. While I don’t remember Ramon49 stating exactly which tractors he had owned before the L3130, he did speak highly of the B2400, and I get the impression that he is comparing the L3130 to the smaller, higher HP/LB B series tractors.

I also get the impression he is unable to see that the larger tractor, due to its weight and larger tires, may in reality be able to do more useful work than a smaller B series tractor, even though it feels less responsive than what he may have owned before.

Prior to Ramon49’s post, I had previously, on and off, toyed with the idea of maybe upgrading from my B2910 to a small L series tractor. I did come to my senses though, realizing that on the small amount of property that I have, the B series is perfect for my needs.

However, if I were to find the need to go up in tractor size, thanks to Ramon49, I now see that I would likely not be satisfied with anything less than a L5030 Kubota, or similar sized tractor of another color!

Maybe we need a poll or 3130 owners…my guess is those that bought the 3130 as their first tractor might be the happiest, since they don’t have anything else in their experience to compare to. They might be followed by those who had older, or ancient, tractors and were moving up to something more common in the modern world. While the least satisfied might be the Ramon49 types, who had previous experience with modern tractors of the smaller kind, with high horsepower to weight ratios.

In any event, we need to thank Ramon49 for telling it like he sees it… /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[_RaT_]

Re: Ramon49\'s post about his L3130!

Bill, I have to pull my endorsement of Ramon49's post. While it's great to hear both sides and get armed with all the information before anyone buys something as expensive as a tractor, Ramon seems reluctant to believe that anyone can be happy with the purchase of a L3130. His experience lets just say has been unpleasant, he is not happy. I think misery loves company and that is just what he appears to be fishing for. After engaging this post for the last couple of days, it has become apparent that while the solution to his misery is to sell it, he seems condemed to have to live with it. Now you or I would probably be in the office of the salesman that had the gun to our head making us buy the tractor in the first place working on the details of either a trade or a generous discount on a new and hopefully more powerful tractor, he does not seem to be able too or at least has not discussed it. None of us hope ill of anyone who purchased a tractor regardless of brand or size, but Ramon has hit the threshold where I have to stop and think, what is going on with him?

Why has Messick Equipment sold so many L3130's and only had one with a real problem that was immediately replaced? Are they all crazy, don't they know they all have underpowered tractors? It makes me sick that so many people out there have L3130's and are happy with their performance when they should not be! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I officially pull my endorsement of Ramon49's posts as an informative and substanitive method to help anyone who is consdiering the purchase of a tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Henro]

Re: Ramon49\'s post about his L3130!

<font color="blue">I officially pull my endorsement of Ramon49's posts as an informative and substanitive method to help anyone who is consdiering the purchase of a tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif </font>

I hear ya' Rat...

But still...although it has become a bit tiring, I think there is some worth to be found...but my wife also thinks I am the eternal optomist... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif ... so your practical approach is probably the winner! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[penokee]

Re: Ramon49\'s post about his L3130!

My L3130 HST is my 3rd rubber tired tractor and it does everything I expected and want from this size tractor, I like it. Perhaps an analogy is with my 3/4 Ton HD 4x4 Pickup and my brother-in-laws 4 cyl 4x2 P.U. Neither has the attributes of the other - he was looking for high mileage, which he gets (can't tow or haul much)and i was looking for towing capacity and load hauling ability (get poor mileage)and we are both happy with what we have - but we knew that upfront when we purchased - just a thought.
penokee /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RayH]

Re: Ramon49\'s post about his L3130!

I'm a 3130 owner, there, I said it.
I have no complaints about power but more power wouldnt hurt. I knew what it was when I got it and Im happy with my choice. When Ramon49 says its underpowered, i had to wonder just how underpowered it is and compared to what, so I took about 5 minutes to do some research.

3130 (32 gross HP) weighs about 3200lbs depending on tranny and tires. Thats about 100lbs/HP.

L2800 (29 HP) weighs 2536lbs. Thats 87lbs/HP

B2910 (30HP) weighs 1763lbs. Thats 59lbs/HP

John Deere 4310 (32HP) weighs about 2900lbs. Thats about 91lbs/HP.

It would appear that the 3130 is noticably behind the B2910 but only slightly behind the L2800 and John Deere 4310 but not by a huge margin.

Now lets try something a little different.
Lets add a Loader and backhoe to the 3130 and compare it to other TLBs on the market and see what happens.

The base 3130 weighs 3200lbs. Add 1100lbs for a loader and 1200lbs for a BH. Thats brings our 3130 TLB to roughly 5500lbs at 32 HP. Thats 171lbs/HP.

EDIT: It would seem that I underestimated the loader weight by about 300lbs and the BH weight is based on my BL4690, a BH90 would be closer to 2000lbs, which BTW I believe IS too much BH for the 3130 to be toting around all the time. Just my preference. The revised loader weight brings it up to about 181lbs/HP. The BH90 puts it over the top at about 206lbs/HP.

Kubota TLB 21 (21hp) weighs 3836. Thats 182lbs/HP.

Kubota TLB 35 (35hp) weighs 5997lbs. Thats 171lbs/HP.

John Deere TLB 110 (43hp) weighs 7600lbs. Thats 176lbs/HP.

It would appear that if you feel your 3130 is underpowered the best thing to do is add a loader and BH and you are back in the game. Granted, the Kubota TLBs and the John Deere TLB are designed to be commercial grade machines so they will be heavier and stouter than the 3130. Wait, is that a good thing or a bad thing? Now Im confused.

 

[btolle]

Re: Ramon49\'s post about his L3130!

I added up the weights of my B7510 and with the box blade attached it is 97 pounds per horsepower, about the same as the 3130.

I had to add ballast to the rear tires to increase traction. If I add the weight of the water to the numbers it would be well over 100 # per HP and I don't consider it underpowered. Sure, there are times when I wish I had more horsepower but I wasn't willing to part with the additional money to buy a bigger tractor.

I suspect Ramon49 has decided his tractor is a piece of junk and is not going to be satisfied with it under any circumstances.

I remember another member who bought a tractor that he felt was too small and after others here advised him to talk to the dealer he ended up trading it for a larger tractor and was happy. Had Ramon49 talked to the dealer when the tractor only had 10 or 15 hours on it the dealer might have traded for a very reasonable price difference.

With his numerous comments about it smoking I feel like he is not hearing us when we tell him to back off the HST pedal when it starts smoking and/or to shift to a lower range. He still believes the HST pedal is the same as a gas pedal in a car, the harder you push it the faster it should go and that just isn't the way an HST works.

Bill Tolle