Tractor Newb - Kubota L4701 or Deere 3046R?

[NateWG]

Hello Everyone,

Its been a while since I've joined a forum and I don't know why I hadn't come here sooner for advice. I am the facilities director for a non-profit summer boys camp (this is a purchase w/ the camp) I didn't grow up using tractors so I've had a **** of a learning curve. As the title indicates I can't make a decision between the Kubota L4701 and the John Deere 3046R.

We have a small team of 3-4 managing the entire grounds, water systems and 70+ buildings so operating efficiency is very important to me.

Main uses are dirt road work, digging, picking up wood chips and dumping them into the truck and logging

I've done my best to configure the two tractors to be as identical as possible.
-Air ride seat (will have all different shapes and sizes using the machine)
-3rd front remote for grapple
-4/5 rear remotes with float for road work
-8 foot heavy rear blade with mech adjustors
-Loader w/ 72" bucket
-Backhoe w/ 18" bucket + mech. thumb
-Quick 3pt hitch

Adds:
-"Fit Rite" Hydraulics Top and Tilt w/ hydraulic angle on the blade.
-Wallenstein FX85 Logging Winch (290 acres of 120+ year old eastern white pines (having 10,000BF milled now))
-Road Boss Model 6 grader planer (3 miles of 11.5' dirt roads)
-TurfTime AR24 3pt. Steel Roller (to quickly pack the roads)


Some quick details:
-Will have a small variety of skill levels using the machine
-The Kubota dealer has offered X for our (Kubota) trade in, and Deere has offered X+8k (plus more heavily discounting the tractor).
-Both dealers have genuinely earned our business.
-The bottom line price of the two units is within $400.
-I've driven both tractors and would be very pleased operating either of them
-Service is effectively the same for me because we use a 3rd party tractor/mower service company that can work on them all (3rd gen family business)

Some differences I've discovered so far:
-The Kubota can lift about 20% more weight with both the loader and backhoe
-Pulling power and 3pt lift are equal
-Does the 3046R really have that many extra niceties over the L4701?

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading it all, its a big decision and the global picture is important to consider.

Thanks,

-Nate

 

[nybirdman]

Welcome to the forum;lots of advice here(all may not be accurate but fun).We have Kubota's and have had good luck and sure many will chime in on their brands.
With multiple operators an HST transmission would be my choice.A quick look says the Kubota is a non-turbo charged four cylinder,and the JD is a turbo three cylinder(Yanmar motor ,very good).
Don't know if it applies to this model JD,but they use more plastic(hood ,fenders) and aluminum rear ends.Difference in weight is about 400 lbs.favoring the Kubota bare tractor.
Either one should do all the jobs your mentioned.Good luck in your purchase.

 

[ericm979]

You may want three remotes on the rear. Two to operate top and tilt and one for the blade angle. If you only have two you'll be swapping hoses from the tilt to the blade when you put it on/take it off.

Mark the remotes and implement hoses (I use colored cable ties) so they get connected the same way each time. Otherwise cylinders may work "backwards", confusing the operator.

 

[Tractorable]

They're both good machines. Check to see if the JD has an aluminum rear end and if the loader is removable.

Also, recommend you investigate whether the JD has the SSQA loader quick attach system or their own proprietary system. SSQA is the industry standard.

The JD has an optional mid-PTO and the Kubota does not if that matters to you?

Compare whether you prefer the JD twin touch pedals or the Kubota treadle pedal.

If it was me, I'd buy the heavier machine.

 

[bspeedy]

More weight is typically more satisfying and often safer. More lift is typically a good thing as well. I believe Kubota builds a better machine in this size range than the competition.

 

[arrow]

There is no question for me. I'd get the Kubota in a heart beat. Reasons: Better capacities. More ruggedly built. More weight. Larger frame. Just the weight difference is n itself a primary reason. For the jobs you've listed, not only would your efficiency time wise be increased but there would be less wear and tear on the machine itself.
It is not just the weight of the machine itself to be considered. The Kubota is using a much larger tire. These tires would accept more ballast making the tractor not only more traction prone, but also more stable as a result.

A more fair comparison would be JD's 4000 series to the Kubota but price would escalate as well. Your biggest bang for the buck is the Kubota imo.

 

[Sapper50]

I was recently in the same “down to these two” classes of machines myself. For many if not all of the reasons listed above I have an L series Kubota in the shop and have ZERO buyers remorse and not ONCE have I even thought that a green one would have been better. I’m a construction guy and researched everything on build, torque etc etc . Good luck !!

 

[XSKIER]

The Deere 4044M might be a closer comparison to the L 4701. It will probably be less money than the 3046R too. With the 4044M you still get the eHydro transmission, but not as many standard user adjustable transmission features. The current M series eHydro, has the same features as the premium ones did 10 years ago. The eHydro is light years ahead of the Kubota mechanical hydro, and not as akward on the ankle to use. Definitely spend some time on both to see if you can handle the Kubota trestle pedal for very long.

 

[Tractorable]

Most folks considering a L4701 often end up buying an MX4800 for just a little more money. Much beefier tractor all around.

 

[XSKIER]

Additionally, a 7' rear blade and 61" HD loader bucket are plenty for the 3046R.

 

[NateWG]

Thanks very much everyone. Really great feedback.

I went to the Kubota dealer yesterday to have another look at the L4701 and to see what we could do on the bottom line with our 2 tractors for trade. There were many line items on the quote so he just wanted to make sure everything was needed. He gave some similar advice in going for the MX5200. I want to say list on it is about $1000 more than the L4701 and like it has been mentioned, is a much beefier tractor.

MX has the same BH92 backhoe but with the next sized up loader.

I've come to agree the 3046R doesn't have enough lifting power. The L4701 is very close. The MX can do the job.

I was curious as to why he was pushing the MX5200 rather than the MX4800 until I went out the lot. They have one L4701, one MX4800 and at least 10 MX5200's.

I've started work on a quote for an MX and I'm also going to give the 4052M a look.

Thanks!

 

[majorwager]

Are you an incorporated 501 c IRS exempted organization, If so I would contact your State procurement office and determine if a current contract exists for Compact Tractors. Your local state legislative rep should have contact info. If you do hold a IRS certification, review the State Contract for specific models and guaranteed costs. Then review your options.for purchase. The local town or county highway supt. Will have knowledge of these products. Their advice is a free resource for applicable machines. They would also be aware of State Contract purchasing procedures. On TBN, ask 10 folks, get 10 different answers. State Contracts are seldom limited to political subdivisions, not for profits can usually participate. State discounts are often > 20 percent or more. To be honest, both of your choices seem rather light duty for the tasks you describe.I own a MX.
Cab is non kubota aftermarket.

 

[North Woods]

+1 on the MX5200. There are also some upgrades on the 3pt in addition to the weight and loader capacities.. I have been looking at this size for a while. The 4800 is nice b/c it appears to be a bit more simple and not turbocharged. The 5200 and 5800 offer some upgrades that others appreciate. The 5200 seems to be the sweetspot. I basically have two choices: orange or green. When I look at bottom line out the door costs and dependability of the newer models it seems that orange works for me. I have yet to figure the specific point yet. Good idea to look at the next bigger model to see if that fits for you.