Beers,
If you're planning on buying the Woods BB600 for the
L3400, you might want to revisit that decision. That thing is a very heavy 5 footer and, as I recall, weighs around 1100 lbs.
Kubota has a section in all of their tractor manuals that lists implement limitations. In there you will find the max recommended weight for rotary cutters. I think you'll find the
L3400 limited to 800 lbs. or less. You, most likely, WILL be able to lift the BB600, but it'll seem like it's overpowering the tractor at times and you'll definitely need to leave the FEL on to keep the front wheels on the ground.
When I bought the 45HP
L4300, I also bought a BB720 over the objections of my dealer. He recommended the BB72...which was probably a better choice. At around 1250 lbs. with chains, the BB720 is almost too much for the
L4300. In the manual the recommended maximum was 880 lbs for a bush hog on the
L4300 (same as the
L4400). Fortunately, my old Ford 4000 is heavy enough for the 720, so that's what it's hooked to most of the time.
The
L4300 (with FEL on) will lift the BB720, but the weight back there really makes itself felt. I now only hook up the lower lift arms and let the mower tailwheel stay on the ground. This nearly halves the weight actually lifted by the tractor. I have sometimes wondered whether swinging that heavy thing around and hitting something might tear out the back end of the tractor.
Another factor with the BB720 (maybe not the BB600) is that the 3pt. hitch dimensions are borderline Category II. In order to get it hooked up to the tight Cat I dimensions of the
L4300 3PH, I have to partially disassemble one side of the hitch. Hookups are a real chore because of this.
Having said all this, the BB720 is nice to have when you're plowing through a lot of heavy crap. It takes it in stride.
FWIW
Bob
The site is in the woods, so the ground should be at least a little soft. The first step in the site prep is a dozer. Hopefully that will knock out a lot of the roots so I can drill at will. BTW, one deciding factor on going with the L3400 over the B3030, is the PTO clutch.
