trying to choose between three tractors...

[Anonymous Poster]

Jeff, now I\'m doing size comparisons..

My concerns after seeing the L3010 was it just seemed so much "bulkier" than the JD 4310, but in looking at specs on them, here is what I am finding from the JD catalog and the Kubota website.

JD4310 Kub L3130
Overall Length 117 115
Overall Width (Min) 50 60
Wheelbase 68 71
Height (to top of ROPS) 84 84.3
Weight 2900 3305

Maybe it was just my perception, but the Kubota seem SO much larger than the JD on the lots. Again, they didn't have the L3130 in yet (this years model), and I am comparing the JD to the L3010 from Kubs last year. Do any of you think the model this year will be a little more compact? Again, this is a concern for the finish mowing and stall work.... Thanks, Capper

 

[thcri]

Re: Jeff, now I\'m doing size comparisons..

Capper,

I am going to throw in a couple of more pennies here. In your original post you said you would be finish mowing about 6 acres. Both of them tractors are getting up there in weight for finish mowing. Yes most would probably disagree with me but my tractor weighs 2600 lbs and if it isn't good and dry I will leave dents in yard. Yes I have R4's but my neighbors John Deere 955 with turf's will also leave dents. I would tend to stick with the deere in your case. 3" on the wheelbase of the Kubota would be nice if you have hills to work on.

Again that is just food for thought. I am not trying to steer you in any direction.

murph

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks Murph...

And this is just the kind of "two cents worth" I'm really appreciating on this thread. That is my entire concern, although, the lawn is not pristine Zoysia, it, none the less, is my lawn on the farm (although the wife says the first months cuts are onion weeding...she's a landscape designer, so.....)

The weight of the Kub is a bit of a concern, and as some other's have posted, the size differntial (albiet not large on paper) is a concern for stall work in the horse barn..

I guess this is always the question, in trying to get one machine to do everything, where is the best compromise...I want a rig big enough to do the FEL work, small enough to help with mucking the stalls, light enough to not tear up the yard in finish mowing, manueverable enough to get around my trees, fencing, house, and landscaping, and tough enough to do a tractor race up Beane Road to the east of the farm (well, that parts just kidding)....It's hard to get one to do it all, and yours, and others posts have been most helpful....thanks again, Capper

 

[Holmes57]

Re: Jeff, now I\'m doing size comparisons..

Capper, I went through the same process and also was confused when the stats did not support my perception of the size difference. On Length: the Kubota # does not include the 3pt, The JD does. So there is 7"-9" inches there. The other major difference to me was rear wheel size which i estimated at 5"-7" difference. So when the rear tires looked so much different, the actual length difference is close to a foot, and the width is about 10"; you have a much bigger tractor. I parked the Grand L side by side with the class 3 Boomers (35/40/45) and they were almost identical. The "mid chassis" JD(4210,4310,4410) are more like the class 2 boomers(29/33) in size. Hope this does not add to the confusion.

 

[thcri]

Re: Thanks Murph...

Capper,

Trying to go back through all of the post here is what I see. You looked at Blue, Orange and Green. You were very disapointed in the blue sales people, you like the Green but having a hard time paying $2,400 more for it. Orange was great also along with the sales people but you are concerned about its size. That is in a nutshell.

If my synopsis is right? Then you do have a tough decision to make. I would have a hard time paying $2400 more. If I remember right you got a price from New Holland but he was awful expensive and based on what you said in an earlier post I agee. You should be able to get the TC33D, 72"mmm and 7308 loader for less than $20,500. Is there another New Holland dealer that is fairly close that you could just compare your New Holland price that you already got. If you get a quote for one less you can use that quote along with your Kubota quote and see if you can't get your John Deere dealer down some. If you can get the $2,400 down to maybe even $1500 more it would not be so bad. Also from what you said about the New Holland dealer is he had a used one he wanted to get rid of, maybe he jacked up'ed the new one to make the used one look better. If there is another New Holland dealer close you, if you test drive the tractor you might like it. I am not saying New Holland is the way to go, if supersteer is not necessary you could even try a Case Dealer that is close to you. Based on what you have said you are pretty much sold on the John Deere and you like the dealer you just have to get his price down some.

Man I think I really rambled on this one.

murph

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thats prettty much it, in a nutshell...

It's between the JD and the Kubota now. I think you are right about the NH dealer trying to get rid of the used one, and giving me a price about 2 grand too high on the new one (and that was just the 29D).

I'm waiting for the new L3130's to hit the lot here, so I can sit on it. I also have to take the wife up to test drive the JD. The Kubota dealer here also sells Case, so I may look at them, but doubt thats the way I will go. I guess right now I like the JD a little better, but like the Kubota dealership by far the best. My partners and their family have bought from the Kub dealer for years, excellant reputation, stands behind the machinery he sells, lots of dealership positives....just wish he sold Deere too!

Well, that was my ramble. Capper

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Re: Thats prettty much it, in a nutshell...

I'm going through thae same thing, but in my case, it is the Deere 4310 that is lower. I am pricing with a backhoe and it is $2000 less than a Kub 3130, and $3800 less than a TC35D (I went up on thee New Holland because I like the 16LA loader so much better than the 7308)

The manueverability of the 4310 is a real plus, but I don't have stalls for my horses. But, then, I may add some, later. The Bigger frame size would sure help with the mowing. But then I have several willing operators to share the mowing.

One big plus for Green is he eHydro, with LoadMatch. I really think that that is a plus, especially when you are looking for "small and mighty" I really shines when you're mowing, and hit a heavy patch, an unexpected slope or whatever.

Sounds like your Kubota dealer is first rate. I would do some checking, because copmpetition may keep the Deere dealer sharp, too. They may be in the same league. And when it gets down to it, they may whittle that price differance down...

But, if you like the L3130, you will certainly have a winner, too.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Re: Thats prettty much it, in a nutshell...

dhcmd,
I think your JD dealer is a bit high. It might pay to shop some more. You should be able to get the price a little over $20K.
Good luck...Kyle

 

[JeepOne]

Re: Thats prettty much it, in a nutshell...

Capper, I have been going through the same search as you and have, pretty much, decided to take a different course. I have 13 acres to maintain. Probably about 3 acres of lawn around the house and the rest, somewhat hilly, will be rough cut twice a year. I also have a 500' driveway that will require snow removal and maintenance. Obviously, I'll need a larger size tractor which would not be kind to those 3 acres of lawn.

My decision, at this time, lol, is to buy a JD 120 lawn mower with a 48" cut for around the house which, by the way, would cost about the same as MMM without causing lawn damage. Then look at used tractors in the 25-30 HP range for the grunt work. If there are none available, I'm leaning toward the 'bota B7800 (30HP) w/FEL. Both of these machines, together, would cost me less than $18,000. This approach has approval with the CEO. She could maintain the lawn and I get my brut for those really fun jobs.... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Just had to share and let you know I do understand what you're going through. Take care and good luck.

Ken

 

[BWS]

Re: Thats prettty much it, in a nutshell...

i paid 20.5 for my l3830/hst,r4,723,f-rops,4 pos valve,h.d.bucket,cutting edge,lifetime pickup/delivery.i think i,d go green if i was buying a manual[power reverser].hydro?i think i,d go tc40d or l4330hst if i could do it again.jmho bws.