Trying to figure out where to start on choosing the right Kubota

[DJB132]

Wow - the model line up has really changed in 2 years!

I had a 2001 L3010, LA482 FEL & 4690A BH but I had to let it go in 2006 when I had to relocate out of state.

I don't know which I miss more - my Kubota or my 5 acre patch.

Anyway - I'm almost ready to make an offer on a piece of land in Culpeper, Virginia. It's about 19 acres, heavily wooded with hardwoods mostly in the 12" to 14" diameter range.

Before I can commit to a bid on the land, I need to figure out how much I need for my tractor. Unfortunately I'm trying to sort out a blizzard of options - including what the heck all these models from Kubota are these days! I don't remember any "M's" from my last quest - maybe I just wasn't paying attention.

A few points I need to work out are:

Should I construct the 1500' roadway/driveway myself (thereby using the money I'd pay for the roadway to "subsidize" the cost of the tractor)? Time is not an issue - I suspect it'll be at least a decade before I can even consider building a house on the land. I'd also like an excuse for another box scraper - I never even got to use the one I bought the last time.

I think the 30 hp I had was plenty but I'll need more weight if I'm going to push or pull trees down.

I know I'll need a bigger FEL (as many suggested when I asked for opinions before I purchased the last time). The biggest problem I had with my LA482 was moving around logs - the thing was just too shallow (and narrow).

The points above argue for larger size (& weight) but, as I said, the lot is heavily wooded, so I don't think I'd want to go for anything much bigger than the 3010 I had.

Also, would a decent BH (the 4690A BH was just too much of a toy) be that helpful for taking down trees? (stump removal). It looks like this is quite a pricey option.

Finally, I'm not sure how well I'm going to be able to shelter the equipment. This argues for older, more beat up equipment (why buy brand new & then have it out in the weather?). On the other hand, the financing ads I've seen sure are enticing.

Sorry for the "stream of consciousness" post. Any suggestions/comments are appreciated.

Thanks,
David

 

[Ace Power Equipment]

David,

Sounds like a job for an L39. Not a lot bigger than your L3010, but so much more tractor. Since you've had a backhoe, now imagine one with some real power. Your BH was a pto mount with a self contained hydraulic resovoir of approx 3 gallons. The L39 gydraulics comes from the tractor an has 17 gallons to draw from. Digging depth increases from 7'6" to 10 feet. At 39 hp and a GST transmisson you"ll be able to grade dig and haul almost anything you need. The loader on your 3010 had a 1000lb capacity with a 60inch bucket. L39 has 2200lbs lift and 72 inch bucket. Sounds like you need a grapple so the L39 can be setup to haul brush logs and other materials as you create your dream haven. I've dug many stumps with a B21 it will do them, only slightly more powerful than your B4690. The L39 with greater reach, heavier weight and break out force will shave alot of time off that.

Brian
848-992-6150

 

[rbargeron]

My 2 cents - the tractor best matched to site improvements like road construction, clearing & stumping is much bigger than the one for maintaining the place afterward. I'd recommend an older commercial TLB or an excavator for the site work - something with real size and grunt. Even an M59 takes a while getting out stumps of 14" trees. Get an older monster, do the bigger jobs, sell it, and get a 35-50 hp L or M for long-term property maintenance and detail projects.

 

[medicshawn]

I know you are a little leary about not buying local but check out Barlow Equipment - Home of the Kubota Tractor Package Builder or Used Tractors at TractorHouse.com: John Deere Tractors, used farm tractors and farm equipment, Case IH, New Holland, Agco, Caterpillar. for used prices.

 

[BrierPatch]

When I was trying to decide what to purchase when I bought my property and build I decided to go with a full size TLB (IH3616). I also needed to put a perimeter drain around my old house as well. My new property needed a 1200-1400 ft driveway that went up about 100' in elevation in the first 800'. Even though I had the full size TLB I hired an excavater that had a lot of experience in dealing with driveways and inclines (drainage). They brought out a dozer (Cat D6 I believe, big!) and a TLB and made a much nicer driveway than I ever could have. They partially moved a hillside and partially filled a ravene. They took care of putting in 2 catch basins as well as several drainage tiles. I paid about $7500 for the whole project. I believe the labor portion was about $3000 I know there was around 300 tons of gravel brought in. I am glad I had them do it, the driveway holds up very well and doesn't wash out bad. Having the full size TLB was still the most usefull tool I had while building. The power and reach was great. Shortly after moving in I got a smaller Kubota(B7200) to do the grading and finish work. Having the 2 tractors, one big and one small worked very well and I only had about $12-$13,000 in both of them. Actually I got a complete full size TLB for what just a BH attachment would cost on a compact utility tractor. Even now with my B2620, I have still got the big IH TLB out to take out stumps that were just taking too long with the smaller tractor. Another big plus was I didn't have to be as worried about the old IH TLB sitting at the property before we built, since I didn't have that much in it. I still consider keeping the IH, but it was part of my justification for the new B2620 to get sell both my old tractors and replace them with 1 new one, now that most of the big work is done around my place. Which is part of the reason for the B2620 with BH, because my IH leaves ruts and tears up the finished yard too much and I am afraid of crushing the finger system. The 2620 is better suited for landscaping and maintaining. As mentioned Even 12" - 14" stumps can be a problem to get out(see pics).

If I had to pick just 1 tractor to do heavy work but not too big I would go for something like the L4400. I don't know what older models this would be equivelant to. It is not much bigger than your old 3010 and is quite a bit more tractor.

 

[DJB132]

Thanks all the input. Why do I feel like my choices are getting broader and not narrowed down?

 

[medicshawn]

I agree with the vote for a TLB the biggest you can afford L39 L45 L48 or M59.

 

[afish]

From what you describe you are looking for I vote for the L39 or also. smaller than a full size machine and more power and weight than your 3010 It took me a long time to decide what machine to get then looked at the TLB's from Kubota and knew I found it.

 

[LBrown59]

I know you are a little leary about not buying local but check out Barlow Equipment - Home of the Kubota Tractor Package Builder

A great place/way to buy a tractor or 2 and some implements.

 

[daveinnh]

Assuming your trees are sizeable, I'd hire someone w/ an excavtor to clear and grade the driveway. Place a woven geotextile on the subgrade and have crushed gravel delivered. Then use the tractor and landscape rake to spread the gravel.