Whats wrong with the L4400?

[FL4400]

Well I am new to the board but I have been looking for a while. I have an L4400 that I have had for about 6 months. I have run a hay farm for the last 5 years ( about 225 acres of coastal) so I ahve been on nothing but big tractors. The smallest we have is an 80 hp NH up to a 235 Deere. I wanted a full size tractor when I first starting looking to clean up the the 10 acres I have but my wife would not let me spend the money. I bought the L4400 and I must admit I have not yet been dissappointed by this tractor. I have a FEL with a small root rake and pull an 8.5' disc behind it with no problems. True it does not have all the bells and whistles but it is a great tractor. I prefer the gear tranny from being on the big tractors. I would not think twice about buying it again if I had to do it over again. It has great power for its size and does everything I ask of it. It has no problem pulling a 6' Rhino rotary cutter. N80 I hope this helps you, I do not think you will go wrong with the L4400. But that is just my 2 cents.

 

[N80]

Thanks. I may be buying one later this week. Got a quote of $14,845 and I think I'm going to do it. I don't think you can get 45 hp and 4wd for that price in any other major name brand tractor (JD, MF, NH). Plus the 0% 3 year is great. They said they'd install the rear remote for $690, which still seems high since JD does it for $350. But they've come down on the overall price of the tractor and loader so I guess it all comes out in the wash.

How important is the front brush guard?

 

[Highbeam]

Since I've never heard of this tractor, been looking at the GL series, and the price seems right, please fill us in.

What was the quote with the FEL? Is that for a gears shfter or something else. I have no need for bells and whistles but capability and low cost are high on my list.

Thanks

 

[N80]

It is the replacement of the L4300. It has more hp (45, 37 at the PTO), a longer wheel base and a little heavier. It is 4wd, and has a basic gear driven tranny. Seems to me like a basic but fairly powerful compact tractor at a good price point for the power you are getting.

It costs less than the JD 990 but the loader is more expensive. The loader is the LA703 and the best quote I've gotten so far is $3675 installed.

The JD loader is $2900. It lifts a little less but is otherwise comparable on the JD990.

I don't even know if I 'need' the loader. I probably don't. But, without it the tractor would be useful (to me) only for mowing. The loader will certainly provide more utility for the tractor and I'm sure I can find things to do with it.And for someone like myself, who isn't really interested in tractors simply for tractor's sake, the loader certainly gives the huge expense a little more 'toy' quality.....something to play with. I do have roads (dirt, grass, and some gravel) that I could do light maintance on with the loader. I'm torn about whether to get it or not but I'm definitely leaning that way.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

N80,

That sounds like a pretty good price. I don't know where you're located (has anyone suggested that you fill in your profile? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif), but here's a similar setup at a Texas dealer. Look under "Monthly Specials". Their package includes the LA703 FEL with brush guard, a 6' Bush Hog brand rotary cutter and a 6' box blade for $21,180. That appears to be about 15% off of MSRP on the tractor & loader, or around $19,200 - $19,400 without the RC & BB.

 

[N80]

I'm in SC. That looks like an awesome deal. However, that is with 5% financing for 84 (!) months. That's a lot of interest! I'll be using the current 0% 3yr, so I doubt they'll throw in any mowers or box blades. The total on my package, including the FEL (I don't know if the brush gaurd comes with it, I think not) and a $700 rear remote set is $19,210.

That's about $1800 difference in that deal. I could get a low end brand mower and box blade for $1800, I guess.

I doubt I'm getting a great deal but it doesn't seem like a bad one either. I think it is probably fair.

 

[JeffRey30747]

N80,
If you are going to be moving anything other than dirt or mulch with the loader, my opinion is that the brush guard is a must. I plan on filling the center opening in mine with expanded metal to give more protection. It's been four years and I still haven't done it though. The brush guard came with the loader package on my LA682 but was extra on the Bush Hog brand loader that I also considered.

Jeff

 

[N80]

Unfotunately I don't think the brushguard comes with the LA703, so that will be an additional expense.

Does the brush guard also serve as the holder for front end weights?

 

[Highbeam]

Is the basic gear drive transmission synchronized, as in can you shift like a truck? Also, I assume it has the forward reverse shuttle on the column, is that right?

I like the live hydraulic independent PTO and the large fuel tank. The hydraulic system is pretty weak though only making 7.8 gpm for implements. The loader also is a bit weak without an availble QA, I suppose aftermarket can fix that though.

 

[N80]

I think it is a sychronized tranny but not sure. The F/R is on the left by the fender with low range and forward directly across from each other.

The loader lifts more than the comparable JD loader and the hydraulic pump has slightly less flow than the JD 990 which is the only really comparable major name brand tractor. The Kubota has a significantly stronger lift capacity at the 3 pt hitch.

It has been a bit of a toss up, but a few minor things on the Kubota, the 3yr 0% and the slight HP advantage are what sold me.

I don't know what a QA is. The whole FEL is quick detach and attach, but not the bucket. The JD has a quick detach bucket. I don't even know if the Kubota bucket comes off.