Buying Advice L3800 or MX4700 or MX5100?

[ravencr]

I just noticed that the rollback angle of the fel on the Mahindra is only 19 degrees and the 724 loader of the grand l series is 41. Am I correct in assuming that the kubota is going to be much easier to get a full bucket load than the Mahindra? And if so, is this a big deal?

Chris

 

[foreman Etexas]

Yeah that's the only one I'd consider I think, but it appears to be a stout tractor from what I can tell from the specs.

Demo the kubota you deside you like,then do the mahindra.if they wonna sell a tractor then they should let you get them to put a box blade or what ever you deside when they bring it out.

 

[kuboman]

If it were me..... and I was considering anything from a B to an MX I would forget the L3800. I looked at them real close before I bought the L3130. They are just not enough bigger than the large B's. I kept my B3200 and went with the L3130 and 723 loader and was very pleased with the size and capabilities of both the loader and tractor. I just was very disappointed with the lack of HP that it had. To make use of the loader I needed a lot of iron and it was just to much around the hills. So came the l5740. And what a pleasure.
I am also glad I kept the 3200 because it is very capable for its size. But it is only a 1700# tractor and can only do so much. If I was limited to one machine only I would get the largest L I felt I could afford.
Confused.....me too.:confused2::confused2::laughing:

 

[gwdixon]

I just noticed that the rollback angle of the fel on the Mahindra is only 19 degrees and the 724 loader of the grand l series is 41. Am I correct in assuming that the kubota is going to be much easier to get a full bucket load than the Mahindra? And if so, is this a big deal?

Chris

The roll back angle is an issue to consider. The bucket should roll back enough so the leading edge and the top edge are parallel to the ground with the bucket on (or near) the ground. It will look like a trough. That is how the L48 works and it has been a big help in moving spoils as well as gravel.

Kubota has a multiple-link/arm arrangement on their FEL that really makes a difference. Most FELs dump fine but the L48 bucket will completely invert.

Also, it is an issue if the FEL has a quick hitch. Other attachments, such as forks, boom, grapple would be much more maneuverable and useful.

BTW, my BX2200 has a bucket with limited range, probably similar to the Mahindra. It leaves a lot to be desired but being able to compare the two styles (BX, L) directly during jobs makes it easier to recognize the disadvantage.

 

[ravencr]

Yeah, I suppose you can't have everything, that's for sure.

Chris

 

[ravencr]

Hey guys,

Here's what I bought:

It's a 2008 with 188 hours for $21K with backhoe, box blade, bushhog and LA724 loader. How'd I do?

Chris

 

[foreman Etexas]

Hey guys,

Here's what I bought:

It's a 2008 with 188 hours for $21K with backhoe, box blade, bushhog and LA724 loader. How'd I do?

Chris

Not seeing the pics!!

 

[ravencr]

I'll have to fix it when I get home. Sorry.

Chris

 

[crazyal]

If it's the 724 loader then you got a GL3240, 3540, or 3940. If you got a BH, brush hog, and a box blade along with the tractor with 188 hours, if it's in good shape then I think you did well. I'll wait for the pictures but I know you will be happy with your tractor.

 

[ravencr]

Here's one of two short videos I made of my wife's first drive on the tractor.

‪Kubota L3240 First Drive‬‏ - YouTube just go to my videos and there should be a second one in there too. Nothing fancy just driving it around.

Chris

 

[foreman Etexas]

Here's one of two short videos I made of my wife's first drive on the tractor.

‪Kubota L3240 First Drive‬‏ - YouTube just go to my videos and there should be a second one in there too. Nothing fancy just driving it around.

Chris

Sweet tractor!!:thumbsup:Nice pick!!

 

[TripleR]

Very nice rig and just like new.:thumbsup:

 

[k0ua]

That looks great Chris, and you have gotten a really nice tractor. What with all the correspondence here, and watching your videos, I feel like I know you guys. Happy tractoring:thumbsup: If there is any questions we can help with, please don't be a stranger, come back often, and show us how your are doing.

James K0UA

 

[ravencr]

Hey guys,

I got the pictures working on the previous page. Here's the second little video: ‪Kubota L3240 Second Drive‬‏ - YouTube The funny thing is she had the parking brake on the whole time in both of these videos. We're officially newbies, ya think? I'll get some better pics and footage eventually, but this will be it for a while. My Dad is going to be using it from now till the next season for the park, because we really don't need it out at the park this year. So, I plan to help him do all his landscaping this winter here in Knoxville. It should be fun...thanks again to everyone that helped to make the decision for us. We're really happy with our purchase so far, but I've only driven it about 5 minutes...lol.

Chris

 

[Mpking]

I think you made the perfect choice for your needs. At 188 hours and having a backhoe I'd say you got an unbelievable deal for $21k, as long as everything is tip top which I'm sure it probably is. I've seen a few low hour l3240s on craigslist here for around $20k without a backhoe.

 

[Mpking]

Whoa, I didn't see that you also got a box blade and brush hog in that package. Now I'm starting to feel bad for the guy you bought it from :laughing:. You paid probably a good 5 grand (or more) less than what it is all worth I think.

 

[ravencr]

I like that. I thought I couldn't pass it up.

Chris

 

[ravencr]

Hey Mpking,

I notice you have a box blade and the grading scraper. Would you mind sharing what you like better between the two attachments and what you prefer to use for certain situations, etc? If I had bought a new one, I was planning on buying that exact scraper you have, but since this one came with a box blade, I'm curious if I should still spring for it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Chris

 

[Mpking]

Hey Mpking,

I notice you have a box blade and the grading scraper. Would you mind sharing what you like better between the two attachments and what you prefer to use for certain situations, etc? If I had bought a new one, I was planning on buying that exact scraper you have, but since this one came with a box blade, I'm curious if I should still spring for it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Chris

Sure,

If you are maintaining gravel roads, I would absolutely spring for a grading scraper if you have the money. In your situation of maintaining a RV park I'm not really sure. I guess I'd have to look at what you are planning to do with it to know. I'll tell you how I use mine and maybe that will help you decide if it would be helpful. I live at the end of a 1/2 mile gravel road in the rainy Pacific Northwest. That means that I get puddles on the road that turn into massive car swallowing potholes in a matter of days/weeks. First I make a few passes (of the whole road) with the GS with the rippers down to scrape through the potholes and break up the hard packed parts. Then I put the rippers up and make several passes with the blades angled such that it builds a crown (adjusted low on the ditch side, high on the middle of the road) and fills in the potholes. The result of this is a road surface that is smooth and relatively new looking without much effort. It would probably benefit from compacting it with a roller of some type afterwards but we didn't want to pay to rent one. I'm sure a box blade in the right person's hands could do just as good of a job but I think for most people it would be alot more work. A top and tilt would help the box blade but the GS is just so easy to use. I basically just lower the control for the 3PH all the way down and drag it from one end of the road to the other then turn around and go back. Not sure how it would handle something like a parking lot though, that is if you have one. I use the box blade more for parts that need more of an aggressive cut to it. There are a couple of spots along the road with no ditch. I tilted the box blade about 15 degrees and used it to cut a small ditch. When I was done I had a pile of dirt that I scooped up with the loader. I also use the box blade in a few places to pull gravel back up on to the road before using the GS.

Hope that helps. I say if you have the money, get one. Mine was about $1300. If you don't like it, I'm betting that you could sell it on craigslist for pretty close to what you pay new so there isn't too much risk in getting one.

Woods also carries one with the rippers on it that looks pretty well made. Let me know if you have more questions.

 

[k0ua]

Chris, if you search for the user Goochy he is is new JD owner, and has made a part time business of using his grading scraper. He has posted some pic's of his results using the scraper, and they are pretty impressive.

James K0UA