Kubota L3901 HST vs L4701 HST options

[coolbrze]

Pretty much have it narrowed down to these two tractors. I've test driven a couple of them but I'm just not sure if the difference in size & price is justifiable. What options are there for the two tractors & their respective FELs? I know there's a quick connect FEL which is not recommended, correct?

 

[bdhsfz6]

Here is a link to the Kubota "build your own" page for the L3901 and L4701 : Kubota Tractor Corporation - Build My Kubota

You can review the available options for both tractors.

The L3901 has an option for both a QA loader and one without the QA function. The L4701 comes standard with the QA loader and there is no other option.

If you choose the L3901, the QA loader is actually $60 cheaper than the non QA version. IMO, the QA loader is the better choice. Even if you have no plans to remove the bucket from the FEL now, you may decide to add FEL implements in the future. If so, you'll find the QA loader a valuable feature.

 

[mddorange]

I would recommend the L4701 as you can never have to much power but a lot of times you will experience to little power.

As for the QA FEL, I am with bdhsfz6, it is extremely useful. Where did you get the impression that it wasn't recommended?

 

[mguitas]

The L4701 has a much bigger frame, but I guess you already know this.

 

[coolbrze]

Thanks guys. I read online that a lot of people like the non-QA loader better. Y'all would know better though. Just trying to narrow things down that I don't know about. One more thing... are there different size R4 tires for each tractor or is there a standard size? I mean does the L3901 have several Industrial tire sizes to choose from or just one standard size?

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Get QA.

 

[jeff9366]

coolbrze

I read online that a lot of people like the non-QA loader better.

FELs detach, but not very quickly nor conveniently. In seven years of tractor use, with three tractors, I have never removed the FEL. I have detached the bucket from the FEL many times, for improved forward visibility.

Did you intend to ask about QA bucket attachment to the FEL?. There are several proprietary QA bucket attachments out there. The INDUSTRY STANDARD QA bucket attachment is Skid Steer Quick Attach, (SSQA) which is seldom, if ever, criticized.

Are there different size R4 tires for each tractor or is there a standard size? I mean does the L3901 have several Industrial tire sizes to choose from or just one standard size?[/QUOTE]

Yes, dozens of sizes for different tractor weights.
Current options from Kubota will show up on BUILD YOUR KUBOTA.

 

[s219]

I can't think of a reason to not want QA, however, at least when I bought my L3200, the bucket that came with the QA setup was smaller somehow, and the stock bucket would hold more material. I am pretty sure you can upgrade (for extra $$) to a larger QA bucket to offset the problem if you want to. Normally there are several buckets and options on the Kubota site when you build the tractor.

 

[TripleR]

We have tractors with SSQA loader as well as bolt on, we go with SSQA only when buying new if available. On newer tractors, removing the FEL is no big deal, old age has crept up on me, so I no longer remove mine, but I have removed/replaced two or tree times a day.

We own several tractors and like many find tractors shrink once on your property, so think long and hard before buying. I came close to this when I went to pick up a 35HP, already had bigger and smaller, but my wife talked me into a bigger machine, L5030.

The list of things I swore I would never need, but now have continues to grow.

Front end loader detach.mpg - YouTube
Good luck.

 

[bspeedy]

Definitely get SSQA.

The L4701 is a lot more tractor. 5-600 lbs more weight and 1000 lbs more 3 pt lift. Bigger frame. I'm not sure the price difference, but I like the size of the L4701.

 

[teg]

...I read online that a lot of people like the non-QA loader better...

Wow, where? I got to meet like minded people. I thought I was the only one?!?

How much land do you have and what are your plans for the tractor? Also, what is the price difference. Easy for us to tell you to spend more money on a bigger tractor you may or may not need.

If your time is worth money and you have less time than money, yea, go big. That is IF you have plenty of room to play with the bigger tractor. If you have tight spaces to get in and out of (or lots of tree to maneuver around)... don't go big. :2cents:

 

[bdhsfz6]

Pretty much have it narrowed down to these two tractors. I've test driven a couple of them but I'm just not sure if the difference in size & price is justifiable. What options are there for the two tractors & their respective FELs? I know there's a quick connect FEL which is not recommended, correct?

I think there is some confusion here. Are you asking about removing the FEL from the tractor or removing the bucket from the FEL?

 

[Fallon]

I loved the SSQA on my L3200. Never felt motivated to remove the loader despite hearing it was an easy 5 minute job.

The bigger machine is a bigger machine. More traction, more loader lift, more power, more fuel consumption, less manuverability.

I ended up upgrading from my L3200 to a L4060 for a cab & bells & whistles. More weight & lift capacity is nice, but double the weight negates the extra 8hp I got. I avoided the underpowered (for weight) L3560. Occasionally regret not getting a L4760, but how for the money was a bit much.

 

[DK35vince]

I would not want a tractor without SSQA.
As far as the loader. I leave my loader on all winter for snow plowing.
I remove it in the summer for finish mowing, brush mowing and reinstall it when I need it like every other attachment.

 

[Code54]

If you are mowing with the tractor having a removable loader is invaluable. I also would never buy a loader without the SSQA as I change the buckets/forks/grapple a couple times a week. In my opinion both are worth the price.

 

[RjCorazza]

I could be wrong, but I believe the current L01 series has one type of loader mount to the machine, which comes off easily just like the Grand L60’s. The bucket may come in pin-on style or SSQA.
I have never felt the need to remove the loader in many years of use across 2 tractors. I FREQUENTLY use the SSQA to switch front implements and highly recommend getting SSQA .

 

[coolbrze]

Sorry guys I don't think I typed that correctly. I meant I've heard the QA loader is better & the pin on loader is the one to stay away from, correct? I've test driven a few & while I think I'd like the extra Hp & capabilities of a larger tractor, the mountain property is going to be my limiting factor due to the steepness & trees so the L3901 is prob. the winner for me.

 

[Fallon]

Sorry guys I don't think I typed that correctly. I meant I've heard the QA loader is better & the pin on loader is the one to stay away from, correct? I've test driven a few & while I think I'd like the extra Hp & capabilities of a larger tractor, the mountain property is going to be my limiting factor due to the steepness & trees so the L3901 is prob. the winner for me.

I had the quick removable loader on my L3200. At least I assume it was quick removable. I never took the 5-10 minutes to find out. Dumping the bucket or forks off the SSQA was always plenty for me. Never feel the need to remove the whole loader.

The QA/SSQA loader is stronger than the tractor. Even with plenty of ballast (rotary cutter + a couple hundred lbs of stuff on the back of the rotary) it was sketchy as **** when doing a big lift. And by big lift I mean 200-300lbs + a load a few feet out over the rated 1,200lbs. The tractor stability is definitely the week link here.

No clue on the non-QA loader. But definitely get the SSQA. Makes dropping the bucket or grabbing forks a breeze. Makes any need for QA mostly moot in my opinion.

 

[4570Man]

A QA loader is the “only” way to have it. Those of you who only have a bucket loose like 80 percent of the FEls usefulness.

 

[teg]

....I meant I've heard the QA loader is better & the pin on loader is the one to stay away from, correct?...

:confused2: :confused3: Part of the problem is what is called what!! There is Quick Attach Loaders which is on 95% (pulled that numbet out of my butt ) of all tractors. Then there is Quick Attach Buckets/forks which are usually Skid Steer Quick Attach complaint but John Deere has their own Quick Attach Buckets/fork and even Kubota had their own version of Quick Attach buckets that you had to insert a pin for the bottom of the bucket. (see photo)

Personally, since you move the load 4" out in front of you, you loose 10-15% (# came from the same place) of what your tractor could lift with a Pin on bucket. I have no need for forks... I got clamp on forks but only use the 3 point hitch forks (top and tilt, helps) to move my firewood. Besides, the 3ph is almost twice as strong. That's just my take...


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