2007 Grand L info

[radman1]

Dealer got back from Kubota meeting this week. Looked at new brochure for Grand L's. Wasn't able to get a brochure since they are few in number and only for dealers. Actual brochure may change when production starts. Here is some info.
Models: lift cap. weight (gst) (hst) (cab)
L3240 2650 3296 3395 3748
L3540 2650 3296 3395 3748
L3940 2760 3527 3627 3968
L4240 2760 3571 3671 4001
L4740 2760 3751 3671 4001
L5040 2760 3803 - -
L5240 2980 - 3902 4233
L5740 2980 - 3902 4233

The net engine Hp is the first two numbers in the model like in past years.
The 4740 and higher model are all 4 cylinder turbo charged motors with the same engine/displacement. The rest are naturally aspirated with different engine for each model.
GST remains the same 12 gears.
Hst has changed and called HST Plus.
Has hydro dual speed - (H-DS) shift lever on steering column allows high and low speed shifts while moving. This is in addition to the standard 3 range shift speeds. Allows high and low speed shifts for driving up slopes or doing loader work. Go into dirt pile slowly and then can shift to high when backing with load.
Hst load sensing - Drop in engine rpm will automatically change hydrostat and motor activity. Can turn knob to vary response.
Hst response control - Like Jd motion match. Can turn know to vary responsiveness of hydrostat pedal. Can vary how fast tractor stops and takes off when moving hydrostat pedal
Hst auto throttle advance- Function links the hst pedal and engine throttle, synchonizing tractor speed and engine revolution. Handy when moving between locations or when towing a trailer. This is a lever which is either on or off. For example, when traveling down a road just push hst pedal down. Engine rpm and speed with automatically increase. When coming to a stop, back off of hydrostat pedal and speed and rpm will decrease. Kind of like and automatic transmission with gas pedal.
Load sensing mode selection - button with 3 modes. mode1 is a stall gaurd that prevents engine from stalling under load. Mode 2 activates auto H-DS. Mode 3 deactives stall guard and H-DS.

Intellipanel is similar to current models. Cab model looks similar to current cabs in appearance but layout of controls is slightly different.
There is a mildly down sloping hood but not as much as JD or NH. Front head lights on hood look similar to NH in style.

I don't have specs on loaders but I believe they are slightly numbered different than current models but dealer said not changed significantly. I did see picture and they aren't curved as much as NH or JD.

The HSt pedal can be used like the typical treddle for going forward or backward but is shorter in length and the forward part us curved upwards like a JD forward pedal. However, it also has a separate reverse pedal next to forward pedal more like Jd. Still have a clutch on the left and 2 break pedals just to the right of midline but near the hst pedals.
There is a foot controlled lever to change the tilt of the steering wheel.

I currently have a Jd3720 hst cab. It has features similar to Jd but there are also features unique to Kubota. Some features on both tractors will be used rarely others are very beneficial like the motion response which I like alot. However, many features are often set up once and rarely changed. The basic HST is still great to use once the operator becomes familiar with it. JD and Kubota just took it to another automatic/electronic level. Like fancier cars, there are more options. Some cars have windshield wipers and lights that come on automatically, while others are manually turned on/off. Hmmm, wonder if someone will makes lights that come on automatically, tell when my tire pressure is low, tell me wheel slippage %, tell me optimum gear and rpm for task at hand to save fuel, my cab door is open......

 

[froggy]

Great information, thanks for posting it.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Engine rpm and speed with automatically increase. When coming to a stop, back off of hydrostat pedal and speed and rpm will decrease. Kind of like and automatic transmission with gas pedal.

Now that is a great idea! Speed decrease to idle????
Bob

 

[radman1]

Got a price today on L4240 and L4740 2007 models. Both tractors equipped with cab and radio, HST, R4 tires, triple rear hydraulics, loader with quick attach bucket, front coupler on loader with button on joystick to change hydraulic flow. I priced it this way to make it similar to JD 3720 I have. The L4240 was $32,100 and the L4740 was $33,850. The 4240 was about $1000 more than paid for my JD but Kubota's loader, and rear lift capacity is higher than my JD.
It seems to me NH now has to raise is tractors to the level of JD and Kubota for features/options. But again it kind of depends if all the bells and whistles are really necessary.

 

[The Gardener]

Hst auto throttle advance- Function links the hst pedal and engine throttle, synchonizing tractor speed and engine revolution. Handy when moving between locations or when towing a trailer. This is a lever which is either on or off. For example, when traveling down a road just push hst pedal down. Engine rpm and speed with automatically increase. When coming to a stop, back off of hydrostat pedal and speed and rpm will decrease. Kind of like and automatic transmission with gas pedal

Based on your description [which, BTW, is excellent], why would anyone choose to disengage this option? I would think this feature would be incorproated into the tractor's design. It sounds ideal.

There are some major feature upgrades in your listing.

How often does Kubota bring out a new, upgraded series like they are about to do for the GRAND L Series?

Thanks,
The Gardener

 

[radman1]

Based on your description [which, BTW, is excellent], why would anyone choose to disengage this option? I would think this feature would be incorproated into the tractor's design. It sounds ideal.

There are some major feature upgrades in your listing.

How often does Kubota bring out a new, upgraded series like they are about to do for the GRAND L Series?

Thanks,
The Gardener

I wonder how often Hst auto throttle advance might be used. I see significant limitations with this option. IMHO, you would probably only use this with relatively light duty work or traveling down a road. If doing loader, mowing or blade work, the rpm's would want to be kept high for more optimum power. You wouldn't want to change pto speed while decreasing or increasing speed by mowing. The example in their brochure was traveling down the road, coming to a stop sign and then moving again. In loader/digging work and blading, normally you want rpms high and speed relatively slow. I still believe, the operator still has to choose the range for the tractor relative to the task - low, medium or high.

 

[radman1]

Now that is a great idea! Speed decrease to idle????
Bob

With HST auto throttle, I would assume the engine would decrease to idle. I don't know it setting the throttle at half open would allow it to decrease to that rpm only.

 

[radman1]

In my state (Nebraska), and according to my dealer a few other states, Kubota cannot sell any tractor with PTO hp of 40 or greater. This is because some states require all tractors with 40 hp or more to be tested and certified by the Nebr. tractor testing facility. Every single model must be tested even if it only has minimal changes between models (ie a few more hp). Therefore the L4720 (listed in brochure as 40 pto hp) and higher series currently can't be sold here. At the recent meeting he told Kubota to check the pto hp of the 4720 to see if it actually was under 40 and not rounded up. Then it would qualify.
Kubota doesn't want to spend the money for testing. It costs thousands of dollars to test each model and ag market share here is small. However, a few other states are now requiring testing results before allowing sales. Even if I buy a tractor from an adjacent state that doesn't have restrictions and brought it into NE, I could not trade it in for a different tractor because no dealer could resale it. I have never seen the larger sized Kubota tractors in Nebr.

 

[OrangeGuy]

Great post Radman1!

I also looked at the new literature a couple days ago. All I can say is...WOW!

My Grand L 3430 HSTC has been a great tractor. 270 hours of absolute pleasure. However, I may have to test the resale superiority of Kubota and trade it in on one of these new models. I'm sure I can justify it in my mind that I need to trade up. Oh well, I have until spring to convince myself.

OrangeGuy

 

[The Gardener]

IMHO, you would probably only use this with relatively light duty work or traveling down a road. If doing loader, mowing or blade work, the rpm's would want to be kept high for more optimum power. You wouldn't want to change pto speed while decreasing or increasing speed by mowing.QUOTE]

I understand. Thanks for the clarification. These upgrades and additional features in the 2007 models are certainly eye openers.

I look forward to testing a 2007 Grand L tractor in person to see exactly how the HST foot pedal(s) have changed. I actually prefer the separate (For) and (Rev) HST pedal design [B7800] over the combination, "C"-shape design. I wish it was an option to choose either foot pedal design on the Grand L tractor.