daugen
Epic Contributor
I agree about the stock bucket, it's pretty wimpy for this weight tractor, which has the same hydraulics as the 100hp version.
The one that came on my Kubota had a reinforced lip, this didn't. I dig/haul topsoil and garden mulch, the latter would be helpful in a larger bucket.
Actually that bucket is going, might trade it on something else. Am putting my Long solid bucket grapple on as a default bucket, it's the size of this bucket but has serious teeth up front and is overall about twice as heavy duty. That bucket was too heavy for the Kubota and should be just right for this tractor.
Instead of a factory forward valving I believe the dealer installed one specially from WR Long, this one with a rocker switch for the grapple operation vs my prior two buttons. The forward valving is stacked somewhat inelegantly on top of the existing front hydraulic stack for the loader. Think I'd be happier seeing the whole area behind some shielding. Might try to make something myself, just started stick welding last summer and have lots of left over sheet metal from a mower deck re fabricating project.
I'll take a picture when the grapple is installed. First I have a couple of acres to rototill and no need to have the Long bucket out front
with those six inch long teeth as I'm trying to turn at the end of the field next to a woodline. Feel like a rhino with big horns out front...
I have a number of downed trees I can't wait to tackle with this tractor, though it's really nerve racking going into dense woods with a big cab tractor. Particularly trying to turn around. And the inching forward smoothly part seems only to be capable by using the floor clutch, so I have lots of practice ahead of me before I venture into any of my woods.
Lou, I think that bucket was the lowest cost option for them. Will be interesting to see if anyone else buys this tractor with the non self leveling loader and see what they get as standard. To begin with, it's a foot too narrow...and about half as heavy duty as it should be.
But for garden mulch it's simply undersized. No stones here at all....just tree work and hobby farming.
Yes, this is overkill for hobby farming. But I'm losing my health and this is my last tractor and I intend to have fun with it.
The seat alone makes it all worthwhile, hard to explain how much more comfortable that air ride seat is compared to a stock Kubota.
Which feels only marginally softer than the Quaker wooden bench I have sat on all my life...
So for a guy with very bad arthritis this air seat is like climbing in my hot tub. Just a big aahhhh.
Plus the wheel telescopes so you can have it exactly where everything comes to hand, so no leaning forward or arm flailings to operate
the thing. The seating position is really excellent, someone thought through the ergonomics.
While the engine is a proven Finnish Sisu design, I have to remember I bought the low hp version. Next size up is almost 10k more.
But I don't do hay nor do I need a batwing mower. My six foot bush hog will do just fine, in fact this tractor is over cutter's rating by a little.
I run below 540 anyway. My priorities were hydraulics, ease of use and comfort. For sure, others have different priorities.
Big 3 cylinder engine makes some pretty strong diesel knocking noises. Kubota was more refined.
Massey motor has a bit of a clatter at times. Fine by me, I really liked the low rpm knocking sound coming from the Indian built 2615
I traded in. It all smooths out with more rpm anyway.
The one that came on my Kubota had a reinforced lip, this didn't. I dig/haul topsoil and garden mulch, the latter would be helpful in a larger bucket.
Actually that bucket is going, might trade it on something else. Am putting my Long solid bucket grapple on as a default bucket, it's the size of this bucket but has serious teeth up front and is overall about twice as heavy duty. That bucket was too heavy for the Kubota and should be just right for this tractor.
Instead of a factory forward valving I believe the dealer installed one specially from WR Long, this one with a rocker switch for the grapple operation vs my prior two buttons. The forward valving is stacked somewhat inelegantly on top of the existing front hydraulic stack for the loader. Think I'd be happier seeing the whole area behind some shielding. Might try to make something myself, just started stick welding last summer and have lots of left over sheet metal from a mower deck re fabricating project.
I'll take a picture when the grapple is installed. First I have a couple of acres to rototill and no need to have the Long bucket out front
with those six inch long teeth as I'm trying to turn at the end of the field next to a woodline. Feel like a rhino with big horns out front...
I have a number of downed trees I can't wait to tackle with this tractor, though it's really nerve racking going into dense woods with a big cab tractor. Particularly trying to turn around. And the inching forward smoothly part seems only to be capable by using the floor clutch, so I have lots of practice ahead of me before I venture into any of my woods.
Lou, I think that bucket was the lowest cost option for them. Will be interesting to see if anyone else buys this tractor with the non self leveling loader and see what they get as standard. To begin with, it's a foot too narrow...and about half as heavy duty as it should be.
But for garden mulch it's simply undersized. No stones here at all....just tree work and hobby farming.
Yes, this is overkill for hobby farming. But I'm losing my health and this is my last tractor and I intend to have fun with it.
The seat alone makes it all worthwhile, hard to explain how much more comfortable that air ride seat is compared to a stock Kubota.
Which feels only marginally softer than the Quaker wooden bench I have sat on all my life...
So for a guy with very bad arthritis this air seat is like climbing in my hot tub. Just a big aahhhh.
Plus the wheel telescopes so you can have it exactly where everything comes to hand, so no leaning forward or arm flailings to operate
the thing. The seating position is really excellent, someone thought through the ergonomics.
While the engine is a proven Finnish Sisu design, I have to remember I bought the low hp version. Next size up is almost 10k more.
But I don't do hay nor do I need a batwing mower. My six foot bush hog will do just fine, in fact this tractor is over cutter's rating by a little.
I run below 540 anyway. My priorities were hydraulics, ease of use and comfort. For sure, others have different priorities.
Big 3 cylinder engine makes some pretty strong diesel knocking noises. Kubota was more refined.
Massey motor has a bit of a clatter at times. Fine by me, I really liked the low rpm knocking sound coming from the Indian built 2615
I traded in. It all smooths out with more rpm anyway.
