Help in new selection

[Aquabird]

So, I just sold my compact tractor after 30yrs of owning it.

I had a Ford 1520 with a woods loader on it.
After I put the loader on my tractor about 4 years ago, it just seemed under powered for some jobs. I had no problem with the loader, just how the tractor responded to non loader jobs with the loader on it.
After years of living in the same area and getting to know some of the Tractor dealers, I have settled on a dealer.
This dealer sells New Holland and Kubota.
I talked to him a few weeks ago and he basically told me that the New Holland compacts of today are not equal to the ones built back in 1990 when I bought mine.
He sells them! I do not want to put anybodys' tractor down, just saying what he said. I was very happy with the reliability of my Ford.
So, since I had dealt on some other things at the john Deere dealer locally, I was not happy with the service I got on something I bought there.
Now, I think I am going with a Kubota.
Price is the next most important item here. I would like to keep it under 40,000 as much as I can.
I do not have to have a cab, but would be nice. I would like at the very least 35/37hp more would be good. My old Ford had the controls back beside the seat and very little hump between your legs. I had turf tires and would like those again.
I would use a loader for various jobs. I have a woods of 4 acres and bare ground which I groom mow of 3.5 acres, altogether just under 8 acres. I will get another rototiller as I sold my tractor with the other tiller I had.
I had looked at the L3901 and did not like the loader lifting capacity on it, so I was looking at the L4701 with FEL. But there are other models from Kubota that I am not familiar with as far as the differences.
I am sure many of you have some models that might fit what I am looking for? What do I need to know.

As far as a tiller RTA or RTR for the money difference?

 

[bigtiller]

On your tiller question, RTR for hard dry ground - if you have the horse power to feed it - and RTA for everything else.

 

[Roadworthy]

Kubota uses the same model loader on different models of tractors. I believe the loader on the L3901 is used on their three three smallest L frame tractors. For all I do the loader on my L2501 is perfectly adequate, though apparently not for your uses. Kubota does list specs for each of their loaders so determine which loader is used on the tractor model you want. You might also inquire about the MX series of Kubota tractors. You may find what you want there. You are going above 25 horsepower so the Tier 4 pollution controls will be part of the package unless you go for a used tractor before Tier 4 came into play.

 

[Aquabird]

Thanks for the tiller info.

Not familiar with pollution control differences. Do you have to have to dump something into the fuel tank every so often and run on idle like a diesel truck? But yes, I do plan to go to a higher HP version. I do want to do some grading as well, with driveway maintenance.

 

[Aquabird]

So, today I went in to a nearby dealer and compared an L3901 to an MX5400.
He told me that the L4701 is slightly larger than the 3901. I liked what I saw in the 5400. It did not have turf tires on it, he would have to order them.
I was planning on buying at a different dealer which is about 40 miles away, but when they both quoted me a price on an L4701 with implements, the local guy is cheaper.
I keep looking at the quotes to find the difference, but I only see a minor one. The dealer farther away would have to order the L4701, the local dealer can dealer trade for it. The local dealer has an MX5400HST in stock.

 

[jeff9366]

I think I am going Kubota.
My old Ford had the controls back beside the seat and only minor hump between my feet.
Price is the next most important item here. I would like to keep it under 40,000 as much as I can.
I do not have to have a cab, but would be nice. I would like at least 35/37hp more would be good.

Either an MX or a deLuxe Kubota 'Grand L'. Engine options for both to 60-horsepower.
Grand L's fuel from ground level. You have to climb up on an MX and fuel old style, making falls a posability.

VIDEO: Kubota Grand L Series VS. Kubota MX Series - YouTube

Factory Cabs with heat and AC are options for both models. (Cabs on MX are **NEW**) Cab models are too tall to fit in a garage.

 

[rScotty]

So, today I went in to a nearby dealer and compared an L3901 to an MX5400.
He told me that the L4701 is slightly larger than the 3901. I liked what I saw in the 5400. It did not have turf tires on it, he would have to order them.
I was planning on buying at a different dealer which is about 40 miles away, but when they both quoted me a price on an L4701 with implements, the local guy is cheaper.
I keep looking at the quotes to find the difference, but I only see a minor one. The dealer farther away would have to order the L4701, the local dealer can dealer trade for it. The local dealer has an MX5400HST in stock.

Those old Fords were nice durable tractors. But I can understand wanting something different, larger, more comfortable. My wife talked me into doing the same.

When looking at that size Kubota with HST transmission, you need to double check the serial number on the particular tractor you are considering. There is a major recall repair going on right now on recent Kubotas with HST, but luckily there is a list of serial numbers affected and it's easy to check.. Some dealers are aware of this, some not. New and recent L4701s are one of many models affected. Take a look at this thread for more info:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-buying-pricing/424729-l-series-hst-recall.html

The affected models & serial numbers are in message #11. Apparently some unknown number of those are still unsold, & you certainly don't want to end up buying one that needs that much repair immediately.... or maybe you do.....but either way you should check to see if the particular tractor you are looking at is one on the serial number list.
rScotty

 

[jeff9366]

I just sold my Ford 1520 \compact tractor after 30yrs.

Ford 1520 - dimensions

1987 - 1998 Twenty Compact Series
Compact Utility tractor
Previous model: Ford 1510
Series next: Ford 1620
Series back: Ford 1320

Dimensions:
4WD Weight (shipping): 2278 lbs [1033 kg]
Wheelbase: 63 inches [160 cm]
Length: 112.4 inches [285 cm]
Width: 48.4 inches [122 cm]
Height (ROPS): 84.3 inches [214 cm]

4WD Ground clearance: 11.2 inches [28 cm]





Kubota L4060 - dimensions

2013 - Grand L - L60 Series
Compact Utility tractor
Previous model: Kubota L3940
Series next: Kubota L4760
Series back: Kubota L3560
Dimensions:
Weight: 3737 lbs [1695 kg] (DT ROPS)
3748 lbs [1700 kg] (GST ROPS)
3759 lbs [1705 kg] (hydro ROPS)
4134 lbs [1875 kg] (hydro cab)
Wheelbase: 74.6 inches [189 cm]
Length: 121.5 inches [308 cm]
Width: 66.5 inches [168 cm] (min)
Height (ROPS): 97.6 inches [247 cm]
Height (cab): 91.1 inches [231 cm]
Ground clearance: 12.2 inches [30 cm]
Rear axle: Flange

 

[Aquabird]

So, since my last post, I went back to the local dealer. He had called me and told me that he wanted to order an MX 5400 with turf tires on it, so they would not have to change out the Industrial tires on the one they have. When I went in, I asked him to check on the time length of time to get one. He emailed me back and said they were not taking orders on those until they got caught up and back orders.
After relooking at the deal he wrote up, he had written up a monthly payment, but did not include any taxes...How do you give a guy a monthly payment but the taxes are not included. He also did not include any charges to change out the tires for the turf tires.

I went to the dealer 40 miles away he too just got in an MX5400. After he figured up, changing the tires out, including the FEL, rototiller, ground scraper and adding the loader level and seat arm rests, the price was higher than my limit. He also added a Quick Hitch after I told him that I decided not to add that right now to keep the cost down, since I went to a more expensive model. I asked him if he could give me a little cost break to come 40 miles away, since all the cost breaks so far have been provided by Kubota.
He told me he was not getting into a pissing contest with another dealer.

So, my question is; Do kubota dealers give any price breaks? Do they all just charge what kubota sells for?

The local dealer has not given any break either. The price difference that I was seeing in the beginning was just the fact that he had not included taxes or tire change over.

 

[buck12]

You can go to Kubota’s website and build any tractor with options for a retail price. Yes, dealers do discount tractors. From what I have seen on TBN, it seems to be regional as to the amount of discount you can expect. Last August I bought at 17% below retail. I don’t how much it mattered but my tractor had sat on the dealers lot for 8 months.