Kubota B3300SUHST to L3901 HST

[bikerdib]

I currently have a 2010 B3300SUHST with the attachments shown in my sig. I'm thinking about upgrading to an L3901 HST. The L3901 is the largest that the BH77 can be used on and I really don't want to have to buy a new BH too. I would get the 3901 FEL with the 2 lever (skidsteer) quick attach and convert my grapple and forklift carrier myself since I can do the metalworking.

However, when looking on TractorData, there doesn't seem to be as much difference in the FEL and 3pt lift capacities as I would have thought. I also had the sales guy pull up the data from Kubota and it is indicating pretty much the same. Unfortunately, the FEL data is shown in different parameters so it is hard to compare apples to apples. But on the 3pnt, the B3300 shows 1367 lbs at 24" and the L3901 shows 1435 lbs at 24". Pump capacity for the 3300 is 9.9 gpm total flow and the 3901 is 10.1 gpm total flow. PTO HP for the 3300 is 25 or 27 (27 in the owner's manual) and 30.6 for the 3901 so assuming 25 for the 3300, that is around a 20% increase there. I have no doubt the 3901 will outpull the 3300 because of the extra HP/torque, weight and larger diameter tires (R1s on both).

Is there just a mistake somewhere in the lift capacities? I'd like all the input I can get about the upgrade. Anyone else that has done the same upgrade, what did you find?

I would really be upset if I spent the money and didn't gain a lot of lift capacity.

 

[jeff9366]

The Kubota B3300SUHST (1,929 pounds) and the Kubota L3901HST (2,778 pounds) not too far apart in bare tractor weight.

You will notice some capability increase in moving to L3901, but only some. Stability will be better with the L3901 due to its greater width, which will make BH77 somewhat more efficient on the L3901.

For a big increase in capability from B3300SU consider Kubota's L3560, which should take your BH77 or more capable BH92.

L3560 is lightest Kubota Grand L, 3,494 pounds bare tractor. Available with LA805 FEL.
I owned a B3300SU for three years, purchased new. The upgrade to heavier L3560 is tractor nirvana daily.
The L3560 is much quieter than the B3300SU and does not have the high pitched whine of the B3300SU's four cylinder engine and HST.
LINK TO KUBOTA WEB SITE: https://www.kubotausa.com/docs/default-source/brochure-sheets/l60.pdf?sfvrsn=bad1e991_6


For most tractor tasks greater chassis weight is more important than tractor horsepower. For novice tractor shoppers the fundamental importance of tractor WEIGHT is difficult to comprehend. In subcompact and compact tractor categories it requires a 50% increase in bare tractor weight before you notice a significant tractor capability increase. It takes a 100% increase in bare tractor weight to elicit MY-OH-MY!

VIDEOS: Kubota Standard L Series VS. Grand L Series - YouTube

Kubota HST Plus Transmission Features - YouTube

HOW HIGH WILL PRICES CLIMB? - TMT - YouTube

 

[bikerdib]

Thanks for the input. This is exactly what I needed, info from someone that also owned a B3300. I understand the importance of machine weight and stated that in my original post. I've been operating tractors off and on since the early 1970s. I've driven quite a few different size machines all the way up to 8 wheel articulated steer.

The 4701 or one of the grand L series seems to be the only way I would feel like the money spent was worth it. I'm just not sure if I want to spend that much.

I'm starting to think I may be better off keeping my 3300 and adding a used larger series with a FEL and forget about trying to find one that would work with my BH77.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

My first CUT was a B3300SU.

The B3300 is really all the L series components (engine and hydraulics) on a large B series frame.
When I upgraded, I decided to go to an MX series (but a large L-Grand was also on the table just more money).

The MX balasted to about 10k lbs is certainly a step up in capability for me.

 

[jeff9366]

I may be better off keeping my B3300SU and adding a used larger series with a FEL and forget about trying to find one that would work with my BH77.

How many years have you owned the B3300SU and how many hours have you put on the engine clock?

Do you use the B3300SU more with the Backhoe or Three Point Hitch?

How many times have you mounted/dismounted the Backhoe during your ownership?




MX series is certainly another option but physically considerably larger than L3560.

 

[bikerdib]

I've had the 3300 for 8 years, had a B7300 before that and a B7100 before that one. I have around 170 hours on it because I haven't done a lot of mowing, mostly FEL and backhoe work at a weekend property out in the woods. About a month ago I purchased another small property at 5.5 acres that needs lots of cleanup. Small trees and underbrush to clear between the bigger ones, lots of scrap metal to gather up and lots of plain junk that I'll have to put in a dumpster or two or four... This will be prime work for the BH cutting roots and digging out stumps and also the grapple will be indispensable for gathering and moving the scrapmetal and junk. Eventually I will be using the shredder and I'm thinking about adding a flail mower. I can't get too large a machine because of tight areas that I need to get into and out of on both properties.

 

[jeff9366]

The 4701 or one of the Grand L series seems to be the onLY worthwhile upgrade. I'm just not sure if I want to spend that much.

I'm starting to think I may be better off keeping my B3300 and adding a second heavier tractor with a FEL and forget about trying to find one that would work with my BH77.

I've had the 3300 for 8 years. I have 170 hours on it. I can't get too large a machine because of tight areas that I need to get into and out of on both properties.


About a month ago I purchased 5.5 acres that needs lots of cleanup.
Lots of scrap metal to gather up and lots of plain junk that I'll have to put in a dumpster or two or four... The grapple will be indispensable for gathering and moving the scrap metal and junk.
Small trees and underbrush to clear between the bigger ones. Prime work for the BH will be cutting roots and digging out stumps.
Eventually I will be using the shredder. I'm thinking about adding a flail mower.

You have not specified the size of your first property.

Over eight years you are averaging only 22 hours of tractor engine time per year.

I hope you are buying diesel fuel three gallons at a time and running out almost all of fuel in the tank before adding newly purchased fuel. Are you greasing all the pins on the B3300SU FEL and Backhoe on the ten hours of use schedule recommended by Kubota? Working with congealed grease in articulated attachments is not good. You should be changing all tractor fluids once a year, even with minimal use. I order all filters changed with fluids.

Unless you have issues with stability, I would stay with the B3300SU and simply plan to spend more hours in the seat.

I would, however, hire an excavator service to remove stumps over 3" in diameter. Stump removal is not work for small Backhoes. The wear and TEAR you will put on the Backhoe removing stumps will cost more that hiring an excavator, which will remove all the stumps in one day. An excavator operator would prefer to have the trees with at least 12' of top, rather than stump, in terms of quick removal.

VIDEO: excavator removing tree stumps - YouTube

Unless you feel the need for a manicured lawn, a Rotary Cutter should handle your grass mowing needs. It takes a pretty heavy Rotary Cutter to cut brush regularly and not require tightening up a couple times per season. (I have personal experience with too light Rotary Cutters requiring expensive routine maintenance.)

Selling a used tractor is easy. Selling light implements in order to buy heavier, wider, implements for a heavier tractor you eat more depreciation on the implements than on the tractor. Passing time with multiple implement browsers is a pain. ((Ask me how I know.))

Two tractors is ludicrous.

 

[jeff9366]

I've had the B3300 for 8 years, had a B7300 before that and a B7100 before that one.

Stop cheese paring. If you must have more capability, which does NOT seem necessary for 5.5 acres, BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR.

In terms of minimal tractor size coupled with adequate weight the L3560 should be your Kubota focus.
B3300SU and L3560 have very nearly equal rear wheel spreads, so you would not have to replace all your implements. This was key to my purchase decision, along with median space between Oaks where I live.

You should shop 3,000 to 3,500+ pound/60" wide Korean tractors from LS and Kioti as well.

 

[bikerdib]

Thanks again for taking the time to respond. I do change the engine oil and filter anually. I have also been doing the coolant every 2 years. I grease the FEL and BH regularly also.

I agree that the 3300 will do everything I need it to, it will just take longer than a larger machine but as I said, the larger machine will limit me because it won't be as maneuverable in tight areas.

I have 17.5 acres at the weekend place, 5.5 on the new property and I often haul the 3300 to my brother's 14 acres. In fact, an upcoming project there involves laying 800 feet of waterline from the rural water supply meeter to his camphouse. I have a 6" trenching bucket so it won't be too much trouble but will take a while.

About the stumps, I am just taking out smaller ones, up to around 4" or so. Anything larger I cutting off with a chainsaw at around 6' tall and leaving for the doser. In fact, I'm meeting the doser operator there today. Trees of 10" trunk and larger are mostly going to be left standing unless they are just too close together.

I think that with suggestions I've gotten here and one other forum have helped me decide I don't really need to spend the money trying to replace the 3300.