Kubota help please!!!

billyo · May 28, 2006

Hello, Cheesehead...
You are correct that I'm new to tractors. Here's a brief description of my plans for one:
I have about 5 acres of level property and another 160 or so acres of wooded mountain property with a couple of miles of Jeep trails (and a few great places to build a cabin) on it. I'll probably not be finish mowing with the tractor, as I have a couple of riding mowers. It will mainly be used for ditch digging, landscaping, spreading gravel, lifting around my garage, keeping my trails open (moving downed trees, minor road repair).
I started out looking at used loader/backhoes (which 15000 would get you a well worn 15 year old machine), then looked at used tractors (from what I've been able to find, you can find those about 10 tears old and save a whopping $2000), so now I've decided to go with a new one. I had decided on the JD790 or 990, until I looked at Kubotas and then drove a HST. Now, I wouldn't consider the 90 series Deere due to the gear drive.

billyo · May 28, 2006

Hello, Cheesehead...
You are correct that I'm new to tractors. Here's a brief description of my plans for one:
I have about 5 acres of level property and another 160 or so acres of wooded mountain property with a couple of miles of Jeep trails (and a few great places to build a cabin) on it. I'll probably not be finish mowing with the tractor, as I have a couple of riding mowers. It will mainly be used for ditch digging, landscaping, spreading gravel, lifting around my garage, keeping my trails open (moving downed trees, minor road repair).
I started out looking at used loader/backhoes (which 15000 would get you a well worn 15 year old machine), then looked at used tractors (from what I've been able to find, you can find those about 10 tears old and save a whopping $2000), so now I've decided to go with a new one. I had decided on the JD790 or 990, until I looked at Kubotas and then drove a HST. Now, I wouldn't consider the 90 series Deere due to the gear drive.

billyo · May 28, 2006

Hello FamilyFarm...
The "Intellidash" may very well prove to be a good, durable system. (I don't know how long they've been using them...) I guess I'm just a little "old school" when it comes to such things. If it were an option, I'm sure I wouldn't order it. With the cost of microprocessors today, it's probably cheaper for them to use this system than installing gauges anyway.
Regarding buying American, I'm probably in the same boat with you. I try to when I can. But from what I've been able to find out, it appears that the Kubota L2800 is about as American as the JD 790 with its Yanmar engine.

billyo · May 28, 2006

Hello FamilyFarm...
The "Intellidash" may very well prove to be a good, durable system. (I don't know how long they've been using them...) I guess I'm just a little "old school" when it comes to such things. If it were an option, I'm sure I wouldn't order it. With the cost of microprocessors today, it's probably cheaper for them to use this system than installing gauges anyway.
Regarding buying American, I'm probably in the same boat with you. I try to when I can. But from what I've been able to find out, it appears that the Kubota L2800 is about as American as the JD 790 with its Yanmar engine.

texbaylea · May 28, 2006

I have the L3130 and after research and read of the service manual do not have any serious concerns. As far as I determined it is simply reporting the status of the tractor not controlling it as in some other brands. Its failure would not disable the tractor although it might take a few workarounds.

I also felt that the HST would be more reliable than the GST. The GST uses switches, sensors and solenoid valves to control the shifting much like an automobile auto transmission.

I have not read any report of an "Intellidash" failure in the nearly 2 years that I have owned my L3130 and it is a very popular model(all the Grand L's).

Vernon

texbaylea · May 28, 2006

I have the L3130 and after research and read of the service manual do not have any serious concerns. As far as I determined it is simply reporting the status of the tractor not controlling it as in some other brands. Its failure would not disable the tractor although it might take a few workarounds.

I also felt that the HST would be more reliable than the GST. The GST uses switches, sensors and solenoid valves to control the shifting much like an automobile auto transmission.

I have not read any report of an "Intellidash" failure in the nearly 2 years that I have owned my L3130 and it is a very popular model(all the Grand L's).

Vernon

Casey1 · May 28, 2006

I think that you will be able to do a lot more work with a 3130 especially with a 723 loader. The dash has been a non issue for me. The 3130 is just more tractor than the others but more money too.

Casey1 · May 28, 2006

I think that you will be able to do a lot more work with a 3130 especially with a 723 loader. The dash has been a non issue for me. The 3130 is just more tractor than the others but more money too.

cheesehead · May 28, 2006

Thanks for sticking with this Billyo. I'm glad that you took finish mowing off the list at the backhoe subframe could complicate the selection process on some tractors. The L3130 HST is a great tractor but you'll likely be in the middle 20K's with the accessories you've called out. If that is acceptable, make sure that you get the LA723 as it gives you more lift, curl, height and comes with the quick attach system. There has never been a case where I ran out of power for a task, but I have run out of lift capacity on the L3130. Consider getting a box blade with your tractor. This will make the gravel spreading and trail maintenance easier. You'll also appreciate having the weight on back when lifting heavy loads.

If that is too pricey I'd suggest the B3030, then the B7800 for your application.

cheesehead · May 28, 2006

Thanks for sticking with this Billyo. I'm glad that you took finish mowing off the list at the backhoe subframe could complicate the selection process on some tractors. The L3130 HST is a great tractor but you'll likely be in the middle 20K's with the accessories you've called out. If that is acceptable, make sure that you get the LA723 as it gives you more lift, curl, height and comes with the quick attach system. There has never been a case where I ran out of power for a task, but I have run out of lift capacity on the L3130. Consider getting a box blade with your tractor. This will make the gravel spreading and trail maintenance easier. You'll also appreciate having the weight on back when lifting heavy loads.

If that is too pricey I'd suggest the B3030, then the B7800 for your application.

wushaw · May 28, 2006

( I really liked the L2800, but I'm considering going with the 3400 for the extra hp. I've read that the HST's eat up some hp, so I thought I should go with the bigger engine to compensate. Do the 2800's perform well with the HST?
)

I have 110hrs on a L2800HST and it seems to work just fine.
I did not even consider the L3400, it was outside the parameters of what I asked of my salesman at the time.
So far I have not needed the extra hp just more weight.

wushaw · May 28, 2006

( I really liked the L2800, but I'm considering going with the 3400 for the extra hp. I've read that the HST's eat up some hp, so I thought I should go with the bigger engine to compensate. Do the 2800's perform well with the HST?
)

I have 110hrs on a L2800HST and it seems to work just fine.
I did not even consider the L3400, it was outside the parameters of what I asked of my salesman at the time.
So far I have not needed the extra hp just more weight.

billyo · May 28, 2006

(
If that is too pricey I'd suggest the B3030, then the B7800 for your application. )

Are you saying that these would be a better choice than the L2800/3400? Aren't the B3030 & B7800 much smaller-framed tractors?

Thanks in advance.

billyo · May 28, 2006

(
If that is too pricey I'd suggest the B3030, then the B7800 for your application. )

Are you saying that these would be a better choice than the L2800/3400? Aren't the B3030 & B7800 much smaller-framed tractors?

Thanks in advance.

cheesehead · May 29, 2006

The B3030 and B7800 are lighter tractors than the L3400. A B3030 has 2" more wheelbase and 11" less length than the L3400, enabling it to 15% tighter than the L3400. The L3400 has a live-continuous PTO where the B3030 is an independent PTO. What you are seeing is that Kubota took some of the "features" off the L3400 to have a low cost tractor that competes directly against the JD 790 (including a single element air filter). My point was that you may want to go down slightly in horsepower if budget is an issue as the list of tasks you've provided did not include items that would be major horsepower drivers. In fact, there are a number of TBN members that are doing the tasks listed with BX series tractors and are very happy with the results. The two factors that cause me pause on recommending a BX to you are ground clearance and lift capacity. BTW, the B3030 has better ground clearance than the L3400 and it also has the quick attach bucket capability on the loader.

cheesehead · May 29, 2006

The B3030 and B7800 are lighter tractors than the L3400. A B3030 has 2" more wheelbase and 11" less length than the L3400, enabling it to 15% tighter than the L3400. The L3400 has a live-continuous PTO where the B3030 is an independent PTO. What you are seeing is that Kubota took some of the "features" off the L3400 to have a low cost tractor that competes directly against the JD 790 (including a single element air filter). My point was that you may want to go down slightly in horsepower if budget is an issue as the list of tasks you've provided did not include items that would be major horsepower drivers. In fact, there are a number of TBN members that are doing the tasks listed with BX series tractors and are very happy with the results. The two factors that cause me pause on recommending a BX to you are ground clearance and lift capacity. BTW, the B3030 has better ground clearance than the L3400 and it also has the quick attach bucket capability on the loader.

Theowegian · May 29, 2006

I have a L3130.
The intellidash has been trouble free, for me....
dwight

Theowegian · May 29, 2006

I have a L3130.
The intellidash has been trouble free, for me....
dwight

MessickFarmEqu · May 30, 2006

( I have a L3130.
The intellidash has been trouble free, for me....
dwight )

I've never heard of one failing either. I was told that if it does need replaced it costs under $200. The dash has nothing to do with operating the tractor so even if it does fail the machine will still operate.

MessickFarmEqu · May 30, 2006

( I have a L3130.
The intellidash has been trouble free, for me....
dwight )

I've never heard of one failing either. I was told that if it does need replaced it costs under $200. The dash has nothing to do with operating the tractor so even if it does fail the machine will still operate.