KUBOTA L4400 HST

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

Can anyone give me a view on the KUBOTA L4400 which I am thinking of buying in Victoria Australia with FEL & BACKHOE. Can anyone give me a price indication as the dealers are very up n down until you decide to do the deal.

 

[dennis52]

Can anyone give me a view on the KUBOTA L4400 which I am thinking of buying in Victoria Australia with FEL & BACKHOE. Can anyone give me a price indication as the dealers are very up n down until you decide to do the deal.

I was looking at buying a L4400 about 10 months ago after having a smaller Kubota for 15 years. The price of the tractor was reasonable but they were going to hit me up about $38,000 for the FEL, 4 in 1 , slasher and tractor.

I then looked at a DS4510HS Kioti which has very similar design and specs to L4400 and was offered the same package for $30,000.

The Kioti is better appointed and is backed by a well established dealer network and parts supplier.
It comes with 2 years warranty in this country.

I have worked this tractor hard for 210 hours and it has performed without problem.

The only issue has been a faulty solenoid replaced easily by myself in 3 minutes the same day.

Go and compare the 2 tractors for yourself and you will find the Kioti is of at least the equivalent quality of the Kubota.

Now I still have my old Kubota and love it but you could not beat the value for money that Kioti offered when I bought mine.

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

Thanks for your comments Dennis, I'll certainly investigate the KIOTI although the brochure makes no mention of a backhoe as I'll be looking to getting a backhoe too in the package..then later on a post hole digger, a Rotary hoe and a slasher but these items alone can add $$$ to the spend. Sicma have been suggested as the best Rotary Hoes ...but are there any similar cheaper good quality versions?

Did yoy have a look at the Kubota Grand L40 versions and what where the prices for those AS THE ADD ON FEATURES LOOK INTERESTING ALTHO THE ELECTRONICS IDEA ALTHO SEEM TERRIFIC i'M ALWAYS WORRIED THAT THE REPAIR COSTS MIGHT BALLON HIGHER AND OR MIGHT NOT PERMIT THE USE OF THE TRACTOR AT ALL IF THE MULFUNCTION.

I,d like to get at 45HP TRACTOR but if the costs of FEL & BACKHOE in the Kubota go too high I might have to consider a cheaper lower HP combo., tho looking at the Youtube operating versions I keep going back up to a 45HP.

One of the main issues which concern me is stability safety on steep ground which i have on one third of my property...and some posts have commented that the fluid level drops on steep ground and the steering/breaks my fail? Any comments would be helpful

Thanks once again Dennis.

 

[dex3361]

I have a L4400HST with 703A FEL. This has been a soilid tractor. If I were going to buy today I would step up to the MX5100 for the better FEL and the heavier duty front axle. The 3PH ratings on the MX5100 and the L4400 is the same so the L4400 is a robust tractor and has performed well for 300+ hours of use.
:thumbsup:

 

[dennis52]

Thanks for your comments Dennis, I'll certainly investigate the KIOTI although the brochure makes no mention of a backhoe as I'll be looking to getting a backhoe too in the package..then later on a post hole digger, a Rotary hoe and a slasher but these items alone can add $$$ to the spend. Sicma have been suggested as the best Rotary Hoes ...but are there any similar cheaper good quality versions?

Did yoy have a look at the Kubota Grand L40 versions and what where the prices for those AS THE ADD ON FEATURES LOOK INTERESTING ALTHO THE ELECTRONICS IDEA ALTHO SEEM TERRIFIC i'M ALWAYS WORRIED THAT THE REPAIR COSTS MIGHT BALLON HIGHER AND OR MIGHT NOT PERMIT THE USE OF THE TRACTOR AT ALL IF THE MULFUNCTION.

I,d like to get at 45HP TRACTOR but if the costs of FEL & BACKHOE in the Kubota go too high I might have to consider a cheaper lower HP combo., tho looking at the Youtube operating versions I keep going back up to a 45HP.

One of the main issues which concern me is stability safety on steep ground which i have on one third of my property...and some posts have commented that the fluid level drops on steep ground and the steering/breaks my fail? Any comments would be helpful

Thanks once again Dennis.

Kioti also advertise a backhoe, if you are really sure you are going to get use out of one.

The Kubota L4400 is also a fine machine.

I am also wary of too many electronic bells and whistles that I am not able to fix when they malfunction.

With regard to use on steep terrain you will find a lot of threads on TBN commenting on this issue.

I have been particularly impressed about the stability of the DS4510 on the steep hills I have been working over 15 years.

I have widened the tyres and always have a slasher and fel attached and , of course, always go slow.

Most people also argue for tyre ballast , and I used to fill mine, but in my experience it seems more advantageous for extra traction.

I am pretty sure the pumps will keep your fluids up on the steep stuff as long as you maintain the correct fluid level.

The other thing that concerned me when I was buying was advice that steep slopes placed a considerable load on the hst compared to flat terrain.

Anyway I went for gears as I can fix them myself if there is a problem.

If you are doing a lot of loading work, working in confined spaces or just appreciate the convenience , go hst.

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

Kioti also advertise a backhoe, if you are really sure you are going to get use out of one.

The Kubota L4400 is also a fine machine.

I am also wary of too many electronic bells and whistles that I am not able to fix when they malfunction.

With regard to use on steep terrain you will find a lot of threads on TBN commenting on this issue.

I have been particularly impressed about the stability of the DS4510 on the steep hills I have been working over 15 years.

I have widened the tyres and always have a slasher and fel attached and , of course, always go slow.

Most people also argue for tyre ballast , and I used to fill mine, but in my experience it seems more advantageous for extra traction.

I am pretty sure the pumps will keep your fluids up on the steep stuff as long as you maintain the correct fluid level.

The other thing that concerned me when I was buying was advice that steep slopes placed a considerable load on the hst compared to flat terrain.

Anyway I went for gears as I can fix them myself if there is a problem.

If you are doing a lot of loading work, working in confined spaces or just appreciate the convenience , go hst.

Dennis52 Thanks for your additional comments. Another poster has suggested a MX5100 for stronger axel and obviously extra 5 HP would be helpful but how much more does price go up ...or anyone know what price difference is /or should be between L4400 HST with 4FEL and Backhoe with thumb and the MX5100 HST ith 4FEL and Backhoe with thumb. KUBOTA have specials too on some models which can distort pricings. Some posters say the L4400 is just a standard? What ever that means.

I've got quite a bit of landscaping work to do at Yarra Glen but on otherhand I dont want to overspend if i really dont need to...its too easy to rack up big financing deals @ 5.9%. Thanks guys.

 

[Code54]

I looked at the L4400 recently and bought the MX5100 -the heavy duty loader and extra power was worth it in my case. The price was a bit more (don't recall exactly how much however) but the lift was a LOT better and the tractor is just a good deal more solid/heavy duty which appealed to me.
the other advantage is it can be setup to be a fair amount wider and thus more stable on the hills which is also very valuable where I live.
The Kioti also seems like a nice machine and I would look at it also if there are dealers near you. In our area they are not well supported so I did not seriously consider them only because of that.
Good luck in your search.

 

[Code54]

I looked at the L4400 recently and bought the MX5100 -the heavy duty loader and extra power was worth it in my case. The price was a bit more (don't recall exactly how much however) but the lift was a LOT better and the tractor is just a good deal more solid/heavy duty which appealed to me.
the other advantage is it can be setup to be a fair amount wider and thus more stable on the hills which is also very valuable where I live.
The Kioti also seems like a nice machine and I would look at it also if there are dealers near you. In our area they are not well supported so I did not seriously consider them only because of that.
Good luck in your search.

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

Thanks for your comments Code54 I'm now going to consider the MX5100 in view that you mentioned that it can be set up to be wider for hilly ground, a point not jmentioned by anyone else so far. One of our local dealers is pushing the L4400 because i think he is overstocked in them but his price has been going up whereas another dealer is suggesting the MX5100 pricing is close...so I'm waiting for an indication of pricing.

Your US prices and zero interest rates are a winner but our Reserve Bank is trying to control our spending habits with higher interests rates because worried that cheaper rates will cause inflation.

 

[Code54]

Here is a photo of how I have mine setup - it gives you a good idea of the width. The tractor with a loader and BH should come in around 35,000ish in the US but I have no idea what it would be for you. I only got the loader, HD bucket, rear hydro's, HST drive and a few little things so my pricing is a bit different than what you are looking for (BTW - I would love a backhoe one day!)

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

Thanks for the pic Code54...what grade hill have you been able to climb so far with safety? i imagine you would need a FEL and other implement to stabalish it.

 

[Code54]

As for climbing a grade, I always run out of traction before I feel like I have a safety issue or run out of power. I don't really know what my slopes are around here (%wise) but it is very hilly and a lot of areas are way to steep to drive across.
This weekend I was going down some areas where you slide to the front of your seat so a tight seatbelt is a must!! If it is really steep I mostly back up (brush hogging for example) and can't say I have ever had an issue (even on my older tractor which was smaller). The big thing on hills is keep the loader low and just take your time. You will be amazed at what these can climb and do.

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

Hi Code54, a dealer just told me the MX5100 wheelbase can be widened to 2.4 wide which should make it easier on steeper slopes.

I'm really benefiting from your comments and those of all the other posters and the information and tips are far better than using Kubotas own internet information. I have not yet been able to find a manual on how to operate the MX5100...anyone know of any Tractors for Dummys available anywhere?

 

[Code54]

Well I don't know of a "Tractors for dummy's" (not a bad idea however) but there are a few books out there that have some good info in them. Check out sites like half.com and search for farm safety or tractor safety and there should be a few hits and the price is mostly pretty reasonable. The majority of driving/operating the machine is just safety issues - the actual operation will come very very quickly to you. Also the operator of this site wrote and markets a nice electronic book on Compact tractors that you may enjoy. You can find that from the HOME page of the site.
Speaking of this site, it has some EXCELLENT information on operating and using the tractor and asking questions will get you a lot of different opinions so you can make a well rounded decision.
I learned when I was in college to drive larger machines but looking back I had a LOT of bad advice. I worked for a Township school district mowing every summer during college and the "older guys" would tell you (some would say teach but that is a stretch) how to drive the larger machinery. Things like, "They won't roll over, they always slide first" - Sure, whatever - I will skip trying to prove that one thank you (By the way - they can flip and never slide an inch), other teaching lessons "Pull that bush out by hooking the chain on the roll bar so you can see it better" - BAD IDEA - amazing I never flipped a machine practicing that lesson... Oh and the mid mount mower "is fine for cutting that field, bush and those 3" maple trees on the edge - there built for that!" - One of the other guys couldn't figure out why the blade spindle sheered off after that adventure - they blamed it on Ford building a "crappy" mower....
My point is there is so many things to learn take it slow, ask questions, read the manual (I know that goes against every rule we men are born knowing but they do throw a little bit of useful information in those things.. (Or so my wife tells me - haha) But the most important thing is use common sense and be careful!

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

Thanks once again Code54, I know I can achieve great work and efficiencies eventually when I get that MX5100 everyone is raving about, BUT I also am very aware and concerned for my safety and want to make sure I donr take unecessary risks also.

The opinions from so many good people inthese postings has been a real education, whilst there is always a risk of SEO work in these sites I dont think everyone would be doing that. The wide variations of opinions, youtube videos are also invaluable trying to work out the best machine to get...but not found any manual or video which the tractor makers should get together to produce freely. Thanks once again.

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

How can I get my hands on a KUBOTA MX5100 HST 4 WD with loader and BH OPERATING MANUAL before I actually order it?

I'd like to know more about it before I put the order in, yet it seems to be impossible which makes me think there might be problems to operate them than appears the case by not permitting a buyer the oppurtunity to look at before instead till after when you realise it does not do what you'd hoped it would.

Sometimes you cant remember everything you want in a tractor until after and when I;m going to be spending good money...cant afford to make any mistakes.

Anyone got a pdf which can be downloaded?

Thanks guys.

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

Just got back from a short seaside holiday at the beach with the family and so I.m back looking at the L4400 HST as I can get the BH92 if i buy this model but i'll have to import a Woods BH90X from USA if i buy the MX5100 HST as i really dont like the versions being offered...unless i forget about the Back Hoe altogether and hire an excavator when i need it.

Hiring might be cheaper in long run as I recall i hired a trencher and bent the hydralic shaft on it...awhile back...the hirer was not happy...but it had not been forced at all and it bent ...cant remember the make or model tho.