L3010 or L4610

Anonymous Poster · Mar 14, 2001

I've lurked or quite a while and have come to respect and appreciate the members of this forum. Hear's my question. I can afford an L3010 with a 4n1, hydraulic box blade, and heavy duty mower. Or I could scale back the attachments and get the L4610. I have 40 acres in the Texas hill country. Lots of rocks, elevation changes, and mucho brush to be cleared, mowed, etc. Not to forget the 1/4 mile driveway to maintain. So, Get the 4610 and go with the bare basic attachments, or get the 3010 with the nice toys? (That 4n1 is so sweet!) Thanks in advance.

Bird · Mar 14, 2001

Whew, tough question. I'm familiar with a lot of the hill country (sure do like it, too), and I tend to favor going with the biggest tractor you can afford. Of course, the 4 in 1 bucket sure does look handy (never used one except on a tracked machine), but you might consider a tooth bar on a regular bucket as a poor man's alternative./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif I'd probably go for the bigger tractor, but get a hydraulic top link at least. On second thought, I don't think I want to make a recommendation for you; you just got a tough decision.

Bird

HR_Mutt · Mar 14, 2001

mbbearden
We have similar past as I also lurked here and read posts for hours. Also made trips to the dealers within about 60 miles to see how they responded to my numerous questions. Also,the one that helped me was going to the dealership (local one with their permission)on Sunday and spent a lot of time dreaming of having one of those shiny new Bota's at my place.
No sales person, just myself and lots of other friendly folks who stopped by to look, dream, and talk tractors.
I wanted the 3010 from the first day I saw one. Closer to time to buy it was the 3710. What is sitting the garage right now???(finally....Big Grin) the 4610! No regrets..smoooth, quiet, POWER! Good Luck on the machine you choose, hope this helps.
HR_Mutt

cowboydoc · Mar 14, 2001

Easy question to me and I have to agree with Bird, go with the bigger tractor. You can always add implements later on when you can afford them but it's a little more difficult to trade tractors. You won't be sorry with a bigger tractor but you may be sorry with a smaller tractor and more implements. Buy what you have to have right now and in a few years add on what you want. With 40 acres you won't be sorry about having a bigger tractor, for sure.

DavidH · Mar 14, 2001

mbbearden: I have 45 acres in the hill country and about 2500' of road. I started out looking at the 4310. I finally decided that it was more expensive than I needed. I finally got the 3710 with regular bucket. I liked it because it has more lift than the 3410 and same FEL as the 4310, but cheaper. Also everyone says you'll be traction limited and not HP lmited, I've found this to be true. I looked at the 4n1 but couldn't see $1500, when I can get a toothbar for $250. The 3710 is great and with the HST it doesn't intimidate my wife.
I got the back blade for the road, the landscape rake for rocks and brush, and the tiller for future garden. I think the last two implements will be the rotary mower and a box blade. Oh! And the hydraulic top link when I can afford it.
BTW where in the hill country do you live? I live about half way between Wimberley and Blanco.

DaveH

Thomas · Mar 14, 2001

A friend of mine been tractor shopping for a new Kubota..L48 or L4610 w/FEL 4in1 bucket,backhoe,tire chains.

Well after reading Muhammad book {which the booger hasn't return yet so I may finish reading /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif} He ask me to take him down to my Kubota dealer yesterday after work..so off we went. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
He just plain feel in love w/the L4610 which had everything on it he wanted.

His wife call me at work today and said he bought the L4610 this morning and pushing back snow banks as we speak...I'll be dam /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Call him tonight and and he said the L series was more than what he thought for and glad he had choosen it...than had to go and find more snow to push.

So if you get a chance try a L4010 at your dealer...oh by the way I took a spin on the beast as well...yep I drool. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

MarkV · Mar 15, 2001

Thomas,

Sounds like your buddy got himself a nice set up. If he bought the backhoe and 4-1bucket, it would be interesting to see how it all priced out compared to the L48. I am starting to think one of those two will be my next tractor. Only one problem, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!

MarkV

mbjacobs · Mar 15, 2001

mbbearden, I just moved my L3710 up to my place outside of Fredericksburg. For the kind of things we'll be doing in the Hill Country I think the L3010 is a little small. In fact I'm hoping my L3710 isn't too small although I think it's the same physical size as the L4610 and most of what we'll do will require traction, not HP. By the way, be sure to order the heavy duty bucket for the loader, only costs a little more than the standard bucket and it's a lot sturdier.

Maury Jacobs

foz · Mar 15, 2001

Go with the largest tractor you can afford with the implements that you need now. Add more toys (read...work tools/implements) later. I have a L3600 GST and 188 acres, this machine has all the power i want except for the woods backhoe i have, am trading to an L48 TLB (already ordered - should arrive soon)

Thomas · Mar 15, 2001

Mark,
I pretty sure he said the price tag was $42,500.oo,also the backhoe was a Woods and the tractor was early year 2000.

Yep he did alright the lucky guy.

Have you check on the L35,for there still great unit also in demand.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif