L3130 or L3830 can't decide

[DCRC]

L3130 or L3830 can\'t decide

I think I've read every post in this section and the information has been excellent. I'm looking at either getting:

L3130HST R4 tir
LA723 loader-HD bucket
Bush Hog SQ600 5' rotary cutter-shear pin.
$19100

or :

L3830 HST R4 tires
LA723 loader-HD bucket
Bush Hog SQ720 6' rotary cutter with slip clutch
$21600

I'll be mowing 10 acreas of mostly flat open field. What kind of time diference would there be between the two combinations above? Would going with the L3830 and 6' cutter be worth it and save me much time? I just hate to get the L3130 and regret not getting the L3830.

 

[ronjhall]

Re: L3130 or L3830 can\'t decide

DCRC

When I have looked at the Grande L series my dealer thinks the 3430 or 3830 are a better power match for the size tractor.

For a extra $2500 the 3830 72" Bush Hog will get your 10 acres cut in less time. The 3830 may be able to pull the Bush Hog at a faster speed without bogging down when the grass is high.

 

[OrangeGuy]

Re: L3130 or L3830 can\'t decide

A good compromise might be the L3430 HST. I have one with the 723 FEL, 90" Finishing Mower and 72" Brush mower. I have all the power I need. I picked the L3430 mainly because I wanted the smallest frame with the factory cab. I love the cab and tractor both.

 

[Henro]

Re: L3130 or L3830 can\'t decide

Assuming you are buying for the long run, while this approach may be a bit simplistic, that extra 2,500 works out to be about $10 per month...

If I recall right, the 3130 thru 3830 are the same size tractor, with basically the same features.

If you go for the larger-engine tractor you get the extra HP if you need it for some unexpected reason in the future. You also get the larger rotary cutter, so you will get that work done 20% faster. While it is often said you will run out of traction before you run out of power, this is not always the case. One example is digging into a pile with the loader. You can stall the engine if you are pushing and lifting at the same time trying to fill the bucket heaping...

Bottom line though depends on you and if you can afford to spend extra to get more.

The L3xxx series sure are nice tractors! I was looking at one (again) yesterday afternoon...

I have a B2910 and have never regretted not buying the B2710...similar situation on a smaller scale...we have hills here though...

Good luck in your decision...

 

[_RaT_]

Re: L3130 or L3830 can\'t decide

Actually, the L3830 differs from the L3130 and L3430 by just a few things. Bigger tires (R4's) all the way around. Larger rear end, identical in gearing to the L4630. Higher lift capacity on the 3 pt hitch. I was in much the same dilema. My advice after using the L3830 now for about a year would be that if going HST, you might consider the L3830. For GST or DT, the L3130 would be superb. I say that with reservation. I have no experience on the L3130 HST in a loaded configuration, so with just a 5' mower, you may really be well powered. I already owned a 84" mower, really wanted HST again so with those two things in mind, went with the L3830. I would opt for at least a 6' cutter even on the L3130. One thing to bear in mind is that the whole HP issue is often so over played here. If your first mowing is tough because it is out of hand, HST will allow you to continuously and constantly adapt your speed as the engine loads. It is one of the real advantages HST offers. On occasion I need to do it on my L3830, typically going uphill and in tall grass. I never, think "man, I wish I had more power" in fact if anything, it's entertaining to have to moderate speed as a result of encountering extra heavy loads. The Kubota pedal design not only allows you to easily do this, I find it's shape and the position of your foot/leg to more easily dampen and moderate speed control with all the bumps and dips you will encounter while mowing. My JD 510 mower tends to cause me to hit the pedal when mowing and hitting bumps. Hard to describe, but easy to demonstrate for yourself. Either way, I think both are pretty superb choices.

 

[fishman]

Re: L3130 or L3830 can\'t decide

Buy the bigger tractor. With 10 acres to mow, you won't regret it.

Like Henro, I looked at smaller tractors but ended up with the largest on my list . . . a 2910. I was close to going with a 2410 which was a really nice tractor, but in retrospect the 2910 is so much more capable where I need it.

Going up a frame size, 7 hp (23% increase), and a foot of cutter width (20% increase) for a 13% increase in price seems to make sense logically. You'll recoup some of that extra cost if you ever sell the tractor, and in the meantime you'll get your work done a lot faster. The extra weight of the machine will also make your loader more effective.

The only reason I didn't end up with a 3010 (precursor to the 3130) is that it was just physically too big for many things I needed it to do. It doesn't sound like that's a problem for you, unless you plan on transporting the tractor or something.

 

[Moon]

Re: L3130 or L3830 can\'t decide

I have the L3010 and will concur with RaT. I worked my way up from wanting a 2410 to the 2710 then 2910 and settled on the L3010. I'm sure glad I went with the bigger one.
I'm guessing you'll be glad you got the 3810 a year or so from now.
Moon of Ohio

 

[chip]

Re: L3130 or L3830 can\'t decide

I JUST ORDERED L3830-HST.4WD.723FEL..66"
HD BUCKET(THE BUCKET ON 3130 AND 3430), 1 REAR HYDRAULIC CONNECTION...420/24 TIRES(THE ONES THAT ARE ON L3130 AND 3430)..ORDERED LAST WEEK(6-2-04)...HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL 6-25-04 FOR DELIVERY..HARD TO WAIT THAT MUCH TIME...I WANTED TO KEEP TRACTOR AS COMPACT AS POSSIBLE FOR USE AROUND CONSTRUCTION SITES,,BUT ALSO WANTED EXTRA HP FOR LOADER WORK...I AM REPLACING YANMAR 336D I HAVE HAD FOR SEVERAL YEARS...TEST DROVE AND WAS IMPRESSED...

 

[DCRC]

Re: L3130 or L3830 can\'t decide

Thanks for the replies. I think I've pretty much decided on the Kubota L3830HST. I figure I'll be able to get my mowing done quicker with the 6' cutter and put less hours tractor. I checked with about every dealer in my area and was lucky to find good pricing close to home with little haggling.

Here's the deal I've worked out:

Kubota Grand L3830 HST
LA723 FEL
HD bucket
R4 tires
$20200

Also Purchasing :
Bush Hog SQ720 6' "Squealer" rotary cutter with slip clutch $1200

Probably also end up purchasing:
Bush Hog SBX-720 box blade

Not much of a hat guy, but I'll see if I can get one thrown in with the deal. Wouldn't mind having a Kubota T-shirt, or golf shirt to go with the tractor.

The CFO hasn't even seen the tractor. I think she may flip when she's see how big these L series are, but she also thought we should go with the bigger one.

A couple more questions for the group.

What does the cutting edge look like? Is it for cutting brush, or cutting through soil?

And what valve should I get for the FEL above a 3 position or 4 position?

Thank you,

DC /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[_RaT_]

Re: L3130 or L3830 can\'t decide

The cutting edge on the bucket is just a thickened piece of steel, harder I'm sure then mild steel. It won't cut brush as much as possibly shear it in some situations. The joystick as I remember has single float or double float as an option. The single is what I have where it allows the loader arms to float. The double would be for use with an implement like a snow blower. This is how it was explained to me. I opted for the single. The most important option I put on was my TnT (Top and Tilt) for my boxblade. It's usefulness exceeds every other option I can think of. It can always be added on later. Oh yeah, I think the L3830 also comes with a little bigger battery then the L3130 or L3430. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif