L3130 too Big ??

[dwal]

I am new to posting on this forum, but not reading it. There is a lot of good info to be had here.

With that said I have think I have decided on the L3130 GST. I have a good price ( dealer even called after business hours to sweeten the deal by $300.00) of $ 17000 with LA513 FEL. I am ready to take the plunge , but I am worried about the weight of the tractor for mowing. I have about 5 acres to clear and approx 6 acres to mow. I need the weight for the former but not the latter. The land drains well and does not get soggy except for long periods of wetness. I have septic fields to mow over. Is this too much weight for the septic fields?? I do not want to buy a tractor that is too small.


Any thoughts ?

 

[Boondox]

Welcome to the forum!

My last tractor was an L3010, about the same weight as the one you're looking at. Even with loaded ags, I was able to finish mow when the ground dried out with scarcely a mark. In soggy conditions forget it!

As to your mowing over the septic question, I had the same concerns and posted a similar question. The responses ranged from avoid it at all cost to go ahead it won't hurt a thing. In the end, I played it safe and simply backed up so the 3PH finish mower was over the septic line but the tractor wasn't. If I had some wide tires that spread the load I might have chanced it, but somehow the pucker factor is greater when it's YOUR septic you're talking about!

Pete

 

[SWB]

It depends on how compacted the ground is over your septic field and how deep the lines and how well the field drains. I used to mow over my septic field with a Massey Ferguson 240 (which weighs more than an L3130) with Ag tires without any problems occurring during the 4 years I did it.

 

[BobinCols]

I finished mowed 5 acres with a 3010 and now a 3130. (Woods RD7200 rear mount mower). We mow over our leech field with no problems. The only time we have to be careful is in the wet spring and the ground is soggy. We have turf tires.

 

[IslandTractor]

Others have pointed out that they mowed without problems with machines about the size of the L3130. However, you might also consider a smaller machine such as the 3030 or 7800 in the b series. They are both big enough to handle the clearing operation and are both lighter. One tricky choice is whether to buy a tractor that meets your big project needs best or one that matches better with the long term use. Unless you think it is critical to have the big tractor for the first project, you can certainly mow 5-6 acres easily with the B series options. I have a slightly smaller area to clear and mow but I have been perfectly happy with a 20hp TLB.

 

[bandit67]

I want to upgrade my SubCompact, and have been looking at the B3030 and the L3130 or L3430. I like the capacities of the Grand L's, but I'm concerned that for 75% of my use, it may be too big, especially for work in close to houses. As far as mowing, the B3030 would be a better choice.

As far as the septic fields, I asked the contractor that put a new one in for me back in September, and he said a 2000-4000 lb tractor is not going to hurt it. What may cause a problem would be a loaded dump truck, cement truck, etc. He said think about this - he uses a big, full size JD TLB (which far outweighs the B3030 and L3130 combinied) to backfill the field, and in the process, the fill gets compacted. He does 75% of the septic work in this area, and has never had one fail because of tractors running over the fields.

So your decision should be based on which machine you think will work best for you in the long run. I don't think the septic field should concern you.

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

<font color="blue"> I like the capacities of the Grand L's, but I'm concerned that for 75% of my use, it may be too big, especially for work in close to houses. </font>

Bandit, I'd just like to respectfully suggest that you carefully consider the 25% of the time that the 3030 might be "too small" for your uses. A 402 loader cannot do everything that a 723 can (or a 513 for that matter. That said - I like the 723).

As for agility and septic damage: my 6,000 lb. 5030 has never damaged a septic system, and I don't think it's about to. I've (admittedly inadvertantly) driven right over many a septic tank with no problems, and I have no qualms about driving over leaching fields, even when my gross weight is more like 9,000 lbs. If I ever damage one, that's what my insurance is for. Until then, I don't see it as a problem.

As for agility, the turning radius of a Grand L is pretty darn good (in my opinion) at 8.9 feet (3130, 3430, 4330, 4630), 9.5 feet (3830), and 9.2 feet (5030), especially considering what these machines can do. These specs are w/brakes, 4wd disengaged, but I never use my brakes to turn.

There are many, many people here on TBN who do finish mowing with Grand L's, and from my experience, if the ground is at all firm I don't see much of a problem, especially with the loader off.

Do I know what your other (25%) uses are? Am I categorically recommending a Grand L? No.

No one machine is going to be "perfect" for everything. I just think there's a lot to be said for having "enough" tractor under you, IF you "need" it. Bigger is not always better, and smaller is not always better. The "truth", as usual, is somewhere in between.

John

 

[KubotaSteve]

Bandit,
I was in the same position you are in. I was looking to upgrade from my B-7200 but the question was how big to go. I really liked the L3130 but couldn't justify the size, additional expense as well as more expensive attachments. I ended up with a B-7800 which is same size as B3030. It has served me well and although sometimes I think it is too small, other times I'm glad I went with it as I have been in some pretty tight quarters. I mow with mine as well and it does quite well.
While no one machine can serve all your needs I would think you would want to go with the machine that will cover most of your needs and then if the smaller machine won't cut it rent a machine that fits the job. I haven't found anything yet that I wanted to do with my 7800 that it hasn't been able to do. I know there's plenty it can't do, though

 

[daTeacha]

A lot of the concern regarding the septic drain field could be alleviated if you talk with the guys who put them in your area. Soil types can be a big factor as well as the design of your system. I have 4 tanks, not a field at all. Know your system, how deep it is, your soil types, etc. Your local septic installers and health department can probably tell you what you have and what weight it will take. All Kubota'a are light for their horsepower, but I think a B7800 would be the lightest one in the 30 hp range. Check it out before you buy.

 

[ksmmoto]

I finish mow with my L3430 and a 72" KK rear mower. I do all of my yard except under trees which I use my riding mower on. Also do our church yard several times a year. I drive over the septic tank and drain field at both locations without a problem.

It helps a lot to remove the loader, much less bumpy and the front wheels don't mark. Also can get much closer to objects. It removes very fast, maybe five minutes.

I also run four Kubota suitcase weights on the front when I remove the loader. Don't know if I really need them, but they slip right on.

I have the LA513 loader and run R4's.

ksmmoto