DaNag
Silver Member
I've an L3130, bought new back in 2005. It's been an awesome piece of equipment, but with a new piece of property acquired recently I'm considering an upgrade. The lack of power was not a huge issue on our relatively flat 5 acres, but we now have 40 acres of timberland in the PNW, and the terrain is anything but flat.
The 3130 gets stuff done up there, but we're needing more power - both PTO and loader. I've a Woodmax chipper on the 3130, but even with new/sharp knives it's only efficient up to about 4" material - and we've a constant need to clean up 6-8" windfall. Also, we're moving around rocks and larger timber with regularity and the LA723 is often not up to the task.
We'd like to stick with Kubota. We've a good dealer we just picked up a new U27 from, and I'm a fan of him and the brand. I've asked him what he thinks might be a short list of potential upgrades, and while I trust him - he is a dealer, and there's certainly incentive for him to move what's in stock. I don't mind waiting if there are better options and there's likely less bias getting input here.
He mentioned he has an L4060 in stock w/cab. Our U27 has a cab, and I'm a convert - especially on the new property where we're constantly encountering wasp and hornet nests during the summer and fall. And, since any new unit will see somewhat routine snow work in the winter, being out of the elements with heat is appealing.
What we don't want, is something significantly larger in size than the L3130. A bit bigger is fine, and with the need for more loader capability that's certainly to be expected. However, so much of our work involves getting into tight-ish spots between trees. Maneuverability is a high priority.
Perhaps more questions need asking/answering, but based on the above - what in the orange line should we be considering?
TIA.
The 3130 gets stuff done up there, but we're needing more power - both PTO and loader. I've a Woodmax chipper on the 3130, but even with new/sharp knives it's only efficient up to about 4" material - and we've a constant need to clean up 6-8" windfall. Also, we're moving around rocks and larger timber with regularity and the LA723 is often not up to the task.
We'd like to stick with Kubota. We've a good dealer we just picked up a new U27 from, and I'm a fan of him and the brand. I've asked him what he thinks might be a short list of potential upgrades, and while I trust him - he is a dealer, and there's certainly incentive for him to move what's in stock. I don't mind waiting if there are better options and there's likely less bias getting input here.
He mentioned he has an L4060 in stock w/cab. Our U27 has a cab, and I'm a convert - especially on the new property where we're constantly encountering wasp and hornet nests during the summer and fall. And, since any new unit will see somewhat routine snow work in the winter, being out of the elements with heat is appealing.
What we don't want, is something significantly larger in size than the L3130. A bit bigger is fine, and with the need for more loader capability that's certainly to be expected. However, so much of our work involves getting into tight-ish spots between trees. Maneuverability is a high priority.
Perhaps more questions need asking/answering, but based on the above - what in the orange line should we be considering?
TIA.