L3400 assistance

[Ranch120]

Wow, what a great site, especially for newbies like me. Some of you with more experience I seek your advice.

I researched tractors for about 6 months and have decided to purchase a Kubota L3400 with FEL and a Vassar boxblade. I have a 120 acre ranch with fairly steep hills, draws, and valleys. I am concerned about traversing these steep slopes.

1. Can I extend out the wheels to create a wider stance on the 3400?

2. Does filling the tires with water create freezing issues?

3. Have any of you heard of Vassar brand boxblade and/or used them?

4. Finally, my ranch has about 37 acres of timber and I was wondering if any of you know how to protect the valve cores from stumps, damage, etc...

Thanks for your help!

 

[MDM]

1. With Ags, yes. With R4s, No.
2. Depends on where you live. I put freeze proof wind shield washer fluid in mine.
3. No.
4. I believe the rear rims will have a protector around the valve stem, but the front rims will not. You can always just tack a piece of 2" steel tubing around the valve stem.

 

[Cedarweed]

Hey Ranch,

I recently acquired an L3400 with FEL and use a KK 5' brush cutter and am very satisfied with the choice.

There are two width adjustments to be made on the rear wheels, extending the R-1 Farm tires (11.2-24), which are the narrowest, from 40.2 in. out to 50.8 in. That measurement is from center of one tire tread to the center of the other. In use, the widest is right at 5', outside to outside. The brush cutter looks right at, or just slightly inside, the widest part of the wheel print.

One adjustment is via brackets on the rims which can be bolted from either side to the wheel disk. The other is the wheel disk itself, which is cup shaped. Wheels oriented one way and the cup faces in toward the center, which is the more narrow arrangement. Wheels swaped from side to side from that and the cups face out, which is the wider.

I may be involved in some hill work, and think a tilt meter might help. TBN Store has a link to the item. However, I just tried to link to it with no luck. Then tried the bookmark and got in. Try this URL if the link is down should you decide to take a look:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/articles/02tm.htm

I've been is some pretty thick brambles, briars, small trees, etc. and have not yet had any problems with the valve stems.

Will echo an oft seen suggestion that 4-wd is a very useful option, especially for hill work.

Good luck and let us hear of your decision.

Cedarweed

 

[Mahana79]

Wow, what a great site, especially for newbies like me. Some of you with more experience I seek your advice.

I researched tractors for about 6 months and have decided to purchase a Kubota L3400 with FEL and a Vassar boxblade. I have a 120 acre ranch with fairly steep hills, draws, and valleys. I am concerned about traversing these steep slopes.

1. Can I extend out the wheels to create a wider stance on the 3400?

2. Does filling the tires with water create freezing issues?

3. Have any of you heard of Vassar brand boxblade and/or used them?

4. Finally, my ranch has about 37 acres of timber and I was wondering if any of you know how to protect the valve cores from stumps, damage, etc...

Thanks for your help!

1. R4's rear no, front yes

2. stright water yes. a antifreeze mix no

3. Nope

4. My rear R4 wheels came with protectors welded on. the fronts didnt have any but when you flip the fronts for the wider stance it also puts the valve stems on the inside. havent had a problem snagging mine on the inside