L3700 Question

[oneillmj]

I have ten acres in SW Virginia with clay soil. I am tentatively looking to purchase an Kubota L3700 with FEL. Would it be adequate to do the following jobs with appropriate implements. Suggestions on implements to do the jobs would be appreciated too. Thanks.

1. Clear and replant in grass four acres of pasture, formerly alfalfa, but now ten years in weeds, small trees and whatever else might be out there. I was thinking of bush-hogging it, then discing it possibly, before planting in grass, but would welcome suggestions on how to get the job done. I thought four acres might be too much to use a rototller implement on.

2. Mowing the four acres afterward, and an acre of orchard, with a bush hog after replanted.

3. Plow snow on 400 foot of driveway

4. Level and replant one acre of front lawn, (To be mowed with current riding mower)

5. Keep up four or so acres of woods, Hauling out brush, firewood etc.

6. Remove small stumps, and other miscellaneous tasks such as pulling around an orchard sprayer

 

[TripleR]

I believe that tractor should work well enough. My only concern is in changing the land into pasture with a bush hog and disc. That is going to depend on how big the trees are and how many. When I was farming, we used a very heavy "bush and bog" off-set disc on new ground and sometimes a moldboard plow depending on how rough it had been upon clearing.

I am sure someone who has done this lately can help you as now I would just bring in a dozer.

Good luck.

 

[Code54]

I agree with TripleR. I should do everything just fine but the only possible issue is converting the field back depending on the size of the trees. If they are little 1" think things then NO problem, if they are 4" and a bunch it maybe a bit more of a challenge.

 

[EThogfarmer]

The 3700 would be more than adequate for general maintenance on 10 acres. If the overgrown areas are too thick you're better off hiring the clearing done as others have suggested. This is typically a one time thing if the area is maintained afterwards.

When I was a young man I used a chainsaw and an old tractor to clear land. It was a slow and labor intensive process. As I got older I hired dozers, not as satisfying but a lot faster.

I've noticed in my area that people are now using large machines that grind up the trees and underbrush rather than dozers. I'm not familiar with them but they don't seem to leave behind any brush piles to burn.

 

[johnrex62]

I am using a L3700SU to "reclaim" access to a wooded area overgrown with thickets of saplings. I have had no problems using a 60" brush hog to mow down anything up to 3", even though the cutter is rated to 1.5". I try to avoid the bigger stuff, but it is often hidden until the cutter finds it. These thickets are mostly cedar elm and Soapberry and are as thick as bamboo.

I would recommend a chainsaw for anything over 2", but don't worry about the L3700SU handling the cutter even above what the cutter is rated for.

 

[oneillmj]

Thanks for your replies. The trees are mostly small cedars with maybe 1" trunks. There are a few other "Paradise Trees" I'll have to saw and dig out. Those things grow like weeds. Do any of you think discing (disking?)the ground after it has been bush-hogged would be the way to go before seeding with grass. I've never done this before so don't have any idea. I'm speculating the L3700 could pull a disk harrow since Kubota does sell one as an implement listed for use with it. Whether or not it could turn over Virginia clay soil is another concern. My old rototiller just bounces off it.

Also, if you don't mind, any advice as to how much I should be paying for a new L3700 with FEL.

 

[johnrex62]

You will see significant regional variance in price and dealer negotiability. I paid $19,500 for mine with the rotary cutter, box blade, landscape rake and third-party metal canopy. The Kubota insurance was on top of that price.

 

[ovrszd]

oneillmj,

Based on answers I got, it appears tractor and loader with R4s, drawbar and cruise control is a good buy at $17K, modest buy at $17.5K and a little high at $18K.

 

[Code54]

Around here $18500 for quick detach loader/bucket, R4's, drawbar is what everyone wants