L4630 vs. L5030

MossRoad · Mar 20, 2003

Seems like a lot of weight out front that far. Do you have any traction problems on the rear tires when heading down inclines?

MODiesel · Mar 20, 2003

Correction:

The 3430, 4330, 4630 and 5030 are available with cabs. The 3130 and, oddly, the 3830 are only available as ROPS models. I'm not sure why the 3430 is available with a cab but the 3830 is not.

Later,
Jay

JATO_RaT · Mar 20, 2003

So 3050, how do you like HST? Was the 3710 HST? I'm curious about your opinions as there is always plenty to discuss about over whether HST is good, better, or best. Thanks for sharing the pictures of the L5030. I am curious about how you like the loader after you had a L3710. Quick? Powerful? About the same? I'm looking at either a L3430 or L4330. The biggest difference for me is the loader, a LA 723 vs LA 853. I have a L48 with a TL 1150 which has considerably more umph then either of these but is not removable, at least not without a tremendous amount of work. Like the smaller size of the L3430 but don't want to be disappointed with the smaller loader. Thanks, Rat...

gordon · Mar 20, 2003

I'm leaning toward hst as best. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Gee didn't we have this discussion awhile back ? HST tractors were said to be just play toys. That isn't true is it?

The loader on my L4310 is weaker, compared to my ole L 3750. But other than that I really like it.

How do you like that L48 rat? Tough as nails or what.

Gordon

JATO_RaT · Mar 20, 2003

Gordon, the L48 is about as strong a compact as is made regardless of make. The loader is so strong that to buy anything but a HD bucket will surely bend it sooner or later. I can grab onto a root for example with the cutting edge and rollback the bucket lifting the entire rear end off the ground with a 1200 lb box scraper and filled tires. The biggest drawback for me is
1. The loader does not remove, which of course I knew but did not think it would be the issue it is for mowing.

2. When mowing in (M) or medium, the speed is still to slow and high is not strong enough. Unlike your tractor and other L series which do about 7 mph in medium, the L48 does about 4 mph. Great for moving into a pile of dirt, but mowing is just a bit to slow for me. Low is so low that I have very little need for it. I have yet to run into many situations that require it's use. The nice thing about the L48 is its very smooth and super easy to operate. I do not have the hoe but folks that do have commented about its strength. For a compact, the hoe is fantastic is what they comment I hear. I am about ready to put my L48 on the market. I have to hurry because I've done this before, get it all cleaned up and something comes up where I need it. A couple weeks ago it was all ready to sell and my neighbor called asking for help. He collapsed a retaining wall with his double axle dump trailer. It was listing so bad it was ready to roll right into his shop. I was able to lift and pull the trailer out after a bit of work. Rat...

5030 · Mar 21, 2003

( Are your rear tires loaded to be able to carry a bale like that? )

Nothing but air.

Daryl
Forage Services, L.P.

5030 · Mar 21, 2003

( Seems like a lot of weight out front that far. Do you have any traction problems on the rear tires when heading down inclines? )

The new loader mounts on 2 pins, back of the front wheels (look at one of the pictures). I'm not a geometery whiz, but it seems to move the roll center back. The 3710 I had, got light in the rear even with a backblade going down hill. The 5030 doesn't even with nothing mounted on the rear. We have a pretty steep incline behind the barn and I have to traverse it to put bales in the feeders. I always have the tractor in 4wd with a bale on the front.

A nice added feature of the 5030 is a tremendous amount of wheel cut as compared to the L3710. The 5030 will actually turn a tighter radius than the 3710 would.

Daryl
Forage Services, L.P.

5030 · Mar 21, 2003

( So 3050, how do you like HST? Was the 3710 HST? I'm curious about your opinions as there is always plenty to discuss about over whether HST is good, better, or best. Thanks for sharing the pictures of the L5030. I am curious about how you like the loader after you had a L3710. Quick? Powerful? About the same? I'm looking at either a L3430 or L4330. The biggest difference for me is the loader, a LA 723 vs LA 853. I have a L48 with a TL 1150 which has considerably more umph then either of these but is not removable, at least not without a tremendous amount of work. Like the smaller size of the L3430 but don't want to be disappointed with the smaller loader. Thanks, Rat... )

This is probably going to be pretty long.....
The HST for me is ideal for the type of operation we have (read my first post). I was concerned about the ability of the HST oil to stay cool during hard use in hot weather, but the 5030 has a much larger oil cooler than the other models. We also have 2 powershift J.D.'s. They are in the 150 pto range and are used for tillage. Our 4030 J.D. is a manual also. As I stated before, the hydro is just about perfect for haying as you can control the groundspeed without shifting or clutching.

The above said, I would never consider a hydro for tilliage or ground breaking operations because of the power loss through the fluid coupling. The fluid coupling/hydraulic link also causes heat and a continuous heavy load such as tilliage or groundbreaking would probably destroy the transmission.

I have had 3 hydro's and one 8 speed Kubota's. As I have stated, I prefer the hydro. My left foot falls asleep. Whether a hydro is best for your operation is best decided by you and your wallet as the hydro is more expensive than a gear transmission and the maintanence is also more (holds way more oil). Controlling ground speed is of paramount importance to me so the hydro is the logical choice.

The LA853 loader is better in many ways than the loader I had on the 3710. The 853 takes about 1 minute to dismount and 1 1/2 minutes to re-attach. The remote joystick in the cab is slicker than snot and has the best feel I have ever experienced on ANY Kubota that I have ever owned. I've not really done any continuous loader work yet so I can't comment about cycle times, but she has plenty of lifting power. I picked the rear of my wife's Ranger about 1-1/2 feet off the ground to change a tire. Sure beats the bottle jack!!, and this is with nothing attached to the 3 point. I opted for the Bobcat style quick detach bucket and as soon as the tractor was delivered, we took the bucket off (to put the pin in for the spear) and put on a set of pallet forks (which we took off the Bobcat) to lift seed corn bags up to the upper loft. The Bobcat pallet forks went right on without any problem.

I had a 753 on my 3710 and the 853 is much bulkier in structure than the 753 but at the same time it is much easier to dismount and remount and the quick attach works better for me.

Daryl
Forage Services, L.P.

5030 · Mar 21, 2003

I wanted to add this, Kubota, for some reason pushes their glide shift for front loader work. In my opinion and from previous experience with other tractors, the Hydro is the BEST for loader work.

Because we own a number of other tractors of different brands, before I bought the 5030, I tested the largest Boomer, a Deere, and a Massey. I settled on another Kubota, probably because I am familiar with them and I have NEVER had any trouble or breakdowns with Kubota. We have a very tight maintenance program and probably over maintain our equipment, but when it's time to hay or plant, your "window" is limited and a breakdown will always be costly.

Daryl
Forage Services, L.P.

JATO_RaT · Mar 21, 2003

Daryl, I have numerous Kubota dealers near me. All, and I mean all the dealers push the HST for most work if not all, especially loader work where it is arguably, the best way to go. For ripping soil, I would agree, a manual type transmission would be better suited. After hours of ripping in hot weather, the oil will be very hot. The problem gets to be in the decreased efficiency with hot hydraulics, that coupled with the loss inherent to hydrostatics makes the manual a logical choice. On the other hand, for occasional ripping, I'll still stick with HST. After trying various models and manufactuers HST's, I still think Kubotas are the smoothest and quietest made. Rat...