LA513 or LA723

jet918 · Dec 17, 2005

Hey folk great site you have here /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I'm buying a new L3130 gear drive with a 513 loader on Monday. After reading some posts here I'm now thinking about upgrading to the 723 loader. I mostly using the tractor to maintain my motocross track (bushhog, grooming w/ boxblade and moving dirt). I will use the loader to rebuild the faces of the jumps and to move around any run off that may happen. Can I get away with the LA513? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

ronjhall · Dec 17, 2005

Sure you can get the job done with a LA513. But the LA723 has 500lbs more load capacity. 10 more degrees of rollback and 5 more degrees of dump. Plus loader will lift 6" higher.
You may want to add a tooth bar for working on the jumps. Which ever loader you get.

kevincook · Dec 17, 2005

The extra capacity of the LA723 is nice but for me the real key item is the extra rollback on the bucket. It will really make a big difference keeping loose materials in the bucket and not having them fall out as you move with them. This is really a problem with sand, gravel and loose soil.

I think the LA723 is only $400 more.

Good Luck,
Kevin

kubotabilly · Dec 17, 2005

Jet,
Spend the extra money now and go with the 723. I made the costly mistake of going with the 513 and it cost me $800 a year later. It definitely is a more powerful loader.

Bill

btolle · Dec 17, 2005

I have heard some folks complain about not having enough lift capacity but I have never heard anyone complain about having too much lifting capacity.

Bill Tolle

Theowegian · Dec 17, 2005

If you ever decide to add a backhoe, then you'll have to go with the LA723, according to my dealer. The LA513 just wont work.

Personally, I really dont think it matters that much. I have the LA513 and kinda wished I had gone with the LA723, however, the LA513 is a tad bit shorter, lengthwise, so it fits on my trailer a tiny bit better.

dwight

CT_Tree_Guy · Dec 17, 2005

Can I get away with the LA513?

This reminds me of the saying about luxury yachts - if you have to ask how much one is, you can't afford it. (I sure can't).

If you have to ask if you can get away with a 513, I don't think you can afford not to get the 723. Lift height, rollback, lifting capacity, Dwight's observation about the backhoe - just get it.

This reminds me of another axiom about leaning toward the upper end of HP available in a tractor line, except in this case it's the upper end of the loader available in the tractor line. And yes, here it comes, all of you who know how I feel about the 3130. I'd encourage you to really look hard at moving one step up to the 3430. I go into this in excruciating detail in some of my other posts. If you can swing it, I highly recommend it.

Also, with the kind of stuff you're talking about, jumps and bumps and all, SERIOUSLY consider a hydro tranny. You're going to need LOTS of control doing what you're going to be doing.

I know you said you're getting the tractor on Monday, but now's the time to get it right. I'm not saying you're not getting it right, but I'm not saying you are, either. If you look hard at the price difference between a 3130DT and a 3440HST, and determine what the real differences are between them, maybe you'll come to some of the same conclusions that I do, and hopefully not think I'm out of line for butting in at the 11th hour.

Good luck, John D.

AB4D · Dec 17, 2005

I just went through the same purchase decision and based upon information from other posters on TBN, I went ahead and got the LA723 with the quick attach/standard bucket. My dealer wanted an additional $565.00, so I figure the cost to be an effective upgrade. The LA723 works great with the Grand L and for my application the standard bucket is all I needed. However, it sounds like you are going to be doing some substantial digging. I would suggest that you go one step further and get the heavy duty bucket. You will gain additional material carrying capacity and the bucket will last a lot longer. One of the reasons I am also suggesting the heavy duty bucket is that someone on TBN indicated that with heavy digging his standard duty bucket tore on the sides near the ends of the cutting edge.

Good luck with your decision.

Jim

CT_Tree_Guy · Dec 17, 2005

Hi Jim, how goes it? I was wondering if maybe you could share some of your decision-making process that led you to the 3430HST so I don't look like quite as big a jerk. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

AB4D · Dec 18, 2005

[I was wondering if maybe you could share some of your decision-making process that led you to the 3430HST]

CT,

I started out to write a response to your inquiry, but I could not remember one or even several posts that I can accurately quote that really directed my decision to purchase the L3430HSTC. There were so many good suggestions and useful information provided from so many, including you. However, I can state that the information posted on TBN was definite factor, and because of this information, I believe I made the right purchase. Ultimately, IMO I believe the best rule of thumb is when in doubt, get the most capacity (Size, Weight, HP, Lift) that you can afford with the features you want, because once you limit your equipment to a certain size or capacity, you may not be able to increase that capacity in the future without major expense.

Jim

sanman · Dec 18, 2005

After over two years useing my 3130DT/LA513 i've been very happy with it. The money I saved went toward a toothbar and homebuilt bucket grapple.The LA513 is shorter which is good for tight places, the toothbar allows more bucket capacity. After digging tons of wet sand and handling heavy loggs, I find that heavy loads,tight turns in 4WD will pull the front tires off the rims. So, for what I do with my tractor, heavier front tires would make the lighter 513 a good match for me. The extra degree of rollback and dump is not that important to me, but the extra weight and lenght of the LA723 is.

CT_Tree_Guy · Dec 18, 2005

Sanman -

I keep hearing about tires coming off rims, but I have never had that happen after 570 hours, and my front tires take a LOT of punishment. Ditto the front axle, which sometimes carries the entire weight of the tractor plus 2,000 lbs. + being carried in the loader. (Tough treatment, I know, but it gets the job done and the cost of a new axle is factored in to the decision to "push" the tractor - if it ever does break, I'll think about going a little easier on it).

What front tires do you have - Titan R4's I'm guessing? I have Titan turfs on the front, 6-ply rated at about 3,500 lbs each IIRC.

Lastly, just want to point out the obvious and comment on So, for what I do with my tractor ..... No one can tell us anything different from what we have found out for ourselves to be true for what we do, but I'm sure you'd agree that what's good for me is different from what's good for you, which is different from what's going to be good for Jet918.

I still see HST as being invaluable on a dirt-bike course, but I'll go along with you that for all we know the 513 loader might make more sense becasue of the possibly tight quarters. Bigger is not ALWAYS better - just usually. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

ksmmoto · Dec 18, 2005

I have the LA513 on my L3430 and it works well for me. Having said that, I would get the LA723 if I could do it again. No real reason other than what everybody says here on TBN.

I didn't spend any time on the Internet tractor forums when I bought my tractor. My thought was that the lighter loader would be easer on the tractor because it wouldn't be as easy to overload. But after I bought my equipment I seen a LA723 and it is a very heavy built loader with the tie bar to the rear axle much heaver than the LA513.

I still like my LA513 though. It as performed very well in the 435 hours I have on the tractor. I did get the heavy duty round back bucket, quick tach and cutting edge.

ksmmoto

Jarrett · Dec 18, 2005

( I have the LA513 on my L3430 and it works well for me. Having said that, I would get the LA723 if I could do it again. No real reason other than what everybody says here on TBN.
ksmmoto )

Same here..it's worked well for mmy L3130.

rk246 · Dec 18, 2005

If you use the extra capacity or need it one time, I figure it has payed for itself in the fact that you now spend time trying to figure out how to get the job done that your smaller loader won't do? How much is your time worth, bigger and more capacity= more production, more time riding your motorcycles rather than working on the track to ride them on....jmo

jet918 · Dec 18, 2005

Hey thanks guys you all bring up some good points. I am without a doubt getting a toothbar. As far as the loader goes I'm still not sure, I do need to get into some tight areas on my track where I'd think the LA513 would be better. But if the LA723 is only alittle bigger I'm sure it will work fine. I'll sleep on it tonight and talk to my dealer bright and early. Great advise everyone and thanks for your time. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

JLoaf · Dec 19, 2005

723 w/ HD bucket

CT_Tree_Guy · Dec 19, 2005

723 w/ HD bucket attached to a 3430HST /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

smittyd3 · Dec 19, 2005

kubotabilly,

Did you trade the LA513 loader in on the LA723 and pay $800 difference?

I have an L3130 with the LA513 and I'll gladly do that.

Thanks,

Smitty

kubotabilly · Dec 19, 2005

Smitty,
Yes, I did exactly that. About 1 year after I got my L3430HSTC and LA513 fel I found out that the LA513 just didn't have the power that I needed in a loader. The reason I bought the LA513 was because of the price ($400 less than LA723).I called my dealer to see if he could help me get a LA723 at a fair price. Well it must of been my lucky day because sitting across from the dealer was a gentleman who was purchasing an L3130 and he was interested in a loader but didn't want to pay the bucks for a new one. I told the dealer to work out a deal so that in the end everyone would be satisfied. The dealer worked things out and I kept my 72" HD, QA bucket and put it on the new LA723 and everyone was a happy camper /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif So, one year after the initial purchase of the tractor and for $800 to boot, I got my LA723. It would of been less that that had it not been for the steel surcharge.

Bill