New 3130: ?FEL

[TominAnnArbor]

I am about to order a 3130 with a FEL, but I'm not sure whether I should get the LA 513 or the larger 723. I have a 25 acre tree farm and will use the tractor mainly to manage the forest and clear paths through parts of it. It will involve some manuvering around the trees, so for that use, I feel the smaller 513 would be better.
Also, the dealer suggests filling the rear tires with liquid (he says calcium chloride with additives to prevent rusting) for rear ballast. He also suggests the turf tires as opposed to the R-4 industrial tires (which he says are very wide for the 3130 and would decrease the manuverability through the forest). He also says the turf tires have inner tubes which would also prevent contact of the liquid with the rims.
All comments appreciated. Thanks!

 

[GV40U]

I have a 21 acre tree farm and use my L3430 for mowing trails, clearing brush, etc. I purchased a LA 723 loader but ordered the 66" HD bucket rather than the 72" standard bucket for rugged use and narrow spaces. Consider a toothbar or grapple attachment for the bucket. I selected R1 tires for traction and because they can be adjusted to various widths. I have them filled with calcium chloride for ballast. I don't miss the bucket capacity as most of what I move is heavy (sand, dirt, gravel) and a full 66" bucket is heavy enough! Just a few things to think about, good luck with your purchase.

 

[weatherman]

Tom, I take delivery of my new L3130 on Monday, and I went with turf tires and the LA513 loader. Dealer would have sold me the 723 loader if I'd insisted, but then he would have pushed for the R-4 tires to provide greater stability for the 6" wider loader.

I'm also getting a 62" front-mount snow blower, and the turf tires will better fit within the track created by the blower. In addition, I'm told turf tires are not as hard on asphalt surfaces as R-4s or R-1s when used for snow removal. Finally, our soil is mostly sand based up here near Traverse City, and turfs should do just fine in that sort of environment the rest of the year when snow is not a factor. And yes, my rear tires will be filled as well.

 

[shoppintractors]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Also, the dealer suggests filling the rear tires with liquid (he says calcium chloride with additives to prevent rusting) for rear ballast. )</font>

You might want to consider Rimguard. It's made from beets and originates from Lansing, MI.

http://www.rimguard.biz/about_rim_guard.html

Don

 

[texbaylea]

I recently bought an L3130HST with the LA723 loader. I got the quick attach option and the 66" HD bucket. Unless you plan to be moving a lot of bulk material the 66" bucket is sufficient. I also got the R4s which makes the tractor about 69" wide. The Hy-Reach tree shear which I use for brush removal and heavy pruning would be too much for the LA513.

As to turfs vs R4s, as far as I can see the width difference is small and R4s are tougher and more resistant to puncture and sidewall damage.

Vernon

 

[slowzuki]

Get the 723, you won't regret it. Forget turf tires if you are driving over sticks or stumps. You will be fixing flats all the time. The ag tire have the best traction but can be hard on the ground in wet areas. The R-4's aren't all that wide, they have good puncture resistance.

 

[penokee]

Tom

I've had my L3130 for a couple of months and it's done everything I've wanted. I have the 723 FEL and R4 tires. With this setup it gets a little large for a CUT if you want to fit between trees, buildings, etc. with limited clearance. I like the stability I get with the R-4,s when Bush hogging and when using the FEL. I chose the 723 FEL mainly because I'd rather have more capacity then less, never knowing when it might be needed. Also added a bolt -on Grapple. Attaching a pic of Bush hogging woods road with FEL attached (makes for a pretty long outfit in tight quarters).

penokee /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

penokee

 

[Rory_Rhodes]

Penokee - Can I get the details on your bolt on grapple? Who makes it and what additional hydraulics are involved? Does the additional weight cause any problems? I have quite a bit of timber, high pines to clear, and this may save some time dragging out brush to the dump containers.

 

[Moon]

I have a L3010 w/ R4's. They work great. I can't imagine how turfs could make it more manuverable. As others stated, the R4's are tough. They do a great job of geting me around our hilly property (lots of clay). Turfs, on a 17hp tractor I had, would spin on slightly wet grass, I never tried them on the trails.
If I had to choose over again I'd get R4's.

Moon of Ohio

 

[Theowegian]

I have the L3130 with the LA513 loader. I know most owners recommend the bigger LA723 loader. My dealer talked me out of the bigger loader.

Personally, I went with the smaller loader because it is a little shorter in length and I trusted my dealer about the loader selection. He said that he had sold a lot of the larger loaders on other Grand L's, but grew a bit uneasy about them. He and his business owner agreed that they should encourage the potential buyers that the LA513 was a better fit on the L3130. Alsthough he thought the LA723 was a bit too much loader for the L3130, he thought it was very good on the L3430 and just perfect on L3830.

I know that the LA723 can lift a lot more so you may want to consider that if that is super important to you.

I do think the smaller loader is a bit cheaper.

I doubt you'ld be sorry with the LA513. I secretly wish I had gotten the LA723, but believe me Ive extremely pleased with the LA513.

You cant go wrong with the LA513, Im certain of that. I love my L3130 and LA513 combination. I never feel like the loader is too much for the tractor to handle. Since Im a newbie to loaders, I went with the dealers recommendation.
Good luck.
dwight