New L3000DT questions

[Rick_B]

I am waiting for delivery of a new L3000DT with FEL and 6' finish mower. I purchased the tractor last Saturday and am now reading all the great information here waiting for it to get here. I can't wait!
I traded in a 52 Ford 8N so I am moving up 50 years. Should be a large differance in what I am used to.
I have read about 60 pages of posts in this Kubota forum and learned alot about these tractors. I wish I had read all of this before I went to the dealer, but I still believe I made the right choice in a new tractor.
I will be using the tractor around here to work on my long dirt and gravel driveway, drag logs out of the woods and to mow some of the grass. The tractor is 4x4 and I got it with the AG tires.
I do have some questions that some of you could help me with though.
I read a lot here about ballast for the FEL and adding calcium and water to the tires. Should I have tubes in the tires if I use calcium? Should I also add it to the front tires? How much weight will adding water/calcium add to the tractor?
I am sure the owners manual might tell me this but I don't have it yet. How much does this tractor weigh with the FEL? I am asking this because last year I bought a trailer that is a single axle rated at 3000#. I am hoping to be able to use this trailer to move the tractor around if needed.
One more, how will the wheels be set from the factory? Wide, narrow or somewhere in the middle?
OK I lied, one more. The only thing I am worried about is the UP pipe on the L3000. I only noticed the UP pipe on the L3000 and the L2600 at the dealer. Anyone have problems with it in the woods? Is there something I can do to make it a down pipe? Any ideas as to why only the L3000 and L2600 have the UP pipe and the others have a down pipe?
All right, sorry I ask so many questions in one post. I am very excited about this tractor and have many more questions that will be answered with the manual. This is my first post here but I doubt it will be my last. Thanks in advance for any help.

Can't wait for it to get here sometime this week.

 

[TBone]

Rick,

I don't know a lot about the L3000 you bought but I tell you what little bit I know. First off I'll bet you like it. No, going from an 8n I'll bet you LOVE it.

I would definitely load the tires. I don't run a fel so I always load my front ones also. Some of the folks that use fels can tell you whether you should or not. The weight of the calcium chloride is approximately 11.5 lbs. per gallon if that helps any and will be installed using your tubes.

I'm afraid you are going to be over your 3000 lb. rating on your trailor with the fel and weighted tires though. The best I remember (which ain't real well) the tractor weighs about 2700 lbs. naked.

I'm not sure how the width is set up but I suspect it can be widened or narrowed if you desire.

Regarding the up pipe. The first time I did some bush hogging around trees I bent mine back in my lap. Don't let that scare you because I have a tendency to do things like that. Once I got it straightened back up and really started paying attention I haven't bent one since. This will be my first summer to have a canopy. My wife is praying that I will be more careful with that.

Good luck and congratulations on your new toy (I mean tractor)

TBone

 

[Rick_B]

TBone,

Thanks for the reply!

Now here is the good part...maybe. Are you the TBone from ATVnation? If you are that is amazing that you would be the first to reply to my first post here. I am atvhugger on the Nation. If you are a different TBone then I guess you are confused! Small world...maybe.

I just found out the weight of tractor and FEL so I will not be using that trailer to haul the tractor. Was only thinking about hauling ATVs when I bought it.

 

[Harv]

Rick -

Congratulations!

You're getting the big brother to my L2500DT, and I know you're going to love it.

The L3000DT weighs in at 2,425 lbs. The LB400 loader is another 750 lbs. and the standard bucket adds 181 lbs. more. That's already 3,356 lbs. before you load the tires and hook up your mower. Your trailer may not forgive you.

My tires came loaded, but I didn't know enough at the time to ask what the fluid was or if they have tubes. Guess I'll find out eventually, but since it hasn't given me any problems I'm just as happy not knowing. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

One dealer told me that unless otherwise requested, they set the wheels narrow. Not sure if this is standard policy or purely a dealer discretion sort of thing. When I first saw my tractor on the dealer's lot, the wheels were set narrow. At my request, the broker who located and delivered it for me set them to max width before he brought it out.

I have the vertical exhaust pipe like you describe, and I spend a lot of time cruising the woods on my property. I don't find it an inconvenience unless I don't notice it pushing against a branch which then winds up whacking me in the face.

Actually it serves more as an early warning device because I generally do notice when it catches a branch. One time it even saved me when I rolled a log off my bucket forks and down the loader arms. /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif It's all a learning experience, and now if I'm working in heavy brush or forest I wear my chainsaw helmet with face protector.

Not so much expert testimony as real life experience.

Good luck!

 

[TBone]

Sorry Rick. Different TBone but I do ride my Yamaha Big Bear every chance I get.

By the way what was the exact weight of the tractor?

TBone

 

[Rick_B]

Harv,
Thanks a lot for the input. I have given up on using the "quad" trailer to haul the tractor. You did make me wonder, do the tractors with a FEL come with tubes and calcium/water ballast in the tires? You said yours did.

TBone,
Sorry about the mistaken idenity. I am a moderator at a ATV forum and we have a Iowa farm boy that mods there named TBone. You even sound like him.
The L3000DT weighs 2,425# like Harv said above. I am getting the LA-450 FEL and it weighs 1,144# and the bucket 212#.
Since you do ride ATVs check us out at ATVnation.com if you like.

 

[Harv]

<font color=blue>do the tractors with a FEL come with tubes and calcium/water ballast in the tires?</font color=blue>

I bought my tractor used, Rick, and although the tires were already filled, it never had a loader on it before I had one installed. Still don't know if I have tubes.

 

[DK35vince]

Rick,
I used windshield washer fluid in my new tractors tires with no tubes!
My older tractor had calcium it the rear tires with tubes when i bought it.And it is still eating out the rims around the valve stems..

 

[TBone]

Rick, I checked out your site. IT'S GREAT. I look forward to spending some time on there - THANKS.
(My bosses at home and work won't be too pleased though)

TBone

 

[TonyC]

Hey Harv, is there a web site where you get specs on Kubotas?

Thanks

 

[Harv]

Tony -

I'd love to tell you that the Kubota web site has lots of useful information, but it just ain't so. /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorsmart.com>TractorSmart.com</A> is much better.

The stuff I post generally comes from the brochures I acquired when I was tractor shopping.

 

[TBone]

Ain't it the truth. Kubota's site is pitiful. They (Kubota) ought to send Muhammad a big fat check every month because his web site has sold more tractors than theirs ever will.

TBone

 

[Rick_B]

Hey ain't that the truth, the Kubota website is worthless.

TBone,
Glad you like the ATV forum! Check in when you can, I am atvhugger over there. Hope to see you.

FINALLY! Dealer called and my new L3000DT is on it's way here as I type. Got to go make sure the old 8N will start up and tell the ol' girl goodbye.

Very strange how a man forms a bond with a tractor. Last week I was happy about trading in the old girl ('52 8n), this morning I found myself talking to her...and hoping she gets a good home. Strange huh? Going to miss that tractor, but I am going to love the new one...I hope. Wonder if it will still be going in 50 years like the 8n?

Got run, my tractor is coming.

I'll be back to tell you what I think soon. Well if I can get off it long enough. Thanks ALL!

 

[Youare]

I purchased a new L3000DT w/FEL last July. I also own a 1951 8N. I really like the Kubota the 4WD drive allows me to go places I only dreamed of before. There is a difference in feel between the two tractors, but you will love the Kubota.

I also have Ag's, rear tires have tubes and are loaded with calcium cloride, front just air. The dealer set the tires to the widest position to begin with.

I have a light duty York rake and a Landpride rear blade. I have groomed several driveways with the rake. Two of them are pretty steep, no problem pulling a good load of gravel up hill with the rake.

The exhaust pipe on mine goes up also, I think there is a down pipe available for a few extra bucks. I don't mind the up pipe. I have done a fair amount of woods work and have not had a problem with it yet. I try to cut a nice path before driving into the tree limbs or heavy brush.

You made a good choice of tractors. I think you will really enjoy the way it handles and the fuel efficient nature of this machine. I do have a Farmi 3PH winch that I use for gathering logs. If you are going to use a rear blade I would suggest installing a Heavy Duty top link bracket. I installed mine in about an hour and a half, it cost around $75.00 for every thing, but it was worth the peace of mind because of the winch.

Let us know when it arrives. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Randy

 

[IllMarty]

Hi Rick,
I too have a L3000DT. Love mine. You will too. Runs my 58" tiller great. Loader also is very nice. You can work it pretty hard and only burn a few gallons of fuel. Have fun and don't be afraid to ask for help.Marty