Price Check Orange Crush

[k0ua]

For sure get the QA (I paid 1000 for it later on my L3400, bucket and adaptor) Much cheaper up front. and you want it for forks at a minimum. You may want a grapple some time later or a snow plow.. Get the hooks, get them to do it if they will, if you don't weld. If you weld, it is just a few minute job, no big deal. I will do it for you but there is the little distance problem. Another thing you can do is have hooks welded to plates and bolt them on. You gotta think that through and measure of course. I have a welder for sale and I would be happy to weld hooks on for free if you had the tractor in my lower drive. Or if you bring me hooks and plates I will weld them for free also. Good Luck

James K0UA

 

[ddb123]

For sure get the QA (I paid 1000 for it later on my L3400, bucket and adaptor) Much cheaper up front. and you want it for forks at a minimum. You may want a grapple some time later or a snow plow.. Get the hooks, get them to do it if they will, if you don't weld. If you weld, it is just a few minute job, no big deal. I will do it for you but there is the little distance problem. Another thing you can do is have hooks welded to plates and bolt them on. You gotta think that through and measure of course. I have a welder for sale and I would be happy to weld hooks on for free if you had the tractor in my lower drive. Or if you bring me hooks and plates I will weld them for free also. Good Luck

James K0UA

My dad has a welder and has been wanting to teach me how for quite a while now. I think it is an arc welder. I know nothing about welding and would hate to screw up my shiny new bucket. I am thinking between bolt on and weld on, I'd go weld on.

 

[TripleR]

I got my weld on grab hooks from Truck and Tow. 5/16" hooks fits 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8 chain. I put 5 on. With heavy duty round back bucket, no need to reinforce the welds. Philip.

No, no need on the HD bucket, but the M8540 has a different style and needs reinforcement the way they put ours on.

 

[ddb123]

Here's another question for you guys about the quick attach system. Does the bucket attach solidly like a pin-on bucket does? Is it nice and tight or is there sloppiness and rattling? Obviously I'm looking for a tight, solid attachment.

 

[PHILIP8N]

Here's another question for you guys about the quick attach system. Does the bucket attach solidly like a pin-on bucket does? Is it nice and tight or is there sloppiness and rattling? Obviously I'm looking for a tight, solid attachment.

Once the tapered pins are put into place with the black handles, it is tight. Never heard any rattling or noticed sloppiness. Philip.

 

[TripleR]

Once the tapered pins are put into place with the black handles, it is tight. Never heard any rattling or noticed sloppiness. Philip.

Same here on both of our QA buckets.

 

[Depmandog]

My QA is solid with no rattle. I have my bucket off using the pallet forks ALL of the time. Sure is nice, I can switch between bucket and forks in just a minute or two.

 

[ddb123]

Hills and HST

I know when you let off the pedal, the tractor stops. But how well does the tractor stop if it's on a hill? A lot of times I need to pull up right next to something and stop, and not move again after I stop. Like hooking up to a trailer that is on a hill. Or inching up to something with the FEL and I happen to be facing downhill. With my current tractor I usually coast with my foot on the brake, then to take off I keep my foot on the brake as I release the clutch until it begins to pull.

I was thinking about this today and about the brake pedal being on the same side as the HST pedal on the Kubota (the one I really want). Would the HST in neutral hold the tractor even on a hill? And I'm not talking about a super steep hill, just a fair grade. Maybe 15 or 20 degrees.

 

[k0ua]

Hills and HST

I know when you let off the pedal, the tractor stops. But how well does the tractor stop if it's on a hill? A lot of times I need to pull up right next to something and stop, and not move again after I stop. Like hooking up to a trailer that is on a hill. Or inching up to something with the FEL and I happen to be facing downhill. With my current tractor I usually coast with my foot on the brake, then to take off I keep my foot on the brake as I release the clutch until it begins to pull.

I was thinking about this today and about the brake pedal being on the same side as the HST pedal on the Kubota (the one I really want). Would the HST in neutral hold the tractor even on a hill? And I'm not talking about a super steep hill, just a fair grade. Maybe 15 or 20 degrees.

It is a matter of time..They will hold in neutral on even a steep hill, but they will "drift" after a while as they leak down. You can apply reverse directional pedal to hold on a steep hill, or you can apply brake. My brakes are on the left now As far as taking off and needing brake, you would never need to do that, the hydro would always hold you well enough to get moving. By neutral I mean pedal neutral (the self centering of the pedal or pedals) Not gear neutral.. If you move the range selector to neutral it will take off down hill like a scalded dog. Hope this helps.

James K0UA

 

[k0ua]

Also to help clarify, when you let off the pedal the tractor stops, but not just stop, it actually brakes, even on a hill, but over time it will drift downhill. It is actually a lot easier to operate on hills than a clutch gear brake setup, but the best way to learn about these things is to buy that pretty shiny new machine.

James K0UA

 

[ddb123]

Also to help clarify, when you let off the pedal the tractor stops, but not just stop, it actually brakes, even on a hill, but over time it will drift downhill. It is actually a lot easier to operate on hills than a clutch gear brake setup, but the best way to learn about these things is to buy that pretty shiny new machine.

James K0UA

That is encouraging. I spend a lot of time riding the brake and slipping the clutch, often at the same time.

I was kind of balking for a little bit, saying well my tractor is paid for, and it's nice to not have that payment. But yesterday my tractor was unable to reverse just slightly uphill to hook up to my trailer and tore up two sections of my yard. Humiliated me in front of my lady. Day before that, I was trying to carefully, carefully inch forward to unload a very heavy table saw from the back of my truck. I thought I was slipping the clutch sooooo carefully in 1st gear at idle but all of a sudden the tractor lurched forward, slammed into the saw, and BAM knocked it down onto the bed of the truck. Didn't hurt anything that I can tell, but it sure ticked me off!

 

[k0ua]

That is encouraging. I spend a lot of time riding the brake and slipping the clutch, often at the same time.

I was kind of balking for a little bit, saying well my tractor is paid for, and it's nice to not have that payment. But yesterday my tractor was unable to reverse just slightly uphill to hook up to my trailer and tore up two sections of my yard. Humiliated me in front of my lady. Day before that, I was trying to carefully, carefully inch forward to unload a very heavy table saw from the back of my truck. I thought I was slipping the clutch sooooo carefully in 1st gear at idle but all of a sudden the tractor lurched forward, slammed into the saw, and BAM knocked it down onto the bed of the truck. Didn't hurt anything that I can tell, but it sure ticked me off!

Two prime examples of 4WD and Hydro to the rescue. My new Kioti will do a lot more in 2WD than my lighter Kubota would, but still when a wheel starts to slip, it is so convienant to hit the 4WD button and go on and not have to fight it. Also you cannot beat a hydro for precision loader or fork work. The level of control around delicate things or people is worth the price in my opinion.. I set some large rocks Saturday on our rock wall, totally with just the tractor and forks, never having to touch them to set. I wont say it was super easy to do, but it was doable, and I sure was glad it was a hydro.:thumbsup:

James K0UA

 

[ddb123]

Two prime examples of 4WD and Hydro to the rescue. My new Kioti will do a lot more in 2WD than my lighter Kubota would, but still when a wheel starts to slip, it is so convienant to hit the 4WD button and go on and not have to fight it. Also you cannot beat a hydro for precision loader or fork work. The level of control around delicate things or people is worth the price in my opinion.. I set some large rocks Saturday on our rock wall, totally with just the tractor and forks, never having to touch them to set. I wont say it was super easy to do, but it was doable, and I sure was glad it was a hydro.:thumbsup:

James K0UA

I have to say nothing is cooler than the push-button 4WD and cruise control on the Kioti, both of which are levers on the Kubota.

 

[ddb123]

Okay gentlemen, another sorta-inane question here for you. When I tested the Kioti, the guy had me get up to max speed in M, then quickly lift my foot all the way off the hydrostat pedal. The tractor stopped quickly but smoothly. He said hydro tractors usually jerk to a halt if you do that. How do the modern Kubotas react to that? It never occurred to me to do that when I was testing the Grand L.

I know I am dragging this out and it might seem like I am asking pointless or obvious questions. Sorry if this is getting old. It is a big purchase for me and this is how I always am with big purchases. I wish I had asked so many questions the first time, maybe I would have 4wd and HST already!

 

[k0ua]

Okay gentlemen, another sorta-inane question here for you. When I tested the Kioti, the guy had me get up to max speed in M, then quickly lift my foot all the way off the hydrostat pedal. The tractor stopped quickly but smoothly. He said hydro tractors usually jerk to a halt if you do that. How do the modern Kubotas react to that? It never occurred to me to do that when I was testing the Grand L.

I know I am dragging this out and it might seem like I am asking pointless or obvious questions. Sorry if this is getting old. It is a big purchase for me and this is how I always am with big purchases. I wish I had asked so many questions the first time, maybe I would have 4wd and HST already!

Most will come to a smooth stop. The grand L's with HST plus (you did go watch the HST plus video right?) have an adjustable reaction knob. There have been some of the Bx's that have been slam bang from what I have read on here. The Kioti seems exceptionally smooth. It is just a function of how the dampener is set up. Now why in heck would you go full bore in Med range and jerk your foot off of the pedal is beyond me anyway. You would not typically do that. Long story short, it is not a bad thing to test, but unless it is an obvious defect, I don't think it is a big deal, The Kioti is smooth and the HST plus Kubota gives you the option to tailor it to your particular job and taste.

James K0UA

 

[TripleR]

Okay gentlemen, another sorta-inane question here for you. When I tested the Kioti, the guy had me get up to max speed in M, then quickly lift my foot all the way off the hydrostat pedal. The tractor stopped quickly but smoothly. He said hydro tractors usually jerk to a halt if you do that. How do the modern Kubotas react to that? It never occurred to me to do that when I was testing the Grand L.

I know I am dragging this out and it might seem like I am asking pointless or obvious questions. Sorry if this is getting old. It is a big purchase for me and this is how I always am with big purchases. I wish I had asked so many questions the first time, maybe I would have 4wd and HST already!

Pretty much what James said; nothing unique or different about the Kioti compared to others and in normal operation, I really can't see any reason to do this.

The HST+ is probable the most advanced HST you will find and I will have one on my next tractor, but pretty much everyone makes a good HST.

There is a pretty long thread on here where Island Tractor and others spent a lot of time "discussing" this.

 

[crazyangel]

Agreed. No issue for me on my grand L.

 

[ddb123]

Well, I have listed my tractor on Craigslist and have a couple people who want to look at it this week. Now I am starting to get a little nervous about the whole thing but there are just so many reasons to go for the newer tractor. I am pretty well narrowed down to the L3540, but in the back of my mind there is still the L3940 and DK40se. Yes, I did say DK40 not DK35. But I'd say it's 80/10/10, so almost definitely the L3540. I'm excited.

For you guys with L3540s : anybody run a six foot brush hog?

 

[k0ua]

Well, I have listed my tractor on Craigslist and have a couple people who want to look at it this week. Now I am starting to get a little nervous about the whole thing but there are just so many reasons to go for the newer tractor. I am pretty well narrowed down to the L3540, but in the back of my mind there is still the L3940 and DK40se. Yes, I did say DK40 not DK35. But I'd say it's 80/10/10, so almost definitely the L3540. I'm excited.

For you guys with L3540s : anybody run a six foot brush hog?

You are going to love your new tractor so much we are going to have to scrape you off of the ceiling

James K0UA

 

[PHILIP8N]

For you guys with L3540s : anybody run a six foot brush hog?

Check the bush hog manufactuerers website for recommended pto hp. I bush hogged 18 acres of this with my L3940 and 6 foot hog. I set cruise control between 3.5 and 4.0 mph, sat back, and relaxed. My reasoning, if my L3940 can run a 6' hog thru this, a L3540 should be able to run a 6' hog thru reasonable stuff. Philip.