Buying Advice please help me "Build My Kubota"

[bhh]

Trying to finalize my options before hitting the dealerships next week. I know the dealership could answer these questions but I prefer to be educated by an unbiased source without an agenda. Some background info can be found here:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...sons/249620-new-landowner-looking-advise.html
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/265997-total-cost-ownership.html


Most of the "Build my Kubota" options are pretty self-explanatory but I have questions on a few of them and would appreciate the help. I will most likely be going with an L3800 which will be used mostly in the woods with a bucket and grapple for the front end with the primary PTO implements being a rotary/brush mower, Wallenstein BX42 chipper, and some sort of PTO forks/carry-all type contraption. Not sure if that will suffice as a counterweight or I need something else.

Tires:
I've read through a number of posts and I am leaning towards the standard R1s (FRONT - 7.2 x 16.0 /REAR - 11.2 x 24.0). The tractor will be used primarily in the woods and I am not too concerned about tearing up turf or anything. Extra puncture resistance is the only real benefit I see in the R4s (FRONT -27.0 x 8.5 /REAR - 15.0 x 19.5) and it just doesn't seem worth the $654 difference. Thoughts?

Remote Hydraulic Valves:
I'm completely lost here. I obviously need an extra hydraulic function for the grapple and since I will be purchasing that right away, I'd like it to be "plug and play" directly from the dealer. There are three options

(1) STD VALVE & 1ST POSITION KIT W/LEVER ASSEMBLY
(2) VALVES INCLUDING 1ST/2ND POSITION KITS W/LEVER ASSEMBLIES
(3) VALVES INCLUDING 1ST/2ND/3RD POSITION KITS W/LEVER ASSEMBLIES

and options 2 & 3 allow for additional choices between:
DETENT VALVE (NON-SELF-CANCELING)
FLOAT DETENT VALVE

My questions are A) What exactly do I need for the grapple and B) Should I consider any additional?

Loader Attachments:
66" QUICK ATTACH SQUARE BACK BUCKET (HEAVY DUTY LOADER PACKAGE) - This is a $600 add over the standard 60" Bucket. Does this include the SSQA that everyone raves about? Seeing as how I will be adding a grapple and switching between that and a bucket pretty frequently, the SSQA is something I want. I may also add a set of forks at some point as well.

Attachments:
TELESCOPIC STABILIZER KIT - $175 add. Can someone elaborate on this. I believe it makes switching out PTO implements easier over the standard turnbuckle system? $175 seems reasonable here if it does what I think.

Weights:
I am going to have the tires filled but there is a BALLAST BOX option for $449. Seems a little steep for an "implement" that doesn't actually do anything. Does anyone know what this weighs? I'd probably prefer to apply that to a carry-all that I could load up or a box blade or something that can actually do work although I am sure it is more compact than another implement would be which might make working in the woods with the grapple easier.

Dealer Installed Options:
DRAWBAR CLEVIS - $67. This is basically a tow bar right? I will be skidding logs so I figure this is a no-brainer.

Snow Blower:
74" TWO-STAGE REAR MOUNT SNOWBLOWER - Not now but maybe in the future. I see hyrdraulic chute rotation is a option - does this need another one of those remote hydraulic valves I know so little about?

Well, I think that about does it. The grapple I am leaning towards is the Wildkat 48" Grapple ($900 list)
http://www.wildkatattachments.com/grapple.html
Another option is the Construction Attachments Compact Root Grapple in the 54" size ($1860 list)
Construction Attachments X-Treme Duty Compact Tractor Root Grapple Universal Skid Steer Quick Attach CAL, 1RGCMP

The Construction Attachments one has dual thumbs but unless someone else can weigh in here with some personal experiences, I can't justify 2x the price.

Thanks (as usual) for the amazing advise. Its always fun spending other people's money so please, have at it!

 

[crash325]

Just my way of thinking, so take it for what its worth.

If you can swing it, next to the FEL, a back hoe is the most useful part of my tractor. It also serves as a ballast.
Don't know how far you plan to skid logs, but you can reach out 8 to 12 feet with the BH.
For longer skids, I'd get an electric wench with a remote control.
Pallet forks, I build my own for less than $100 in metal. Also built a set of stubby forks for brush loading.
I missed out on not getting extra hydraulics's on the front.
Have 3 extra on the rear, only 2 have ever been needed.

Almost never used is a hydraulic Gannon, tilt, rippers - Ect.

Would not be without 4X wheel drive.

I'll let some of the real experts take over now. Personally not big fan of filled tires. Pain in the butt to fix.

 

[texasjohn]

You need

toothbar on bucket
chain hooks on bucket
SSQA...not part of loader package, but check, you need it
stabilizer kit...you either need this, or PAT'S system, or both.
hydraulic top link
get box blade for weight and functional implement, can add weight to it if you need more
I think you need 3 rear remotes

 

[nybirdman]

Is that the heavy duty bucket?On the larger tractors the "round-back bucket "is the HD.Have hooks welded to the bucket(3),tooth-bar for sure.R1 in the woods will be fine and give better traction than the R4's.Instead of a weight box,consider a box blade,at least it can be used for something else.If you go with a grapple be careful of weight;the heavier the grapple the less you can lift.You will need a third function for the grapple,it can be run from rear remotes but not as handy.I added a thumb and tooth-bar to my bucket instead of a full grapple,works fine for me and saved some lifting capacity.
The SSQA will also add a little weight to the front.

 

[bhh]

Hey guys. Thanks for the input so far. A BH is out of my price range at this point so I'll just have to hire out any work that needs a BH. Tooth bars and chain hooks are good ideas and not too expensive to add. I like the idea of a box blade for counter weight too. The 66" Bucket is the heavy-duty one - 66" Quick Attach Buckets - 66" QUICK ATTACH SQUARE BACK BUCKET (HEAVY DUTY LOADER PACKAGE)

This is how things break down currently:
Total Configured Price
$24,362.00

1 FRONT - 7.2 x 16.0 /REAR - 11.2 x 24.0inc.
1 (1) STD VALVE & 1ST POSITION KIT W/LEVER ASSEMBLY$501.00
1 SECOND POSITION VALVE KIT$50.00
1 3RD POSITION VALVE MOUNTING KIT$50.00
1 DETENT VALVE (NON-SELF-CANCELING)$273.00
1 FLOAT DETENT VALVE$319.00
1 HYDRAULIC HOSE KIT FOR TRACTORS WITH LOADERS$235.00
1 STD FRONT LOADER PACKAGE$4,100.00
1 66" QUICK ATTACH SQUARE BACK BUCKET (HEAVY DUTY LOADER PACKAGE)$610.00
1 TELESCOPIC STABILIZER KIT$175.00
1 DRAWBAR CLEVIS$67.00

There is not an option to add a 3rd function to the FEL online on the typical Ls but the Grand L does have an option in "build my kubota" for $899 so I assume it would be about the same on the regular Ls?
1 3RD FUNCTION VALVE KIT FOR ROPS MODELS$899.00

 

[David_Kb7uns]

If you are getting a grapple look at the WR Long third function remote, it makes using a grapple easy as you have grapple operation on the loader control and you can clamp and curl at same time, making operation a whole lock easier and efficient.

Using one of the rear remotes is akward and you need three hands to use the grapple effectively. I have two rear Kubota remotes and they are by your side and you would have to keep switching between the two handles just to clamp something. The grapples I think are the single most useful attachment that I have for the tractor, they are on about 75% of the time and use them for raking, trash cleanup, light smoothing, wood cutting and moving boulders.

For rear counterweight I used as heavy as you can get box scraper. It is also cheaper to get the loader quick connect and buckets at the same time as the buckets are different for the pin on and quick connect.

David Kb7uns

 

[case245]

i would get some rear wheels weights besides filled tireskubota are light in the rear

 

[firemech]

I agree with case 245, I have the L3400 and while I really like the tractor it is definitely light in the rear. The Kubota ballast box is not heavy enough even with loaded tires. Except for that I believe you would enjoy the 3800

 

[gwdixon]

Just one more thing about ballast. A box blade or blade on the rear might give you some ballast but will limit your maneuverability in the woods.

Lots of guys on here have used a carry-all and piled it with blocks, bricks, bags of sand or cement, built a box and filled with rocks, etc. Most built a deck or used a strong pallet to hold the load.

The carry-all doesn't stick out past the wheels at all and doesn't go quite a far out the back as a blade.

CountyLine® Carry All, Category 1 Quick Hitch Compatible - 2128210 | Tractor Supply Company

 

[moship]

With respect to the ballast box. L-Series tractors call for the L8170 which weighs 168 lbs empty and has a capacity of 1,000 lbs when sand is used. Of course it can be heavier if something else is used that has a density greater than sand. 1,200 lbs hanging off the 3-pt arms seems like a fair amount of weight.

One thing to consider adding, but not necessarily from the dealer is extra lighting (front and rear). The headlights are always blocked by front implements. Just make certain the alternator has enought output or consider opting for a higher amp unit if it is available.

Is there an option for the extendable 3-pt lower arms on the L3800? My L3130 has them and it really helps when connecting rear implements.