Purchasing new tractor but which one?

BAND · May 9, 2005

Hi,

I'm a newbie to tractors and am looking at buying one this week.

I have 8 acres in Southern California. An acre is graded for our house (just been built. No landscaping has been done yet) and the remaining 7 acres is a citrus grove (mainly grapefruit). The property has some slopes but is not very hilly. In the future (a couple of years) I may pull out the grove and plant a vineyard.

I'll need the tractor for general weed/brush clearing, grading around the property, grading 2 gravel driveways (200ft each), fixing deep ruts around the property (rain was very heavy this year but always causes this type of problem any year), moving piles of brush and chippings. I'll also use it for chipping (I'll buy a 5" chipper and probably some sort of brush mower).

I'm looking at the L3130HST with FEL + box scrapper for $18500 + tax, the L3400HST with same for $17600 + tax and the B3030HST with same for $17770 + tax.

I'm leaning towards the L3130 (no real reason other than I like it and it seems the best value as the prices on all three are close - especiallly with 0% financing over 3 years).

I'd like to ask you experienced tractor owners for your opinions on which model would be best and if prices are in line (CA is expensive!).

Thanks. Your help is appreciated.

Brett

wushaw · May 9, 2005

All three would do what you want it just depends upon what tractor you feel comfortable with after driving all three.
I had the same decision recently between the B3030 and L2800 and I liked the roomier seating area of the L2800 and the higher lift of the loader on the L2800 that I needed for my loading my dump trailer.
Just take your time.

ronjhall · May 10, 2005

The L3130 is a good value for the money.
The price you have is probably with a LA513 loader. With the list of projects you have listed consider the LA723. You may also want to consider the QA option for the bucket. It will lift much more than the LA513. You can add the BH90 backhoe with this option.
Here is a site that has pricing for many Kubota tractors. Click Here.

Bob_Skurka · May 10, 2005

I'll agree with Ron about the L3130 and double dog dare you to upgrade to the 723 loader. It really is a beast of a loader and matches the abilities of the tractor, the 513 loader is less expensive and less capable than the excellent 723.

BAND · May 10, 2005

Thanks for the advice.
I think I'll go for the 3130HST and will check out the larger FEL.

Brett

smwelden · May 10, 2005

don't even think about NOT buying the 723 loader!!!! It would be like buying a new 3/4on plow truck and putting the wimpiest smaller plow on it! To be honest, I don't know why they even offer the smaller loader... I would think it would be cheaper for them to just offer the 723 with a smaller bucket. No tractor owner is going to think a loader is too strong! At least not in my world!

Enjoy!

Bird · May 10, 2005

( leaning towards the L3130 (no real reason other than I like it )

No "real" reason maybe, but in my opinion, that's the best reason. If you buy one that wasn't the one you liked best at the time, you're likely to always wish you'd bought the other one.

BAND · May 10, 2005

Thanks

Got a quote from the dealer. $600 to upgrade to the 723. Added it to the list! Hopefully the "trouble and strife" won't find out as she already thinks I'm spending too much money!

Brett

BillG_in_TX · May 10, 2005

Brett,

That price looks to be about 15% off of "list", which sounds like an excellent price - especially for California. The L3130HST with the LA723 sounds like a good match for your needs. You probably should consider R4 (industrial) tires, also.

What's your drop-dead price point? We can spend even more of your money if you give us a little time. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BAND · May 10, 2005

Bill,

Price I'd like to stay under is $22K for now. Of course, I figure I'll add more implements as I go.

Brett

Boone · May 10, 2005

I don't want to sound insulting of your new home, but 8 acres isn't really that big. I'm wondering why you think you need such a big tractor for the place.

BAND · May 10, 2005

True, 8 acres is not huge but big enough to need some sort of tractor to keep it decent (weeds, brush, deep ruts etc. plus take care of grove) and fire safe (big issue here).

Reason I am leaning towards the 3130 is because cost wise it's not a great deal more than the smaller 30 hp Kubotas (this was the hp recommended by both Kubota dealers I visited) and seems the best value (based on features, size + re-sale?). Is there any other model I should consider that would make the savings high enough to go down in size?

Boone · May 10, 2005

I have 30 acres and I use a B7500 at 21 hp. These are smaller but very impressive in the amount of work they can do.

I do these chores with it:

Brush hog trails through my woods, made many new trails
Plow snow
rototill
boompole to pick items up
receiver hitch to move and tow trailers including moving a trailer with a full cord of wood (soft ground tires were sunk in about 6 inches.)
Skid logs
Moved rocks
FEL to move dirt
landscape rake and box blade

I'll give you some picture.

Boone · May 10, 2005

Here I'm moving forty feet of oak logs at one time. With some home built bucket forks.

Boone · May 10, 2005

Tried to drive the plow truck on the old lane, forgetting that the new house construction had took it out last fall. Getting stuck is the worse. I used the bucket forks and a chain to lift and pull a trailer with 3/4 ton of hay off from behind the truck, then snatched the truck out with a snatch strap with the Kubota.

bugstruck · May 10, 2005

Band, I'll chime in on the L3130 w/ 723 FEL. I have one and recommend it. It's a little big in tight places but when you need the power, it's there. For the price spread I also think it's the best investment of those your looking at. I run mine on 3 acres and find occasion to work it hard so IMO it's not too much tractor for your descriptions. I do understand why others think it might be though. When I'm doing a tough job I'm occupying about 150 SF. The job doesn't care how much land surrounds it. But generally I'm dealing with big pines, stumps, and dirt. You need some weight to be real efficient at that. Although, the B series is awful impressive too. I've seen guys do incredible work with them. Actually I just like bigger equipment and I hate renting equipment for the odd big job while a $20+K investment sits idle, but there's nothing I've done yet that a B wouldn't do given a little more time. And even the L can be useless on some big jobs. Go with what you like.

Good Luck

willywildes · May 10, 2005

You Know what opinions are like. I have two and a half acres and my parents have four and a half acres right next door. I bought the 3130 gst. and have never wished for something smaller. i came to the same conclusions you have. most bang for the buck. choice of available implements. user platform size. and more. after reading the posts on this site I still believe Kubota has the best, most reliable tractor out there. I still second guess the 513 loader. not because it can't do what i ask of it. it always has and more.but for$900$[the dollar sign before and after the number is to offend no one]depending on what kind of loader work you plan on. and some day you sell it or hire out. it is small dollars in the big pitcher. i have the heavy duty bucket, and top and tilt. i would still get the 513 and spend the $1000$ on T'nT if i couldn't have both. TnT is a must have if your doing any amount of 3pt work. . go for it!

travelingman · May 10, 2005

I've have the L3130HST, cutter and finish mower, box blade, spray rig. Had it for about 1 and a holf years. Love it. You can't go wrong with this one.

TroyR57 · May 11, 2005

Hey, I was just looking into the price of a L3130 here in Louisiana, just for the recored, here is the 411, L3130 shuttle shift, R4's, 513 FEL, and 3ph BH 4690. all for $23,800. its at my dearler in Winnfield, LA. It had been ordered for a water district, and they did not like the 3ph BH, so the guy is trying to move it.

If any one is interested, PM me and I will give more details. I was considering it as every one here is thinking about, or getting larger tractors, but still holding out for my BX 23,??? it has arrive, but alas I haven't, Company sending me to Illinois, for a few more weeks. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

BAND · May 11, 2005

Still leaning towards the 3130 although I have had some doubts as to if it is too big for my 8 acre grove. I'm not worried about the extra cash as there is only $800 difference between the B3030 and the L3130HST ($1400 if I go for the bigger FEL).

Anybody have any ideas if there is a difference in re-sale?

I'll be back in the dealer later this week to re-check both models and place my order.
Thanks

Brett