Still puzzled - 3130 or 3830?

[jlemon]

I stopped by the NH dealer to test drive the 35D tractor and liked the sloping hood, but didn't like the dual pedal arrangement. Next stop was the Kubota dealer, where I tried the GST and HST models, and really liked the pedal arrangment on the HST, as well as the tilt steering wheel (especially compared to the NH). The JD dealer didn't have a model available to try, but since they use the same dual pedal setup as NH, I decided on a Kubota, and hope to order one by the end of the month.

Next step was to visit several dealerships, and one that was relatively close to me had a clean shop and setup, stocked a large amount of Kubota parts, and was patient with this tractor novice. The prices he gave me while I was test driving the tractor seemed a little on the high side, so I'm in the process of getting quotes from other dealers.

While I had initially decided on a basic 3130 HST setup, I'm now starting to succumb to the siren call of "it's just a small step up..." and need a reality check. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

A friend brought his JD 4310 and 6' cutter over to cut down some of the 8' thistles on my property, and happened to mention that he normally runs the cutter on his utility tractor, as he feels the JD bogs down and is underpowered to drive that size cutter. This has me worried, since our properties are the same size (40 ac), but mine is more hilly, and I was planning on running a 6' cutter on the 3130.

Should I really consider moving up a notch to the 3830? The rear wheels are further apart than the 3130, which seems to mean that correct sizing calls for larger than 6' implements, which in turn need larger tractors - IT'S ALL AN EVIL MARKETING PLOT!!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I have been following RaT's 3830 posts, but still am not sure whether a 3130 will do what I want. One dealer I talked to said that a 3130 will pull a 6' cutter, but if it were him, he'd go with a 3830. I'm not sure if this was honest advice or if he was trying to upsell. The other dealer I liked didn't try to lead me into a larger tractor at all.

Any advice to go one way or the other?

 

[MarkV]

I don't think there is a "one answer fits all" to your question. I have been looking at the same two tractors and also would like to run a 6' rotary mower. There are a number of members that are using 6' behind the 3130 but it depends on what you are mowing. If thick heavy grass is the majority it may be to big, spotty grass and light brush clearing you may be ok. The general guide I have always heard is 5 PTO hp per foot of mower. The 3130 is 24 PTO hp so the 5' is most likely a better fit. The 3830 is 30 PTO hp so that would fit the guide for a 6'.

MarkV

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi,

There is no question at all in my mind that if I had those 40 acres, AND could afford the extra for the L3830, that is the way I would go.

It seems each time you step up in tractor size, you proportionally get a lot more tractor for the dollars you lay out.

You will appreciate the extra HP on the hills I bet. There was a post here by someone that I remember. He went from a B2910 to a L3010. HP per LB of tractor was lower on the bigger 3010. Could not go up the hills as fast anymore, to the extent that he thought there was a problem with the tractor...

I keep thinking the same thing about the 3130 vs 3830. Etc, etc...

Good luck and hope you do it right the first time!! Naturally only you can make the final decision for your specific needs.

 

[hillslider]

I am a new owner of a L3130HST and love the tractor. Nothing but grins /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. I only have 15 acres to maintain for our two horses and I use a 5' cutter. The area is hilly and there is some pucker factor involved in mowing!! If I had 40 acres I would go with the L3830. The L3130 would do it but it would be to slow and as far as using a 6' cutter on a hill with the L3130 you would have trouble. I have the tires loaded and max weight on the front bumper and my tractor will slip and slide in 4x4. I have even managed to have the front wheel leave the ground. I have to be very carefull!!!!! The L3830 is heavier and wider.......two things I could really use but can not justify with my small farm. So for you I recomend the bigger tractor......you will be happier with the performance on your larger property. Good luck with your endeavor.

Rob

 

[jlemon]

That's a useful guide that I didn't pick up on earlier. The grass around here is currently way overgrown, and appears to be a mix of smooth bromegrass, canarygrass, red clover, and bluegrass. Not sure if this qualifies as heavy grass or not, but it sure is TALL right now. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I had someone come out to hay the back pasture - he gave up saying that there was too much thatch in the grass (it wasn't cut last year), so his moco keeps stalling. Looks like one of my first tractor jobs is to just go out and chop the entire field down, although I think that would just ADD to the thatch problem.

 

[jlemon]

I believe I read the same post. A recurring theme on the board seems to be that the 3130 may be undersized for the frame, but will get the job done if you go slower. I'm sure that a 3130 *could* get the job done, but may not be as enjoyable or efficient as a 3830 at the same task.

 

[jlemon]

Wow, it sounds like you have much steeper hills than I do! The steepest grades I'm looking at are about 30% in some areas, or 6:20 by my tape measure. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Luckily, not all the property is like that, but enough that it is a concern.

I just showed this post to my CFO, and she says for only a $2,500 price difference, I should just buy the 3830 and be done with it. Seems she's more willing to spend my (oops, OUR) money than I am! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif However, one of the points she made was that you have to consider the temperament of the person using it, and we're both impatient and probably not willing to slow down TOO much.

So it looks like I'll be faxing dealers for quotes on the 3830 today, and hoping that I haven't decided to buy too big. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

jlemon,
I have a 3830 with a light duty 6' brush hog and the tractor pulls it with no problems. Even up slight inclines (I don't have any REAL hills) the tractor doesn't hesitate. If your budget allows it, I think the 3830 is worth the extra $$. A tractor is a long term investment, so you want to make sure you get plenty of satisfaction for your money.

buckle

 

[_RaT_]

I would say that if your terrain was flat the L3130 HST would be fine, but since it is hilly, thats what might be the most compelling reason for having more HP/torque. Any tractor will load up when hit with hills and really thick and tall grass especially when sized with an implement to take maximum advantage of the HP. The HST allows great control for those areas that are either thicker then others or when cutting bumpy terain. It's one of those things that seems to go unmentioned for the most part, but the HST really starts to be a "seat of the pants" operation when your body feels the dips and bumps as the front axle hits them. You automatically and instantly respond via the pedal. When going downhill and you hit the thick stuff, it is also great in that you never brake or clutch to slow down, you just again back off on the HST.
The price jump on the L3830 may be part evil marketing ploy and also a few extras over the L3130/3430, for one, you have a different rear end, different lift on the 3 pt hitch, different battery size, tires, and perhaps a few others I've already forgotten. That increase in price will seem little in no time once you start using the tractor, its still got me excited to use. I feel like a little kid. Rat...

 

[SageBrush]

The L3830 will give you a stronger tractor over all.

I have a Bush Hog 286 (6' approx. 900 + lbs) it works well on my L4330 (with the loader on) which has 36 pto hp (GST). The L3130 HST has 24 pto hp at 2700 rpm. Kubota rates the tractor for a 6' cutter with a weight of 770lbs. My L4330 is rated for a 926 lb bush hog, mine weighs a little more. If you go with a L3830 you will have the same 926 lb weight rating. The L3830 HST will give you 30.5 pto hp. If you want a 6' medium duty cutter, the L3830 would be my minimum. There are some 6' med. cutters that are rated for 30 hp. I think the one I have recommends a 40 hp tractor. My other 31 hp tractor can't handle a 6 footer of any kind, it struggles in anything over 3 feet tall using a 5 footer.

So, if you want to stay within Kubota's weight ratings, a L3130 could handle a 6 footer under 770 pounds. But, I think you'll be wanting more power if you cut tall, thick or wet grass.

I almost went with the L3830 untill I decieded on the 4 banger. There is nothing wrong with a nice 5' med. cutter either. I try to stay within spec on weights and such, maybe some one can relate their experiance running a 900 to 1000 pound cutter on a L3130. I would recommend avoiding the light duty cutters if you do much brush cutting.