Taking home a L4150 for test drive

[rbargeron]

Taking home all these tractors, getting good use out of them (things I've been trying to get done all summer) and then returning them sort of makes me feel like I'm cheating the dealerships out of 'rental money' but they seem to be OK with it..

In the old days it was very common for dealers to drop new machines off for "try-outs" at local farms. They knew the farmer didn't have extra daylight hours to spend looking at new tractors - and they also got good feedback on how the new models fit in actual work settings. The word-of-mouth goodwill got around. Your dealers will be ok with it until they drive by one day and see the shiny new tractor you bought from somebody else

 

[phlegm]

Is it reasonable to consider buying
this l4310 and then putting a loader on it?
KUBOTA L4310 40 HP to 99 HP For Sale At TractorHouse.com

Where would one even start looking for a loader? new/used?

thanks,
-ron

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Ron,

I think this L4310 is a great candidate for adding a FEL. You have a really good loader manufacturer Koyker in nearby SD. Their Model 220 is matched to the 4310 and shows a breakout force of 2815# and a max lift to 10' of 1800#, both measured 31" forward of the pivot pin. The tractor in question has 4WD, which is the main thing needed if you're going to be adding a strong loader.

These guys aren't local to you (I don't think), but it will give you an idea what it would cost to add a new Koyker Model 220 to the tractor.

 

[phlegm]

that website says
220 $4,000.00 to $5,300.00

ouch, what an adjustment (for me) a used DuAl 300 can be bought for $350 including a PTO mounted hydraulic pump..

I better keep shopping.

-ron

 

[rbargeron]

Finding a loader for an older tractor can take a while - but they do show up now and then. A used tractor without a loader can seem like a good deal - but adding one later can be spendy. The final cost is usually lower if you buy a tractor that already has the major features you want - loader, cab, backhoe, rubber.

Of course, now and then some nut job puts on a loader that was never intended for his tractor model - and does it cheap! see this thread

 

[phlegm]

I figure tires are easy to change, there is an excavator 3miles from my house that will dig a 6ft x 12ft x8ft deep hole for $100, no need for a backhoe. I'm mainly concerned only that it can lift a bale with a loader and has hookups to run a snowblower (3pt) and at least 1 external hydraulic.

No cab for me, if I put on a cab then I can't park it inside, nor can i work on it inside.

Tractor + loader = happy
still trying to decide if I need 4wd/fwa/mfwd (or whatever other acronym you want to use to say it can spin the front tires)

That loader looks perfect on there. (your linked thread)
-ron

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Ron,

Back when I had an L345 like Dick's, I was wishing I had a loader and eventually came to the same conclusion - it costs too much to add a new loader to an old tractor - and I never did come across a used one that might work.

However, since I was spending your money, I wasn't working with the same constraints (like money and common sense :laughing.