Tractor choice for loader work

[jmaine]

Hi guys, I need some tractor advice and figured that I had better ask the experts (I don't know if I believe what I've been told by the salespeople) I have about 12 acres of land, maybe 9 of it is wooded, the rest open field. Most of the work I would be doing with the tractor would be loader work, spreading gravel and loam, moving materials (logs, timbers, granite slabs), maintaining trails and skidding firewood out of the woods (mostly small diameter maple and oak). My main concern is the strength of the loader. My brother had his tractor over one time and after using his and seeing what it could do, I would want a loader at least as strong as the one he has or perhaps slightly stronger. He has a JD 4310 with a loader that has a breakout force of 3,299 lbs with a lifting capacity of 1,258 at 500 mm forward. First question, what is the best number to use when comparing loaders? Is the breakout force, the lift capacity at the pivot pin, 500 mm forward, bucket center or something else? It is very confusing, there are some with a higher lifting capacity 500 mm forward than others but the breakout force it less?

I was leaning towards the L4400 but in looking at the loaders, the l3940 has a stronger loader but less horsepower. The 3940 is also about $1,800 more. Do the electronic bells and whistles of the grand L series make them worthwhile for a lot of loader work?

I also have a question about the rear remotes. I don't quite understand the benefit of these? I don't have plans to have any rear attachments right away but perhaps in the future (maybe a rototiller or even a backhoe). Should I get them installed now if they are truly beneficial or should I wait?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Joe

 

[keyman1808]

The 1800.00 is the trade off for the stronger loader. I have never used an L of any series but it is what makes you feel comfortable in the seat is what makes it worthwhile. For me I would never buy another without a HST drive system. Makes it quick to move stuff around with the loader. Forward to reverse and back again with just a touch of the pedal is great. I for one dont want to clutch or shift. I would suggest to drive both and see which one fits you best. As far as rear remotes I dont have any but with I did for operating implements such as log splitters, grapples and other like items without using the PTO. I beleive the uses a different hook up and doesn't use the remotes. Drive and play with them all and get the one that fits you best.

 

[piller]

Before I got my tractor I had a guy come out and do some work at my place with his L3940. It's a very nice good all around machine. The loader is solid, he used a set of pallet forks to move some logs and a couple of big piles of sawmill scraps.

As for rear remotes, I have 3 sets on the back of my tractor but so far I've only needed one.

 

[radioman]

No matter what model you get, the relief valves for the loader will kick in if you try to lift too much. You should be at the dealer trying out the tractors to see which feels good to you. If you really need the backhoe, it better to get it now. as for the tiller, it a great thing to have if you have a garden or alot of landscaping to do and throwing it in the tractor price shouldnt bump up the price too much which is what I did. I know I couldve gotten one a TSC but I wanted a brand name.

 

[dex3361]

I have a L4400HST and I would not get anything but an HST. The loader on the L3940 has a better roll back angle as well as a little more strength. I have triple remotes which means that I can operate 3 seperate cylinders. If your look at the triple remotes you will see 6 ports (3-extend, 3-retract) it takes and 1 extend and 1 retract port to operate 1 doulde acting chydraulic cylinder. Overall I like the L4400HST. I currently use all of the remotes Top and tilt and the front grapple is 3 cylinders. I may end up adding a few remotes to the front.

 

[AhearnEquipmentInc]

There are more differences than just the loader. I generally urge customers to avoid getting to wrapped up in lift capacity. The bigger difference between the L4400HST and The L3940HST lies in the transmission. The L3940 has the new HST plus transmission, which is really fantastic for loader work applications. The HST plus is tied in with the engine throttle so that you get more power on demand from the engine, without touching your hand throttle. Overall, they are both nice tractors, but if you are going to be doing mainly loader work, I do not think you would miss the extra 5 horsepower, but I do think you might appreciate the HST Plus transmission.

As far as the remotes go, they can always be installed at a later date if you find you need them. Third function valves, which give you a 3rd function with the touch of a button on the loader valve have become more popular.

 

[Samandothers]

I have an L4240 which has the 854 loader and it does a great job. As Ahearn indicated the HST tied to the Autotrottle on the Grand L is a great combo. I don't touch the throttle during operation and for loader work I would only want an HST.

Good luck on the choice!

 

[MarkV]

jmaine welcome to the forum. Related to your question, you mention not planning on any implements at this time. Do keep in mind for loader work a counter weight on the rear of the tractor is really essential for stability and transferring some of the weight off the front axle when using a loader. Most of us use an implement like a boxblade to provide that weight. It can also be done inexpensively by making a counter weight or a weight box of some sort. A search on the forum will offer ideas.

MarkV

 

[medicshawn]

The point about having a counter weight on the rear is very important. You would probably be well served to pick an attachment for the rear. Such as a Box blade. I would look for a heavy duty box blade near 1000 Lbs. I would also recommend loading the tires. On the Kubota loaders the model number indicates the lifting capacity in kilograms. So a 724 can lift 1592 LBS. 2.2 Lbs per kilogram. I would personally move up to the 4240. Not a lot of difference in the tractor but more lift capacity.

 

[Reg]

Breakout force MIGHT matter if you will DIG with it.

Lift capacity matters for - guess what ? Right, for lifting - carrying too.

It is POSSIBLE to dig with a FEL, but there are usually better ways to make holes in the ground, remove stumps, etc.
I know, "catch it with the corner of the bucket" trick often works for folk who know what they are doing, but it can tweak the loader frame.

I have managed to carry stumps that I couldn't lift.
Get the edge of the bucket under it, tip the tractor up with the hoe stabilizers, get whatever lift is available, lower the back of the tractor, extend the hoe.
It might only get the bucket 4 inches off the ground, but it works.
This trick borders on abuse, inappropriate use at least (-:

BTW, THIS is a K-Word specific forum, the advice you get here on tractor choice will be colored - towards some mixture of red/yellow.

 

[CurlyDave]

Loading the rear tires, while a good idea in preventing forward tipping, does not unload the front tires when using the FEL. Only a counterweight behind the rears does this.

If you can afford it, a backhoe on a subframe is an excellent counterweight and increases the usefulness of the tractor. While a ballast box is very good, you can get a lot more bang for your buck with a home-made cast concrete counterweight. Check the forums here to see what others have done in this area.

 

[ehchvac]

It all depends on your needs and expectations.
I have had 3 kubotas and they all lack lift compared to my bobcats, but bobcats will whip your lawn into stir-fry in a heart beat.
That being said, my brothers backhoe loader puts the bobcats to shame, as far as lifting goes.
it all depends,...

 

[Samandothers]

The loader and backhoe are a great combo. The backhoe is a great counter weight for the loader, especially when there is a grapple on the loader with a mouth full of brush or logs.
When I started looking I first looked at L3400 but decided to look into the Grand L and the L3240. Price was a bit more but thought the L4240 was worth the difference to get the larger loader and the additional hp for the HST.
The Auto throttle, backhoe loader/grapple are fantastic. When I bush hog in some of my fields there are trees near the edge that I can get between and some I back in between. The HST is not only great for loader work but is very handy with the bush hog and the back and forth motion near the edge of the woods. I can keep a hand on the steering and one on the rear lift lever and not need to change gears.
Lookin forward to pictures.

 

[daveinnh]

I have a Kubota L4310 HST. A Fasse valve was added to use a W.R. Long grapple. I believe Kubota now offers an integrated grapple circuit as an option, that I'd definitely would order in a new tractor.

We have a Salsco chipper with hydraulic feed that needs 1 rear circuit. If you live in snow country and plan to snowblow, maybe consider the mid-mount PTO for a front blower. And cab of course.

Also, I had Quik-Tach added to the loader and a receiving bracket welded on the bucket. The grapple and pallet forks are easy to switch on and off. Kubota offers a similar option - not sure if theirs is skid-steer implement compatible.

 

[mike69440]

I'm surprised no one motioned a TLB like the L39, 45, 59 or JD 110 with a fixed loader frame.
HST is great for loader work without a lot of travel. If yor roading or doing field work, I like the GST.

Nothing wrong with an L4240 if that is the size tractor you want without going industrial.
Stay away from the L3400 L4400 if you want a strong loader, and heavier machine for the overall size.

 

[yekrut]

Kinda agree with Mike. Jmaine - sounds like you have same needs as I did a few years back. I went with an L39. I have managed to bang it up a time or two but always operator stupidity. The frame is incredibly strong for the size of the machine. It's very versitile. If you strictly want a tractor then it's probably out as an option as you can't remove the loader frame. If you want a lot of versitility with an integrated frame then I'd look at the models Mike mentioned above.

 

[jdbnh]

for loader work i woudl not consider a kubota, all of the ones i have been on have slow hydraulics and the up and down response time and the bucket dump is slow. i would check out new holland, they seem to have the best hydraulics compared to anyone and they have qucik attach loaders and buckets, very easy and simple.

 

[bill in ny]

for loader work i would not consider a new holland. their hay equipment is good though.

 

[art]

for loader work i woudl not consider a kubota, all of the ones i have been on have slow hydraulics and the up and down response time and the bucket dump is slow. i would check out new holland, they seem to have the best hydraulics compared to anyone and they have qucik attach loaders and buckets, very easy and simple.

When people make claims like this they are often not comparing like vintage or comparable equipment! I sell the NH under Case as well as the Kubota's and the Cadet's compacts and we do comparables all the time!
We see manufacturers that often compare in their testing old models of the competition to tell how well their new models do or better yet, they don't use comparable models!!!!!

 

[bill in ny]

thank you art. that was my point.