Whats wrong with the L4400?

[Highbeam]

I also noticed the very high 3pt lift capacity. QA for quick attach as is available on the 723 loader from the GL line allows the use of universal skidsteer implements. The salesman here in WA was trying to get me sold on the GL line over the L line and since I wanted gears he showed me how the GL gears were synchronized where the smaller Ls were only synced in one or two gears. I could only see this mattering if you wanted to take off with a lot of weight and eventually get up to a good speed.

I will have to go back and look for the larger L. The L4400 being 4 cylinders, more fuel, larger frame, may make it too heavy for towing with my pickup. The GL3130 was getting pretty heavy as it was.

It's too bad that a 44 HP tractor is equipped with a puny hydro pump so that it can't lift as much with the loader as a 31 HP tractor. Why don't they match the pump to the engine a little better? You can also pick up an optional draft control for the 3pt but no mid-pto which is fine by me.

 

[N80]

The L4400 weighs 3153 pounds without the loader. My '93 F150 is rated at 7000 pounds. I think most full size pickups could handle it. A compact or mid size pick-up may not.

 

[Highbeam]

You may have a 7000 lb tow rating but that is a bogus tow rating, I have found through my years in the RV world that the GVWR and GCWR will be exceeded before the bogus tow rating.

For grins let's take that 3200 lb tractor which is likely with ag tires, add the 1500+ lb loader, add a 1000 lb implement and we are up to 5700 for just the tractor. The trailer weighs at least 1000 lbs and if we use the standard 7000lb GVWR car trailer then there is 300 lbs left for chains and fuel and then if you want to load the tires, haul more than one implement, or add accessories then we are in trouble.

The tractor itself is not that heavy.

Cool, but now a 7000 lb trailer should have no less than

 

[N80]

Well, I'm not sure what your point is, and I'm no expert in towing, but, its a F150, crew cab, 4x4 with the Trident V8 and towing package, nothing special. But, I have towed a very large tandem trailer (made for small dozers, large tractors, etc with a huge load of lumber (couldn't get any more on the trailer). Conservative estimate of 2000-3000 pounds of wood so maybe 5000 pounds, total. Towed it about 75 miles on mixed interstate and highway driving. No problems with power, acceleration, speed or braking. I could obviously feel the load, had to break earlier, etc. But there were no problems. No brake fade. No constant shifting or overheating.

Friends with same truck pull two-horse trailers. Thats maybe 2500 pounds of horse and 1000 pound trailer maybe additonal 500 pounds of hay, gear etc. They say they can hardly tell anything is back there.

This is obviously off topic, but suffice it to say, I'm pretty certain my truck will handle the L4400. I hate big truck though and hope to get rid of it soon. The smaller truck I get probably won't handle the tractor, but I've got easy access to an F350 with a tandem-dually goose neck. (It can be better to have a friend with a big truck than having a big truck! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

 

[HomeBrew2]

Yep, sounds like with your rig you should be in good shape to trailer that tractor. I doubt you have any intention, as most folks don't, to climb Mt. Veil or drag it cross country. Most folks that tow do so safely whether under max or slightly over ... just depends on the conditions and what the whole rig feels like.
Cheers!

 

[FL4400]

Highbeam,
I have a 5' root rake that goes on my front end loader, just like the big land clearing rakes on front end loaders just alot smaller. The gear drive tranny is not synchronized, you have to stop to shift from forward to reverse, but shifting from 1st thru 4 th you can be moving. That really has not been an issue with me seeing I am used to it from larger tractors. IMO the L4400 is a great tractor for the money, plenty of power as I said in the other post I pull a heavy duty 8.5' disc with no problems. It will spin the tires down before the tractor will lose power. It is very capable of doing everything I need it to do. I have root raked about 3 acres so far and have not had any issues. I have moved some very large stumps that I thought it would never pick up but I did with out a problem. If you are looking for a great value in a hard working tractor then take a look at it. I got mine it is 4 wheel drive with AG tires, FEL, 6' Rhino rotary cutter, and the root rake for 22,500.

 

[N80]

Can you shift from high to low while moving?

Also, for removing stumps (small ones) do you drag them out with a chain or push them up with the FEL?

 

[TonyV]

The tranny on the L4400, like the gear driven L2800 and L3400 is whats called 'partially synchronized'. What this means is that these transmissions are synchronized for 1st through 4th gear in LO range only. They are not synchronized for HI range...and naturally, you have to be stopped, with clutch engaged to shift from forward to reverse and visa versa. I'm not sure about shifting from LO range to HI range though.....my gut feeling tells me that its probably not synchronized...I guess I just never tried it on my L3400.

...Tony

 

[N80]

Does that mean that in HI range you have to stop to shift gears or do you just have to be careful to shift at just the right rpm?

Well, I'll be finding out soon enough. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go buy it tomorrow. They have the FEL in stock and can get it ready in no time, but they don't have the rear remote in stock so even if I buy it tomorrow I won't be able to get it until later in the week......which is very frustrating. I'm finally getting that new toy 'vibe'. Up until now I haven't been very excited about this but now I'm kind of getting into it and also realizing all the great things I'll be able to do on my property. Which means that I want it now! The waiting is going to drive me crazy.

 

[40_acre_mule]

I tow my 4400 easily with my Dodge 1500 pickup. The tow rating is 7000 lbs. My trailer is no lightweight, as it can handle a much larger machine than the 4400.
If by brushguard, you mean the big metal rack in front of the radiator, mine came with that. The salesman and I didn't even discuss it. It sure looks sturdy, and I suppose you could hang some weights on it if needed.
I've got another 10 hours on it so far, (total 40), mostly pulling a Landpride medium-duty bushog (700 lbs). It handles it just fine, even in thick, overgrown grass.
The LA703 FEL can handle a full bucket of dirt easily. The FEL is also extremely handy when climbing out of soft mud. (I own swamp-land in south Mississippi).
I'm really pleased so far. I'd recommend this tractor to others.

 

[N80]

I hope the brush guard is included but I'm not sure. Like I say, I read somewhere that the loader for the 3400 came with the guard but never saw that for the 4400. It is listed as an option in the brochure. I don't know what it costs but I'd hate to pay $300-$400 for something like that, but at the same time I'd really like to have it. Maybe I can get them to throw it in. The tractor that is in stock has the fold down ROPS which is extra and which I care nothing about. Maybe he'll throw in the guard to make up for that.

I'm paying out the nose for a rear remote ($690!!). Does anyone know how this is operated? Is there a lever or actuator somewhere? If so, where? Is it within easy reach?

 

[dknarnd]

When I first started looking at new tractors I liked the L4400 feeling the power, features (or lack of them) and price make it a good package. Then I looked into the transmission more and it has scared me away, if only it was fully synchronized like the FST transmission.

Then when digging into it a little more I heard some comments that the transmission is very loud due to its design. Any comments on this? Also I gauged what speed I cut at now with my old JD and see that the travel speed I use now is between gears on this transmission (not positive though) where I would have to travel either 3/4 mph slower or 3/4 mph faster. Can anyone tell me the actual speed per gear on this tractor? Also I would be interested in hearing what range and gear you are cutting in. If low is synchronized and 4th is fast enough (4 mph) maybe it will work.

Another question is there any issues with the 3ph being jerky like I have been reading about on the L2800 and L3400?

 

[GaryE]

George,

Don’t know about the L4400, but I used to shift my B-6000 by just “blipping” the throttle match RPMs (without even using the clutch). It never even came close to grinding a gear. Going from Low to High range was a bit more complicated!!!!


Hope this is of some help,

Gary

 

[Highbeam]

"Well, I'm not sure what your point is, and I'm no expert in towing, but,..."

My point is that the tractor is a heavy load. We have hills here is Washington and to trailer that tractor with a crew cab half ton will be at or over the ratings. The truck will tow it though. The one ton Ford sounds like a good deal for towing without the white knuckles.

This may be against the rules but I have made a discovery. The Kioti DK40 or DK45 tractor has all the features of the L4400 plus a fully sync'd tranny and reverser. Comes with remotes, comes with at least as good specs as the L4400 and reportedly costs a lot less. The Kioti route is the "economy Kubota" route it would seem, looks like the old simple Kubotas that made Kubota its name. If you are forward thinking enough to be looking at the L series, then I would ask that you at least take a look.

Going from a bells and whistles GL3130 to a L4400 or DK45 is quite a progression/regression. Value engineering is what they used to call it.

 

[FL4400]

N80, mine came with the brush guard I believe it is included with the FEL.

 

[JeffRey30747]

N80,
Just to show how the guard comes in "handy", this happened last night.
I had leaned my 6' rotary cutter up against an oak tree so that we could do some deck repair and remount the gear box. I picked it up with chains and it swung back toward the the tractor and hit it pretty hard when it left the ground. Brush guard caught the lick and no apparent harm was done. Well, maybe a little paint off the guard but it is a tractor you know. Without the guard, I would have been picking up some pieces and wondering how to put it back together, straighten it or how much it would cost for parts.
Jeff

 

[N80]

FL4400, yes you are right. I confirmed it with the dealer and it does come with the FEL.

 

[Bob_Young]

Last October, N80, I was asking almost the same question as you; it was, "What's wrong with the L4300?". Had an opportunity to buy one at closeout (the L4400s were comin') prices. Saw very little about it here on TBN and was suspicious. Turns out there was nothing to fear.

Took delivery of the L4300 in December and couldn't be happier. Truly a 'Bang for the Buck' tractor.

Comparing the specs, the L4400 will be a little heavier, a little bigger, with improved engine access, a little more hydraulic pump capacity and the same engine. The L4400 will also have a more sophisticated transmission with 4 reverse speeds (compared to the L4300s 2 reverse speeds) plus a basic shuttle shift capability.

That said, the L4300 has done everything I want and more besides. The limited hydraulic pump capacity is nothing to fear. The FEL moves plenty quick at engine speeds above 1500 RPM and, even at idle speed, has enough muscle to lift the rear of the tractor off the ground (with loaded rears).

So far I've used the tractor to move snow with a 7' back blade, pull out small trees and cut brush with a 6' Woods Brush Bull 720. It has plenty of power and moved snow easily with the engine barely above idle.

Final drive to the rear wheels is via spur-cut bull gears. They are noisy. However, I really don't notice the noise in low range. In high range you will definitely hear them and it may be annoying if your work requires alot of road travel.

Other than noise, there's nothing wrong with bull gear final drives. As I recall the old 2 cylinder Johnny Poppers were built that way and we all know that they weren't quitters. Spur gears are alot less expensive than the planetary gear sets used on the up-scale equipment. For the work I do, they're not an issue and I'm glad for the savings.

The one significant drawback to the L4300 is the limited selection of reverse speeds. Even the low range reverse is too fast in my book. I couldn't hope to use a 3-pt. mounted snow blower on it. But the L4400 should correct this deficiency with four reverse speeds.

Another advantage of a basic tractor like the L4300/L4400 compared to the duded up Grand L Series is that you'll be more likely to work it than protect it. It's simple and solid without much to break. Kubota builds them well so it should work 'out of the box' without fussin', fiddlin' or calls to the dealer. In much of the world, basic tractors are the rule and probably Kubota's bread-and-butter tractors. Here they're the exception.

Things I really like about the L4300: low, compact profile with sidemounted exhaust (nice around trees), verrrry smooooth engine (Kubota knows how to make 'em), very quick starting (even when cold), tight turning radius, independent hydraulic PTO, strong FEL, good low-end power, excellent traction in 4WD (Loaded R1s in rear) and very good fuel economy.

As good as my L4300 is, I can't believe you would be unhappy with the L4400, it being more tractor and all.
FWIW
Bob

 

[N80]

Bob, excellent review. If the spur gears are as durable (reasonably) as planetary gears (even if they aren't as forgiving) then I'm fine with that. The noise won't bother me, this will be by far the quietest tractor I've ever driven.

Either way, the die is cast. They're delivering mine in two days. I'll plan on writing a complete review as soon as I've spent some time with it. I'll have nothing but minimal experience with much older and larger tractors, but a review of this type of tractor probably ought to be from a noobs perspective anyway.

 

[dknarnd]

Yes that is an excellent post about the L4300. Couple of questions for you. Do you run the cutter with the FEL attached? If not does the 6' cutter make the front a little light? What gear/range do you cut in? Is the transmission really synchronized in low range?

N80 I look forward to your review in the future.