Whats wrong with the L4400?

[N80]

I'm looking to buy a new tractor soon. So far the Kubota L4400 is the strongest contender and fits my budget and needs. However, I've searched these forums and all over the internet and there just isn't a lot of buzz, good or bad, about this tractor. I realize it is a new model, very basic and not particularly sexy, but it concerns me that I can't find much in the way of reviews, opinons, etc.

So, I'd appreciate any info, reviews or opinions that are out there. Just for reference, I'm also looking at the JD 990 which is comparable but more expensive. I hope you folks can give me some good info because I'm probably going to do this in the next week or so. I'm a bit nervous about spending the money and it doesn't help that I'm not really in to tractors. I just _need_ a good powerful compact. I wish I were excited about it but I'm not. Maybe I will be once I get it.

Also, main jobs will be mowing roads and small fields and light maintanence of dirt roads and house site. Will likely get the FEL.

Thanks.

 

[bobbyjak]

Take a look at this a little ways down in discussions:
"My wife bought me a Kubota "

Hope this helps

 

[N80]

Hmm. This makes me nervous. Its like the 4400 doesn't exist.

Edit: Thanks, I did see that post. So there's at least one happy customer. I'd still love to hear a little more about this tractor.

 

[wushaw]

It is mainly because it is only offered in a gear drive only and lots of folks like a hydro tranny in their tractor. If it fits your needs then I don't see any reason not to give it a whirl.

 

[grandad]

When Kubota first introduced their tractors in the US, I think their product line consisted of units like the L4400. So, Kubota has a long history of making basic, essentially bullet-proof small tractors. They continue to make those models for sale all over the world. I wouldn't hesitate for a minute if the L4400 fits your needs.

The US compact tractor market is in a features race, just like with cars. All the manufacturers are racing to add features to outdo the competition. Most of us - I'm as guilty as the next guy - fall for all the fancy doo-dads. But your L4400 will work just as hard and last just as long as any gussied-up model.

Enjoy!

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Its also because its not even a year old. Up until this year it was known as the L4300.

 

[Youare]

Back a few years ago I had the same experience when looking at a Kubota L3000DT there wasn't much said about them anywhere. Anything I did read was positive.

The tractor I purchased was a no frills basic gear drive machine which is just what I wanted. I feel I got more of what I was looking for in a tractor for what I wanted to pay.

I think you will find it a very fine unit.

Randy

 

[RobJ]

Nothing is wrong with it. I just went through this with a used L2500 I just bought. I got one reply but it was a good one. Sure I wanted to see 100 posts on how the L2500 performed well and was a perfect machine. But after reading I see that it's a basic model, gear trans, 1 gauge, no frills. Actually the perfect tractor I needed. Simple to fix, basic parts, no fancy hydro tranny, basic electronics. And who really needs a shuttle shift when your mowing a 5 acre field. Moving a lot of dirt I can see. So I got the Ford XL with no carpet instead of the Lariet. I'm happy.

Good Luck with it!
Rob

 

[N80]

Well, I'm a no frills kind of guy. The geared tranny doesn't bother me at all, I've driven them before in the past. Prefer manual in my trucks. I'm sure I'd like an HST but that simply isn't an option for my budget and HP needs. And I suspect that the economical geared tranny is why the price of this tractor is what it is. This allows me to get the 45 hp I want for the price I can afford.

I'm getting quotes at around $15,000 with the standard Ag tires (which is what I want/need).

Two questions:

1) One dealer quoted me $950 to get a single remote installed in the rear. That seems outrageous. JD only charges $350. Should I hardball the guy for a lower price on the remote?

2) I have access to an old, but rebuilt, JD tag-along rotary cutter. It is 7 feet wide. I can have it for FREE. I have doubts this tractor can run it though. Any thoughts?

 

[Highbeam]

It will run the cutter, whether you can take a full 7 foot wide bite or half cut a 4 foot wide swath with it depends on the material to be cut. Heck, it's free.

 

[FL4400]

Well I am new to the board but I have been looking for a while. I have an L4400 that I have had for about 6 months. I have run a hay farm for the last 5 years ( about 225 acres of coastal) so I ahve been on nothing but big tractors. The smallest we have is an 80 hp NH up to a 235 Deere. I wanted a full size tractor when I first starting looking to clean up the the 10 acres I have but my wife would not let me spend the money. I bought the L4400 and I must admit I have not yet been dissappointed by this tractor. I have a FEL with a small root rake and pull an 8.5' disc behind it with no problems. True it does not have all the bells and whistles but it is a great tractor. I prefer the gear tranny from being on the big tractors. I would not think twice about buying it again if I had to do it over again. It has great power for its size and does everything I ask of it. It has no problem pulling a 6' Rhino rotary cutter. N80 I hope this helps you, I do not think you will go wrong with the L4400. But that is just my 2 cents.

 

[N80]

Thanks. I may be buying one later this week. Got a quote of $14,845 and I think I'm going to do it. I don't think you can get 45 hp and 4wd for that price in any other major name brand tractor (JD, MF, NH). Plus the 0% 3 year is great. They said they'd install the rear remote for $690, which still seems high since JD does it for $350. But they've come down on the overall price of the tractor and loader so I guess it all comes out in the wash.

How important is the front brush guard?

 

[Highbeam]

Since I've never heard of this tractor, been looking at the GL series, and the price seems right, please fill us in.

What was the quote with the FEL? Is that for a gears shfter or something else. I have no need for bells and whistles but capability and low cost are high on my list.

Thanks

 

[N80]

It is the replacement of the L4300. It has more hp (45, 37 at the PTO), a longer wheel base and a little heavier. It is 4wd, and has a basic gear driven tranny. Seems to me like a basic but fairly powerful compact tractor at a good price point for the power you are getting.

It costs less than the JD 990 but the loader is more expensive. The loader is the LA703 and the best quote I've gotten so far is $3675 installed.

The JD loader is $2900. It lifts a little less but is otherwise comparable on the JD990.

I don't even know if I 'need' the loader. I probably don't. But, without it the tractor would be useful (to me) only for mowing. The loader will certainly provide more utility for the tractor and I'm sure I can find things to do with it.And for someone like myself, who isn't really interested in tractors simply for tractor's sake, the loader certainly gives the huge expense a little more 'toy' quality.....something to play with. I do have roads (dirt, grass, and some gravel) that I could do light maintance on with the loader. I'm torn about whether to get it or not but I'm definitely leaning that way.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

N80,

That sounds like a pretty good price. I don't know where you're located (has anyone suggested that you fill in your profile? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif), but here's a similar setup at a Texas dealer. Look under "Monthly Specials". Their package includes the LA703 FEL with brush guard, a 6' Bush Hog brand rotary cutter and a 6' box blade for $21,180. That appears to be about 15% off of MSRP on the tractor & loader, or around $19,200 - $19,400 without the RC & BB.

 

[N80]

I'm in SC. That looks like an awesome deal. However, that is with 5% financing for 84 (!) months. That's a lot of interest! I'll be using the current 0% 3yr, so I doubt they'll throw in any mowers or box blades. The total on my package, including the FEL (I don't know if the brush gaurd comes with it, I think not) and a $700 rear remote set is $19,210.

That's about $1800 difference in that deal. I could get a low end brand mower and box blade for $1800, I guess.

I doubt I'm getting a great deal but it doesn't seem like a bad one either. I think it is probably fair.

 

[JeffRey30747]

N80,
If you are going to be moving anything other than dirt or mulch with the loader, my opinion is that the brush guard is a must. I plan on filling the center opening in mine with expanded metal to give more protection. It's been four years and I still haven't done it though. The brush guard came with the loader package on my LA682 but was extra on the Bush Hog brand loader that I also considered.

Jeff

 

[N80]

Unfotunately I don't think the brushguard comes with the LA703, so that will be an additional expense.

Does the brush guard also serve as the holder for front end weights?

 

[Highbeam]

Is the basic gear drive transmission synchronized, as in can you shift like a truck? Also, I assume it has the forward reverse shuttle on the column, is that right?

I like the live hydraulic independent PTO and the large fuel tank. The hydraulic system is pretty weak though only making 7.8 gpm for implements. The loader also is a bit weak without an availble QA, I suppose aftermarket can fix that though.

 

[N80]

I think it is a sychronized tranny but not sure. The F/R is on the left by the fender with low range and forward directly across from each other.

The loader lifts more than the comparable JD loader and the hydraulic pump has slightly less flow than the JD 990 which is the only really comparable major name brand tractor. The Kubota has a significantly stronger lift capacity at the 3 pt hitch.

It has been a bit of a toss up, but a few minor things on the Kubota, the 3yr 0% and the slight HP advantage are what sold me.

I don't know what a QA is. The whole FEL is quick detach and attach, but not the bucket. The JD has a quick detach bucket. I don't even know if the Kubota bucket comes off.