Hello all! I am an aspiring first tractor owner and my top choices at the moment are the L3902 and the L4802, both in HST. Most of my neighbors have Kubotas, and I'm blessed with having a Kubota service expert as a neighbor. I have access to several reputable Kubota dealerships in the area. Seems like a no brainer.
My basic tractor needs are:
Mowing
We live in hilly country in Southern Appalachia with 5-10 acres of pasture land and endless forest, much of which I would never attempt to access with a tractor. Some of it I will want to access. We have some animals running on some of the pasture so I don't have to keep it finish cut mowed all the time. Twice annual rough cuttings would be sufficient.
War of the Roses
There are a few different streams that have been overgrown with invasive species, mostly multiflora rose, which I have personally waged war against, and seek to destroy
. As a weapon against my thorny enemy I have been eyeing rotary cutters (bush hogs), and also offset flair mowers. Having an offset flair mower which gives the option of sending the cutting implement out to the side, and also being able to tilt up or down would be incredibly helpful in my quest for a thorn-free holler. The offset flair mower seems like a win on the safety category also, over trying to bush hog a creek bank. A high end Land Pride bush hog can be $3,500, and I've seen hydraulicly offset flair mowers for $4,000. I know some other hydro offset flail mowers are more expensive, but it seems like a great tool to have around here.
Grapple
I am likely going to want to add a grapple so that I can snatch up said rose bushes, along with logs, brush, and anything else that needs a'snatchin'.
Gravel Road Conditioning
I also have a half mile stretch of gravel road that I would like to maintain with something like a box blade and/or land plane. I'm sure I'd be helping neighbors with road conditioning from time to time as well, which I would happily oblige.
Other Notes
Given these basic requirements, and the current price difference on comparable tractors from each class, are there any opinions?
Current price with HST, 4WD, loader, bucket, ballast box, some lights, but no other implements:
My basic tractor needs are:
Mowing
We live in hilly country in Southern Appalachia with 5-10 acres of pasture land and endless forest, much of which I would never attempt to access with a tractor. Some of it I will want to access. We have some animals running on some of the pasture so I don't have to keep it finish cut mowed all the time. Twice annual rough cuttings would be sufficient.
War of the Roses
There are a few different streams that have been overgrown with invasive species, mostly multiflora rose, which I have personally waged war against, and seek to destroy
. As a weapon against my thorny enemy I have been eyeing rotary cutters (bush hogs), and also offset flair mowers. Having an offset flair mower which gives the option of sending the cutting implement out to the side, and also being able to tilt up or down would be incredibly helpful in my quest for a thorn-free holler. The offset flair mower seems like a win on the safety category also, over trying to bush hog a creek bank. A high end Land Pride bush hog can be $3,500, and I've seen hydraulicly offset flair mowers for $4,000. I know some other hydro offset flail mowers are more expensive, but it seems like a great tool to have around here. Grapple
I am likely going to want to add a grapple so that I can snatch up said rose bushes, along with logs, brush, and anything else that needs a'snatchin'.
Gravel Road Conditioning
I also have a half mile stretch of gravel road that I would like to maintain with something like a box blade and/or land plane. I'm sure I'd be helping neighbors with road conditioning from time to time as well, which I would happily oblige.
Other Notes
- At this time, the R14 tires are not offered on the L4802, but are on the L3902, which I found interesting.
- The idea of the L4802 having a wider stance than the L3902 certainly is a factor, mostly for stability and safety's sake. And the L4802 loader and 3 pt can lift much more than the L3902.
- The price of the L4802 would be pushing the budget, but the L3902 would be manageable.
Given these basic requirements, and the current price difference on comparable tractors from each class, are there any opinions?
Current price with HST, 4WD, loader, bucket, ballast box, some lights, but no other implements:
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