Kubota NEWBIE seeking feedback.

[Haze]

I'm about to buy a Kubota L3800 4WD with FEL and 60" tiller. I have two things I'm undecided on, the tires and transmission selection. I've had tractors with gear type tranny and ag tires for years and they have served me well. To be honest if I hadn't driven the HST today I wouldn't have even known any better.

My local dealer recommended the industrial tires and the Hydrostatic transmission. I do like the fact that you have more speed adjustment with the HST even down to a crawl, and when your foot comes off the pedal it stops, but it seems like a much more complex system that would in turn be very expensive to repair in the event of a problem. Also does the industrial tire get good traction in really mucky or swampy areas?

I'd love to hear what you guys have experienced, good or bad. Any help is appreciated.

 

[rparkinson]

Re: Kubota NEWBIE s eeking feedback.

Here we go, the hst/gear r4/r1 debate. I have an L3200HST with loaded r4's. I would not have it any other way. I run chains in the winter. I guess it depends on what you are using it for. If you are working it in the woods or really muddy areas r1's are prob the way to go. If not, like me I do alot of loader work grade my 1/4 mile long road 5-6 times a year and move snow. R4's are the answer for those chores. No way would I ever even consider a gear machine again. They are great dont get me wrong, but hst is way way more efficient, anyone can jump on it and use it. I have had a lot of gear machines as well. I have never had troubles with my hst. I think if you service them like they are supposed to be serviced they will give you many trouble free years of service. If you are not good about taking care of your equipment, gear may be better suited for you. Just my opinion. Try them both and get as much seat time as you can. I would be suprised if you bought the gear model. I am going to get blasted for that.... anyway good luck to you-

 

[olthumpa]

" Also does the industrial tire get good traction in really mucky or swampy areas?"

IMHO - THEY ARE USELESS! in these conditions. R4 will just clog up and you will sit there and spin. R1 is the only way to go for these condictions, preferably PATTY design tread. Example of patty tread http://eastidaho.craigslist.org/grd/3976193558.html . IMHO R4's have very limited use.

HST, I have had 2 of them and neither trans lasted more than a year. Dealer said, "you push them to hard", I work my gear tractors hard and have never had a trany fail me, other problems yes trany no.

Amongst others, I have a L275. Original clutch, breaks, and trany though I just toor up the locking diff.

P.S. the L275 has over 4000 hrs on it. Exact hours I am not sure of because the the original hour meter failed at around 1250 hrs. Replaced the meter a couple years later and the current one has 2627.5 hrs on it.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

really mucky or swampy areas

Avoid R4's they will load up and you'll just spin!
There is a reason you don't see R4's in swamp buggy's!

HST to Gear... Upkeep and repair costs are 50/50 IMHO, I personal like the HST on a loader tractor!

 

[rparkinson]

That is interesting. I can see the debate on tires. It depends what you are doing with the machine. I also have a l4610hst here in Maine. It gets used hard everyday doing jobs. moving dirt, rocks, tar, used for haying 4 different fields. Not one failure. It is maintained- sounds like you have had some bad luck to me....

 

[Eric McCarthy]

Ahh yes the great debate of gear/hst. It really boils down to personal preference. You could do a search of the threads on here and read easily 100 post on the transmission battle. It really is up to you and what works best for you and whats comfy. If you have the chance spend as much time as you can on both and make your selection from there.

And I absolutely agree with the others, R4's are as worthless as tits on a boar hog in mud, you need R1 ags for traction.

 

[Haze]

Thanks for the input. Looks like there are differing opinions on the subject.

 

[Bluegill]

Thanks for the input. Looks like there are differing opinions on the subject.

There has been many long threads of this subject. One just about every two weeks or so.

I personally wouldn't take a HST tractor for free, but there is nothing wrong with them if that's what you like.

Gear trans and Ag tires are what work for me. R-4 tires do not work around here when the ground is very wet.

By the way, the L3800 is a fine tractor!

 

[DanDan]

I like the effort to bundle the debates. The only thing missing in this thread to make it, really, the Mother of all Orange debates is: 3cyl vs. 4cyl.

Your local dealer probably recommended the HST/R4's because that's what he has on the lot. Take that with a grain of salt, of course.

 

[Bluegill]

Your local dealer probably recommended the HST/R4's because that's what he has on the lot. Take that with a grain of salt, of course.

That's the 'modern' way to stock a tractor lot.

But not always the best way to outfit a tractor.

 

[Haze]

They have both configurations on the dealers lot. I've driven both machines, but each one has its benefits and drawbacks. What about the difference in maintenance costs? Are there any significant long term costs associated with the hydro?

 

[Bluegill]

The HST has an extra filter and may need it's hydro oil watched closer. Other than that both trans types are bullet proof with Kubota.

 

[rparkinson]

Maintain the hst or gear as recommended and you will not kill them. Do loader work with the gear for a few hours, then try the HST.

 

[BotaDriver]

I'm about to buy a Kubota L3800 4WD with FEL and 60" tiller.

Haze, Sent you a PM.

 

[Haze]

OK, here's the update. I chose the L3800DT with the R1 ag tires. The DT because that's what I know and gear drive has served me well for many years; the R1's because there really is no substitute for the traction they provide. I did have the tires loaded and added a set of wheel weights. I have to say I'm very pleased with this machine. I've taken it through some really nasty stuff and it just churns through it with no problem. Here's a few pictures of her.

 

[Haze]

Mike, I really enjoyed talking with you last week and thanks again for your input. I'm really happy with this configuration.

 

[Bluegill]

Haze, that is the exact set up I have and I absolutely Love it! Ya did good, man!

Only diff I can see, is I set my rear tires out as wide as they'd go. Highly recommended.

 

[Haze]

Haze, that is the exact set up I have and I absolutely Love it! Ya did good, man!

Only diff I can see, is I set my rear tires out as wide as they'd go. Highly recommended.

Funny you should mention it, I was just measuring the rears to do that. If I swap left and right side rears I think I can push them out another couple of inches on each side. I also plan to install hydraulic top and side links...(guess I'm getting lazy, huh)

 

[Bluegill]

Funny you should mention it, I was just measuring the rears to do that. If I swap left and right side rears I think I can push them out another couple of inches on each side. I also plan to install hydraulic top and side links...(guess I'm getting lazy, huh)

Set out all the way, mine covers 5 foot outside to outside of tires. Much more stable this way.

Top and tilt is gettin mighty lazy there man.
I least you have a clutch and gear drive to keep it real!!!

 

[BotaDriver]

Set out all the way, mine covers 6 foot outside to outside of tires. Much more stable this way.

Your 3800 rear outside width is 72"!?!?!? What size spacers do you have on?