Buying Advice Needed

[Driggs]

Hi everyone, I'm a newbie here and need some advice.

I am shopping for a Kubota but not sure which models are better than others.

This tractor will be used primarily for snow blowing at my cabin up north. I want 4wd, about 40 horsepower, front snow blower, and a full cab. A quick change front bucket and a back blade would also be nice.

Any suggestions or advice will be appreciated!

 

[virginiavenom]

Hi everyone, I'm a newbie here and need some advice.

I am shopping for a Kubota but not sure which models are better than others.

This tractor will be used primarily for snow blowing at my cabin up north. I want 4wd, about 40 horsepower, front snow blower, and a full cab. A quick change front bucket and a back blade would also be nice.

Any suggestions or advice will be appreciated!

sounds like a grand L series is what you want/need L4060 might do, but a L4760 would be a little more pony power. could even go 5460 or 6060 for even more umph.

 

[mickeyd]

Welcome to the forum. How often would you be using this tractor?

 

[Driggs]

Welcome to the forum. How often would you be using this tractor?

Well to be honest, probably less than 100 hours per year. Like I said, it will be used mostly for snow blowing and grading the driveway.

I need something sizable though as it is not uncommon to arrive at my cabin with 2 foot of fresh snow.

 

[85Hokie]

Well to be honest, probably less than 100 hours per year. Like I said, it will be used mostly for snow blowing and grading the driveway.

I need something sizable though as it is not uncommon to arrive at my cabin with 2 foot of fresh snow.

What is your budget on this item? Hopefully not as "cheap as possible" - with most of these tractors - an increase with HP and wider accessories runs in the several $1000 per increase in size.

I would agree - the Grand L is looking like the answer - and be a bit jealous!

 

[Driggs]

What is your budget on this item? Hopefully not as "cheap as possible" - with most of these tractors - an increase with HP and wider accessories runs in the several $1000 per increase in size.

I would agree - the Grand L is looking like the answer - and be a bit jealous!

My budget is about $25,000.

 

[virginiavenom]

My budget is about $25,000.

unfortunately with that budget getting into a grand L with a front end loader alone isn't going to happen at 25k. with just a FEL a 3560 with cab is going to run you about 30k give or take a little. snow blowers on these things aren't cheap, front or rear. a back hoe is going to run you near 10k.

the B series may be better although I'm not sure how good they are at trudging through deep snow. but my guess would be if you have a snow blower it won't just be bounding through the snow. however they aren't a lot cheaper than the 3560 is. I just put together a b33 with hoe, loader and snow blower and it was over 40MSRP.

like I said the backhoe is killer. FEL and snow blower with cab is going to run minimum of about 26k with a B2650 I would imagine after some shopping. the L is going to run you to about 35 with the snow thrower and small FEL. that's with a rear mount PTO snow blower.


in your price range you might be able to find a nice used unit, but that will probably be more likely a grand 40 vs the new 60 series which I don't see a lot of used. but if you really want the 40+ hp, and your budget doesn't have any room for growth a nice used unit is about your only option as far as I am aware of.

 

[Driggs]

Sorry if I mislead anyone but my intent was to buy a used unit.

I'm just looking for information on which models are better than others.

My budget is $25,000 but I could go $30,000 for the right tractor.

 

[nickelplated5s]

You didn't say if you wanted new or used.

 

[Driggs]

You didn't say if you wanted new or used.

I know, that is why I said sorry if I mislead anyone.

 

[virginiavenom]

I know, that is why I said sorry if I mislead anyone.

no problems man. I'm going to guess a used L series grand 40 would probably suit you well, HP depends on what you can afford most likely. tractorhouse would be a good place to start, check craigslist in your area, check ebay things like that. I've seen a few really good deals in a local paper from time to time as well.

 

[ShaunBlake]

Sorry if I mislead anyone but my intent was to buy a used unit.

I'm just looking for information on which models are better than others.

My budget is $25,000 but I could go $30,000 for the right tractor.

Welcome to the forum! You don't need to apologize, you didn't mislead anyone, just gave us an opportunity to jump to conclusions!

You've already gotten some great information. I'm hoping I can add some helpful thoughts. What is ability to transport a mid-size tractor with front and rear attachments? (IOW, do you have a big trailer, and good-sized truck?) If so, you have the advantage of traveling to nearby states to pick up your 'find'. And if not, you'll need to figure in transportation. (In which case, search this forum for info on transportation!)

You're in a good location; lots of Kubotas in OH, as well in adjoining states. Depending on your deadline, AuctionTime.com; TractorHouse.com; eBay; and CraigsList are fertile ground. Also, make use of TractorData.com to check out machines that you come across.

By all means, ask additional questions that come up, and please keep us informed of your results!

Best wishes!

 

[Driggs]

Thanks everyone for your advice so far. I appreciate it.

I will have to buy a trailer or rent one. My truck is only an F150 but it has the tow package and the twin turbo motor so it should suffice.

I was also wondering what year the emissions regulations started and if any of the older models were better than the newer ones.

 

[virginiavenom]

Welcome to the forum! You don't need to apologize, you didn't mislead anyone, just gave us an opportunity to jump to conclusions!

You've already gotten some great information. I'm hoping I can add some helpful thoughts. What is ability to transport a mid-size tractor with front and rear attachments? (IOW, do you have a big trailer, and good-sized truck?) If so, you have the advantage of traveling to nearby states to pick up your 'find'. And if not, you'll need to figure in transportation. (In which case, search this forum for info on transportation!)

You're in a good location; lots of Kubotas in OH, as well in adjoining states. Depending on your deadline, AuctionTime.com; TractorHouse.com; eBay; and CraigsList are fertile ground. Also, make use of TractorData.com to check out machines that you come across.

By all means, ask additional questions that come up, and please keep us informed of your results!

Best wishes!

double up on what he said about the trailer and substantial truck. if it's just tractor and FEL, and trailer, if you have a good half ton truck with a V8 in it, it will do it. but when you add a bunch of implements it get's awful close. my hemi ram will be right at it's limit with the 4060 or so when I make my final decision with FEL and box blade on a decent trailer. just watch your weights if you don't have a 3/4 ton or larger truck.

 

[virginiavenom]

Thanks everyone for your advice so far. I appreciate it.

I will have to buy a trailer or rent one. My truck is only an F150 but it has the tow package and the twin turbo motor so it should suffice.

I was also wondering what year the emissions regulations started and if any of the older models were better than the newer ones.

should be fine for most loads if you aren't going too far/mountains etc.

DPF has been around for a while, I personally think it won't be that horrid to have at this point in time. yeah it's something to work around, but not something I would stress over really.

 

[ShaunBlake]

... if it's just tractor and FEL, and trailer, if you have a good half ton truck with a V8 in it...
... watch your weights if you don't have a 3/4 ton or larger truck.

...
I will have to buy a trailer or rent one. My truck is only an F150 but it has the tow package and the twin turbo motor so it should suffice.

Your truck does have good power, though I don't know about the torque. If you try to tow a Grand L with FEL and cab and snowblower, I think you're going to be taxing that turbo. You'll defiantly be overtaxing your frame and brakes! When shopping for a trailer, you'll need a tandem, with brakes (at a minimum on the front axle), with a good controller. And a good load-leveler would be a good safety addition. (I don't know anything about renting such a trailer, but it should be possible.)

 

[Driggs]

I've got the EcoBoost V6 in my truck. With the twin turbos it puts out 420 lbs of torque at 2,500 rpms.

My tow capacity is 9,700 lbs.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Driggs,
WOW that's a lot of tractor for very little task and time.
I put 100 hours on my L in a couple of weeks doing normal tasks.
You could pull that off in style with a B or a BX for a heck of a lot less than $25K.
But hey we all want bigger and more capable.

I will say after doing some quick math, towing a tractor that large with implements should not be done with a 1/2 ton truck, it doesn't matter what engine it has, there just is not enough mass to do it safely!

 

[virginiavenom]

Driggs,
WOW that's a lot of tractor for very little task and time.
I put 100 hours on my L in a couple of weeks doing normal tasks.
You could pull that off in style with a B or a BX for a heck of a lot less than $25K.
But hey we all want bigger and more capable.

I will say after doing some quick math, towing a tractor that large with implements should not be done with a 1/2 ton truck, it doesn't matter what engine it has, there just is not enough mass to do it safely!

curious what your weights are in your calculations. it will be tight for him, but I think he would be okay.

usually anything around 9k is a workout, and I would guess trailer at about 1100-1500, tractor around 3800-4500 depending on model of L. loader with bucket I believe is somewhere around 700-900 lbs, snow blower I have no idea, same with the back hoe.

so I was thinking he should come in under 7k without snow blower, now I know the hoes are supposed to be really heavy, but I have no idea just how heavy that is. I also don't know how much the bb weighs empty, or the fluid in the rear tires weighs in at.

 

[OldeEnglish]

I absolutely agree we these guys that a tractor that size shouldn't be towed by a half ton truck, no matter what the make or power. If something goes bad, a good gust of wind or a quick jolt of the steering will send you in bad tail whip, 1/2 truck doesn't have the weight. Good luck hanging onto a half ton truck if things go bad!

I've been in my buddy's F350 single axel diesel, pulling about 2000 lbs on a tilt car trailer, have 1 of the 4 straps holding down the load snap. We hit a huge bump at night from road construction, way too fast than we should have. The bounce snapped a HD ratchet strap like a banjo string and the load shifted to the back of the trailer. That trailer lifted the weight off the rear tires of the truck and made us whip to the point where I thought we were going to crash . LUCKILY, the boy can drive! Punched the gas instead of hitting the breaks and straightened us out. 2 straps held that pallet on the trailer, needless to say we never use anything but chains now and duct tape all the ends that can come lose!

In no way would I ever haul something that heavy with a lighter truck than a 1 ton, 3/4 min. If you do, I highly suggest wearing a good crash helmet . Towing a short distance going slow wouldn't be a problem.