Convince me… LX3310 to L3560

CFarm45

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Equipment
LX3310, ZD21
Jul 19, 2021
27
14
3
Western NY
Looking to be talked into/out of a trade. Currently have a low hour LX3310 that overall I have been very happy with. There’s not much I haven’t been able to do with it, but have occasionally wished I had a little more tractor - weight/stability, lift capacity and ruggedness of the loader mostly.
I have an opportunity to trade on an L3560, same model year, with very very low hours, at what I think is really quite a good deal.

Seemed like no-brainer. Then I got thinking (… there’s my first mistake) - my LX has met my needs 90% of the time. Most of what I do is woodlot work - clearing many dead trees, firewood and landscaping around the house. Some dirt/gravel moving/grading and a little food plot work. A little brush mowing a couple times per year. The tractor splits 90% of its time between in the woods and in the yard.

The big question:
Will I regret the larger, slightly less maneuverable and much (2x) heavier tractor for these uses? (In the woods and on the lawn)

Other considerations:
-The 3560 has R4 tires vs. my 3310 with R14s. I am completely sold on the R14s and a bit leery of going back to the R4s. Am I wrong to think this way? Will the additional weight of the 3560 equalize any improved traction of the 3310 with R14 in mud/snow? Will the R4s be friendlier to my lawn given the big weight increase?

-Both tractors are open station.

- I’m not really gaining any PTO HP (27 vs 28) but haven’t really needed more.

- I’ll trade some implements as well (tiller, grapple, maybe forks) and replace as needed with bigger. It seems I’ll make out ok on these price-wise as well.

- I have easy access to a brush cutter that’s really too big for the lx from a weight perspective and was about to purchase a smaller one. This trade would allow me to continue using that cutter the 1-2 times per year I need it and avoid buying a smaller one.

- This trade is with the dealer who sold me my current unit. I have been very happy with them in all aspects and they’ve treated me right.

OK… Convince me!
 
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85Hokie

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First question - what will it cost you when the dust settles?

This past weekend I went through a similar scenario - I have the plastic model BX1850 with FEL and 48" MMM - I got it for an incredible price , very cheap! Works well - only thing I hate is the plastic hood and fenders and the brake above the HST pedal. I ran across a BX1870 that is metal and brake has been moved to the left side - Kubota dealer was taking a commission on a private sale and I had contacted the seller. He was 1000 miles away and we came to a lower price - went to look at it Saturday in the rain and looked it over - everything was fine but I came to the conclusion that it was too much of a hassle to buy and then sell my other and be upside down a couple of grand. It would have cost me 1.5k to move to that model that would not do anything "better" than the old model.

So - you have to look the cost analysis overall with ALL the parts and that will determine your best plan.
 
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TheOldHokie

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windyridgefarm.us
Looking to be talked into/out of a trade. Currently have a low hour LX3310 that overall I have been very happy with. There’s not much I haven’t been able to do with it, but have occasionally wished I had a little more tractor - weight/stability, lift capacity and ruggedness of the loader mostly.
I have an opportunity to trade on an L3560, same model year, with very very low hours, at what I think is really quite a good deal.

Seemed like no-brainer. Then I got thinking (… there’s my first mistake) - my LX has met my needs 90% of the time. Most of what I do is woodlot work - clearing many dead trees, firewood and landscaping around the house. Some dirt/gravel moving/grading and a little food plot work. A little brush mowing a couple times per year. The tractor splits 90% of its time between in the woods and in the yard.

The big question:
Will I regret the larger, slightly less maneuverable and much (2x) heavier tractor for these uses? (In the woods and on the lawn)

Other considerations:
-The 3560 has R4 tires vs. my 3310 with R14s. I am completely sold on the R14s and a bit leery of going back to the R4s. Am I wrong to think this way? Will the additional weight of the 3560 equalize any improved traction of the 3310 with R14 in mud/snow? Will the R4s be friendlier to my lawn given the big weight increase?

-Both tractors are open station.

- I’m not really gaining any PTO HP (27 vs 28) but haven’t really needed more.

- I’ll trade some implements as well (tiller, grapple, maybe forks) and replace as needed with bigger. It seems I’ll make out ok on these price-wise as well.

- I have easy access to a brush cutter that’s really too big for the lx from a weight perspective and was about to purchase a smaller one. This trade would allow me to continue using that cutter the 1-2 times per year I need it and avoid buying a smaller one.

- This trade is with the dealer who sold me my current unit. I have been very happy with them in all aspects and they’ve treated me right.

OK… Convince me!
The L3560 is heads and shoulders more tractor. I think you are way over analyzing the other issues. If its a good deal $$$$ wise take it.

Dan
 
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TheOldHokie

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You are correct, sir. It is way more tractor and I am over-analyzing to a fault. Not the first time I’ve heard this. Sometimes I can’t get out of my own way.

I am convinced it’s a good deal and who doesn’t want a bigger, nicer tractor??

Just wanted to be sure there wasn’t someone who would talk me out of a bigger tractor for my particular usage.

Thanks for the perspective. 👍🏻
I am head of a household filled with ovef-analyzers including myself 😀

My opinion might be different if the L60 is a cabbed model. Cabs and woods dont play well together.

Dan
 
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CFarm45

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Equipment
LX3310, ZD21
Jul 19, 2021
27
14
3
Western NY
I am head of a household filled with ovef-analyzers including myself 😀

My opinion might be different if the L60 is a cabbed model. Cabs and woods dont play well together.

Dan
Good to know I’m not alone.

I guess my question is not whether it’s a good deal, but whether it’s the right deal.
 

MOOTS

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Tractor for tractor would be a good deal. You having to trade implements and then repurchase them is not.
You are only really gaining a bit of weight, FEL and 3 point lift and HST Plus trans. I have been extremely happy with my bare bones 6000 upgrade from the LX2610.
 

CFarm45

New member

Equipment
LX3310, ZD21
Jul 19, 2021
27
14
3
Western NY
Tractor for tractor would be a good deal. You having to trade implements and then repurchase them is not.
You are only really gaining a bit of weight, FEL and 3 point lift and HST Plus trans. I have been extremely happy with my bare bones 6000 upgrade from the LX2610.
I hear you. The negotiation to this point has been tractors only and I feel like that is a solid deal.

I will want a wider tiller on the L60 and from our conversation, I believe I can do ok on trading the tiller. If not, can always sell outright.

Other implements I could use on the new tractor and may/may not trade/sell depending on what kind of deal I can find.

So far they’ve treated me right, though and I feel it’s a good deal, or I wouldn’t even consider.

The question is really if it’s the right deal for me - would the increased size and weight be a detriment for my usage?
 

CFarm45

New member

Equipment
LX3310, ZD21
Jul 19, 2021
27
14
3
Western NY
For reference, the L60 is roughly:
20” longer (with FEL)
16” wider
14” taller (our measurements)
1700 lbs heavier (kubota specs w/o FEL) (probably >2000 lbs considering difference in FEL weight and tire ballast.)
 
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TheOldHokie

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windyridgefarm.us
For reference, the L60 is roughly:
20” longer (with FEL)
16” wider
14” taller (our measurements)
1700 lbs heavier (kubota specs w/o FEL) (probably >2000 lbs considering difference in FEL weight and tire ballast.)
I will put you out of your misery and make the decision for you. Trade the tractor. :D

Dan
 
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CFarm45

New member

Equipment
LX3310, ZD21
Jul 19, 2021
27
14
3
Western NY
I will put you out of your misery and make the decision for you. Trade the tractor. :D

Dan
Ha! This is what I need.
Honestly, did I really think I could make THIS post in THIS forum and expect ANYONE to tell me I shouldn’t get a bigger, nicer tractor?!? 😁
 
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MOOTS

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MX6000
Jun 27, 2019
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I hear you. The negotiation to this point has been tractors only and I feel like that is a solid deal.

I will want a wider tiller on the L60 and from our conversation, I believe I can do ok on trading the tiller. If not, can always sell outright.

Other implements I could use on the new tractor and may/may not trade/sell depending on what kind of deal I can find.

So far they’ve treated me right, though and I feel it’s a good deal, or I wouldn’t even consider.

The question is really if it’s the right deal for me - would the increased size and weight be a detriment for my usage?
Ok, I misunderstood. That’s a good deal then. Do it.
 

jyoutz

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MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
Jan 14, 2019
3,031
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Edgewood, New Mexico
The L3560 is heads and shoulders more tractor. I think you are way over analyzing the other issues. If its a good deal $$$$ wise take it.

Dan
Agree completely. A L3560 is a mid sized L series and much more capable. A LX is really a large sized B series with more bells and whistles.
 

jimh406

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Kubota L2501 with R4 tires
Jan 29, 2021
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Does the L3560 have the upgraded loader? If so, that’s a lot of lift difference, the L3560 also has a better HST. The 10 LX has an abnormally loud HST.

I would do the trade, but it will do more lawn damage and doesn’t have a midPTO. Personally, I use chains for snow, so in that respect R4s vs R14s wouldn’t matter to me.

However, you need to decide what’s best for you.
 
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CFarm45

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Equipment
LX3310, ZD21
Jul 19, 2021
27
14
3
Western NY
Does the L3560 have the upgraded loader? If so, that’s a lot of lift difference, the L3560 also has a better HST. The 10 LX has an abnormally loud HST.

I would do the trade, but it will do more lawn damage and doesn’t have a midPTO. Personally, I use chains for snow, so in that respect R4s vs R14s wouldn’t matter to me.

However, you need to decide what’s best for you.
Yes. Upgraded loader.
HST whine on lx never really bothered me, but became more apparent when it was missing on the L60
 
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PaulL

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B2601
Jul 17, 2017
2,452
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NZ
Do you need it? No.
Will there be some things you do where a heavier tractor does more damage / isn't quite right? Yes.
Will it make you happy every day you drive your new tractor / do a thing the LX couldn't have done? Probably. But only you can decide that.

If you can afford it, have space to park it, and no obvious job that it'll be too big for, then of course you should do it. Bigger tractors always make people happy, and if life isn't about being happy, then what's it for?
 
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ajschnitzelbank

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I went from a B2301 to an L4701. Not the same machines, but roughly in the ballpark in my estimation.

I was really pleasantly surprised how much better the L series was. I knew it’d be better, but there was even more difference than I had hoped for.

The weight and size make things like leveling gravel, scooping dirt, lifting things on slings, et cetera, so much easier. I immediately felt like I was struggling much less to achieve my goals.

The increased payment, however, sucks.

Good luck whatever you decide!
 
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CFarm45

New member

Equipment
LX3310, ZD21
Jul 19, 2021
27
14
3
Western NY
I went from a B2301 to an L4701. Not the same machines, but roughly in the ballpark in my estimation.

I was really pleasantly surprised how much better the L series was. I knew it’d be better, but there was even more difference than I had hoped for.

The weight and size make things like leveling gravel, scooping dirt, lifting things on slings, et cetera, so much easier. I immediately felt like I was struggling much less to achieve my goals.

The increased payment, however, sucks.

Good luck whatever you decide!
Thanks for this. Good comparison. Kinda what I was hoping I’d experience.
 
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CFarm45

New member

Equipment
LX3310, ZD21
Jul 19, 2021
27
14
3
Western NY
Do you need it? No.
Will there be some things you do where a heavier tractor does more damage / isn't quite right? Yes.
Will it make you happy every day you drive your new tractor / do a thing the LX couldn't have done? Probably. But only you can decide that.

If you can afford it, have space to park it, and no obvious job that it'll be too big for, then of course you should do it. Bigger tractors always make people happy, and if life isn't about being happy, then what's it for?
I like your take on this. Thanks.
 

CFarm45

New member

Equipment
LX3310, ZD21
Jul 19, 2021
27
14
3
Western NY
Does the L3560 have the upgraded loader? If so, that’s a lot of lift difference, the L3560 also has a better HST. The 10 LX has an abnormally loud HST.

I would do the trade, but it will do more lawn damage and doesn’t have a midPTO. Personally, I use chains for snow, so in that respect R4s vs R14s wouldn’t matter to me.

However, you need to decide what’s best for you.
Just realized it does not have the mid PTO. I thought it was standard on the grand L and never checked when looking it over. Not sure it’s a deal breaker though. Don’t have a front snowblower, but was wanting to keep that option open. With the increased weight, though, it might make a pusher/plow a more effective option. Thanks