We got an L3800HST 4WD, Ag Tires, Cruz Control, full compliment of front rack weights, rear tire Rim Guard added for gound weight, rear work light, and rear hydraulic outlet options, last fall 2011 as the primary utility tractor in our benefit potato operation, in which we did 13.2 acres last year.
I find the rear 3 point lift arms about 4 inches too short, compared to our older tractors. Our moldboard plows coulter forward extension hits the right side lift connecting arm of the tractor. Measuring the tractors lift arm length puts them about 4 inches shorter on the L3800 compared to Ferguson TO-30 and TO-35 tractors. That's a problem on the Kubota, and this I didn't anticipate at all.
Also, I find the rear lights stick out somewhat too far. If an implement such as square front rear pallet forks, is cranked tight with the center arm for tilt, upon raising the hydraulics, the fork unit can mash the left and right rear lights at maximum height. Not good either.
The light switch, flasher, and key switches all keep getting knocked by our knees. Soon the light switch will be broken, especially by simply getting on and off the tractor. We keep inadvertently shutting off the tractor during operations by bumping the key switch, while tending rear implement operations, as well as bumping the flashers on all the time.
You'd think after all these years the above would be compatible, and worked out, operations wise.
I can find no Locking Gas Cap option, nor anti-tamper Hood Lock option. For when leaving the tractor out in the field away from home. Already had to replace the gas cap once, and $20 buck purchase to get a new one shipped in.
>It would be nice to have a tilt and or telescopic steering wheel option.
>Visibility front and sides is very good, rear - not so good.
>I find the ROPS is out of the head banging way. Though I nipped the wire rope that holds the fold down bolts, as they were a pain in the arse during ROPS changes up and down.
>I find the seat belt awkward, and in the way of the left side controls all the time.
>The right side hydraulic control lever does not have quite enough change length to suit me, adding the and extra restrictor knobs.
>Comfortable to operate, strictly working forward. I find I wish the seat had a slight swivel while I work moving forward and looking backward in the field.
> I find the front loader hydraulics as tested acceptable, but not as powerful as a lesser horsepower JD sorry to say.
> I think you'll be snow blowing from the rear, as I don't recall there's a mid mount front PTO unit...
> My tractor makes a clicking sound, at idle, but when PTO is enguaged. When delivered, the Cruz Control would not hold during work, the hydraulic oil was leaking and dripped on right side, all taken care of since. 50 Hour break-in kit of filters and oils costs +/-$262, if you do the change work yourself.
>Plenty of power for it’s reported 37HP engine +30 drawbar & PTO, and a mighty growl comes from the engine though it be of course a
stinky diesel, though typically loud to me. Not exactly a fuel miser though, it uses up its share of diesel just as fast as my old '52 Farmall Cub uses gas, gallons wise, doing the same work. And uses more than our 30HP gas Fergusons working in the field. I anticipated the L3800 might have done better. There aren't a lot of choices of utility tractors in this class at this aggressive price range though.
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