New here, about to buy an L3301, couple of questions.

[captmikem]

I am seriously looking to buy a new tractor.
I have a BX 2660 I purchased new about 7 years ago and I love it. I am keeping it but it is just a bit lite for many of the jobs I need a tractor for. I had an 8n that I used to brush hog and disc with but do not have it any more. I have a Woods brush hog on my BX and it works well, plus a 60***8221; deck mower that is great.

I have 10 acres, 70% wooded that I like to keep clean and the BX works fine for that. 3 acres I have cleared of timber and have just dug out a bunch of stumps with my friends cat. I also moved a slope into a small valley and now have it close to level, but it is pretty rough.

I also have land down on the Columbia river that has a lot of brush on it and LOTS of large and small driftwood on it I would like to clean up, so I have a nice piece of land and a nice beach. I also need to put a septic system in.
So.

I am looking at an L3301 HST with the following attachments:
LA525 loader with w/quick attach
BH77 with 16***8221; bucket and mechanical thumb
From Land Pride:
SGC06 Grapple
PFL2042 forks
BB1560 Box Scraper.

My questions:
It does not seem to me the L3901 is worth the extra $2,200 for just 5 more horses. Could be something I do not know about. Comments please.

I have never used a box blade, will it level the 3 acres of soft clay and soil I just moved with the cat? I see lots of videos on doing roads with it.

I have a LOT of limbs and sticks on the timbered section and I have a LOT of sticks mixed in with the top layer of dirt in the cleared area, I plan on using the grapple for that. I have tried a rock rake, no good, scraping with the bucket, no good. And blading with the cat. Works but I just have a big pile of sticks and dirt.

Any helpful comments/experience on the equipment and/ or suggestions would be obliged.

I will purchase this from the same dealer I purchased my BX from as I am very happy with them. I will be making this purchase next month as they have some great deals going and great financing.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Mike

NIW Edit: Don't forget the 1 at the end...makes it the right model #, and searchable for others.

 

[TripleR]

Re: New here, about to buy an L330, couple of questions.

The usual advice is go bigger, but I see no real need for the L3901 over the L3301; now the L4701 is another story.

I've owned lots of LP equipment and would step up to a BB2560 box scraper.

 

[captmikem]

Re: New here, about to buy an L330, couple of questions.

Thanks TripleR. I looked at the specs on the BB2560 and agree.

I DO like the L4701 but it is 10K more.

M

 

[afret]

Re: New here, about to buy an L330, couple of questions.

If you look into a land plane if you don't have to move a lot of dirt:

https://www.everythingattachments.com/Tractor-Land-Levelers-Land-Graders-s/9893.htm

I was going to get the L3301 but decided to get the L3901 instead for the extra HP just in case I needed more power at the PTO. More power can come in handy. Don't hear of too many people complaining about having too much power.

 

[nickelplated5s]

Re: New here, about to buy an L330, couple of questions.

The Columbia is at flood stage! We just moved cattle off ODFW ground yesterday.
I just picked up a BB72 in St. Helens. Get the top cylinder at least, in other words order it with rear remotes.

 

[Fro65]

I have the exact same list of equipment minus the grapple. When I was shopping, my dealer let me play with both the L3301 and L3901. With both, I would run out of traction long before running out of power. That clinched my choice for the L3301. Used the money saved to buy other accessories.

I don't use mine for ground engaging and don't have it weighted down. This might be one situation where the extra 4.5 engine horsepower could be used.

I cleared out a wood lot last year and used my box blade to sieve the sticks and limbs from the dirt. I dropped the tines all the way down and would 'comb' the sticks out of the dirt and then scoop them up and move them to the burn pile. Once the sticks were separated, I lifted the tines all the way up and used the blade to smooth and level the dirt. Worked great.

Either way, L3301 or L3901, you will be tickled to death with it.

 

[captmikem]

Afret, I looked at that Land Plane, looks interesting, I may rent one and try it.
I agree on the power, just not sure if I need more. I looked at gthe L2501 but my BX has more HP than it and I max it out at times.

Nickle,
I see that! My land is on Puget Island so I will probable have more (or less!) driftwood now. I am in Florida at the moment, so not there to check on things, good luck with your cattle. I am getting the back hoe, so I am thinking it already has the remotes.

Fro65,
Thanks, good info, and I like the idea of using the tines to comb the ground. It has always been a problem for me. I end up with a lot of limbs when I fall a tree (mostly alder and doug fir) and in the spring after the winds and have yet to come up with a good way to pick them up. Your idea sounds good.


I have included a couple of photos here to show :
1. Driftwood I need to remove
2. The land I am trying to level
3. Sticks in the dirt I need to clear
4. Limbs I need to clear and.. my BX is a bit lite.

Thanks again for the help.

Mike

 

[fendley]

I am looking at an L3301 HST with the following attachments:
LA525 loader with w/quick attach
BH77 with 16***8221; bucket and mechanical thumb
From Land Pride:
SGC06 Grapple
PFL2042 forks
BB1560 Box Scraper.

What is the part number for the BH77 thumb? I could not find that when I was searching online.

 

[captmikem]

What is the part number for the BH77 thumb? I could not find that when I was searching online.

I am not sure, in the "Build my Kubota", it comes up but not with a part number. However Kubota Parts Depot shows a "B8900 Thumb Arm Kit OPTION ## BH1976

But then they also list a BH4949

M

 

[captmikem]

Well, now the wife is telling me I should get the L4701. Bigger FEL, much bigger hoe. Not good to argue with one's wife.

M

 

[sdk1968]

Well, now the wife is telling me I should get the L4701. Bigger FEL, much bigger hoe. Not good to argue with one's wife.

M

these guys on here heard my wife tell me 1 time to "get a bigger tractor"....

they instantly "FORCED ME" to do it. LMAO

if your wife told you to get the 4701? GET IT!

the only drawback ive seen with some of these tractors is that they get too big (width wise) to fit between some of the trees.

also if you go all the way up to the 4701? your gonna want a bigger bush hog than the one you got now on the BX.

unless your gonna still use the BX for the hogging....

 

[TripleR]

Well, now the wife is telling me I should get the L4701. Bigger FEL, much bigger hoe. Not good to argue with one's wife.

M

I feel your "pain". Several years ago, I got tired of running tractors between farms and decided to get one to keep in the barn at my house. We already had our M8540 on the farm four miles down the road and several at another farm, so I figured I'd get a B3200. Well, I visited the dealer and didn't like it, didn't like the L3400 then saw the L3540; even better. Hmmm, whats that over there...L3940...hmmm L4240. Wife says, how about that one over there...

I now have a L5740HSTC in my barn; darn wimmin folk...

 

[sheepfarmer]

Well just to add fuel to the fire, show your wife an L3560 or other 60 series...they're really nice tractors, heavier frames, many nice features....

 

[David Page]

I don't know if orange makes a man kinder but some of you guys have shown amazing self-sacrifice when buying a larger more expensive tractor just to show your wives how much you love them. You guys are an inspiration.

 

[captmikem]

I am beginning to think my wife is right. (by the way… she is used to big equipment, she used to drive a Boeing 737, now she drives a B 777, the engine cowling on the 777 is the same diameter as the fuselage on the 737).

My BX has 26 hp and weighs 1406 lbs, the 3301 is 33 hp and 2778 lbs, and the 4701 is 47 hp and 3307 lbs. So I think the 4701 is nearly twice the BX2660. Plus the lift capacity on the on the 4701 is 1000 lbs more than the 3301. Also in looking at videos on line, the BH92 seems like a lot more back hoe than the BH77.

I had posted a couple of answers to Nickleplated and Fro65, but it did not post, possibly because I had a couple of photos attached, not sure. But like to say again thanks for the info and using the tines on the on the box blade to clear the limbs and sticks is a great idea. The photos were of the beach and land I need to clear, and my BX in a bit of a spot.

The BX does well with the brush hogging so I am pretty happy with that, just like to be able to handle more dirt, bigger trees, dig out stumps, dragging stuff around etc.

Appreciate the comments.

Mike

 

[TripleR]

Not only is the 4701 bigger and more powerful, it has better features: Live-independent hydraulic PTO with PTO brake, wet clutch, the brake
pedals have been relocated to the left side of the operator platform
allowing more foot space and easy use of the steering brakes and eliminating the foot clutch. It comes standard with a hand operated, step-less cruise control. Telescoping Stabilizers are also standard.

 

[nickelplated5s]

I am beginning to think my wife is right. (by the way… she is used to big equipment, she used to drive a Boeing 737, now she drives a B 777, the engine cowling on the 777 is the same diameter as the fuselage on the 737).
Mike

That means long flights...

I went with an L47--, small enough to get into corrals but big enough to run baling equipment. PM if you want to drive it but remember it's not for sale Steve over in Bend (check CraigsList) always has machines for sale.

 

[Newlyme]

Wife says, how about that one over there...

I now have a L5740HSTC in my barn; darn wimmin folk...

Same thing happened to me. I took the Mrs to the dealer to talk her into letting me get the B3XXX with the cab. Ummm, I meant tell her what I was going to buy!
She listens then looks around the lot and says what's that one over there?
I came home with a M4900 with a cab and I am still smiling two years later!
You're right, darn wimmin, most times they will surprise you!