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I have a project I'd like to attempt, but I need a little information that someone here might have regarding my tractor.<br>
<br>
I have a large stump left over from a tree that fell 4 years ago, and I want to "twist" the stump to loosen it from the ground for removal. I keep thinking it would loosen with time and every year I try to push it with my FEL, but it won't budge. I was thinking of attempting this with snatch blocks, but in order to calculate the strength of the cable I'll need I need some idea of the pulling force my tractor has in pounds in low gear. If I use two snatch blocks and my tractor has a pulling force of one ton, then I need a cable with the capacity to withstand 8,000 pounds (obviously I'd go a good bit higher!). <br>
<br>
I know there are several manufacturers that make gauges that can report the highest value to test pulling strength, but I'd rather not buy one if it isn't necessary. Any thoughts/input would be appreciated!

Kubota 3430 HSTC Pulling Power
Kubota Tractors
Replies 2 Post by jonathanengr

Murf--

Yes--it has been a while! You know how it is... life gets busy with kids, etc., and playing with my tractor takes a back seat.

So... you answered one of my biggest questions... the splitter *can* be run off of the front hydraulic lines? My FEL has four connectors, and the loader is operated by a stick in my cab. I was afraid that the log spliiter needed a "raw" line fron the hydraulic pump so you could operate the splitter with the hydraulic control on the splitter. Is this not the case? Do you know which of the four connections I would run the lines to? My dad actually sells hydraulic hose, so getting a longer length would be no problem.

Most fo the wood I cut is 16" in length, and splitting time (as long as a cycle isn't 5 mins) isn't that big of a deal. The way I see it is right now I split it by hand. It takes me 30 secs to get the wedge started, and if it's a clean split it takes another 20-30 seconds. Lather, rinse, repeat. I'm not sawing and splitting firewood for a living--to me, it's theraputic. And paying just shy of $700 for a splitter is a good price.

Anyway, I have absolutely no other use for the rear hydraulics, so if I can run it off of the front hydraulics, that would be absolutely perfect.

Kubota rear hydraulics for a log splitter
Operating and Attachments
Replies 8 Post by jonathanengr

Ugh--that really does worry me. The HST has been loud ever since I bought it, and I actually called the dealer who told me "Hydrostats are just that way". I'll definitely do what you recommended, however, and get it serviced.

Regarding the hydrostat noise, I know it's hard to describe, but how loud should it be? What should it sound like?

Help with purchase
Kubota Tractors
Replies 3 Post by jonathanengr

Thanks, Murf! Good to be back. I've been so busy I just have been able to find time to get back on the boards. It's too easy to let time slip away!

Boom versus Boomless Sprayers
Operating and Attachments
Replies 5 Post by jonathanengr

I'm wanting to "strengthen" my bucket's tilt hydraulic controls, and wondered if there is a way to do so. My neighbor has an older Kubota (early 80's sub-compact), and he can increase/decrease the relief by turning a screw. I removed the cover of the relief valve that controls my bucket tilt hydraulic assembly, and although there is a spring there, I don't see a way to adjust the tension. Can this be done? Am I even trying to adjust the right thing? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Adjusting LA723 Hydraulic Controls
Kubota Tractors
Replies 1 Post by jonathanengr

Yup--I have tinkered with my control valve a bit and it works great. It's just too bad it only works with the 3ph--it'd be nice to have the same control over my bucket. If I could only adjust my 3ph lift lever I'd be in business (well, as far as what I can do with the tractor now!).

What is 3 point hitch draft control
Operating and Attachments
Replies 34 Post by jonathanengr

I'm shooting for thick and plush--the beautiful yard everyone dreams of having. However, given my current yard, I'd almost settle for a normal yard!~ But I'm shooting for thick and plush first.

Help with Box Scrape Seeding Yard
Operating and Attachments
Replies 31 Post by jonathanengr

Just to update everyone, I bought the 3430 HSTC tractor about a month ago, and I'm in love! I did buy the Woods RDTH72 finish mower, and it's the best move I've ever made regarding mowing.

Before deciding on the MMM or RFM, I spoke to a landscaper friend of mine who has two tractors, both with MMM's (one is a HUGE John Deere--I had no idea they made MMM's for tractors that big!). He told me of difficulty getting around obstacles with a MMM--that basically if you can't go under something you can't mow around it. This isn't as big of a problem for him since he has someone trimming right behind him, but for me I want the option to mow under low-hanging branches, etc., where possible (I have several!). Plus--this thing is sooooo easy to remove and reinstall--even out in a field on uneven ground (but some of this could be due, too, to the great 3-pt system on the Kubota).

The RFM has been incredible thus-far. I was truly afraid of the cut it would give--I imagined a so-so but fast cut, and boy was I very, very wrong. It gives the prettiest cut I've ever seen--even better than my neighbor's commercial 50-inch JD garden tractor. And it does do it SO quickly. Last Saturday my neighbor was having family in, and he couldn't mow his front field with his JD due to a heavy dew that morning. It just kept clumping and bogging the mower down. He called me, I sped over there and mowed it with no problem. We're talking 8" tall grass soaking wet with dew up and down a hill with *no* bogging down. Can ANYTHING bog this tractor down???? One thing I'll definitely say--the rear discharge is the way to go, too. The chains thatch the grass, so even the thickest, wettest grass doesn't clump as it would with a side discharge.

MMM's definitely have their place, and I can see lots of advantages to them over a RFM. But in my opinion, RFM's are much more versatile than MMM's. I can mow over my ditches and drop-offs by "hovering" the mower, I can back under small trees and bushes, I can easily remove the mower (belly mowers are much harder to remove, and it's necessary to do so if you plan on FEL work, grading on rough terain, etc), and so-on. As for looking back while mowing, I did that the first two times I mowed, but now I "know" where the mower is and never look back unless I'm backing up to get close to something, etc.

Lastly, I've not had a problem yet with the grass being "mashed" down by my tires only to stand up later--something one person posted would happen. Maybe the RFM has a good uplifting air current(?), but thus-far it hasn't happened despite mowing in very wet grass with a 4000+pound tractor (3430 HSTC Cab tractor with fluid-filled R-4 tires). Also, I've not had any "tearing" of my lawn even though I constantly leave the tractor in 4wd (but I NEVER mow when the actual soil is wet--I'm sure it'd tear the ground then).

Anyway, I wanted to post my experience on here just in case anyone is thinking of buying a RFM. I actually came close to not buying it from fear of how it would do, and that would've been a huge mistake! As a matter-of-fact, my neighbor, who owns a sub-compact 1980's Kubota (and the JD 50" garden tractor) went out and bought a RFM (60" Bush Hog) after I mowed his grass for him that morning.

Should I buy a finishing mower
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 37 Post by jonathanengr

Art--it sounds like you're a dealer. Would you possibly have a copy of an installation manual? I'd be happy to pay you if you could fax it or mail it to me. If I just had the wiring schematic as well as wire locations I can easily hook it up to the radio I purchased.

Installing a radio in cab tractors
Kubota Tractors
Replies 5 Post by jonathanengr

What TNCHRIS said is absolutely correct. It actually states in the manual to "nudge" the hydro pedal if the range shifter seems stuck. Most of the time mine works fine, but if it's being a little difficult I just nudge the hydro pedal and it slides easily.

L3130 HST
Kubota Tractors
Replies 6 Post by jonathanengr

I'm glad to see a post on hydros... I have a question, too. Exactly how much noise should a hydro make??? My Dad has a 3130 FST, and when driving my 3430 HSTC said he was unnerved by all of the noise the tranny made. It does make quite a bit more noise--especially the slower you go.

Is all this noise normal? It just sounds very "strained", and since I've neevr been around them I didn't want to take any chances!

how hot should a hydro get
Kubota Tractors
Replies 16 Post by jonathanengr

I finally have some pics up!!!! I hate they have to be so small--you can barely make anything out in them.

A few comments about my new tractor. First, it is simply ***awesome***!!! If anyone is looking for a tractor that is considering a cab, DO NOT hesitate to get it! It didn't get in the way a single bit--the FEL was the biggest hurdle to get around, and it wasn't that bad (and in the pics you'll see my front yard with all the trees). The cab was such a luxury--all the dust and debris flying around, and with little particles hitting the back of the glass I can only imagine the mess I would have been in! Add to this the fact that my lower woods area is covered in briars that I no longer have to worry about, it just added up to sheer pleasure!

As for a pull behind finish mower, I'm SOOOO glad I didn't get a MMM. I'm sure they have their place, but if you have to get around obstacles I think a MMM would be something you definitely *don't* want. I have never seen a mower give such a beautiful cut, and if I had a MMM I simply could not have goten so close to everything. The RFM with the HST is a lethal combo! As for scalping, even without the front anti-scalp wheel I only "bottomed out" once on the whole 3 acres of mowing. With the little irregularities on my property, I can't imagine how anyone's yard could be worse. Anyway, this surprised me quite a bit.

I've tried no other implements except for the FEL, and I must say I'm glad I went with the Kubota. It has a 500 lb capacity advantage over the 1012 Woods loader, and it really shows. Combined with the safe feeling of the cab, I was pushing brush piles up 10-12 feet high for burning, and the FEL didn't hiccup one bit. I even pushed two veeeeeeeery large fallen trees out of the bottom pasture area (about 15" diameter pine trees roughly 50 feet long) so I could mow again. The only time I almost lost power was trying to push over a fairly large stump. Reminder to self--this is not a bulldozer!

Lastly, someone told me that causing a diesel engine to go dead is very, very bad for it. Is this true?? I came close once (as mentioned above) and definitely don't want to hurt my tractor.

Anyway, what a weekend!

I finally bought it 3430 Cab
Kubota Tractors
Replies 7 Post by jonathanengr

I did ask my insurer about an additional policy, but they don't carry anything solely for tractors/farm/landscape equipment. (My agent is a State Farm agent). They will cover my tractor on my homeowners policy, but it has to have its own value. Essentially, I had to increase my policy by the amount of the tractor.

Insurance for tractor
Kubota Tractors
Replies 4 Post by jonathanengr

Well, he told me the Kubota was more expensive, but wasn't sure howq much more. I asked for a ballpark figure and he told me around $250, but that he'd have to check. When he checked his books, the difference came out to be $1000. If he had told me a firm $250, I definitely would make an issue of it.

I'm simply trying to find out if the $250 was a genuine mistake, or if he just inflated the price of the Kubota loader now that he knows I have to purchase this loader with the cab tractor.

Price difference between loaders
Kubota Tractors
Replies 5 Post by jonathanengr

It sounds like the area where you FEL controls are mounted is exactly what I was hoping to find. I would very much appreciate pics as soon as you get a chance to post them.

Optional hydraulic controls for the FEL
Kubota Tractors
Replies 8 Post by jonathanengr

That makes more sense to me. I'm just trying to get some idea if that's an option I want to entertain or not. I did see a post where the price was $4000 difference--waaaaay too much for 9 HP in my opinion. $2500, however, is more reasonable. I was hoping, however, the $1500 might be true!

3430 vs 4330 price
Kubota Tractors
Replies 13 Post by jonathanengr

I'm pretty set on buying a Kubota 3430 with a cab. As for my grass, the front yard was planted with Rebel Exceda grass seed (sorry--I don't know the specific types). I have fertilized it with a time-release fertilizer/weed killer that's supposed to fertilize for two months. I think it was a 28-2-2 fertilizer, and boy is my grass green!

The back yard, side field and back field are anyone's guess. I know I have some winter rye in the fields, but that's about it. I plan to reseed all of that (till it under and start from scratch) perhaps in the fall. But for now, it's a veeeeeery thick, fast-growing grass with tall brown stems and regular green grass underneath. The actual back "yard" is mainly fescue I'd assume that's very patchy with weeds, brown spots and bare areas where I've had stumps removed and electrical lines placed underground. Lots of work to do there.

Anyway, in the end, I plan on having a veeeery nice, thick stand of grass similar to the front in all of the field areas and back yard. It'll total about 4 acres or so. As for feeding, I'll just fertilize a couple of times a year (unless, of course, anyone has a better suggestion!).

To simplify--IYO--Who makes the BEST finish mower
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 4 Post by jonathanengr

I'm looking at used equipment while debating over new finish mowers. I called about an ad in a local paper, and a guy has a "Douglas" finishing mower for sale. I've never heard of this brand... does anyone know if they're any good?

Douglas Finish Mower
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 1 Post by jonathanengr

LOL! Good point! We'd love to have that problem here in NC. We had a record drought in 2002 (in the foothills) and it's shaping up to be a low-rainfall year again....

King Kutter Finish Mower
Mowers Field and Finish
Replies 23 Post by jonathanengr

I received the following quote from a local dealer:<br>
<br>
Kubota 3430 HST w/Cab<br>
Woods 1012 FEL<br>
Industrial Tires<br>
Price: $22,400<br>
<br>
Does this sound reasonable?

Kubota 3430 with Cab
Kubota Tractors
Replies 2 Post by jonathanengr