Fiddlin Farmer
New member
Equipment
2003 Kubota L3430, Land Pride 7' finish mower, Land Pride 6' grader box
So, I just became a Kubota owner last weekend when I bought my 2003 L3430 with LA513 loader.
My first order of business is to ditch the turf tires. I have to say though, coming from my 1966 Ford 2000, I am absolutely amazed at how this tractor can get through wet clay even with turf tires.
My main project, besides pasture mowing and manure management, is ridding my woods of invasive plants - Multiflora rose, autumn olive, bush honeysuckle and all manner of briars.
My predicament is the combination of clay-mud and thorns.
Reasons for R1:
Questions:
Right before I bought the tractor, the previous owner put some old R4s on the front tires. As much as many of you folks like pictures, I imagine some of you noticed. He said he did not have to change rims - I thought R1/R3/R4 all took different rims. I don't really know if he followed specs or not. Its not going to matter much 'cause I planned on replacing all four anyway (the front R4s are used with some dry-rot).
By the way, you'll probably be seeing quite a bit of me coming up. I have all kinds of questions about implements and how to best use my new-to-me awesome machine.
Thanks much,
Fiddlin Farmer
My first order of business is to ditch the turf tires. I have to say though, coming from my 1966 Ford 2000, I am absolutely amazed at how this tractor can get through wet clay even with turf tires.
My main project, besides pasture mowing and manure management, is ridding my woods of invasive plants - Multiflora rose, autumn olive, bush honeysuckle and all manner of briars.
My predicament is the combination of clay-mud and thorns.
Reasons for R1:
- Best in traction - no need for discussion there
- Narrower than R4 will help me fit down trails and between trees
- My horse and goats won't care if I leave marks when mowing the pasture
- Thorns - I have heard the R4's are much more thorn-resistant. I have already had to replace both ribbed fronts on my Ford 2000 because thorns had worked all the way through the tires and were shredding the tubes.
- It would be nice if I wouldn't have to feel like I'm shredding cash if I want to drive 2 miles down the road to my house on rare occasion for projects, or when I have to use the road to cross the bridge to the south side of my property.
- I also have about 2 miles of hardened dirt trails to mow a couple times a year.
Questions:
- Can R4's be put on my L3430 that will keep it right at the 5' wide mark it is with the turf tires? I want to stay at or under 5' wide to navigate the trails.
- Am I over-rating R4 for thorn resistance or over-reacting against R1?
- With 4-wheel drive, do you all expect I would have much trouble getting stuck in mud with R4?
Right before I bought the tractor, the previous owner put some old R4s on the front tires. As much as many of you folks like pictures, I imagine some of you noticed. He said he did not have to change rims - I thought R1/R3/R4 all took different rims. I don't really know if he followed specs or not. Its not going to matter much 'cause I planned on replacing all four anyway (the front R4s are used with some dry-rot).
By the way, you'll probably be seeing quite a bit of me coming up. I have all kinds of questions about implements and how to best use my new-to-me awesome machine.
Thanks much,
Fiddlin Farmer
Last edited: