A few years back I turned Orange...(went from a Long 445 to a L2900GST). I love the L2900 and found the GST a major improvement over a gear shifted Long. But...I made a huge mistake in judgement when buying the L2900. I did a lot of research before I ran across her and it was love at first sight. This love blinded me...as she was not fitted with a FEL. I thought I would manage to find a used FEL or an aftermarket at a reasonable price, but that never happened.
Fast forward a few years and the love affair with the L2900 has faded. I finally cannot live without a FEL and it is time to let her go. I drove by my local Orange dealer last weekend and there she was. A barely used L3901 (64 hours young), she was outfitted with a QA bucket and a third function valve up front and a canopy up top...wearing a like new set of R4's; and an asking price of 19,500.
I spent the past week reading and drooling through this forum. Reading how capable the Standard L's were and learning there limitations. I read about the rebates and the finance options of going new. Compared the pros and cons of buying new vs used. I was armed with newly acquired knowledge. Applied online and yesterday I loaded the L2900 on my trailer and thought I would return home with a new/used standard L.
I test drove the used unit. I test drove the new units both L3301 and the L3901 similarly equip. I sat down with my super knowledgeable, helpful and PATIENT sales rep. We discussed for hours the finance options and warranties (bumper to bumper, power train and Kubota's infamous cover you a$$ mandatory insurance) available for both the used and new L's. We discussed $1000 rebate on the attachments...rendering my need for pallet forks effortless. It became quit apparent and affordable that going new with 84 month 0% was the way forward.
Indecisive...? Yes, because right as I was choosing between the L3301 and the L3901 I glanced out the window to see a B2650. She was wearing R4's and was well dressed with a cab...with heat, A/C! I thought surely she was out of my league, but I could not fight the affection...and I inquired. Yes, she was in my league she only require and few hundred to bump my trade (L2900) into 20% territory to be eligible for 84mo 0% financing (I love Kubota).
So by now the noon hour had long passed (dealership closed at noon) and me, the wife and the PATIENT salesman are waiting for me to select which serial numbers were going to get plugged into the computer.
I pulled a new L3901 next to the B2650 and started contemplating my purchase. The B2650 looked so small next to the L3901. So much so that I questioned the B2650's manhood. Looking at the specs...the loader capacity of the L3301/3901 isn't much more than the B2650. But looking at the 3PH and rear axles between the two and comparing PTO HP and my current implements (biggest being a Woods RM90 which surprising the L2900 capably handled)... the decision became too much and I needed more time and research.
Indecisive?...yes because the most important feature and the reason that I'm even in this position is the FEL. I'm looking to be able to do grading and lifting (palletized engines and transmissions from muscle cars mainly) with the FEL. Last night I researched...and bigger is better is prominently intrenched into my head. Now I'm thinking L3560 or MX4800...
So...do I give up the the PTO HP (not that attached to the RM90) and go with luxurious A/C and heat...etc for a B2650?
Do I sacrifice the luxury and go with a bigger machine with little advantage when it come to FEL capacity and go with a L3301?
Do I splurge a little beyond my intended budget for real muscle machine in the realm of the MX/Grand L?
I know that a cabbed Grand L would be the perfect fit but beyond my intended purpose of upgrading my lovely L2900 to new FEL unit.
I have 5.5 acres, 3.5 clear and 2 wooded. I have an vintage car refurb business where the FEL is needed to load palletized engines. I currently load pallets using a gantry and hoist but it is not mobile. I have a 1/4 mile driveway to clear snow and maintain walking/atv trails. My budget is around $300-$350/mo. Using my L2900 ($4000) as a down payment and willing to go $1000-$2000 additional to get to 20% down.
Thanks for any insight.
Allan
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Fast forward a few years and the love affair with the L2900 has faded. I finally cannot live without a FEL and it is time to let her go. I drove by my local Orange dealer last weekend and there she was. A barely used L3901 (64 hours young), she was outfitted with a QA bucket and a third function valve up front and a canopy up top...wearing a like new set of R4's; and an asking price of 19,500.
I spent the past week reading and drooling through this forum. Reading how capable the Standard L's were and learning there limitations. I read about the rebates and the finance options of going new. Compared the pros and cons of buying new vs used. I was armed with newly acquired knowledge. Applied online and yesterday I loaded the L2900 on my trailer and thought I would return home with a new/used standard L.
I test drove the used unit. I test drove the new units both L3301 and the L3901 similarly equip. I sat down with my super knowledgeable, helpful and PATIENT sales rep. We discussed for hours the finance options and warranties (bumper to bumper, power train and Kubota's infamous cover you a$$ mandatory insurance) available for both the used and new L's. We discussed $1000 rebate on the attachments...rendering my need for pallet forks effortless. It became quit apparent and affordable that going new with 84 month 0% was the way forward.
Indecisive...? Yes, because right as I was choosing between the L3301 and the L3901 I glanced out the window to see a B2650. She was wearing R4's and was well dressed with a cab...with heat, A/C! I thought surely she was out of my league, but I could not fight the affection...and I inquired. Yes, she was in my league she only require and few hundred to bump my trade (L2900) into 20% territory to be eligible for 84mo 0% financing (I love Kubota).
So by now the noon hour had long passed (dealership closed at noon) and me, the wife and the PATIENT salesman are waiting for me to select which serial numbers were going to get plugged into the computer.
I pulled a new L3901 next to the B2650 and started contemplating my purchase. The B2650 looked so small next to the L3901. So much so that I questioned the B2650's manhood. Looking at the specs...the loader capacity of the L3301/3901 isn't much more than the B2650. But looking at the 3PH and rear axles between the two and comparing PTO HP and my current implements (biggest being a Woods RM90 which surprising the L2900 capably handled)... the decision became too much and I needed more time and research.
Indecisive?...yes because the most important feature and the reason that I'm even in this position is the FEL. I'm looking to be able to do grading and lifting (palletized engines and transmissions from muscle cars mainly) with the FEL. Last night I researched...and bigger is better is prominently intrenched into my head. Now I'm thinking L3560 or MX4800...
So...do I give up the the PTO HP (not that attached to the RM90) and go with luxurious A/C and heat...etc for a B2650?
Do I sacrifice the luxury and go with a bigger machine with little advantage when it come to FEL capacity and go with a L3301?
Do I splurge a little beyond my intended budget for real muscle machine in the realm of the MX/Grand L?
I know that a cabbed Grand L would be the perfect fit but beyond my intended purpose of upgrading my lovely L2900 to new FEL unit.
I have 5.5 acres, 3.5 clear and 2 wooded. I have an vintage car refurb business where the FEL is needed to load palletized engines. I currently load pallets using a gantry and hoist but it is not mobile. I have a 1/4 mile driveway to clear snow and maintain walking/atv trails. My budget is around $300-$350/mo. Using my L2900 ($4000) as a down payment and willing to go $1000-$2000 additional to get to 20% down.
Thanks for any insight.
Allan
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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