Strengths This is my first tractor that is used for general ranch service. Have 315 hours on a 2005 L3130 GST. Used to lay road bed, lay miles of fence, cut miles of trails though woods....etc, etc, Have no basis for comparison. However this is an easy tractor to use. Shifts easily and seems to extremely durable. Plan to add backhoe and roto tiller. With 4WD and about 30 hp this diesel machine seems to be perfectly sized for all ranch activities. 36 month interest-free finacing on part of purchase price made it very affordable.

Weaknesses Really cannot think of any..........when clearing trails in thick woods, a few times I have wished I had a larger machine. I really can think of no weakness

Overall A great tractor for the money......and a must for any first time rancher Good Luck, LTF www.tempecreekranch.com

Strengths This is a very comfortable machine to operate and has great lift capacity with the 3 pt and also the loader. I love the GST because the shifting is easy as putting on a blinker. The tractor has great weight for its size and the traction is good in the mud and slop...

Weaknesses Didn't find any yet. Have only 40 hours on it..

Overall I think this is a great tractor for the money and retains its resale value well.

Strengths Name and reputation, 4wd shift, PTO cover, upgraded tires, NO INTEREST for 36 months Easy for a beginner to jump on and go

Weaknesses I wish I would have gotten the "quick connect" for bucket/attachments, lights with loader attached are diminshed

Overall I grew up with my dad's AC WD45 and I love this tractor. My wife said no, and after 1 hour of instruction she now is discing her own garden plot. This beat all the other tractors we looked at.

Strengths The loader is very strong with great lift high & pick up strength. I have a GST model & find it easy to use, in fact easier then an HST. I demoed an HST bfore buying & found that the quad muscle on my leg was sore after an hour of reverse forward motion were as the GST is simular to a car were you use your hand & pull a column lever back & forth. You do not need to use the clutch to do that & you really dont even need to come to a complete stop either, & it shifts smoother & easier then an automobile. The GST also doesnt reduce engine power like the HST does. The L3130 is a work horse & I would highley recommed it to anyone.

Weaknesses It's weakness is that is is fairly large & working in tight confind spaces can be tough.

Overall overall I rate it a 9 because nothing in this world is perfect.

Strengths Heavy for its size and with the 4wd I was surprised how much dirt it could move with my box blade. I purchased the gear driven model but it is sync and its all I've ever driven so I can't complain. Operator station is nice, and the shuttle shift is great.

Weaknesses Bucket capacity won't quite lift a round bale. During really heavy clearing you need to keep it in low range or the engine bogs.

Overall I took advantage of the 36 month no interest. Always cheaper to use someone elses money. The tractor has done everything I have asked of it. Not a single complaint except for the FEL capacity.

Strengths Kubota name and reputation, heavy (for more traction and for doing more work in less time). HST means no levers to move or clutch to push to change directions or increase/decrease speed (more push on pedal = more go). Strong 3-point lifting capacity, position control and sliding arms for easy attachments. Instant start means no waiting for glow-plugs. Cruise control, comfortable seat and controls.

Weaknesses Every tractor has limitations. The tires will usually spin before the motor lugs down, unless you're trying go faster than you should or have an implement really buried. The HST is NOT a SPEED pedal, it is a GEAR pedal, the more you press, the taller the gearing becomes. You must remember to lift on the pedal to engage a lower gear ratio if the engine begins to lug.

Overall This is my first tractor. I grew up around my Dad's Kubota tractor (L295DT gear - I think). I have read differing opinions of the HST transmission but after 4 hours of work on my tractor I am a believer that I bought the right one. Much of the first 4 hours were spent leveling a pad for a shed. I probably could have done the job in less than half the time but I was getting used to using the 5' swivel Gannon scraper/ripper. I think about all of those forward and backward passes I made and realize how much more difficult it would have been with a gear transmission or even a GST. My neck was sore from looking behind the tractor when I was done but I'm sure my back and arms would have been sore from turning to shift a GST lever. And increasing or decreasing speed is just more press on the pedal rather than reaching for a lever and waiting for the transmission to disengage one gear and then engage the next. I can highly recommend this tractor if it is the right size for your needs and Jeff at Deen Implement was a real pleasure to work with. I bought from Jeff because my local dealer wanted full retail price and wouldn't budge. I was able to save $3000 including the $995 fee (included in Price Paid) to have the tractor delivered to California from Texas!