Both compact · same Kubota lineup
Kubota L4270 vs Kubota L3970
| Spec | Kubota L4270 | Kubota L3970 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$36,770 | ~$34,979 |
| What that price is | MSRP, base build | MSRP, base build |
| Size class | Compact | Compact |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Hydrostatic |
| Engine hp | 42 hp | 39 hp |
| PTO hp | 32.5 hp | 30.9 hp |
| Loader lift | 1,726 lbsat the pivot pin | 1,726 lbsat the pivot pin |
| Three-point lift | 2,756 lbs24 in behind the lift points | 2,646 lbs24 in behind the lift points |
| Hydraulic flow | 9.40 GPM | 9.83 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Kubota | Kubota |
| Weight | 3,935 lbs | 4,057 lbs |
| Fuel tank | not published | not published |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Front loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab available | No | No |
| Hydrostatic | Yes | Yes |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | No | No |
| Warranty | 6 yr / 2000 hr powertrain | 6 yr / 2000 hr powertrain |
A highlighted cell wins its row on the rule named above the table: more power, lift, capacity or flow, or a lower price. A lift row is left unwon whenever the two makers measured in different places, or where either of them did not say — a figure quoted at the pivot pin and one quoted 500 mm ahead of it describe the same loader and differ by roughly a third, so ranking them against each other would invent a result. Prices are typical list and move with dealer packages.
From owner discussion and long-term write-ups
What owners of each one say
Kubota L4270
What they like
- Four-cylinder running is noticeably smoother than the three-cylinder L3770 and L3970 either side of it on price
- 32.5 PTO hp with 2,756 lb of three-point lift handles a seven-foot cutter or a mid-size tiller
- 9.40 gpm is a sixth more pump output than the L3770, which shows directly in loader cycle times
- Same toolless loader removal, Stall Guard and drive modes as the Premium models above it
What they complain about
- $36,770 is $1,791 more than the turbocharged L3970, which makes less peak power but more torque and carries Premium trim
- Naturally aspirated at 42 hp, so it works harder than a turbo engine at the same output
- 1,726 lb pivot-pin loader lift is shared with the three-cylinder L3770 - the extra cylinder buys nothing at the loader
- No published fuel tank capacity in Kubota's Grand L70 literature
- Deluxe trim omits the multi-function loader joystick and the jog dial found on every Premium model
Kubota L3970
What they like
- 9.83 gpm - the full Premium pump output, matched only by the three dearer models in the range
- Turbocharged D1803-CR-TE5 makes 109.4 lbf-ft of torque against the naturally aspirated L3770's 84.2
- Multi-function loader joystick with third-function control and drive-mode selection under the thumb
- Jog dial K-Command display with optional remote start and front and rear cameras
- 4,057 lb ROPS weight on a 77 in wheelbase, longer and heavier than either Deluxe model
What they complain about
- 39 hp and 30.9 PTO hp is less than the cheaper-to-run four-cylinder L4270 delivers
- Turbocharging on a three-cylinder puts more heat and complexity into the smallest engine in the range
- Same 1,726 lb LA806 loader as the two Deluxe models, so Premium trim adds no lifting ability
- Kubota publishes no fuel tank capacity for the series