30ish hp cab tractor for mowing and snow clearing

[lawn_king]

That rotary cutter price seems a little steepe as well?

[Robert_in_NY]

Originally Posted by lawn_king

That rotary cutter price seems a little steepe as well?

It may be but we can't say for sure until we know what brand and model he was priced. It is not out of line for a good medium duty mower to cost that much and more.

[lawn_king]

Good point robert.

[MarkV]

Originally Posted by Granite Tractor

I'm also considering the 3030 and would greatly appreciate advice for a slightly different set of requirements.

I'm looking for a cab tractor for:

1. Removing snow from a 1/2 mile long, gently sloping dirt driveway
2. Grading the driveway (and applying dust control)
3. Mowing about 8 acres of fields (I have a John Deere Z225 ZTR mower for our lawn that I love, so no need to use the tractor for that).
4. a bucket would be nice for yard work

I'm in southern NH, close to a Kubota/New Holland dealer and a John Deere dealer. I have no preference for any of these brands (I bought the mower based on Consumer Reports' recommendation).

I'm leaning toward Kubota because numerous friends/neighbors have recommended them (some who have owned several of them).

A trip to the Kubota dealer resulted in a quote for:
- L3240 HST cab ($30,900)
- 7' snowwolf plow (didn't specify model) $3900
- 5' rotary cutter ($1600)
- 72" Land Pride grader ($1300)

Questions:
- would the 3030 be sufficient for my needs?
- any recommendation on front mount snowblower vs. plow? (dealer said that rocks would chew up the snowblower on a dirt driveway)
- transmission? (I've never owned an automatic transmission car and enjoy shifting)
- price: I've never paid more than 30k for a car (and I've had some nice used cars), so the thought of paying close to 40k for my first tractor was shocking to me. I'm happy to buy used if it makes sense, but I also want a tractor that will last a long time (I keep my cars to 200k+ miles) and want to spend my free time with my family, not repairing a tractor.

What's a reasonable ballpark to pay for a setup suitable for the needs listed above?

Thanks!

Granite welcome to the forum. I think the B3030 would do what you list. It is a smaller frame tractor so you need to sit in one and see if it meets your comfort standards. As far as the quote you received, look around some more. At least in my area those prices seem high.

MarkV

[Ductape]

Originally Posted by Granite Tractor

Questions:
- would the 3030 be sufficient for my needs?
- any recommendation on front mount snowblower vs. plow? (dealer said that rocks would chew up the snowblower on a dirt driveway)
- transmission? (I've never owned an automatic transmission car and enjoy shifting)
- price: I've never paid more than 30k for a car (and I've had some nice used cars), so the thought of paying close to 40k for my first tractor was shocking to me. I'm happy to buy used if it makes sense, but I also want a tractor that will last a long time (I keep my cars to 200k+ miles) and want to spend my free time with my family, not repairing a tractor.

Granite, if you'd like to farmiliarize yourself with the 3030 you are welcome to come over and check one out in a 'non-salesman-like' setting. My blower is packed away, but you could get yourself acquainted with controls, how the loader goes on/off, installing the front quick hitch for the blower, mounting rear attachments, etc.

[art]

I prefer blades on dirt and a blower on the rear tilted back to miss the stones. If the drive freezes over quickly the front blower would work.

The tractor must be set up for the blade to have hydraulic angle, anything else?

[smfcpacfp]

I don't mow with my B3030 HSDC, but I do everything else that you mention and it is more than adequate. Regarding the gravel driveway, the snowblower works fine if you start out right at the beginning of the season and use your head. I haven't broken a sheer pin in many years on my driveway. Below is a picture of my gravel driveway 2/3 of the way through the snow season:

[Granite Tractor]

Originally Posted by CinderSchnauzer

Unless that includes a lot of options & good FEL $30,900 sounds high. check this link for a comparable JD 3320 Cab / HST Even adding a 300CX FEL and the prices is less than $29,200. Even the JD 3520 Cab / HST is way less than $30,900.
2305

and this is only an Internet posted price - not a final deal.

That's a relief, glad to hear I'm not the only one who thought the price was high!

[Granite Tractor]

Originally Posted by Robert_in_NY

It may be but we can't say for sure until we know what brand and model he was priced. It is not out of line for a good medium duty mower to cost that much and more.

The dealer didn't give me the brand/model on the cutter, but I'll ask for it...

[Granite Tractor]

Originally Posted by MarkV

Granite welcome to the forum. I think the B3030 would do what you list. It is a smaller frame tractor so you need to sit in one and see if it meets your comfort standards. As far as the quote you received, look around some more. At least in my area those prices seem high.

MarkV

Thanks Mark, I'm thrilled I found the forum - the responses have been terrific.

I'm fairly small, so I don't anticipate any comfort issues; glad to hear the smaller tractor should do what I need. I'll definitely keep looking based on the responses I've been getting.