Hello All!
After two years of trying to get the heavy lifting and moving done with my old Ford 641, I have realized that I really need a much more reliable machine (99% vs. 50%). Also, while I have managed to get alot done with a chain, drawbar, and box-blade, I have a list a mile long of implement-chores waiting for an FEL, posthole digger, and even backhoe.
My work-list includes:
1.) General work on 2-acre homesite & 75-acre timberland.
2.) Remove & relocate topsoil for 500-1000 feet of driveway.
3.) Start a dug pond (it will be only 1/3-acre-ft at most) as a source of fill dirt for other areas.
4.) Dig gravel drainage pits and drain-field trenches.
5.) prepare site for sheds and outbuildings
6.) Dig postholes for roughly 2-miles of property line.
7.) Skid logs
8.) Load logs
9.) Handle being in the woods on fairly firm ground, and possibly getting into (& out of!) spongy bottom land.
10.) Use as all purpose tractor in the long run.
11.) Easy portability on 10k trailer behind F350.
So, in my search I managed to narrow it down to the following, in order of preference. I've tried to mention the pros & cons that I see so far:
1.) Kubota B3300SU: PAppears to be a good tractor with the features I want and without those I don't (e.g. mid-PTO). Light weight is a plus, but it is at the bottom end of digging capability with an FEL or BH.
2.) John Deere 3320: I ruled out the 3032e due to not being backhoe-ready, and have singled outthe 3320. I like the weight, lift capacity, and feel of it. however, financing is not as easy with Deere as with Kubota right now. Also, at roughly $5k more than the Kubota B3300SU, it doesn't feel like the bargain the Kub is.
3.) Kubota B3320: This one is my "reach". If it turns out that this is the level of capability I need, though, then I'll choose it in favor of the other two. It seems to have great FEL and backhoe capability with the larger implements available for it (BH92 & LA724, respectively), and for it's high price is still a good value due to it's size and muscle. However, the dealer suggested that the BH77 and LA514 were better matches for the implements. If this is the case, I'm not sure why I'd choose this one over the B3300SU. The major cons of this one are its weight, but only for portability issues, and cost--it puts a dent in the budget!
Can anyone give me their thoughts, suggestions, experiences? I'd like to decide this week and would appreciate any help I can get! It's a big step up for my from my old 641!
Thanks!
After two years of trying to get the heavy lifting and moving done with my old Ford 641, I have realized that I really need a much more reliable machine (99% vs. 50%). Also, while I have managed to get alot done with a chain, drawbar, and box-blade, I have a list a mile long of implement-chores waiting for an FEL, posthole digger, and even backhoe.
My work-list includes:
1.) General work on 2-acre homesite & 75-acre timberland.
2.) Remove & relocate topsoil for 500-1000 feet of driveway.
3.) Start a dug pond (it will be only 1/3-acre-ft at most) as a source of fill dirt for other areas.
4.) Dig gravel drainage pits and drain-field trenches.
5.) prepare site for sheds and outbuildings
6.) Dig postholes for roughly 2-miles of property line.
7.) Skid logs
8.) Load logs
9.) Handle being in the woods on fairly firm ground, and possibly getting into (& out of!) spongy bottom land.
10.) Use as all purpose tractor in the long run.
11.) Easy portability on 10k trailer behind F350.
So, in my search I managed to narrow it down to the following, in order of preference. I've tried to mention the pros & cons that I see so far:
1.) Kubota B3300SU: PAppears to be a good tractor with the features I want and without those I don't (e.g. mid-PTO). Light weight is a plus, but it is at the bottom end of digging capability with an FEL or BH.
2.) John Deere 3320: I ruled out the 3032e due to not being backhoe-ready, and have singled outthe 3320. I like the weight, lift capacity, and feel of it. however, financing is not as easy with Deere as with Kubota right now. Also, at roughly $5k more than the Kubota B3300SU, it doesn't feel like the bargain the Kub is.
3.) Kubota B3320: This one is my "reach". If it turns out that this is the level of capability I need, though, then I'll choose it in favor of the other two. It seems to have great FEL and backhoe capability with the larger implements available for it (BH92 & LA724, respectively), and for it's high price is still a good value due to it's size and muscle. However, the dealer suggested that the BH77 and LA514 were better matches for the implements. If this is the case, I'm not sure why I'd choose this one over the B3300SU. The major cons of this one are its weight, but only for portability issues, and cost--it puts a dent in the budget!
Can anyone give me their thoughts, suggestions, experiences? I'd like to decide this week and would appreciate any help I can get! It's a big step up for my from my old 641!
Thanks!