Killer_B
Platinum Member
I have owned this tractor, 72 MMM, 300 CX Loader and angle plow for just over a year. The tractor has 200 hours on it, the honeymoon is over. I think at this point I can probably provide a somewhat useful review.
Background: Here's what I bought on 8/18/07:
3320 Hydro, Turf Tires
300 CX W/ 61" HD Bucket
72" MMM
3rd SCV
Remote lines for angle blade on loader
Cool brush guard
Auto cruise
Telescoping lower links
Rear work light
Total price $25,000.00, with 6% MI tax that's $26,500.00 OTD.
As stated, the tractor has 200 hours on it. It turned 200 hours on the 421st day of ownership. That's an average of about 2.1 hours per day.
The tractor has been used to finish mow, rough cut, do loader work, roto-till, run a rear mount snow blower, and a front mount angle plow for snow removal. I also use a PHD and broadcast spreader on occasion.
Maintenance: I did a 50 hour service myself at a total material cost of $220.00. This was for the engine oil and filter, hydro fluid and filter. It was relatively quick and painless, except for the $85.00 hydro filter. I wrote about it here.
Engine: The direct injection Yanmar is the model of quietness, smoothness and efficiency. The ability to start immediately in any weather without the used of glow plugs, just like a gas engine, is pretty neat, I think.
Fuel Usage: Average usage is .6 gal per hour. That seems quite acceptable to me.
Ehydro: I was not a fan of the Ehydro before I owned one. It seemed like needless complexity and just something else to break. And at some point it just might. But I have to admit that I'm now a convert. This system is just so velvety smooth. And the electronic auto style cruise control is so much more useful than the mechanical version. I understand that the Kubota R&D (Rob and Duplicate) Department has come up with their own version of fly by wire, and perhaps improved upon the concept. But the original is still pretty darn good.
Comfort: This may be the main reason I choose this tractor over the Kub B3030. This tractor has a very roomy work station. The suspended seat is in a completely different league than the hard tails or pseudo suspended seats on the Kub B series.
Fit and Finish: Typical JD. The cosmetics started out nice, and have stayed that way. See attached 200 hour photos.
300 CX Loader: It is very powerful. I lifted rocks that were too large to fit into the bucket, and had to be chained. I have to believe some of them were bordering on 2,000 pounds. Also, the ease with which it goes off and on the tractor is remarkable. On the down side, the strange reluctance to dump/curl while simultaneously raising or lowing is a bit of an annoyance. But, I did know about this before I bought, thanks to TBN. And since I do not use the loader to make a living, it's just not that big of a deal to me.
Mower Deck: I can not speak highly enough about the 7 Iron deck. It is a masterpiece of durability and quality. The cut is exemplary. The removal/reinstall is rather complicated, in that there are a lot of steps involved. But I can do it in less than 10 minutes without breaking a sweat.
Loader Mounted Angle Plow: This is the most finicky implement I have ever used. If the dump/curl angle is not just right, it will dig in and flop forward on the trip springs, or ride on the skid shoes and fail to scrape cleanly. Any snow fall much over 6 will overpower the tractor and push the front wheels sideways. Having said that, I am mostly over the learning curve and have found it useful in many situations. But I would not want to rely on this thing alone, with no blower to bail me out.
Reliability: The tractor has been 100% reliable with 0% breakage or shop time. Having said that, I may smell an issue on the horizon. The power steering at times becomes very stiff. The effort needed to turn the wheel will double or triple for short periods of time. I suspect the hydraulic cylinder or pump may need attention. But at this point it's only intermittent, and there is plenty of warranty left. So I will hold off and see what happens. Stay tuned.
Weirdness: There are a few things that struck me as "different" when I first got the tractor, things that nobody else would likely notice. But in the interest of full disclosure here they are:
1. At idle the engine seems audibly to labor when the 3 point hitch or loader is raised, even when they are empty. My Kubotas would not even change pitch, and moved silently.
2. There is some mysterious whooshing sounds that come from the belly of the beast when the 3rd SCV is used. Again, I am used to absolute silence during hydraulic functions.
3. The throttle lever is made for manly men only. It takes a great deal of effort to move it up or down. I see no easy access to the linkage for adjustment.
Conclusion: I find that our Creator's command to fill the earth and subdue it is hardwired into my noggin. I also find the latter part of the command almost as enjoyable as the former. So I guess I own equipment primarily for creative expression. The work that gets done is merely justification for the (considerable) expense. With that perspective in mind, I have to say that this Deere has been my most satisfying tractor to date. From an objective perspective, I think it still passes with flying colors, given the miserly fuel usage and decent reliability. We shall see what the next 200 hours brings.
KB
Background: Here's what I bought on 8/18/07:
3320 Hydro, Turf Tires
300 CX W/ 61" HD Bucket
72" MMM
3rd SCV
Remote lines for angle blade on loader
Cool brush guard
Auto cruise
Telescoping lower links
Rear work light
Total price $25,000.00, with 6% MI tax that's $26,500.00 OTD.
As stated, the tractor has 200 hours on it. It turned 200 hours on the 421st day of ownership. That's an average of about 2.1 hours per day.
The tractor has been used to finish mow, rough cut, do loader work, roto-till, run a rear mount snow blower, and a front mount angle plow for snow removal. I also use a PHD and broadcast spreader on occasion.
Maintenance: I did a 50 hour service myself at a total material cost of $220.00. This was for the engine oil and filter, hydro fluid and filter. It was relatively quick and painless, except for the $85.00 hydro filter. I wrote about it here.
Engine: The direct injection Yanmar is the model of quietness, smoothness and efficiency. The ability to start immediately in any weather without the used of glow plugs, just like a gas engine, is pretty neat, I think.
Fuel Usage: Average usage is .6 gal per hour. That seems quite acceptable to me.
Ehydro: I was not a fan of the Ehydro before I owned one. It seemed like needless complexity and just something else to break. And at some point it just might. But I have to admit that I'm now a convert. This system is just so velvety smooth. And the electronic auto style cruise control is so much more useful than the mechanical version. I understand that the Kubota R&D (Rob and Duplicate) Department has come up with their own version of fly by wire, and perhaps improved upon the concept. But the original is still pretty darn good.
Comfort: This may be the main reason I choose this tractor over the Kub B3030. This tractor has a very roomy work station. The suspended seat is in a completely different league than the hard tails or pseudo suspended seats on the Kub B series.
Fit and Finish: Typical JD. The cosmetics started out nice, and have stayed that way. See attached 200 hour photos.
300 CX Loader: It is very powerful. I lifted rocks that were too large to fit into the bucket, and had to be chained. I have to believe some of them were bordering on 2,000 pounds. Also, the ease with which it goes off and on the tractor is remarkable. On the down side, the strange reluctance to dump/curl while simultaneously raising or lowing is a bit of an annoyance. But, I did know about this before I bought, thanks to TBN. And since I do not use the loader to make a living, it's just not that big of a deal to me.
Mower Deck: I can not speak highly enough about the 7 Iron deck. It is a masterpiece of durability and quality. The cut is exemplary. The removal/reinstall is rather complicated, in that there are a lot of steps involved. But I can do it in less than 10 minutes without breaking a sweat.
Loader Mounted Angle Plow: This is the most finicky implement I have ever used. If the dump/curl angle is not just right, it will dig in and flop forward on the trip springs, or ride on the skid shoes and fail to scrape cleanly. Any snow fall much over 6 will overpower the tractor and push the front wheels sideways. Having said that, I am mostly over the learning curve and have found it useful in many situations. But I would not want to rely on this thing alone, with no blower to bail me out.
Reliability: The tractor has been 100% reliable with 0% breakage or shop time. Having said that, I may smell an issue on the horizon. The power steering at times becomes very stiff. The effort needed to turn the wheel will double or triple for short periods of time. I suspect the hydraulic cylinder or pump may need attention. But at this point it's only intermittent, and there is plenty of warranty left. So I will hold off and see what happens. Stay tuned.
Weirdness: There are a few things that struck me as "different" when I first got the tractor, things that nobody else would likely notice. But in the interest of full disclosure here they are:
1. At idle the engine seems audibly to labor when the 3 point hitch or loader is raised, even when they are empty. My Kubotas would not even change pitch, and moved silently.
2. There is some mysterious whooshing sounds that come from the belly of the beast when the 3rd SCV is used. Again, I am used to absolute silence during hydraulic functions.
3. The throttle lever is made for manly men only. It takes a great deal of effort to move it up or down. I see no easy access to the linkage for adjustment.
Conclusion: I find that our Creator's command to fill the earth and subdue it is hardwired into my noggin. I also find the latter part of the command almost as enjoyable as the former. So I guess I own equipment primarily for creative expression. The work that gets done is merely justification for the (considerable) expense. With that perspective in mind, I have to say that this Deere has been my most satisfying tractor to date. From an objective perspective, I think it still passes with flying colors, given the miserly fuel usage and decent reliability. We shall see what the next 200 hours brings.
KB
