Test Drove the B3030 - help me decide on options (epecially bucket)

[hazmat]

Nice unit - a foot or so longer than my TC18 but not any less manuverable. Really liked the 3 range tranny.

Below is my laundry list - perhaps I am going a bit overboard, but with the 0% financing I figured endure the sticker shock once instead of over time... It is more a question of getting the wife to buy in than anything else.

My biggest concern is the front bucket. I want to add the skid steer style quick attach. Dealer mentioned a woods bucket - I need to confirm the model number, but based on woods website, it seems to weigh 400#. From Kubota's wholegoods price sheet the standard 60" bucket is listed at 150#. The 54" bucket (5/16" thick steel - similar to the kubota) on my TC18 is listed at 250#. A back of the envelope calc indicates that 250# is a more reasonable number.

I'm not worried that the machine won't lift a full buckload of material with a 400# bucket. But, I am worried about working in a pile. When digging from the bottom of a pile (in an attempt to keep the mess to a minium on the driveway) you are lifting much more than a bucket full. If the woods bucket is in fact 250# heavier than the standard bucket, that could be a detriment to performance. If it is only 150# heavier it won't affect performance as much - and will be more durable to boot.

What are some other options - perhaps the bucket off the B26? Availability might be an issue

So here's the list- what am I missing? I'll swap the front blower for a rear mount before I give up the backhoe. Prices listed are MSRP. I'm shooting for 10% off with all the options installed.

Hmm - seems that the formatting is jumbled - I'll attach it in pdf form as well

MFG # Base Machine MSRP
B3030HSD-F Tractor w/ R3 Turfs $16,105
LA403 Loader w/ grille guard $2,382
B2355 60" pin on Bucket (Delete) 150#? 250#? $-
B2315 Loader Valve $303
RC72-30B 72" MMM $3,037
B7304 Double Acting Valve $206
B7305 Double Acting Valve w/ float $258
B7306 Base Valve Kit $412
B7307 2nd Valve Kit $206
B7324 40 amp Alternator $170
Skid Steer QA (ATI?) $650
Woods Skid steer bucket 60" Model #??? GP3060 402# $700
Bradco 42" compact tractor forks (2,000# rating) QA $564
Weld chain grab hooks to bucket corners
Rim Guard Rear Tires $300
New Seat?

$25,293

For Consideration
B2791 Quick Hitch Subframe $836
B2782 63" Blower $1,532
B2792 Mid PTO driveline $496
B2783A Chute Kit $819
B2784 Hydraulic Chute Rotation $613

$4,296

1018250T Woods BH80-X w/ thumb $7,800
1014301 Subframe $1,000
1014454 Hose Kit $200
1014209 9" bucket $450
1014218 18" bucket $608
$10,058

Grand Total $39,647

 

[amigauser]

I have the B3030 cab model. I had the dealer add the ATI Q/A and just weld a Q/A adapter onto the stock Kubota bucket. Way cheaper than buying another bucket.

I am not sure if your parts list includes the two factory rear remotes. They are also nice to have for any 3 pt implement that needs hydraulics. Some people even use them to run a front grapple.

The ATI Q/A works very well. I currently just have the bucket and a Bradco Q/A compact tractor pallet fork. I would recommend getting a set of pallet forks to. You would be surprised how handy they are for moving things around. The Bradco unit only weighs 265 lbs and is designed for compact tractors.

Norm

 

[hazmat]

Thanks norm - yes the list includes 2 factory rear remotes (double acting valves in Kubota-speak). I've got one set now on my TC18 for my dump trailer. I just bought a hydraulic toplink - don't want to mess with swapping out the hoses. The pallet forks are in my list too. My Dad has them for his TC40DA - used about as much as the bucket...

EDIT HERE

I'm not sure about how much cheaper it would be to modify the existing bucket. Woods is ~$700, Kubota $500. Factor $100-150 for a bracket + time to cut, weld & paint... Probably at about break even $$ wise.

 

[art]

Good thing about selling multi lines, We normally go to the case-ih buckets to keep the weight down on the q-tach buckets. The buckets are lighter and they also have about the right capacity.

 

[hazmat]

Good thing about selling multi lines, We normally go to the case-ih buckets to keep the weight down on the q-tach buckets. The buckets are lighter and they also have about the right capacity.

art - would that be from their compact line or skid steer? Local dealer carries New Holland at another location - should I inquire about something off a "Class II" Boomer ie TC31DA or TC34DA?

 

[MarkV]

Hi there Hazmat. Looking at your options, which look like a nice set up, you have me wondering why not the B26, a dedicated finish mower and rear snow blower. I’d think you would be in the same price range with some benefits thrown in.

On your option list I did not see a tooth bar which I think would be a must. I’ll also throw my 2 cents in on the skid steer bucket. I use a 74” skid steer bucket on my L39 and have mixed emotions about it. Skid Steer buckets generally are wider, front to back, with a flat bottom which is great for grading. The wide flat bottom lets me grade both in forward and reverse with results similar to a box blade. The rub is the wider bucket puts your cutting edge farther from the pivot point and hurts breakout force considerably. My plan, when I bought, was to add a 4in1 bucket closer to the stock bucket specs for when breakout force was most needed. Just can’t make myself pony up the bucks yet. Do compare the dimensions of the stock bucket and the Skid Steer bucket before making your final decision. You may also want to look at www.wrlonginc.com which offers after market buckets of differnt styles that can be made to your specs with the Q/A system.

Good luck with your decision.

MarkV

 

[hazmat]

Hey Mark - the flooring business must be treating you well, an L39 & B21 By the way, my livingroom & diningroom floors still look great - thanks for your advice way back when.

Here's why the B26 is out - no clearance for the FOPS canopy. Also I prefer to detach the loader...

 

[hazmat]

Talked to the dealer today, bucket is PN 46372, weighs 239#. All is good. It's for a woods 1000 series tractor loader, not skid steer. (just happens to have the skid steer attachment).

Now just need to convince wifey about the backhoe. wish me luck.

 

[bialecki]

Talked to the dealer today, bucket is PN 46372, weighs 239#. All is good. It's for a woods 1000 series tractor loader, not skid steer. (just happens to have the skid steer attachment).

Now just need to convince wifey about the backhoe. wish me luck.

The Woods 80X BH you noted in your quote may be too big for the B3030, take a look at the Woods 70X. Just my two cents.

 

[Reg]

Something feels just sorta WRONG with all this...

Start with a $16K mini tractor, add some doo_dads, add a few options and you're just about into $40K - - Like, DUHH ?
How'd THAT happen ?

Methinks I'd start over, look at 45 & 50 HP {almost} "full sized compacts".
I think you'd get more, but spend less. The base price would be higher, more would be included, you'd get more for less.
If you're thinking about a back-hoe and loader - you're thinking DIRT and dirt moving projects anyway, not 30 horse size, something with a bit of MASS to it.

Just a feeling I have, based on what I did, no Kubota data to back it up, just intuit