Calling all B3030HSDC owners:

[FRIZ]

I am seriously considering buying a B3030HSDC (additionally to a JD 4720) for my 78 acre property. The B3030HSDC would have the following two tasks:

MOWER:

I originally wanted to buy the JD x749 with a 60in mid-mount mower. But know I am attracted to the Kubota B3030HSDC (air-conditioned cab, no mosquito bites?. The task is to mow around the three ponds (1.5 acre, 1+ acre and 0.5 acre), all with trees and grass around them, as well as the house which also has trees and grass around it. I would like to order the B3030HSDC with a 72in (RCK72-30B) mid-mount mower.

What is your experience with the B3030HSDC with a 72in mid-mount mower?

It takes a while in NW Indiana for the ground to dry enough to be able to mow in springtime. Can the B3030HSDC handle high wet grass?

SNOW-BLOWER:

The second task I am considering is to snow-blow the approximately 800 yards of gravel road. I would like to order the B3030HSDC with a 63in (B2782) snow-blower.

What is your experience with the B3030HSDC with a 63in (B2782) snow-blower?

Can it handle a lot of snow and approximately 800 yards of gravel road?

My land is in the NW Indiana, mostly flat a few slight elevations. With turf tires, will I need snow-chains? With turf tires, will I need a ballast box?

How hard is it to switch between snow-blower and mid mount mower (spring/fall)?

Please share you insights.

Thank you,
Regards
FRIZ

 

[Ductape]

I'll offer up what I can. I don't yet own a 72" belly mower (but I may eventually), but I do mow with a 60" rear finish mower. I have yet to have anything slow the mower down. Tall grass..... a little brush, whatever, it cruises right through it. Put the A/C on low or medium, turn up the tunes, set the cruise control and enjoy the ride ! No black flies, no mosquitos, no pollen, no sweat!

YouTube - Landpride FDR1560 & Kubota B3030

I've got the same blower you're looking at. The 3030 with that blower on it is a snow eating machine with no conscience ! Only in the deepest snowbanks when the town plow fills in the end of the driveway do i need to slow to a crawl to get through it. I clear a couple of my neighbor's driveways besides my own, and frankly........ I take my sweet time so I can stay out in the blizzard longer. The B3030HSDC makes what used to be a chore, into a boatload of fun. Shhhhhhhhhh !!! DO NOT tell my wife. She thinks I'm working hard out there. The heater will easily sweat you out of the cab if you crank the heat up. You could comfortably snowblow in shorts and a tanktop. Seriously. Once again, turn up the tunes and go!

YouTube - Kubota B3030 Night Snowblowing With O&A

If I were going to make any complaint, it would be that the side windows fog up easily. The remedy is to turn the A/C button on (to dehumidify), turn the heat setting down, and the fan set higher. Again.... really a minor complaint.

I will recommend you add a chute deflector control to the blower. It will allow you to place the snow anywhere you want. I went with a hydraulic setup, but Kubota also sells an electric chute control.

I recommend sticking with the turfs, and forget about chains. I have zero problems getting around...... even in an 18 inch snowstorm. One minor issue with the turfs is that they are larger in diameter than the R4s. It will be a small problem if you have a 7 foot overhead door like I do. I had to modify my door trim to get the tractor inside..... since its like 7 foot, one and a half inch with the turfs. The 3030HSDC with R4s is about 6 foot eleven, and will just make it under a seven foot opening. I did try blowing with my weightbox on the back, thinking I'd need it. Turns out the weightbox makes the front lighter with the blower in float, and it didn't steer as well. Just leave the weightbox in the garage.

I honestly don't think I could be any happier with my 3030HSDC than I am. Do a little searching here, there have been some members who've made some nice, functional modifications to their tractors. Things like backup cameras and dome lights. I highly recommend the 3030HSDC to you, and if a little more money isn't going to hurt you, get the HSDCC. It will have a rear windor defogger (though not terribly necessary) and a 60 amp alternator instead of a 40 amp...... always better in case you ever add a couple more worklights.

 

[FRIZ]

I'll offer up what I can.

Thank you.
Regards,
FRIZ

 

[Charlesaf3]

I've got the 72 mmm, though not the cab. Doing it over, I'd prefer a RFM. Easier to get on and off, easier to back into tight spaces. Only advantage to mmm I can see is curvy flower beds and that sort of thing.

cut quality on 72 is decent, but it has the standard scalping issues inherent to the size.

B3030 is VERY maneuverable in my opinion. I have r4s - for mowing I'd get turfs.

 

[FRIZ]

...cut quality on 72 is decent, but it has the standard scalping issues inherent to the size...

 

[WH401]

With the wider deck, (72"), it won't cut grass evenly on dips, or it might scalp the turf off the ground on bumps that protrude up. A 60" mower is a good all around size. It still gives you a wide enough swath for each pass, and it doesn't cause many scalping issues.

 

[FRIZ]

With the wider deck, (72"), it won't cut grass evenly on dips, or it might scalp the turf off the ground on bumps that protrude up. A 60" mower is a good all around size. It still gives you a wide enough swath for each pass, and it doesn't cause many scalping issues.

Thank you.
Regards,
FRIZ

 

[red4now]

Ditto on these comments - have a 60" on the B3200 and it is a good compromise. This combination could cut grass all day with no problem. Thought that I should have gotten the 72" but now over the past couple of months, there are a few places I would not have been able to squeeze through and since the lawn is not a golf course scalping would have been an issue in some spots. Power is not the issue for either size.

The B3030 should be able to handle a 64" snowblower with ease. Lots of examples of ones here with that size on this tractor. And with the cab, well Ductape said it all. ;-)

With the wider deck, (72"), it won't cut grass evenly on dips, or it might scalp the turf off the ground on bumps that protrude up. A 60" mower is a good all around size. It still gives you a wide enough swath for each pass, and it doesn't cause many scalping issues.

 

[FRIZ]

... have a 60" on the B3200 and it is a good compromise. This combination could cut grass all day with no problem...

Thank you.
Regards,
FRIZ

 

[Fritzy]

I have a 3030 with a cab, I mow with a 60" mower and it works great. I had a couple jobs where I was turning a hay field into a yard, no problem. I am up here in Canada so we have lots of snow, I leave the FEL on and the snow blower is on the back, I also have a long lane and we do a cpouple parking lots in town, it works great. The best way to do gravel is to get a thin layer of snow, ice on the road so you don't pick up stones and start to do damage. You will love the 3030 cab, I know I do.

 

[FRIZ]

I have a 3030 with a cab, I mow with a 60" mower and it works great .... You will love the 3030 cab, I know I do.

Thank you.
Regards,
FRIZ

 

[Charlesaf3]

yep on scalping. Though it must be said, as long as you don't mind filling in a little grass seed and sharpening the blades, the scalping issue eventually goes away as you "cut down" the high spots

 

[CBW1999]

DUCTAPE........I'm starting to think you are getting kick-backs from Kubota!

Although my timeline is farther away than I would hope- i have to agree with the information Ductape has given. I intend to upgrade to the B3030/cab with the FEL and front snowblower.

Have fun!

 

[AJL]

Hi,

I have a B3030HSDC and really love it. I debated Cab or Backhoe, and overall feel the cab was the right choice. The main reason I say this is related working in inclement weather (i.e. Rain and Snow). As a snow removal machine, it is awesome. Nice and warm and no snow blowing snow in your face. Go with the turfs. No chains required.

As for mowing. I have the 60" MMM. It works great. No scalping issues. Goes on and off reasonably well and stores vertically against my garage wall in winter.

That being said, under the heading of "If I was doing it again", I might do things differently. If I had to do it again, I would have put the $3000 I paid for the deck into a ride on mower.

We just purchased a used Kubota T series 44 mower to cut around trees and over the "good" part of the lawn that lies around the house and over the septic bed. I now find it easier and almost as fast to mow the entire property Approx 1.5 - 2 Acres with the little mower (a.k.a. Baby-Bota). It also gives a better result. The MMM leaves tire tracks.

The 60" deck has only been used once all summer, and I've been cutting twice a week. The smaller mower is easier to get around on, and does far less turf and compaction damage. This is especially evident when the ground is wet. 3000 lbs vs. 600Lbs.

I mow in the evenings, so heat has not been an issue. In short the MMM works fine, but the tractor is too big for that task, resulting in a compromise. In my opinion. Of course if I could, I d have the entire Kubota Alphabet in my yard.

If I you do want to mow with the 3030, I'd look at getting either a RFM or a Flail mower. Then if you don稚 like it, you can easily sell it. Unlike the MMM which only fits a small number of Kubota machines. For reference, my dealer will only take it on trade if it痴 attached to the tractor. Further, a Rear mount mower conflicts less with Loader work, and would act as a counter weight (i.e. less, and easier on and off).

In summary. For Snow it痴 a 10, as a mower it痴 a 5.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[FRIZ]

...In summary. For Snow it痴 a 10, as a mower it痴 a 5.

Hope this is helpful.

Yes!
Thank you.
Regards,
FRIZ

 

[smfcpacfp]

I also am very happy with my B3030HSDC. I bought it mainly for snowblowing. We get anywhere from 15 to 30 feet a year. I also use it for processing dead trees on my property (moving dead trees, chipping and splitting for firewood). I have about 7,000 trees on my property. I also seem to be using the front end loader more than I would have anticipated for digging and moving stuff around. I don't mow with it.

It takes about an hour and a half or so to put on the quick connect and snowblower in the fall, and take it off in the spring. My wife helps me. Much of the time is trying to remember how to do it! Two people makes the job 1000% easier.

It does tend to fog up some in the winter at first as Ductape mentioned, but as it warms up that problem seems to lessen. I direct as much of the warm air flow to the glass. I just carry a towel with me to wipe it off, if it is a problem. Ultimately it gets quite hot, the fog clears and I end up turning the heat down, even on really cold days.