New guys take on pros & cons of 45 HP range of CUT's

[rider9403]

I went from a 30hp to a 44hp. There are things the 44hp tractor will do that would take the 30hp tractor a lot longer to do. But there are things the 30hp tractor will do that the 44hp tractor can not do. If you buy one tractor in the bigger size you are going to find a gap that can only be filled with a smaller unit. So down the road you'll be back on here asking about SCUT or small CUT sized tractors.

I guess there's no size that's perfect. But for a small acreage I think almost everyone will tell you the smaller CUT, 30hp range, is your best fit.

My 44hp tractor does not have a cab. 90% of the work I do with it could not be done with a cab.

My 23hp tractor does not have a cab either. 90% of the work I do with it could be done with a cab.

But in the end, to complete your projects, you are gonna have to get out of the cab because of the limits the size of a 45hp tractor with cab puts on you.

I'm looking to get a 40 to 45hp tractor with a cab. I'm in upstate NY in the snow belt area. I have a couple of long drive ways to remove snow from and in the few hundred acres land to manage, mostly woods. What kind of work could not be done with your 44hp tractor if it had a cab on it?

 

[nybirdman]

With the cab(I have owned both) ,currently a L4240 Kubota,you are limited to the more open areas,IE ,wood -lots are a problem,low hanging braches,ect.
Also I am always banging the mirrors,clipped a couple of lites,backed into the garage(minor damage),I still prefer the cab tractor,air,heat and out of the rain and snow.

 

[ovrszd]

With the cab(I have owned both) ,currently a L4240 Kubota,you are limited to the more open areas,IE ,wood -lots are a problem,low hanging braches,ect.
Also I am always banging the mirrors,clipped a couple of lites,backed into the garage(minor damage),I still prefer the cab tractor,air,heat and out of the rain and snow.

What he said.

Most of my work with the L4400 is in the timber logging or brush hogging. I am sure I'd have cracked windows or worse.

If you are starting with basically clear land, cab would be preferrable. In my case I'm starting with timber and trying to limit undergrowth and end up with big timber. Cab isn't practical for that.

 

[Charlesaf3]

Have you looked at the Kubota M59? In a similar situation, I find it perfect.

I think the ideal combo would be the m59 plus a bx or ztr. I have the 3030, and frankly its borderline too big for mowing unless you are doing a golf course or sports field.

THe brake issue is not an issue. I use my machines for woods work, and find I use the brakes rarely, and half the time they get me into trouble. They are holdovers from gear field tractors to my mind, and pretty much useless with HST.

Problem with the m59 is cab.

 

[dodge man]

I have to agree with others, that sounds like alot of tractor for that small of a property. When you start out, it will probably be a good size, but latter on it might be to big. The good thing is that you can always sell it latter and get a smaller unit.

Someone on this forum added a woods back hoe to a B3030 with a cab. I can remember a couple of photos of it and it looked like a factory setup, the seat just hung off the back behind the cab. I wouldn't think it would hurt the warranty of the tractor if you installed the subframe with the backhoe.

 

[bp fick]

Your way over thinking this whole thing.

Yes, indeed. Paralysis by analysis.

 

[Lt CHEG]

I have to agree with others, that sounds like alot of tractor for that small of a property. When you start out, it will probably be a good size, but latter on it might be to big. The good thing is that you can always sell it latter and get a smaller unit.

Someone on this forum added a woods back hoe to a B3030 with a cab. I can remember a couple of photos of it and it looked like a factory setup, the seat just hung off the back behind the cab. I wouldn't think it would hurt the warranty of the tractor if you installed the subframe with the backhoe.

Funny you mention that. I talked to the closest Kubota dealer today about a 3030 along with a couple of other tractors. He said that a Woods subframe backhoe WOULD NOT void the warranty. Heck, he even said he could sell me one no problem. I apologize if I sounded foolish when I first mentioned the warranty issue, but I've been burned before on warranties and tend to play it safe.

After sitting on a 3030 without the cab, this is the smallest size tractor I would even consider. Frankly I was a little cramped in the operator area on the 3030 cab. I would simply not be comfortable on a smaller tractor and I might not even be comfortable on this tractor and obviously comfort is very important to me. So the 3030 is an option worthy of consideration at least at this point.

 

[Gittyup]

Just my opinion, but I think the 3030 is too light for serious backhoe/loader work. Nice tractor, very nice in fact. Need a good mower or snow blower, the 3030 is a very good choice. But, not the best choice for heavy digging.

 

[IslandTractor]

Just my opinion, but I think the 3030 is too light for serious backhoe/loader work. Nice tractor, very nice in fact. Need a good mower or snow blower, the 3030 is a very good choice. But, not the best choice for heavy digging.

Depends what kind of digging I guess. I wouldn't use any CUT based TLB for "heavy digging" as in routine digging of foundations or construction work. That's what real TLBs and excavators are for. However, for a single job (one house) and using the machine patiently, I don't see why a B3030 would not do just fine. Backhoes with subframes shouldn't hurt the tractor so the real limitation is that a B3030 would probably rate a seven foot BH which would not be ideal for foundation work but is still a very handy tool. Given that the OP isn't starting a construction company and has only 6.5 acres to work on I still think the B3030 is a very economical and capable machine well matched to his stated needs. I appreciate he will likely buy something bigger but that doesn't mean the B3030 is not up to the task.

 

[Gittyup]

When it comes to digging and ground engagement chores, weight is king. Doing such tasks a heavier tractor will out perform a lighter one (all other things the same). A backhoe will toss around a light tractor. You'll lose traction faster and tip more easily doing loader chores with a lighter tractor too. My point is that a 3300 lb tractor (L4400) will dig better with less wear and tear on the machine than a 2300 lb tractor (B3030). The 3030 will do ok. But, if I had a lot of digging to do I'd want something heavier, with a wider stance.

Lot size is seldom the dominant descriminator when selecting equipment. Nothwithstanding budget, tasks at hand should dictate the kind and size of machinery one purchases. A man can do a lot of digging on just a couple of acres. Why should he buy a less capable digger if he can afford better? Sure one might get the work done with a 3030, BX, GC2400, or other smaller, lighter machine, given enough time. But, if one can afford it and the property is conducive to using it, go bigger with more comforts and better performance.