B3200 or 3300

[josephny]

I'm inching my way closer to actually making a purchase.

Spoke with a deal about the 3200. Told him it's mostly for woods work, making trails, clearing stuff.

He suggested the 3300 might be better -- higher ground clearance, stronger structure and a little cheaper. But it doesn't have a mid-PTO.

I don't ever see myself putting a mower on the tractor.

Think it's a better choice?

He also said R4 tires would be better for my purpose -- they're wider and less likely to puncture in the woods and would provide better traction.

B3300SUHSDP, 8767 R4 tires front, 8768 R4 tires rear, LA504 loader with grill guard, B1626 60" LM bucket: $17,450.

And, BH77 backhoe, 1976 mechanical thumb, mounting kit, 12" bucket: $8,350.

Also getting 3 valves, quick couple, HD alt, rear work light, ROPS organizer for additional cost.

These prices don't include tire waste fee, Doc fee or sales tax.

Would appreciate thoughts.

Thanks,

Joseph

 

[namesray]

pretty much you already said the differences=mid pto and cheaper the b3300su would be. they are both very much the same tractor. b3300su would be heavier if you did go with the r-4 tires and loaded them. about 200 lbs more. the b3200 will have the mid pto ($1000 more and will you ever use a mid mount mower or front mount snow blower?) the b3200 also has cruise control if i am not mistaken, and the b3300su does not come standard with it. the b3300su will put out about 3 more pto hp but not that much difference. same loader cap. specs. and such=both=la504 loader.

i own a b7800=very simular to both and have r-4 tires and do alot of woods work with it. it will do a lot of work if you use proper technique. at about 2600 lbs with fel and loaded tires (more with back hoe) it can be a little on the light side for pushing in the woods with roots and all. do you need bigger/heavier tractor=maybe L series??? like i say you can do work but must have the proper expectations and technique. i run a 3ph winch and skid logs with mine a lot. have also put in minor trails in woods with it too, but it will not move too many roots. can up root very small trees (4" diameter in best conditions.)

i am looking at both like you. i go with the b3300su, unless you see a need for that mid pto on the b3200. good luck and enjoy shopping. be sure to test drive them both out. even try some of the L series too. depending on what you want to do in the woods, might need a heavier unit. and i would go with the r-4 tires. i get along great with them except in the winter and only because they don't chain up good with ladder chains. if i had the right chains they be great in the winter too. be sure to get tires loaded. and price is about right.

just for your info, there has been a few recent threads on the b3300 and such. try the search if you want and there will be a lot more info for you too.

 

[marxman]

i go with the b3300su, unless you see a need for that mid pto on the b3200.

Same decision I just had to make, and that was one of the reasons that I chose the B3200. I would rather have the mid-PTO then not. Having said that my dealership said that the B3300 has been an extremely popular choice since it came out. My :2cents:

 

[Carl Bert]

I personally would go with the B3200 just because of the mid PTO. Even if you never use it, it will be much better for resale, if and when that day comes. There is no doubt that the "L" would do heavier work, it just depends on what size tractor you are looking for, and what u intend on doing with it. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[josephny]

pretty much you already said the differences=mid pto and cheaper the b3300su would be. they are both very much the same tractor. b3300su would be heavier if you did go with the r-4 tires and loaded them. about 200 lbs more. the b3200 will have the mid pto ($1000 more and will you ever use a mid mount mower or front mount snow blower?) the b3200 also has cruise control if i am not mistaken, and the b3300su does not come standard with it. the b3300su will put out about 3 more pto hp but not that much difference. same loader cap. specs. and such=both=la504 loader.

i own a b7800=very simular to both and have r-4 tires and do alot of woods work with it. it will do a lot of work if you use proper technique. at about 2600 lbs with fel and loaded tires (more with back hoe) it can be a little on the light side for pushing in the woods with roots and all. do you need bigger/heavier tractor=maybe L series??? like i say you can do work but must have the proper expectations and technique. i run a 3ph winch and skid logs with mine a lot. have also put in minor trails in woods with it too, but it will not move too many roots. can up root very small trees (4" diameter in best conditions.)

i am looking at both like you. i go with the b3300su, unless you see a need for that mid pto on the b3200. good luck and enjoy shopping. be sure to test drive them both out. even try some of the L series too. depending on what you want to do in the woods, might need a heavier unit. and i would go with the r-4 tires. i get along great with them except in the winter and only because they don't chain up good with ladder chains. if i had the right chains they be great in the winter too. be sure to get tires loaded. and price is about right.

just for your info, there has been a few recent threads on the b3300 and such. try the search if you want and there will be a lot more info for you too.

Thanks so much for the details!

I'm just not sure about the mid-PTO -- I don't see myself putting a mower on it, but one never knows.

As for the weight, one of my big concerns is getting stuck in wet areas of the woods, in mud, or in my peat muck. I thought lighter is better than heavier for minimizing the chances of getting stuck. One reason for the backhoe (not the main reason) is to help pull out of stuck areas.

I don't know what loaded tires means.

Thanks

 

[josephny]

Same decision I just had to make, and that was one of the reasons that I chose the B3200. I would rather have the mid-PTO then not. Having said that my dealership said that the B3300 has been an extremely popular choice since it came out. My :2cents:

That's good to hear. I wondered whether the 3300 was not a widely accepted model compared to the 3200.

Thanks!

 

[josephny]

I personally would go with the B3200 just because of the mid PTO. Even if you never use it, it will be much better for resale, if and when that day comes. There is no doubt that the "L" would do heavier work, it just depends on what size tractor you are looking for, and what u intend on doing with it. Good luck and keep us posted.

I hadn't thought of resale value, which the mid-PTO would appear to help.

This is my first tractor, so I don't know what an L would do for me over the 3300.

Thanks

 

[marxman]

I don't know what loaded tires means.

It means that the rear tires are 3/4 filled with either calcium chloride, windshield washer fluid, or beetjiuce. It serves to add weight to the tractor and lower the center of gravity. It's a pretty common practice for those with uneven terrain.

 

[josephny]

It means that the rear tires are 3/4 filled with either calcium chloride, windshield washer fluid, or beetjiuce. It serves to add weight to the tractor and lower the center of gravity. It's a pretty common practice for those with uneven terrain.

I suppose the beetjuice would be handy if I break down and have to spend the night (;-)

Seriously, I'm so confused about the weight issue. (I understand, basically, the center of gravity issue.)

If I'm going over wet, slippery, muddy or peat-y terrain, and I better off (i.e., less likely to get stuck) having more weight or less for any give tractor/tire setup?

 

[1savoy]

Hi Joseph,

I think the loaded tires may help your traction in the mud, as it will place more weight at the rear of the tractor, especially if you have a loader hanging off the front. If you have the BH you will also have plenty of rear weight. Not all mud is the same, just as snow is not the same. In my opinion, if you are trying to stay on top of the mud, get the largest (biggest footprint) tire you can. That would be the 3300 instead of the 3200. The taller tire will also help with ground clearance, as dragging the undercarriage thru the mud will not help. You are correct that the backhoe will help getting you out of the mud. You can use the BH to pick up the rear and re-position the tractor. Also, push or pull yourself. The BH and subframe hang pretty low on these machines and may also help contribute to getting stuck in the first place. I have had good luck using my toothbar on my loader bucket to help drag me out of the mud. Me personally, I would not worry about getting the mid-pto if you have no use for it. I tend to keep things so long, the re-sale is not my concern and it is so hard to predict who will want what down the road. The lower cost and bigger tires would sway me to the 3300. Just my $0.02. Good luck with your decision.