Tractor Sizing L2800 or B3200?

[Upd103]

OK, So here it goes. This is my first post, and it's a question, but I've been researching until I'm blue in the face. Sorry if I upset anyone.

I am researching our first tractor purchase. Unfortunately, I am in Afghanistan right now, and the internet is horrible so it hasn't been a fun process.

My wife and I own right at 6 acres. It's 99% cleared and very gentle slopping with a very shallow creek type area that seldom has water unless it has rained. There is one low spot that get's very wet after rains, and it is about 3/4 acre in size and the grass tends to grow quite fast there.

I am looking for a compact or sub compact in the 30 HP range. I am pretty sure this will be about right for us. I do not see a need for an FEL right now, but I would like to have the option later if I change my mind. I am mainly going to be using the tractor for brush hog mowing right now. Once we build the house (hopefully this next summer,) we will possibly use it for finishing mowing up closer to the house. I also plan on getting a small tiller to create and maintain a soft footed riding area for my daughters and their horses. The final implement would be a post hole digger for obvious reasons.

I have been looking at the L2800's and the B3200's, both in HST for the wife. I am torn because I don't know if the little bit of extra size is going to benefit me in the future with the L2800. At the same time, I don't want to purchase something that is too big for what I need, especially if I can save a little money up front.

These are just the Kubotas I am looking at, and I am looking at several other brands as well, but that's for an entirely different section. Given the fact that this is TX, there is no shortage of dealers within an hour drive of me. Most of the others I am looking at are compacts rather than subs.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you and God Bless,
David

 

[k0ua]

I think either tractor would make you a good one, but I think you should really consider the FEL. I know you say you don't need it now,, but see the thing is you just don't know you need it.. You need it.. Especially building a house. The FEL is the most useful thing about a tractor. It will be cheaper to buy and finance the tractor with FEL now than add it later. You will find all sorts of uses for a FEL around the house. Of course this is just my opinion, but lets see what some others say.. Good luck in your tractor choosing. And thank you for your service to our country.

James K0UA

 

[BlacknTan]

As far as the tractor goes, I suggest you buy bigger than what you now think you need, although the B-3200 or the l for that matter would be tough to beat.
For the front end loader, I agree with the previous poster completely!

 

[Upd103]

OK. Well I'm not a hard sell on the FEL. Most of the packages down here include them anyways.

The only other thing that concerned me with the L was that it seems to be an older model. I'm not a stickler on buy an older design, especially if it's a good product, but I am a little concerned with resale value. This is especially true if I get it and decide a few years down the road I need even bigger.

The B seems to have all the same specs, if not better, than the L. Is the weight and size really going to make that much more difference?



EDITED***
Thanks for the quick replies gentlemen.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I think either tractor would make you a good one, but I think you should really consider the FEL. I know you say you don't need it now,, but see the thing is you just don't know you need it.. You need it.. Especially building a house. The FEL is the most useful thing about a tractor. It will be cheaper to buy and finance the tractor with FEL now than add it later. You will find all sorts of uses for a FEL around the house. Of course this is just my opinion, but lets see what some others say.. Good luck in your tractor choosing. And thank you for your service to our country.

James K0UA

100% AGREEMENT WITH THIS. I bought my first tractor just before I started building my house myself. Have bought several since. I don't farm, I do my own landscaping on my acres plus use some of the current ones I own on rental acres. Get the FEL when you get the tractor. It moves the machine into another world that's 80% bigger than a tractor with no FEL.

 

[BlacknTan]

Hmmmmmm. Hard to say. In some ways, weight is a detriment, as when you're using the tractor on a groomed surface like a lawn, otherwise it's an advantage, as it provides stability an allows you to apply your horsepower to the ground, but kubotas have a reputation of ruinning out of traction before running oput of horsepower.
There are newer L models, and older L models. The L-2800 is an older L, but I don't think I'd let that stop me if the price was advantageous. The newer L's are the L-3200, L-3800 and L-4600.

 

[Upd103]

OK. Thank you again gentlemen.

It hasn't really answered my question, LOL, but then again, I guess the question is one of preference and can't really be answered by anyone but me any ways. At least it does give me some insight on the reasoning behind it and the options.

I guess the next step is to look into pricing. That's the real part of the process that I don't really care for.

David

 

[frogfish]

I have approx 70 acres of woods and maintain it with a B3200 with FEL and have been very satisfied with it. I admit there are times I would like/need bigger but for 95 % of my needs the B3200 is great. The other 5% I've found I just need to be a little creative in getting the job done.

You don't really mention what you plan to use it for mostly.

I would also agree about getting the FEL, you will find uses all the time for it.

 

[BlacknTan]

OK. Thank you again gentlemen.

It hasn't really answered my question, LOL, but then again, I guess the question is one of preference and can't really be answered by anyone but me any ways. At least it does give me some insight on the reasoning behind it and the options.

I guess the next step is to look into pricing. That's the real part of the process that I don't really care for.

David

Well, it's really hard to answer the question for another person, and I usually never attempt to as it's a VERY individual question. That said, the B-3200 is a great tractor... It works bigger than it's size, and would be tough to beat. I'm not recommending it for you though... I don't want you to come back later and say you wish you had gone bigger, but it IS a big little tractor.. But, again, the front end loader should be included without question.. You'll be glad you did!

Good luck in shopping, and Thank You for your service to our country!

 

[Upd103]

Oh. I was being just a little sarcastic. I apologize. I know that it isn't a question that anyone can answer for me. But you did give me insight on both options. And thank you for that.