32 HP? Is it enough?

[chim]

Right now I have an L3200 and couldn't be happier. The 32 HP it has is plenty for me and a big improvement over the 21 I had before. I have a little over 2 acres at the house that gets mowed (6 foot Landpride) at least weekly except during a dry spell. This past Tuesday we settled on another piece of land adjoining our place that will bring the yard to about 3.5 acres. Besides that I mow a small lawn for a widow nearby. The previous tractor was a B7500 with a 5 foot landpride finish mower. The L3200 is a much more user-friendly tractor that makes it a lot easier.

I don't mow with the FEL attached. The whole thing comes off in less than a minute. This also helps avoid tearing up grass on tight turns or soft ground.

 

[chim]

.................... 1 tractor isn't perfect for everything...................

That's why Wifey suggested we keep the old Ford 1210 when we got the new "garden tractor" (her terminology for the L3200).

 

[PhilY]

I would say to check out the Kubota B2620 and similar tractors. This will be well sized for what it looks that you will be doing. I'd suggest to get the tires filled to help with traction. With filled tires and a FEL on it, the B2620 would probably weigh around 2500 - 2700lbs. This is probably around the upper limit for weight that I would frequently use on a lawn. As for as your tire choices go, the industrials are great for a lot of heavy duty loader work. This is because they are made to be a heavy weight bearing tire. The turfs and ags can squat with heavy FEL loads, but this shouldn't be an issue at the B sized tractors. I have the L3540, and it weighs almost 6K lbs with fel, fluids, and loaded tires. At this weight I can only go around the corner of the garage a few times (in 2wd) before the lawn starts to tear it up. I have about 10 acres and a lot of woods, my tractor has just enough power to do what I have needed. The FEL Forks top out when moving boulders about 30-36" in dia. or 10' logs that are 22" in diameter. It has the HP to drag 2 logs that are about 12-14' and 18" in dia. but the wheels pretty much just spin in 4wd. So, even with the necessary HP the traction isn't quite there. Just thought I would share some of the things I have done in case you may see yourself doing similar tasks for I'd rather have a tractor with too much power than not enough.

 

[wrooster]

I have 3 acres that will need to be mowed. I have another 7 that are woods.
I don't care for the B series... they look too much like glorified lawnmowers to me. I don't mean to offend anyone, but just my opinion.

That's too bad you are of that mindset, because the Kubota B series (e.g. 2620) is very likely the best option for you in terms of initial purchase cost, productivity, operating fuel efficiency, overall longevity, and (perhaps eventually) resale. The fact that you can get a brand new one at US$0 down and 0% financing for 5 years means you don't have to lay out US$15K up front, and that improves your cash flow situation. Moreover, you can include selected implements in the finance as well. Finally, the dealer warranty on a new machine also removes all of the risk you are taking on by purchasing a used tractor with an unknown service/PM history and which any repair bills will come straight out of your pocket.

But don't let practical factors like these get in the way of your dream.

Wrooster

 

[vpracer]

Don't mean to hijack your thread but I have a nice L3200 HST, 4x4, R4 tires, front end loader and a nice box blade that I'm about to trade in. I bought some land and need a larger tractor. Its got a whopping 25 hours on it. It spent it's life launching a boat at my lake property. So it went from the barn down the ramp and back into the barn. I did move some top soil around with the loader so it does have some "use" marks. I used the box blade once I think to spread that soil. Let me know if your interested and we can pm about price and pic's etc. Tractor is in Central Texas so not too far from McKinney.

Sorry if I've messed up your thread but thought I'd throw this out there.

 

[PhilY]

I agree with Wrooster about looking at a new tractor, too. These tractors hold their value well, and with new you get that 0% financing for 5 years. In terms of pricing, if you take 15% off of the price listed online at Kubota's website, that will probably be darn close to what a dealer would sell it to you for.

 

[Grandad4]

I have 3 acres that will need to be mowed. I have another 7 that are woods.

I don't care for the B series... they look too much like glorified lawnmowers to me. I don't mean to offend anyone, but just my opinion.

Sorry if I misunderstood your post that said you had 3 acres. Plenty of owners use "B" size equipment on 3-10 acres and get their work done just fine with those models. They probably don't give a rip what anyone else "thinks" about their equipment. Many others, myself included, chose something larger with good results. We found the work needs got larger with time, so having more capability paid off. It's your money and you have to live with your decision; so by all means, get as much tractor as you want.

 

[case245]

are you looking at HST or GEAR tranny if a gear tractor check out the b2320 that tractor abot 13k with fel that size tractor will do alot more then you would think i owned the same size in a case ih i did plowing tilling dragging logs with it

 

[5thGenTexan]

As soon as money changes hands I will have a 07 Kubota L3830 w/shuttle shift.

 

[Cigar Face]

As soon as money changes hands I will have a 07 Kubota L3830 w/shuttle shift.

well thats gonna be one bbigg tractor on your property but hey dont let anyone steer you differently if thats what you want. Enjoy it and post pictures when you get it