Decisions.....Decisions

[brightideas]

Hello All,
My name is Jeremy and I am new to the forum. I am looking to buy a new Kubota and have a couple of questions. My wife and I bought a place about a year ago in Southwest Michigan with 5 acres, pole barn and house. 3/4 of the property is yard/field with the rest being wooded. I have narrowed my selection down to 3 tractors with the following attachments for whichever tractor I choose. Brush hog, Forks, Front end Loader and Rototiller. I was originally looking at the B2650. Then after reading on the forum here, the one thing that everyone seemed to agree on is a minimum of 25 H.P. at the pto. So then I priced the B3350 and the L3301. So here is my question(s). Is the upgrade to the 33 H.P. tractors necessary for the attachments I am going to purchase. The one other attachment I am looking at is the front mount snow blower. My first question with this is without a cab on the tractor is this a miserable experience? Somehow I see myself covered head to tow from blowing snow. What about getting a blade instead of the snow blower. Last winter we had a lot of snow and I plowed all winter with my polaris sportsman and blade which was not bad except for when the banks got really high. My last thought on this is to continue plowing with the 4 wheeler and just use the bucket on the fel to move piles back as needed. Also worth mentioning is that my driveway is 1/4 mile long. I am approved for Kubota credit for all of these options and want to order tractor very soon....possibly tomorrow but I don't want to waste money on something I may not need or worse yet, regret purchasing. Any first hand advice would be greatly appreciated on any of the above questions. Thank you so much!

 

[Tractorrr]

Do you plan to use the tractor to clear the woods or trees? That's a lot of tractor to be looking at for 3/4 acres. I have seen some people on here say it is more economical to hire a bulldozer to clear wooded areas but I'm not sure. Still I'm thinking a backhoe would probably be needed if planning to clear all that woods. And the L might be best if planning to do that since it is heavier and has more FEL lift capacity. Otherwise the B2650 is probably enough since the extra horsepower would only allow for slightly bigger implements.

 

[brightideas]

The property is just over 1 acre woods and 3 to 4 acres field/yard. There are 6 large trees down from a storm this spring that will need to be cleaned up but other than those, the woods will stay. The tractor will be used for various food plots for wildlife/rototilling garden in the spring and fall/snow removal and unloading standby generators from trucking company when they arrive to barn/shop.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

I bought a 28 hp Massey 1529 this year after running into the same problems you did last winter plowing with my Polaris Sportsman. Once the snowbanks get too high you are stuck without something with a FEL. I have forks, a 5' brush hog and a back blade and have no problem running all of them with the 1529. The tractor makes 22 PTO HP and is plenty to cut 4' high grass in the woods without slowing down. I have 20 acres in mid-Michigan and probably use my tractor about the same way you plan to use yours. I think you would be happy with any of your choices since you probably won't be using the tractor very hard like I do.

 

[Tractorrr]

Oh I read that wrong sorry. So I think the 2650 should be good then.

 

[catskinner]

Going to the higher hp tractor will help in the FEL handling, which it sounds like it will be used the most.

 

[HEC]

I have the new B2650 w/cab and I do like it very much . I have always had an open cab for winter use up untill now and it does get cold . I had a L235 kubota with the same HP as the 2650 and that worked great with a tiller, front end loader , working in our wood lot etc. . If you can go cab and front blower, go that route and you will be well pleased . Just remember the cab will be a hindrance if you are working around trees etc.. Be sure and check the weight limit on the loader to be sure it can lift the items you need to work with . I don't believe the upgrade to the 3350 is needed at all or I would have done it .

 

[stoyan79]

B series would be perfect for a 5 acre property. B series is great because it has mid PTO, so you can have a mower mounted underneath the tractor.
L series is bigger and not much more expensive, definitely check prices on L and compare!
When I went to the dealer to buy a B years ago, I ended up bringing a much larger and more powerful L for $500 more. L series does not have mid PTO, so your cutter has to be behind the tractor.
I would get as much HP as you can afford, price as many models as possible as some models are only few hundred bucks more than smaller units.
Definitely get a FEL. HST on CUTs are also highly recommended.

See if you can get the older models which had no DPF. I really like L3800.

 

[brightideas]

Thanks for all of the replies so far. Because of the emissions standards there is a pretty big price jump from 2650 to 3350 in the b series, but the last thing I want is to wish I had more power. Still not sure on which way to go for snow removal.

 

[stoyan79]

Find the older models which have no DPF, L3800 is one. These would offer most HP for the money.
Go on TractorHouse.com and search.
Call all Kubota dealers within 50 mile radius (at least).
Cheapest way to clean snow is with 3 point blade, Tractor Supply has them for few hundred bucks. Can always upgrade later to better attachments.