Hilarious. On a local forum where I asked for advice, somebody is trying to explain to me why the B3350 isn't big enough and I should get an L-series...
Buying Advice Overwhelmed by All the Options!
- Thread starter Parkanzky
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Hilarious. On a local forum where I asked for advice, somebody is trying to explain to me why the B3350 isn't big enough and I should get an L-series...
I went to the LS dealer over lunch (It's only 8 miles from here) and he recommended an XR3037H. That tractor with the loader, the mid-PTO and a 68" snowblower (That was incredibly stout looking!) was $28.4k with loaded tires, including taxes and such. Forks add about $700. That's about the same price as the B3350 or the 2032R and this tractor is way more capable. However, it's also bigger and it felt too big to me (remember it has to live in my residential garage and maneuver around the trees in the woods).
Also, the "integration" was poor. The hydrostatic pedals stuck way up from the floor, most of the switches felt junky and their locations seemed like an after-thought. Also, the loader valve is series instead of parallel, so I couldn't lift and tilt the bucket simultaneously. I think that the tractor is capable of doing a ton of work, but I also think it was built to a price-point. I wish I could have that snowblower on the 2032R or the B3350, but I doubt that the smaller tractors are up to throwing that much snow.
MessickFarmEqu
Super Member
generally flails don't require huge amounts of power. gotta remember, the engine HP on these things grows and grows year after year. We often sell way more HP than is really needed in a given size frame.
arrow
Super Member
Small tractors can throw quite a bit of snow with the correct sized blower especially if the small tractor has the same engine that is used in a larger tractor.
rmorey
Platinum Member
Have you considered a pull type blower for the rear. Savings are hugh and it works very well, especially in deeper snow. Then you dont need the mid pto. On my 6' blower, the savings were about $4K!
I think Messicks makes a good point of about HP reqmt's for Flails. My understanding is that the rule of thumb is 4-5 PTO hp for every foot on a Flail. I think the 2032R is rated at 23.5 PTO hp.
John
I've been reading the enormous thread on flails on this forum (I'm to about page 95). I do see the 4 or 5 PTO HP/ft numbers for the flail thrown around pretty often, but then some say that you want more for cutting scrub or brush. I'm looking to use this flail to clear the brush from the small woods we have. It is very thick and overgrown. So I'm reading the thread trying to figure out if the 2032R's 23.5 PTO HP is "good enough," or if a flail mower is even the right tool for that job.
I am also having a really hard time buying a tractor.
I like the control layout and "feel" of the Deere (just my impression/personal preference), and it seems much easier to switch from snowblower to loader and back on that one than on the Kubota. The Deere is also a bit (~$1k) cheaper than the Kubota. Deere's mid-mount mower looks nicer and is easier to put on and off than Kubota's, in case I end up with one of those.
However, the B3350 has 1.5 more engine HP and 3 more PTO HP. The front loader and rear hitch both lift a bit more than the Deere (Although the Deere has a higher breakout force on the loader?). Even though it's a bit of a pain to put the front sub-frame on and off, the Kubota snowblower is 9" wider, which seems like a very good thing.
I know a lot of you guys are reading this and thinking, "It's just a baby tractor! Buy one and be done with it!" But it's hard because I don't have a good feel for what these power levels and capabilities will mean in the real world. If I could buy the 2032R and know that I wouldn't wish I had those extra 3 PTO horse (10% more) or find out that the loader is over-taxed trying to pull reasonably sized logs out of the woods or using the forks to lift random things, then I think my decision would be made.
I did consider them. In this case, it wouldn't save me any money. That's because the tractors I'm considering have mid-PTO standard (and I want mid-PTO in case I ever get a belly mower) and because the pull-type blowers that I've seen cost as much as the front-mount blowers the Kubota and Deere dealer are offering. They do look to be heavier-duty though. Depending on what the tractor has standard, I'd have to add a rear-remote to work the chute rotation. What I'd gain is the ability to leave the loader on during winter, which would be handy. But another disadvantage I was considering is that you have to drive over all the snow you're going to blow. That would be asking a lot of the little tractors I'm considering after a heavy snow because part of my driveway has a steep grade. I also like the idea of having a box scraper on the back to pull snow out of corners.
Good suggestion though. As you can tell from this thread, I have a lot to learn!
varmint
Elite Member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2003
- Messages
- 2,572
- Location
- Northern Maryland
- Tractor
- Kubota B8200, then a Kubota L3130 HST, now a Kubota L3400 HST
I'm no expert, so my opinions are just that, but my impressions of Deere vs. Kubota when I considered which replacement tractor to get this past winter (new Deere's, used Kubotas) were that the Kubotas were generally better quality. Some of the smaller Deere tractors (don't know about the 2032R) seem to use aluminum where some of us believe iron is a better choice, like in the rear end/ three point areas. As for power, less doesn't mean you can't do it, just not as fast. Power equals fuel consumed, another small factor to be considered if you will using it for long hours. In my case, I settled on maybe low power but high weight- 31 HP in a tractor that must weigh over 4600 lbs with attachments. That weight will be your friend in snow and when seeking traction. It took a wee bit to get used to my L3130's hst pedal, but no problem. Unless you have size 14 boots?
TSO
Elite Member
...However, it's also bigger and it felt too big to me (remember it has to live in my residential garage and maneuver around the trees in the woods)...[/QUOTE]
I understand... But, and take it from someone who is on his 4th tractor in 3 years, tractors will shrink within a week of use (pretty common view point on this forum). You may find that you will quickly outgrow an apparently "right sized" tractor.
I personally started with a Kioti CK20. It was a great little tractor but I out grew it. At the same time, my buddy got a B2920, same physical size as the CK20, more HP but less lift than the Kioti. (I'm only pointing that out to reference my experience with this size range). I was amazed at how much I could do with that tractor. However, there was a point where I reached its' weight, size, and power limitations.
It's generally far less expensive in the long run to get the proper sized tractor right from the start. Although, if you get "too small" now, it gives you a reason to tractor shop again soon
I understand... But, and take it from someone who is on his 4th tractor in 3 years, tractors will shrink within a week of use (pretty common view point on this forum). You may find that you will quickly outgrow an apparently "right sized" tractor.
I personally started with a Kioti CK20. It was a great little tractor but I out grew it. At the same time, my buddy got a B2920, same physical size as the CK20, more HP but less lift than the Kioti. (I'm only pointing that out to reference my experience with this size range). I was amazed at how much I could do with that tractor. However, there was a point where I reached its' weight, size, and power limitations.
It's generally far less expensive in the long run to get the proper sized tractor right from the start. Although, if you get "too small" now, it gives you a reason to tractor shop again soon