30 HP Tractor...Which one????

Bob_Skurka · May 2, 2005

KiotiJohn has referred to one a couple times.

Well I will stand corrected, I looked deeper and John stated the MMM is not available for the CK30. I was confused. He was referring to the MMM for the CK20.

But this is what he stated in the same thread when comparing the CK30 to a Kubota. MMM= the Kubota in my book. 

I believe the point to my earlier post holds true, despite my error on the model number on the Kioti. And as the original poster, and the follow up questions were all related to Kubota, it seems like the thread is somewhat derailed. So getting back on point, the B3030 has all the features to make it an excellent machine for the types of work that was orginally asked about, and in comparison to the B7800, the B3030 has some advantages that, while they come at an increased cost, might be worth it over the long life of the tractor, if the owner chooses to place value on things like a more comfortable seat.

carrerascott · May 2, 2005

The dealer I am dealing with told me Kubota changed their financing today to 36mos/0% even for the B-series (not just BX) so glad I didn't buy last week! Looks like with that lowered monthly payment I may just upgrade to the B3030, sounds like it's more worth it than I thought...

cag · May 2, 2005

I have a question here that might be a little off topic, here it goes... Can the B3030 be as productive as the CK30hst I know that weight can be positive for traction but isn't it also true that light weight can also have it's positive side, here's the difference.. CK30FEL 4800 pounds, B3030TLB around 3600 pounds, I know that I should be comparing theCK30 to kubota L series but truly believe that the B series as an advantage here over the CK being light weight.. If I'm wrong here in my assessments can someone point it out to me...cag

Bob_Skurka · May 2, 2005

cag . . . I think your question could honestly be answered with "it depends."

Bear in mind all circumstances are different. I use a B2910 which is larger and heavier than a TC24 which I also use. In wide open spaces, the B2910 is more productive with a loader or box blade. On a lot of my property I don't have wide open spaces so the smaller less powerful TC becomes more productive.

For example, I just transported into my fenced yard about 60 bucket loads of clay to fill an area where I will be pouring a new patio. The area is fairly small, sandwiched between a wall with a protruding natural gas meter/piping, a couple of trees, and a sloped drop off, the gate is about 64" wide(?) and the bucket on the B2910 is a 60" bucket. The B2910 is about a foot and a half longer than the TC24 and the TC24 has a 54" bucket. Now in that area, with that gate, the smaller machine is much more productive to use.

I've found that for many other tasks the two are really pretty similar. For example, both easily handle the PHD with no advantage to either. Both easily handle the tiller, with no advantage to either; however the B2910 could use a larger tiller because it has more HP. Both easily handle the 60" snowblower, I favor the TC simply because it is smaller and gets closer to the house. Both easily handle the spray rig. Both easily handle a spreader.

Now in the case of the CK30 and the B3030 there is no PTO HP difference so PTO powered equipment would be handled pretty equally. I'd give the CK30 an edge for rough rotary cutting because of the added weight. I'd give the B3030 a big edge for finish mowing, especially if a MMM is considered. For loader work, the CK30 clearly has more capacity. The CK30 is a larger machine overall, it won't fit into some of the tight spaces so for close quarter work the B3030 would be more productive. For heavy pulling work, the CK's weight would be a clear advantage.

So lack of weight can be good in the garden when tilling, cultivating, etc where soil compaction is bad. The B3030's light weight is also an advantage for finish mowing. Many tasks are weight neutral. And then some are going to lean toward the CK being more productive due to weight & capacity issues.

Like I said, it depends . . .

Rolando · May 2, 2005

Ron,
Have you thought about getting the ATI skid steer quick attach for the 3030 FEL and welding skid steer plates to all your implements? There's a weight penalty but the cost wouldn't be too bad.

Rolando · May 2, 2005

There's another difference between the B3030 and the 7800/2900 that I don't think has been mentioned here: The mid-PTO is offset, making it a little easier to take the belly mower on and off.

cag · May 3, 2005

Thanks for the reply Bob... Unfortunately both machine are on the BO list, just have time for a quick reply as I'm leaving for the job site thanks again...cag

ronjhall · May 3, 2005

Have you thought about getting the ATI skid steer quick attach for the 3030 FEL and welding skid steer plates to all your implements? 
The cost would be at least $100 each attachment. I have 4 FEL attachments that would need to be modified.
Do you have your ATI quick attach yet? Sure would like to see some pictures of it. What does it weigh? Can it actually use skid steer attachments with a 900 lbs FEL?

ronjhall · May 3, 2005

I have never found that my MMM PTO as hard to hook up. Just do it from rear of tractor.
When I inspected the B3030 the offset mid pto did not look like it would help much on a 72" MMM.

Rolando · May 3, 2005

I don't have the ATI quick attach yet, I'm still waiting on the tractor. At the time I asked, they were in the process of designing the QA for the 403 loader so they weren't sure, but they felt confident it wouldn't weigh more than 80 lbs.

It should look similar to the attached. I'll post a picture of the actual thing once I have it.