Advice for a Potential Buyer of B3200

[RJPINMICH]

I am seriously considering buying a B3200 for general utility use on my 25-acre property (not a farm) - for plowing snow, hauling wood, brush cutting, mowing, etc. From what I can tell this tractor is adequate for my needs and it is the one I most prefer in this size/category.

My only question is whether or not I should buy a little more tractor (I have looked at the Farmall 35b, for instance), for the sake of giving myself a little more PTO hp, hydraulic output for implements, and drawing capacity. Perhaps I won't need more than what the 3200 has, but I hope to have this tractor for a long time and want to cover future exigencies.

I would be very grateful if folks on this site who have experience with a 3200 can let me know what they think. In particular, how have you found it with running things like a logsplitter? How well does it power something like a brush hog (do you have to go too slowly, or throttle it up really high?)? How have you found it towing something out of a ditch? In other words, what is your experience with this tractor in doing things that might come more easily with a higher PTO/hydraulic power tractor, or a tractor with more weight (the 3200 is relatively light, even in its class, so weight is a concern).

Again, thanks so much for any insight.

 

[jeff9366]

Also consider the Kubota B3300SU tractor/loader package. If the components are agreeable to you, the B3300SU will save you approximately $1,500 dollars over the price of assembling same components on a B3200.

I do not own a log splitter. I pulled a King Kutter 48" rotary cutter in HST/MED easily. I acquired the KK used. The B3300SU is now pulling a 72" Bush Hog Squeeler, without issue, says the new owner. Also pulled a Howse 16/18" disc harrow in HST/MED and a 60" rollover box blade in HST/LOW/MED. All this with industrial tires - R4s.

Where I live in Florida we never have mud. Soil is sandy-loam and we are over the aquifer. One hour after a heavy rain the soil is moist but not muddy. Traction was very rarely an issue. The front/rear balance is perfect on the B3300SU.

On my new L3560, with LA804 FEL and L2296 heavy duty, round back bucket, the weight distribution is more forward, so I need an implement on the three point hitch most of the time.

B3300SU was very capable. After two years and 400 hours I decided I was working B3300SU at max at little too much as I became experienced and should have a heavier tractor. The L3560 is more capable but much bigger/less maneuverable.

B3200/B3300SU is a really good size tractor to learn on. During the first year I was glad my Kubota dealer is only six miles from the house, so I could drop in to ask questions about tractor technique and implement recommendations.

(Take a look at 120 volt electric powered log splitters rather than tractor mounted. Cheaper ($300 total cost) and less complicated.)

B3300SU LINK TO T-B-N ARCHIVE:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1234685

 

[AStanton]

I own a B3030. If I were in your shoes, I would buy something in the L series. The extra weight and power will always come in handy on 25 acres. I would also advise you to foam your rear tires if you wanted them loaded. Beet juice is fine, but you can still get flats and have to maintain air pressure.

 

[RJPINMICH]

Thank you, Jeff9366 - especially for the photos.

I looked at the 3300, though as I remember it didn't come with a mid-PTO, which was an issue for us. But I will take another look.

I take it from your photo of dragging that log that you found the tractor to be adequate for drawing capacity. I live in an area that gets a good bit of snow, so I would like to be able to drag a car out of snowbank, etc. This is why weight is a concern for me (though with the loader and with an implement, this helps obviously).

Thanks AStanton, appreciate the advice. I grew up in central CT, btw.

 

[kuboman]

If tight quarter maneuverability is not an issue for you I would consider a L. The 3200 has lots of power but I find it light to really use the hp. I hang 800 lbs on the 3 point for loader work. An L 3800 for example give you a lot more pulling power but you don't give up much maneuverability. Or if you want go to the smaller grand L's. But the b3200 is very capable and has ample pto hp.

 

[easygo]

I have been running a B7800 (same size as B3200) for four years and it has been a good machine. I use it mow grass, till garden, split wood (6 cords/year), snowblower, skidding firewood, landscape driveway and MANY other random tasks. The tractor is a bit big for mowing my 2 acres and a tilling the garden but it is a bit small for yarding firewood. If I wanted to pull 18' long 24" diameter logs for my sawmill all the time I would buy a much larger tractor, but I don't do that. That is what a good neighbor and his skidder are for. I can get everything done, but I must do it in ways without abusing the tractor.

I would say you might want to consider an L or Grand L, but you should give some more details on what exactly you want to do.

 

[devildog1]

I owned a B3200TLB and it was a great tractor, lots of power but light on actual weight. Never had an issue with it doing chores, loader , finish mowing with a 72" woods behind it, although I could at times feel the Woods sway the rear on small grades. I now have a L3540 Grand L and when I say there is a world of difference would be an understatement. I don't really know that the Woods is behind me at all, the 724 loader will pick up a full bucket of soil, snow, crushed stone with ease. I run a L2674 three point snow blower to take care of the large amounts of snow, and it works soo easy. That being said because you stated you wanted to have tractor a long time so go the dealer and look at the tractors from the rear that are listed here. Check out the rear axles on both or even the B3300 and you'll see the difference. Then you can make up your mind, best of luck to you.
DevilDog

 

[RJPINMICH]

Thanks again for taking the time for these replies.

Part of the issue, of course, is that I don't know exactly the tasks that I will encounter - I'm trying to project future need and want to be prepared, within reason obviously.

The Grand L is another option. We looked at it and what devildog1 says certainly sounds right given what I saw. Price difference of about 10 grand, which is enough to make me think really carefully!

 

[jeff9366]

I looked at the 3300, though as I remember it didn't come with a mid-PTO, which was an issue for us.

I take it from your photo of dragging that log that you found the tractor to be adequate for drawing capacity. I live in an area that gets a good bit of snow, so I would like to be able to drag a car out of snowbank, etc.

Mid-PTO is an option on B3300SU.

I doubt a B3200/B3300SU would have enough weight/traction to pull anything more than a sub-compact car out of a snowbank.

As I consider further, I am with AStanton: Look at Kubota L3200 HST or L3800 HST, or a Grand L if the money is there; rather than B series. I am pretty sure mid-PTO is an optional for all.

Have you had tractor operating experience? My L3560 with FEL and rear ballast is a big tractor in the woods.

 

[RJPINMICH]

Yes, though by no means am I a veteran or expert, which is why I appreciate hearing from folks on this forum. I have done alot of research on the specs of these tractors, but that's not the same as using them in the real world. I have an old Farmall H (are there any other kind?!), which I like and which has been useful, but it's just getting a little too cranky in cold weather and of course it has other limitations. Time for something more reliable and more versatile. But I love having the H and will almost certainly keep it to tinker with and do some jobs.