Advice for a Potential Buyer of B3200

RJPINMICH · Feb 7, 2014

I guess the question is, how valuable is having a mid-PTO to me? Basically, I can trade it for the weight that I want, and get an L3200. If others have time, I'd love to know what opinion is on the need for a mid. Maybe I just value having one too highly?

k0ua · Feb 7, 2014

RJPINMICH said:
I guess the question is, how valuable is having a mid-PTO to me? Basically, I can trade it for the weight that I want, and get an L3200. If others have time, I'd love to know what opinion is on the need for a mid. Maybe I just value having one too highly?

I had one on the the B7500 and never used it. When I mowed 7 acres, I had a great 3pt mower, and I preferred it because I could back under the trees with it and not have to trim them. Each to their own, but I don't like MMM because they are more trouble to take off, and a 3pt mower is extremely easy to take off. Also a MMM must be taken off to use the tractor for anything else, to gain ground clearance. I could add the front PTO option to my tractor, but I haven't bothered to do it. A MMM is for a dedicated lawn care tractor, in my opinion. But I am sure others will have other opinions.

In bigtime snow country, perhaps a front PTO would be good for a blower.

s219 · Feb 7, 2014

Never used the mid PTO on my B2920, thus I had no qualms about the lack of mid PTO on the L3200. I do think it's good to plan ahead with some features, but if you want to cover every possible future use, that's going to be tough without increasing your budget.

JRL305 · Feb 7, 2014

I bought my B3200 used so I ended up with the mid PTO. I don't have much level ground on our 47+ acres so I use a rider mower for that. I installed a Pirhana Tooth Bar on the FEL to clear brush and move dirt around. My rear tires are loaded and I've used the 4wd and the rear lock a lot on our steep terrain. My neighbor has a B3300 and there's not much difference except the 3200 doesn't have a step. The holes are there and the step is cheap to add later if you're an old fart like me. I've got no complaints about my tractor and have put on over 30 hours on it in the couple of months I've had it. It had 43 hours on it and I got it for a decent price and it does everything I need it for.

s219 · Feb 7, 2014

B3300 has bigger tires and is higher off the ground -- hence the step on that model.

Verticaltrx · Feb 8, 2014

I have a B3200 and my parents have a L3200, so I have a good bit of experience with both. If I had 25ac and I were to only have one tractor, I'd go with the L3200. It's just a little bigger, heavier and smoother riding in the field, it will pull more and lift a little bit more as well. That said, I wouldn't give up my B3200 for anything, it's a great little tractor and with about 620hrs on it now I have almost no complaints. I have larger tractors and a skid steer, so I wanted something small, lightweight and versatile, which the B3200 is. For use in an around the barns, finish grading and seeding, misc tasks around the farmstead, I think its a great little unit. The B3200 is light enough that it can scoot across some very soft ground without getting stuck, and with R1 tires it will go up some incredibly steep hills as well. For work in the woods or lots of field work the L3200 shines.

Neither one is going to run a wood splitter very well, if you don't have plenty of hydraulic flow they are dreadfully slow. We have a 3pt hitch wood splitter and use it on 40-50hp utility tractors with 12-13gpm hydraulics, and it is still slower than an engine driven splitter.

I also wouldn't worry about the mid-PTO. Unless you have a specific need for it I think you are over (or under) buying just to get a feature you may never use. Unless you have a tractor dedicated to running a mid-mount mower, or a snow blower in the winter, I'd skip the mid-PTO altogether.

Bottom line the L3200 is probably a little better for your situation, but I don't think you'd go wrong with a B3200 either.

JRL305 · Feb 8, 2014

I meant to add about a log splitter before. If you shop around, you can find a decent gas powered log splitter that has a ball type trailer hitch that you can pull out when you need it. I found a 37 ton splitter on eBay a few years ago that was cheaper than a 25 ton at any of the local stores. I had to put it together but I can roll it out of the shop by hand or tow it with the atv. The wheels and bearings make it road worthy also. I usually just bring a load of cut up logs in the FEL to the to the shop and split/stack them there.

RJPINMICH · Feb 9, 2014

Thanks for helping me think through this. Following some of the advice here, I've been out looking at other options as well. We looked at the Kioti CK35 HST yesterday. I had never even heard of them, but I have to say I was impressed - alot comes with that tractor (even a mid PTO option, though they don't even make an MMM for it), and the weight is there too. I see on this site that there are many Kioti vs. Kunota threads so I don't want to ignite that over here. The Kioti dealer is much newer and less established, has a smaller operation, etc. - and that is the main thing that makes me a little nervous. Makes me wonder if he'll be in business next year ...

TripleR · Feb 9, 2014

RJPINMICH said:
Thanks for helping me think through this. Following some of the advice here, I've been out looking at other options as well. We looked at the Kioti CK35 HST yesterday. I had never even heard of them, but I have to say I was impressed - alot comes with that tractor (even a mid PTO option, though they don't even make an MMM for it), and the weight is there too. I see on this site that there are many Kioti vs. Kunota threads so I don't want to ignite that over here. The Kioti dealer is much newer and less established, has a smaller operation, etc. - and that is the main thing that makes me a little nervous. Makes me wonder if he'll be in business next year ...

The dealer network issues have been discussed here before and is not new to Kioti owners. I think they are getting better, but are lacking in my area. My brother is a mechanic, so it is unlikely his Kioti will ever see a dealership gain, so he bought his out of state. He has a truck, trailer combination for easy transport and thinks nothing of hauling tractors and equipment around.

This can be the case with Kubota and others as well, we have a Kubota, Massey Ferguson and John Deere dealership in our area with which I won't do business.

jeff9366 · Feb 9, 2014

RJPINMICH said:
The Kioti dealer is much newer and less established, has a smaller operation, etc. - and that is the main thing that makes me a little nervous. Makes me wonder if he'll be in business next year ...

I have a Kubota. But I must say, Kioti is growing very fast and enjoys an excellent reputation on T-B-N. If the Kioti dealer has a good mechanic it is probable it will be a larger operation in future years.

My bustling Kubota dealer is a two man operation. Owner/manager and excellent mechanic. Always glad to see me. Always has time. Quick tractor maintenance.

Its not The Iron, it is the motivation and training of The People.

The next thing you need to research are Three Point Hitch mounted Finish Mowers:

http://www.everythingattachments.com/Tractor-Finishing-Mowers-Grooming-Mowers-Finish-mower-s/242.htm

http://iowafarmequipment.com/tractor-skidsteer-boom-disc-flail-zeroturn-mowers.html

k0ua said:
I don't like MMM because they are more trouble to take off, and a 3pt mower is extremely easy to take off. Also a MMM must be taken off to use the tractor for anything else, to gain ground clearance. A MMM is for a dedicated lawn care tractor, in my opinion.