Advice On First Kubota Purchase

[mopac01]

I've decided I've had enough of my 1942 2N. I have 5 acres with a half dozen scattered trees, a small "stand" of 10-12 trees along a "creek" that only flows when it rains hard, a septic pond and an "ornamental" pond about 2-3 times the size of the septic pond. The 2N was fine for pulling the brush hog when all I had was empty pasture. It pulled a small plow once in a blue moon for my wife's 25'x25' vegetable garden and once a year or so ran a post hole digger. Well, that's when the 2N would start that is. It always seems like I have a problem with it just when I want to use it. I'm tired of spending more time next to it than on it. I want something that "just works."

2 years ago we fenced the property into 3 separate pastures, put up a 36x36 monitor barn (with hay loft) and added 3 horses and a dozen chickens to the mix. The house sits 50' from the road so my gravel driveway is very short at 80' feet or so to the rear of the house. It needs some maintenance from time to time, but not much. I can find uses for the FEL. I've wished I had one on quite a few occasions when getting a load of dirt or gravel out of the back of my F150.

I think I could probably get by with a large B but the L seems so much stouter. The 3800 adds $1,500 to the cost and I'm just not sure if the L3200 isn't already meeting the "figure out the size you need and then go one bigger" maxum.

So I'd like comments on whether for my needs I'd really ever use the extra 5 horses. I don't plan on ever buying another property or another tractor.

I'm considering getting a rear blade, box blade, 5' brush cutter. Any recommendations on specific Land Pride models would also be welcome. I can get a good deal on any of the Land Pride stuff I buy with the tractor.

 

[murphy1244]

I never planned on buying another Tractor either. Now I own 3.

 

[Gary Fowler]

The largest B model is at least 10 HP larger than your 2N IIRC they had 19 HP so I think that a B 2920 or similar would be plenty of tractor for your needs and it would save you a few thousand in initial cost. I am constantly surprised at what my little B 26 TLB does with its 26 engine HP. The B series are nimble enough to get into the smallest of places also.

 

[tractortom55]

I have L3200 2wd gear and tractor has way more power than traction with ag tires. Only regret is pto not live.

 

[wolftree]

mopac01,

You mention needing a 5' brush cutter. To me that says live pto. In order to get live pto you have to get a hydro transmission on the L3200, where live pto is standard on a gear drive L3800. The price between the hydro L3200 and Gear L3800 starts narrowing.

 

[chim]

Welcome aboard. I had a B7500/HST/FEL/R4's for 10 years. I loved everything about it except for occasionally wanting more weight and more horses. It had a Landpride 5' RFM and that was really max for it due to the weight. Last year the B was replaced with an L3200 equipped the same except the L has a 6' Landpride RFM. For me it's ideal. Plenty of power, more comfortable to operate and the FEL is more capable. The front axle on the L series makes the B look more like a lawn mower. My brother-in-law has borrowed both Kubotas and remarked that the L is a lot more beefy. The L3200 breezes along in 3rd range mowing in places where the B7500 struggled.

We have had the original 2-1/2 acres in mostly grass, plus anywhere between 1/2 and 5 acres of additional offsite mowing since building in 1989. We're in the process of prepping for another 1-1/3 acres of grass on an adjoining piece of land we bought. Obstacles include a couple of sheds, some trees, a creek and a few other things. Snow can range from nothing all winter to a few decent snows here. The main driveway is 100 yards long and we have neighbors close enough to drive to and take care of their driveways.

 

[mopac01]

mopac01,

You mention needing a 5' brush cutter. To me that says live pto. In order to get live pto you have to get a hydro transmission on the L3200, where live pto is standard on a gear drive L3800. The price between the hydro L3200 and Gear L3800 starts narrowing.

I had a dealer with only 3800s and no 3200s try to tell me the PTO wasn't live on the 3200 but was on the 3800. When I said I was pretty sure that was correct if he was talking geared tranny but that I thought PTO mechanicals where identical between a 3800 and 3200 with HST he said he'd have to look into that.

I'm not sure a dealer I have to educate on the differences in his offerings is worth dealing with.

 

[mopac01]

mopac01,

You mention needing a 5' brush cutter. To me that says live pto. In order to get live pto you have to get a hydro transmission on the L3200, where live pto is standard on a gear drive L3800. The price between the hydro L3200 and Gear L3800 starts narrowing.

Thanks for that observation. However, I'm sold on the HST for ease of use - particularly as it would make the unit more "approachable" for my wife to use in some of her gardening activities. So I don't want to get 5 horses at the "cost" of forgoing HST

 

[bucktaker]

Welcome aboard, I'd say either will work for you but I would lean towards the larger one as your needs may change later on. Another thought is physical size of the operator. I found a L3200 was too small for me to be comfortable on while bush hogging. I had spent yrs on Ford N's and 600 series and well as my MF35 so I wanted something similar in size. I found a L5740 which is the largest chassis in the compact series and it works for me. Get the FEL you will never know how you got along without it. I have picked up a set of pallet forks and find I use them more than the bucket. Try to find a Tier III machine

Check with Barlows in Somerset KY they seem to be able to beat most local dealers on prices. Lastly ask if they have any "old" stock available around anywhere, That is how I got my L5740 it was brand new but a 08 I bought in Sept 2011....big discount.

 

[jeff9366]

I have 400 hours on Kubota B3300SU, tractor/loader package, largest of the Bs. Very fine machine. Power has been fine but there have been occasions when I wish I had more weight.

The L series are stouter. I think about 600 pounds heavier.

If you can afford it go with L3800/4-WD.

You've keep the Ford operating for 70 years.....the additional $1,800 will be like three cents per week.

With Kubota you will be able to get parts easily until you have worn the L3800 out, probably during the NEXT century.