Anybody Bought a NEW 3200 YET???

[MessickFarmEqu]

I don't know that I buy that argument. The true TLB's all have the single seat design, and the boom tighter to the rear of the tractor, and they still have the 180* swing built in to them.

While thats true, they are also much larger machines with more weight out front to balance the weight in the back. There are other desgin choices in the backhoe specificly ment to bring the boom in tight to the tractor, the way the 3pt mounts specificly. These guys are nuts about balance and weight distribution as it does make a big difference in how the machine feels when operating. If you want to see the other side of the coin, look at a Woods BH80X on a B-series tractor.

 

[bandit67]

If you want to see the other side of the coin, look at a Woods BH80X on a B-series tractor.

That's exactly why I went with the BH75 over the BH80X - I preferred the boom being tighter in to the machine for the balance and angle of departure issues, while still getting the 180* boom swing.

As I said, I think it's really a matter of cost, more than anything, on these new standard B's as far as only being able to get 150* boom swing. My B3030 can't be that much heavier in the front than the B3200 (it may be even a bit lighter), but I only have a light front end while occasionally climbing a bumpy hill with an empty FEL while the backhoe is attached. A little more steel in the back and a little more steel in the front would have gotten the extra inch or two of clearance to get the 180* swing on the standard B's. So it would make sense that cost savings drove the design decision to just stick with the 150* swing.

And although at times, I cursed Kubota's extensive offerings in the B lineup while researching, I appreciate that it increases the likelihood that many of us can get a machine that we feel is the 'best' suited to our needs. So we can mull over those 'minor' issues, such as 150* vs 180* boom swing. Gotta be tough on the dealers trying to sell to the 'less informed' customers, though.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I'm with you on this one Bandit! Neil, I sure appreciate all the information you have shared since I've been here, but the salesman in you is coming out a bit on this one. I love it though, and that's what keeps things interesing. I think that Kubota has it's reasons for limiting the swing, money, and less chance of a new operator getting himself in trouble maybe, but it is not because they couuldn't keep the backhoe close, and still have 180 degrees of swing. Of course, you could be right, and that is probably what Kubota is saying at sales meetings, but I'm not buying it either. I worked on production prototypes with engineers too long.......

 

[ChuckinNH]

Congratulations on your tractor purchase Rick! We are all anxious to hear how you like the new B3200, and are looking forward to the pictures too of course!

 

[B3200]

Should be delivered this week, the pump for the snow plow blade was backordered till march, so I have to turn the blade manually till then.
I just got done making a counter weight box for the back, that should help in the snow plowing area, we got about 15" in the last couple of days

 

[lawn_king]

I really like the B series machines! Lightweight, compact, powerful and great on fuel. Im in love with my GL 3540, it is however a beast! My next new kubota will be a B series for sure!

 

[rickster]

I looked at a new b3200 today. They said it was the first one that they have received. It had the back hoe . loader with quick release bucket and forks. It was nice cost was $26000 . My sales guy walked up and gave me one of the new kubota hats. My sales guy is great!!

 

[bandit67]

OK, at the risk of offending the new B3200 owners out there, I thought I'd post this anyway. I had a chance to see one up close and personal today.

If it had been available last spring when I bought my B3030, I still would have gone with the B3030. Something that seemed a bit off to me when I was comparing the B2920 to the B3030 was the loader mount, but since the 2920 was a bit smaller, I figured it wasn't too big a deal.

But now that I see the B3200, with similar single plate steel loader frame setup as the smaller standard B's, and considering the FEL capacity is very close to the B3030, I have a bit of a problem with it. That loader has only 1 piece of plate steel welded to the frame bracket, on both sides of the machine. Looking at the amount of steel in both the loader frame attached to the tractor and the loader mount attached to the loader arms, and comparing it to the amount of steel on the B3030 loader setup, I can't help but think that the B3030 FEL should give many more years of trouble free performance, and significantly less chance of twisting of the loader and/or frame.

I just can't see going with the B3200 if the B3030 is only a thousand dollars (or less) more money with all of it's additional features. There's nothing worse than a tweaked FEL, and based on the substantial amount of steel on the B3030 loader compared to that of the B3200, I can't help but wonder what kind of reliability issues we might see on the B3200 FEL in the next couple of years.

I don't know - maybe the B3200 FEL is plenty strong enough, and the B3030 FEL is just way too much overkill in the steel department, but for anyone that can look at the 2 machines side-by-side, I can't imagine going with the B3200 with it being so close in price to the B3030.

Heck, comparing to what rickster saw price wise the other day, I paid that same price for B3030 with FEL, BH75 backhoe, pin-type QA, pallet forks, fender mount joystick, loaded rear tires, upgraded alternator, block heater, and Landpride RB2572.

 

[jambx]

Bandit,

Its always great to read your posts. Your insight is appreciated. I still have yet to see a B3200 up close and personal. I will look at the FEL closely however.

I am still in the throws of my BX upgrade to either a Bx20 or 3200 and I too have a issue with the price difference between the 3200 and 3030 since it is looking that for a little more you get what appears to be a lot more. Kubota just has too much overlap.

I vote they drop the 2920 and stick the 3200 there at the 29s price!

 

[ChuckinNH]

I've been using my B2620 here in New England, and not much abouve sea level ~500 ft, and find the horsepower plenty adequate for my chipper, bush hog, etc. Though it is no where near as popular, I would look closely at the B2630 for $1100 more than the B3200 msrp. The B3030 is around $2400 more though street price might not be that much different since many more dealers stock them. The position control, and nice 3pt hitch are worth that, especially when you factor in the added resale value. Looking at it a different way, my B2620 is $13000, B3200 is $14900, B3030 is $17300. The larger loaders, etc. are also more, of course. Do you want a MMM, backhoe, or snowblower?

Well, my coffee is gone, it's minus 20 degrees outside, and I have some frozen water pipes in my old house so I better get busy.