My recomendation:
Untill you get to the point of doing ground maintenence, the B3030 and B26 just won't cut it if unless you are thinking typical suburban yard scale kind of stuff.
I actually think we are closer to ground maintenance than I might have conveyed. Our garden efforts have become a major focus now that they are in their 9th year of development. We hand built the entire garden system using a pitch fork, a shovel, a wheel barrel, and the car to drag some larger stones on a plywood raft. All of the rock staircases and pathways are well under way with many more stones to add. It has been a passionate endeavor, but age and loftier ideas have finally dictated the need for some hydraulic assistance.
We want to add a very small pond off the back deck [maybe 10' x 6' in a cloud shape] and tie all of the gardens together with this pond [water feature as the center piece]. Stone placement in the gardens and further tree work down below are part of this plan. I think those types of efforts fall under the description of ground maintenance. I like that term. It seems very appropriate when compared to projects that require larger equipment. Other than further woods clearing efforts to open more field space and our desire to plant some lower growing trees in specific locations to add color and interest while preserving the view, the hiring out looks to be nearing the end.
I did give serious consideration to a different tandem: the
L39 and a Kubota mini excavator. I really love both of those machines. But, my skill level, the time I have available to use this equipment, and the length of time [and the amount of work] we'd truly require the services of two substantial machines such as those made me re-think this decision. Our property can certainly support and justify larger equipment, but our inner conscience would most likely see this as overkill. We're just not at that level as operators.
I think we can tackle most of the remaining projects with a
B26: especially clean-up and tree handling. I also think I am better off bringing in the experts with their larger equipment to do the major woods clearing that still remains. They're so fast, so efficient, and so good at what they do that it seems to be the best bang for the dollar. I typically drop trees while they are here, and they grab and pile them for me. It's a nice workout, and to see them flung into a perfect pile sure makes the effort seem worthwhile.
If I am lucky, Kubota may add a smaller mowing option with a cab and A/C than the
B3030 by time we are able to make that purchase. I certainly do not need a tractor as powerful as the
B3030 to be a mower, primarily. That is overkill, and I wish I could avoid such an elevated expense. But, A/C is something that I would like to enjoy, and, for now, the
B3030 is the smallest option Kubota has to offer.
If they added a cab and A/C to the
BX24, I'd buy that as my lawn mower and be elated with its 60" MMM. That would be awesome.
Any chance any of you see the BX24 or its replacement offering a cab and A/C in the future???
has a big Toro mower such as that. Cuts grass super fine...but here is one thing he and his wife ( that many many times cuts the lawn with it)...found out.