B3030 arrival

[Stef]

I forgot to talk about a major difference between BX23 and B3030 that I've found today.

I tried the BH75 backhoe... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif GOD!!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif This is so different than a BT600. The reach of it and the power. The feeling you have when you dig in compacted dirt with a BH75 is like digging in ice cream. It's so smooth. And what about 180º swing. I'm used to 140º with the BT600. 40º is a HUGE difference. But there's a big difference between a BH75 and a BT600. On a BX23 you can't touch the stabilizers with the bucket (unless you buy a 24" bucket /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif). On a BH75 you can touch the stabilizers with the bucket and the tiny step next to the stabilizer cylinder (right side when you use the bh) with the boom because of the boom lock pin (not exactly the pin itself because you remove it to use the backhoe but the loop welded on the boom to retain the pin). This is the first thing I did before digging with it. I searched for possible contact points. That way I'm sure not to do it in the heat of the action.

The LA403 loader is faster than I thought. Even at idle you can easily and rapidly move the bucket to place it on a trailer for exemple.

The "must have" equipment:

The tilt steering is conveniently located near the left foot (it's a pedal, brilliant).

The telescopic stabilizers greatly speeds up the procedure for hooking implements. No more time lost dilly-dallying with implements. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The deluxe high-back seat is OK. But the armrests and the parallel-link suspension are great (I'd prefer air suspension seat but we're not talking about the same price).

The 3PH position control is a revelation for me. I'm used with the BX23 to move the lever fully up or fully down (up, down, up... down, up a bit, oups, down a bit, oups... ahh f%$?) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif . Position control is great. You have full control over the hitch and it's easier to hook up implements.

That's it for now. I don't want to give a false impression. I loved my BX23. It's a great tractor. I just found something else. If I'd need a second tractor (let's say... for my wife) I'd go and get another BX anytime. I'm glad that I learned the basics with a BX23. Last year at that time I was a complete ignorant about tractors. It was a good thing that I got a BX. I made every mistakes a beginner could do (let's say for instance to stuck it in mud half wheels after only half an hour). As a beginner I was thinking that a 4wd could go anywhere anytime... bizzzzz... wrong answer. You do it only once (I was lucky, with a BX23 you have a FEL and a backhoe to help you).

Enjoy the pics... As I said, I did it for you guys (ok... and for me too). /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[shoppintractors]

<font color="blue"> If I'd need a second tractor (let's say... for my wife) I'd go and get another BX anytime. </font>

Then we could call you HenroII. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Oh wait /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif, I don't know if Henro let's his wife near his tractors.

Very nice set-up! Congratulations on the arrival.

Don

 

[cmhyland]

Do yourself a favor and get some replacement wheels
for the ones on the first pic.... They run about 6 bucks
and I go through at least 1 a year... seem to catch
on stuff and break.

Regards,
Chris

 

[DaMadman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Ok, I wasn't too happy to learn this one. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif To move the MMM, you need the 3PH. When I received the tractor it was equipped with the loader backhoe and MMM. I decided to remove the mower but I learned fast enough that to lower the mower you need the hitch so the step one wasn't to remove the mower but the backhoe and the mower and than put back the backhoe. Wow, so much for a "performance match". But it's OK. Now that I know that I'll plan what to do first. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Here's a pic of that discovery. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif )</font>

Stef Idunno what this is talking about but you should not have to take the BH off to remove the MMM or to use the MMM as far as I know.
May be I am wrong and someone will correct me but I don't think you have to lose the BH to use or remove the MMM

 

[milkman]

Check out pic #7, the orange piece in the circle is the part that lifts the mower, the lift arms are the part that engages these orange pieces and lift the mower when the TPH arms are raised.

 

[ronjhall]

That's very similar to my B2910. I can not raise or lower the 3PH when the BH is on. I thought the BH75 would allow the 3PH to still operate when it is on.
Dose having the BH on shut the 3PH off?
In your picture, the pin that is at the bottom of left <font color="green"> green </font> circle seems to get lost on my tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I have a couple of spares to use until I find the one that is missing. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Stef]

Henro, I don't know what you are looking for exactly. I took 5 pics of the controls and floor.

Here's the first

 

[Stef]

Left side, no clutch on the floor.

The tilt steering pedal is right in the middle of the picture (white shiny thing).

 

[Stef]

Right side: 3PH position control, cruise control, 2wd/4wd and (top center) the black plastic cover where the auxiliary valves are suppose to be. I don't have a 3PH TnT yet so I'll wait next fall to install the auxiliary valves for the snowblower.

 

[Stef]

Left side.

Here we have: range gear shift selector, PTO selector and hydraulic PTO clutch lever.

 

[Stef]

The last one is a view from the operator's seat.

 

[Stef]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> Also, I noticed from your profile that you got pallet forks. I got a price for the ATI fork for skid steer QA, which I'm getting from ATI, but they want what seems like a lot of money, some $966, for forks with frame that weigh 224 lbs. They may be over-designed for what I can use, since the LA403 only has an 800 lbs lifting capacity. Did you get the Kubota forks? How much did they cost and weigh? </font> )</font>

Rolando

About forks...

Yes, I bought Kubota forks. I don't have it home yet because I'm waiting for the quick-attach to come in. It's easier to unload that way. A Kubota QA is 230$ (the suggested retail price of an ATI QA is 585$; I got this price directly from ATI). A Kubota pallet fork frame with tines is around 770$ and about weight: frame is 145 lbs and tines are: 154 lbs; for a total of 299 lbs. IMO, 300 lbs for forks means it's light duty. It's enough for my needs anyways. Keep in mind that a LA403 lift capacity is 882 lbs when fully raised. The important thing with a pallet forks is that you can lift the pallet enough to move it. A LA403 has a lift capacity of 1025 lbs (20" forward, 59" height). The breakout force at 20" forward is 1690 lbs and the bucket roll-back force at ground level is 2287 lbs. So in my mind, 1000 lbs should be OK. But if your goal is to raise a pallet 84.6" in the air, you should stick with a limit of 882 lbs.

It cost me 1000$ for a Kubota QA and forks. I looked at ATI products but 585$ for a QA only was excessive. It's for my personnal needs so 1000$ is more than enough.

 

[Rolando]

Thanks Stef, I guess the ATI prices aren't so outrageous after all. The difference in price between the Kubota and ATI QA's is because the ATI is skid steer compatible while the Kubota is a proprietary pin type.

I agree with your point on the forks being light-duty, but then in the scheme of things, the LA403 is a light-duty loader, so light-duty forks are appropriate.

I wish the loader had a higher capacity, but I'm not willing to give up the lighter weight of the 3030 for a stronger loader (my long term need is going to be mowing) so I'm satisfied with my choice.

 

[Henro]

Stef,

Thanks for taking the time to post the photos of the controls and floor...

I was surprised to see that silver thing (steering wheel adjust release) on the floor. And I assume the parking brake set lever next to the key. Had it been me, I would have switched the functions and put the parking brake set lever on the floor like the BX has. I set the position of my steering wheel once on my B2910 when it was delivered and forgot about it...For some reason I like foot operation better than the hand lever for the parking brake. Probably because when I push hard on the brake pedal on a hill, when I bend forward to set the brake, I slide back in the seat...

The cruise control on the B3030 sure is nice being out of the way like that. With the B2910 when I twist and look back to the left side, I always push the cruise control lever with my hip, and that causes the hst pedal to resist going down in the reverse direction. I like the B3030 better in this respect.

Only two speed ranges? With our hills I doubt I would like that. I generally keep my B2910 in mid range, and shift to low range when needed. I rarely use high range...and find low range too low to want to use it when grunt power is not needed. I would miss having the mid range gear selection...I notice with my BX I tend to keep it in low range, again probably because of our hills.

I see there are no detents in the slot for the PTO engage lever. How do you find it works when it engages? Are you able to feather it so it comes in smooth similar to what you could do with a foot clutch? Or does it come on with a jerk/suddenly perhaps similar to your experience with your former BX? Don't think there is an issue here, just curiosity...

Thanks again for the photos. They certainly give those of us who have the B2910/2710/7800 a feel for how the B3030 operator's station differs...

 

[bowhunter3030]

Henro, it has 3 speed ranges. The angle of the lever covers up the M in Stef"s picture. I learned something the other night about the cruise control. I got off the tractor, while it was running, and my jacket got hung up on the cruise lever. The tractor started moving towards my garage door. I got it stopped about 6" from the door. I won't make the same mistake twice.

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue">Henro, it has 3 speed ranges. The angle of the lever covers up the M in Stef"s picture. </font>

That's good to hear. I thought that might be the case...but got thrown off because my range selector has a "N" position on both sides of the middle range position... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Stef]

Henro,

I use the steering wheel tilt pedal all the time. It's very convenient. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I'm sorry for the pic. As Bow said it has 3 speed ranges. Since I'm able to start the tractor when it's geared it doesn't bother me to have only one neutral. On a BX23, you must be on neutral to start the engine (that's a major point that I dislike the most about BX).

So far, I've used the mid pto only (MMM). All I can say is when I engage it slowly it's very smooth (if I engage it rapidly the engine doesn't stall but it slows down a great deal for a second). I'll be able to give you a better appreciation when I'll use a PHD or a tiller. In fact, BX and B3030 hydraulic PTO clutches are very similar. And yes, there's a detent but it's smaller than the one on a BX. It gives more room to slip the clutch.

 

[Stef]

bowhunter3030,

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> my jacket got hung up on the cruise lever </font> )</font>

Thanks for the info about the cruise control, I'll try to avoid that kind of bad luck.

 

[1999cobra]

WOW - a picture is truly worth a thousand words and therein is why I won't buy a BX23 - look at how much SMALLER that unit is next to the 3030 - My God...!!!

The BX is really a Lawn tractor fer sure'

 

[Wall]

Be careful when you use the cruise control. I was using mine mowing one day and did not get the lever all the way back to the off position. I was using the foot pedal and when I let off the pedal the tractor kept moving, about hit the fence. The cruise dash light was on but I was looking to the back at the rear mower. Pick you spots to use the cruise and always be aware that it is on.