B3030 or L3430 or ?

[bill333]

I need to upgrade from my 4WD Ford 1220. I've done a lot of reading on the forum and have narrowed a few things down. Now I'd like to tap into all that great knowledge out there, so instead of me guessing what I need, I thought I'd let you know my primary uses and get some advice...

Here are my primary uses:

1. Bushhog with a 5 foot mower (which I already own) a 6 acre horse pasture approximately 3-4 times per year; grass is not thick and rarely gets to higher than 8 inches. Pasture is quite steep and is also a bit bumpy.

2. Snowplowing 3-4 times per year, snow is typically less than 6 inches but every other year we get 18-24 inches or so.

3. "Touch up" grading of ½ mile long gravel driveway.

4. Some infrequent hauling of unsplit firewood, rocks, topsoil, etc.

5. Infrequent log dragging out of the woods. Now and then I need to turn over a stump.

6. No lawnmowing -- I have a ZTR for my 10 acres of lawn (right now we are using the ZTR for the pasture, which I realize is not a good idea).

I'm thinking of the B3030 or the L3430 (both HST). My early take (and I'm no expert at all) is that the B3030 might be a little too light and the L3430 a bit more than I need...So...

Any suggestions for which I should get? Since where I live there is basically no competition -- prices are the same at all dealers (high!), both models are expensive and the relatively small difference between the two will not be a big factor. (I'm amazed at some of the prices I see people on this forum getting -- here in Virginia, the tractor by itself costs more than what a lot of people seem to be able to get the tractor plus a handful of implements for!)

Specific questions:

1. Will the B3030 handle the 5 foot bushhog (I have a Hardee E60-LT; I don't have the weight but it seems pretty heavy), especially on the hills?
2. Stability of the B3030 on the hills? I'm careful about mowing up and down, but I need to get into the pasture, which is on a somewhat steep hillside. Will the wheel extensions help?
3. Any tire suggestions? I'd estimate that I'd be 80% of the time off the lawn, but now and then will need to do something in the yard.
4. For snow, is it better to use a front blade, or keep the bucket on the front to move mounds of snow and use a rear blade for plowing?


Accessories...there seem to be a lot of things that I read about but that my dealer is clueless about (e.g. quick detach bucket, seat upgrade, etc). What have people found to be really helpful implements? I was thinking of:

1. Front end loader with tooth bar
2. 5 foot rear blade.
3. grapple hook???

I'm open to other brands as well, but have heard such good things about the Kubotas.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated!

Bill

 

[Toolguy]

If there is not much of a price difference get the L3430. It will handle the brush hog better and maybe ride better on the bumps. It should also be more stable on the hills. I have a B3030 and believe it will do all of the tasks you mentioned but, for a small price difference, bigger is usually better. If you were going to mow lawns with it the B3030 would win due to the lighter weight. For tires you might consider turfs. They work best in snow and have a lot of traction on dry ground. They also ride the best. For snow, I considered a front blade but thought I would try a year with just the rear blade and loader. I am glad I did. That combination works best all around. For your average 6" snowfall the rear blade is great. For moving piles the loader works fine. If you get the L3430 a 7' rear blade would be just right. I have a 6' RB on my B3030 and it handles any 6" to 10" snowfall with ease. Good luck.

 

[crbr]

If there is not much of a price difference get the L3430. It will handle the brush hog better and maybe ride better on the bumps. It should also be more stable on the hills. I have a B3030 and believe it will do all of the tasks you mentioned but, for a small price difference, bigger is usually better. If you were going to mow lawns with it the B3030 would win due to the lighter weight. For tires you might consider turfs. They work best in snow and have a lot of traction on dry ground. They also ride the best. For snow, I considered a front blade but thought I would try a year with just the rear blade and loader. I am glad I did. That combination works best all around. For your average 6" snowfall the rear blade is great. For moving piles the loader works fine. If you get the L3430 a 7' rear blade would be just right. I have a 6' RB on my B3030 and it handles any 6" to 10" snowfall with ease. Good luck.

Well said. I vote L3430...

:tiphat:

 

[bradv42]

Having also owned the Ford 1210 product of simular size- back in the mid-80's, I can say for sure that I know where you are coming from. My vote would be based on the terrain that you are brush hogging. If you are touching up a pasture with some areas of higher grass the B3030 should be a nice help. If your terrain is much more uneven the L3430 would be the choice. I agree with the recommendation above that a 5 ft blade is a bit small, but combined with your FEL should be more than enough to handle 99% of your snow removal needs perfectly and only be a challenge for the other 1%, based on your location.
My thoughts on the tires, if you are going to be off your lawn 80% of the time the R4's might be the best choice. It is funny for me to make that recommendation as I have had 4 CUT's and only specified turf tires but my needs are different. The turf tires offer what I feel is good all round traction, but the R4's may be a bit tougher for your off lawn experience. You are heading down the right track!

 

[art]

The L-series with industrial tires will be wider then your mower.

 

[bill333]

hmm..hadn't thought about that. Are the turf tires really okay in the snow, and, say, leaves in the woods?

 

[WayneW]

hmm..hadn't thought about that. Are the turf tires really okay in the snow, and, say, leaves in the woods?

The turfs are better than ok in the snow. There have been some prior posts about this here, most recently comparing R4 to turfs in snow. In my opinion, turfs are the best choice over R4 and Ag for snow (and ice) traction. (I believe that the nice, soft rubber compound contributes to this) And you always have the option on putting on chains if you need to.

Leaves (especially wet ones) in the woods, would be another matter. Or wet sod/dirt. The turfs get clogged pretty easily and turn into slicks. For woods travel, I'd take R4s.

 

[Nik]

Having owned a B2410 and having used a L3710 to brushhog, I would take the larger tractor for these duties. The ride on my brother's L3710 is less bumpy than the B2410. I used to own a Massey 1233 for brushcutting 15 acres. Thisi is the same size as the B3030. The ride with the L series to brushcut is clearly more comfortable than the smaller tractors and may allow you to go faster. I would go with the L3430.

 

[IslandTractor]

I think all the points about advantages of the L are correct but with the tasks being to bush hog 6 acres four times a year it seems a bit much to make the decision based on that point. I do that with a 20hp tractor no sweat. The B would certainly have no trouble with any of the tasks and I presume is a bit less money. It also gives you the option of getting rid of the ZTR whereas the L is a bit hefty to be lawn mowing.

 

[bill333]

thanks to everyone for their help. I've been doing a lot of reading on the forum, and as is always the case it seems, the more I learn the more confusing the decision gets...

Now I read about the 3240, and am wondering if I should throw that in the mix. Any thoughts on the differences between the 3240 and the 3430? Am I correct that the 3240 is the replacement for the 3130, but with the same approx engine as the 3430?

I don' think I'll ever mow with this, too many trees and hills, etc. The ZTR is perfect (it used to take 10 hours to mow the 10 acres with a finish mower on a big Ford tractor, and then it needed about 3 more hours of cleanup with a small mower; now we can do the entire 10 acres in 6 hours with the ZTR).

But I understand the advice about not making the decision based on just my infrequent bushhogging (although I couldn't imagine putting my 5 foot MD cutter on a 20 hp tractor!).

Does anyone think rear weights would be needed for a 3240 or a 3430?

Thanks to all...