B3030 vs JD 2520 - Which one?

[Lindy]

I'd go with the 3030 and try to get a cab with it. They sold last year in Kansas for $18,950, cab and tractor only, with heat and ac. A co worker bought one and he loves it. He got a loader as well but don't know what his final price was.

I'd love to do that, but again the price just gets too high by the time I add in a FEL and MMM. I'm a little concerned about garage space with the cab, too. My garage door is pretty low, so I'll probably have to use the folding ROPS to get the thing in there as it is.

There's a nice looking B3030 on ebay right now in Canastota, NY, which isn't too far from me. It's a B3030 HSDC with FEL and MMM, 338 hrs. Currently at $15.4k.

 

[Lindy]

The B3030 will run a 72" MMM. With 6 acres of grass to cut, I'd be looking at the big deck.

Good point, Renob. Couple of reasons I'm leaning towards the 60" MMM over the 72" -- maneuverability, scalping on ridges and uneven spots that I haven't cleaned up yet, getting the thing into my garage next to the car, and (again) $$$. But your point is taken.

 

[teeravis1]

Lindy - Here is the thread on the B3030 vibration Killer_B was talking about. I've had a B3030 for 1.5 years and put 108 hours on it and have no issues with it - I love it. I don't feel any vibration in mine at all. The only issue with mine is I have the old seat which is a crappy seat, however you will not have this problem with a new one because Kubota has replaced the crappy seat with a good one now. So you can make your own assumption and hear more opinions on the B3030 Vibration, I attached the thread below that talked about it. Enjoy your Shopping!

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...oard-vibration.html?highlight=B3030+Vibration

 

[lawn_king]

Ha! True. But it's gotta be better than the current 3 hours of slamming and pounding I'm taking on the 4 wheeler right now. Man, once those snowbanks settle in, it's almost impossible to move them with that little thing.

Couple things regarding a front snowblower:
1. Are they maneuverable enough to clean out the tight spots?
2. Don't you miss the ability to scoop & pile?
3. Those things are awfully expensive

I think the front mounts are more maneuverable than the rear. From the description of the driveway/land low spots, drifting snow, you will be doing lots of blowing. When you want to do fel work, you drop the snowblower & mount up the fel, with practice you can do it in 15 minutes, perhaps less. As far as expense, well nothing i can do for you there. Figure the time & fuel traveling to the chiropractor, and your health insurence my not cover the visit?

 

[Ductape]

I'll go ahead and throw my 2 cents in. Get the cab model, and skip the $$$$ belly mower. The few grand you save between the factory belly mower and a RFM will pay for at least half the cost of the cab !

 

[lawn_king]

I have to agree with ductape on the cab. That driveway is 500 ft. long, so its at least 5000 sq.ft. If he orders that tractor he should get the remote fel control, its far superior & way more comfortable to operate than the standard joystick. No rattle what so ever, at any rpm.

 

[sunnyside360]

I was in the same predicament about a year ago. It boiled down to either the B3030HSDC or JD 3520 Cab. After driving both I went with the JD 3720 mainly because the cab was so much quieter -- 3720 instead of 3520 because the dealer had it on the lot and gave me an unbelievable deal. I really liked the B3030HSDC except for the excessive vibration and noise in the cab.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Another option would be to buy a B2630 since you aren't interested in a 72" mower deck. The difference in price between that, and a B3030 would buy you a Curtis, or aftermarket cab for winter use. I'm not sure why the JD2520 is regarded as powerful, while the B2630 is not, and it does have a very smooth 3 cylinder engine. The JD does offer a little more torque, but not the lifting capacity, nice 3pt, powerful backhoe options, etc., etc. It is possible that the new B2920 due out will be enough less to put a front mounted snowblower, and aftermarket cab well within your budget....... just more random thoughts since I am in the same process.

 

[AKKubota]

I'm in the same market. My understanding is that, while they don't rub, the 3030 tires ar a tight fit - particularly when considering chains. I'm leaning towards the 3030.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I guess that the turfs seem to be the tightest fit, but my dealer tells me that wheel spacers are available for the large B series tractors. The spacers provide more stability, and room for chains.