B3200 first Workout

David Devuono · Mar 4, 2013

I hauled my new B3200 up to camp on the weekend. I knew from loading it on an icy driveway at the dealer that it was not going to be too good in snow\ice. Anyway I made the best of it making sure to clear snow on the down hill runs. Seems the B3200 was not designed for winter work because one of the first times I got off the tractor, wearing a parka, my coat caught the HST Range selector and proceeded to crack the plastic housing rather badly. Next mishap was noticing a black object in the snow. Getting off the tractor I discovered it was the tripod mount for my camera and oh, my pocket was empty. A little digging around and I found my camera, err toast. So no pictures.

The other reason I think they did not design the B3200 for winters is the 30 mm (1.25 in) clearance between the tires and inner fender. Today I started making up some rear tire chains but there is only really room to use 3\16 chain so will see how the small gauge holds up. Also there is so little front tire and only about .5 in clearance on the Tie-rod end, that front chains may not be an option.

Not sure I am liking the Loader control on the Fender, my knee often engages the bucket curl. Without chains, I was constantly using the diff lock and found it requires a bit too much weight shift to be comfortable. I believe it is missing a pad that may make it easier then the curved Rod that is there now.

I brought the bucket home with me and will be bracing the top rail and adding a tow hook for lifting.

creekbend · Mar 4, 2013

Best wishes.

art · Mar 4, 2013

I haven't seen a tractor yet that there hasn't been learning curves! I've fallen nearly flat on my face when exiting tractors from levers up my pant legs as well as loosing a camera! Didn't have the tri-pod to alert me and it was a total loss!

I hope that as time goes on things get better for you! There are wheel spacers available from Kubota that would allow you to use chains. My guess is you have industrial tires? You should check your air pressure, to much air is to hard of a tire and no traction!

David Devuono · Mar 5, 2013

Pic of the B4200 with my Mad max snow pusher and the B3200.

Deano · Mar 5, 2013

Chuckling at "Mad Max" comment!!:laughing:

CanuckPT · Mar 5, 2013

I have a B3300SU & I installed 2" Bro-Tek wheel spacers on the rear so I can use chains in the future if I pull the trigger on a set.

David Devuono · Mar 6, 2013

I may make up some wheel spacers if my narrow gauge chains don't hold up or still interfere. I know Kubota was looking to make more room for the operator but really, without designing it for chains in the first place, they are basically making a 3 season tractor and the 4th season is 5 months long up here.

Verticaltrx · Mar 6, 2013

The R4 tires are 100% of your traction problems in the snow. I switched from R4 to R1 ag tires on my B3200 and the difference in the snow and ice is night and day. I have never felt the need for chains once I got the new tires. I'm sure we don't get as much snow as you do up there, but we occasionally get a big one. I've had no trouble navigating snow as deep as the front axle. If you don't like/need the R1 ag tires, turf tires are also excellent in the snow.

SPMMD · Mar 6, 2013

In Upstate NY in the snow belt, I have R4's on my B3200. I don't have chains, and while I admit our last two winters were probably the mildest winters in recent history, I haven't had any problems with traction. My driveway is gravel, I have up to a 20 degree grade, and snow blow or plow with my box blade without any significant problems. I typically also clear three other 200' driveways including paved and grassed without traction problems. I even towed my GMC 2500 crew cab 4X4 out of trouble when it got stuck behind my house on that 20 degree grade I mentioned above. Others have said I will need chains when I try to drive over iced hard pack, but haven't encountered that yet!

David Devuono · Mar 7, 2013

Verticaltrx said:
The R4 tires are 100% of your traction problems in the snow. I switched from R4 to R1 ag tires on my B3200 and the difference in the snow and ice is night and day. I have never felt the need for chains once I got the new tires. I'm sure we don't get as much snow as you do up there, but we occasionally get a big one. I've had no trouble navigating snow as deep as the front axle. If you don't like/need the R1 ag tires, turf tires are also excellent in the snow.

I have Loaded R1's on my Massey. Not really good on snow with frozen earth below, but it will go anywhere when I put the chains on. You won't know what your missing until you try chains, except if you have pavement chains will mark it.

Verticaltrx · Mar 7, 2013

David Devuono said:
I have Loaded R1's on my Massey. Not really good on snow with frozen earth below, but it will go anywhere when I put the chains on. You won't know what your missing until you try chains, except if you have pavement chains will mark it.

I have plenty of experience with chains on trucks and tractors, just haven't seen the need for them on this little 4wd Kubota. I will be looking for a set for my 5203 Deere before next winter however. In my experience the frozen ground is almost as bad as the snow itself, once you spin just a little you have ice dirt. :confused2:

easygo · Mar 8, 2013

If you can get by without chains just keep at it. However. Once you try chains you will be wondering why you waited so long to get them.

Danner · Mar 8, 2013

Thanks for the pictures. I always enjoy seeing other guy's tractor jobs. Good looking dog too.

BTW, what the heck is all that white stuff?

SPMMD · Mar 9, 2013

Ummmm snow?

David Devuono · Mar 18, 2013

Added a U-tube Video. Not many videos of B3200's on the net.

Kubota, Hooks and Chains2 - YouTube

David Devuono · Mar 20, 2013

Had to redo the Youtube video. Youtube wanted to fix my jerky video but due to my time stamp (i use the camera as a dash camera) they made it worse.

Kubota, Hooks and Chains3 - YouTube

UpNorth1 · Mar 20, 2013

A bit tight getting in and out of your garage, eh?

David Devuono · Mar 21, 2013

Ya the B3200 was about as big as I could go without building a bigger shed. I live 200 miles from my camp so need to keep the tractor out of sight.

vtsnowedin · Mar 21, 2013

That birch tree behind the shed door needs to go!! And why even try to push snow in two wheel drive? I haven't had my tractor out of four wheel drive in four months.

radair · Mar 21, 2013

vtsnowedin said:
That birch tree behind the shed door needs to go!! And why even try to push snow in two wheel drive? I haven't had my tractor out of four wheel drive in four months.

I think he was just trying to see how effective the chains were working. Mine is in 4wd all winter too.