Price Check b3200/l2800 Prices

[chrisargo]

I have been pricing tractors for a couple of weeks and have narrowed down to the B3200 and L2800. Haven't made up my mind if the mid-PTO is a must have but I really like both tractors. I understand pricing is influenced by the region and other factors but I'd like feedback from you all on the current quotes I have.

B3200-60"MMM, FEL 54" bucket, 60" bushhog, loaded R4 tires--$20k

L2800-Gear-driven, FEL, loaded R4 tires--$16,500.

I realize the attachments between the two aren't equal. Just curious how fair a price this appears. General feedback on another thread was the B3200 was pretty good price.

I have contacted Barlow's but with Brady out of pocket to July it makes it difficult to get a good idea.

Thanks to one and all for your input. Looking forward to making a decision early next week.

 

[CurtisG]

As I stated in a previous post I purchased the B3300SU, HST, 4WD & FEL for $16,000. It does not have the mid PTO but I bought a 5' Land Pride finish mower to pull behind. Dealer also included the cruise control. I'm very happy with the purchase.

Curt

 

[toothdoc]

If you know you don't need the mid pto-the price difference is hard to beat on the L2800...I have the B3200, and the HST is very nice-once you start using it, it's hard to go back to gear driven. The other difference is the weight, the L is going to weigh more than the B...Good luck.

 

[chrisargo]

Right now I am leaning toward the L2800 because of price and a few other factors. The one hesitation I have right now is I am uncertain of how beneficial the mid-PTO will be to our church. Could some of you guys comment on the benefits of the mid-PTO vs. no mid-PTO?

 

[KU Gator]

The mid PTO gives you the ability to use a mid mount mower (MMM), front mount snow blower or rotary broom on the front of the tractor. The biggest advantage to me of the MMM is the ability to mow around obstacles. With a HST tractor and MMM, it is no more difficult than using a lawn tractor to mow. Easy to look down from the seat and judge where it is vs looking back.

The down side to the MMM is it is more expensive than a rear finish mower (RFM) as you are tied to the tractor manufacturer for the most part. While not terribly hard to remove, it is more difficult than taking a RFM or brush hog off the back. You can lift the MMM up and lock it in the up position, but if I am going to do a lot of bucket work or use the box blade a lot, I take mine off.

If you have a lot of open area to mow, the L2800 gear drive and a rear mounted mower would probably do fine. If you will be mowing around a lot of obstacles, the MMM and a HST tractor would be easier, especially if various people will be using it. The HST is a nice feature especially for bucket work or any task requiring a lot of forward and reverse.

 

[devildog1]

Mid PTO use for MMM, mid mount mowers or to run snow blower attachment in front of tractor. Your profile does not say where you are located so do not know if snow blower applies to you. But the mmm does and I believe you can run a 72" mower with the B3200.
\DevilDog

 

[KU Gator]

Another difference in the B3200 and the L2800 is the control of the 3 pt hitch. The B3200 uses a 1/4" valve. The problem with that is it will not maintain a set height. Where that feature bothers me is when I am using the rotary mower (brush hog) while mowing, the front of the mower will gradually drop, so you have to keep an eye on it and use the control lever to bring the front of the mower up a little or it will be dragging on the ground as rotary mowers do not have wheels on the front and rely on the 3 pt hitch to hold it up. With RFM's, they have wheels on all 4 corners and ride on the ground, so it doesn't matter with them.

The L2800 has a position control valve which will maintain the 3 pt hitch at a set height, so it will keep the rotary mower at height.

For what it is worth, after using a tractor with HST, for my purposes, I would not be excited about going to the gear drive.

 

[TripleR]

Just wondering if a 3030 is out of the question as it is close in power and combines features of both.

 

[roadhouse]

when purchasing my tractor i was stuck between the 3300 and the l28. i reserched both for weeks, constantly comparing and i ended up going with the 3300 for one reason, COMFORT. i really like the 3 point position control on the 28 but i was more comfy on the 3300. honestly the most comfortable thing was the position of the loader control, its on the tractor not the loader, you cant beat it if you use the loader a lot. it seams like a small issue but like i said you cant beat the comfort!

 

[teg]

Take your time... or it could cost you $$$ (have the prices gone up that much?? I feel old...)

If the main use will be cutting grass, you don't want the weight of the L2800... and you do WANT HST...

Also, you *have* to factor in a rear finish mower into the L2800 price to make a fair comparison.