B3200 or 3300

[josephny]

I'm inching my way closer to actually making a purchase.

Spoke with a deal about the 3200. Told him it's mostly for woods work, making trails, clearing stuff.

He suggested the 3300 might be better -- higher ground clearance, stronger structure and a little cheaper. But it doesn't have a mid-PTO.

I don't ever see myself putting a mower on the tractor.

Think it's a better choice?

He also said R4 tires would be better for my purpose -- they're wider and less likely to puncture in the woods and would provide better traction.

B3300SUHSDP, 8767 R4 tires front, 8768 R4 tires rear, LA504 loader with grill guard, B1626 60" LM bucket: $17,450.

And, BH77 backhoe, 1976 mechanical thumb, mounting kit, 12" bucket: $8,350.

Also getting 3 valves, quick couple, HD alt, rear work light, ROPS organizer for additional cost.

These prices don't include tire waste fee, Doc fee or sales tax.

Would appreciate thoughts.

Thanks,

Joseph

 

[namesray]

pretty much you already said the differences=mid pto and cheaper the b3300su would be. they are both very much the same tractor. b3300su would be heavier if you did go with the r-4 tires and loaded them. about 200 lbs more. the b3200 will have the mid pto ($1000 more and will you ever use a mid mount mower or front mount snow blower?) the b3200 also has cruise control if i am not mistaken, and the b3300su does not come standard with it. the b3300su will put out about 3 more pto hp but not that much difference. same loader cap. specs. and such=both=la504 loader.

i own a b7800=very simular to both and have r-4 tires and do alot of woods work with it. it will do a lot of work if you use proper technique. at about 2600 lbs with fel and loaded tires (more with back hoe) it can be a little on the light side for pushing in the woods with roots and all. do you need bigger/heavier tractor=maybe L series??? like i say you can do work but must have the proper expectations and technique. i run a 3ph winch and skid logs with mine a lot. have also put in minor trails in woods with it too, but it will not move too many roots. can up root very small trees (4" diameter in best conditions.)

i am looking at both like you. i go with the b3300su, unless you see a need for that mid pto on the b3200. good luck and enjoy shopping. be sure to test drive them both out. even try some of the L series too. depending on what you want to do in the woods, might need a heavier unit. and i would go with the r-4 tires. i get along great with them except in the winter and only because they don't chain up good with ladder chains. if i had the right chains they be great in the winter too. be sure to get tires loaded. and price is about right.

just for your info, there has been a few recent threads on the b3300 and such. try the search if you want and there will be a lot more info for you too.

 

[marxman]

i go with the b3300su, unless you see a need for that mid pto on the b3200.

Same decision I just had to make, and that was one of the reasons that I chose the B3200. I would rather have the mid-PTO then not. Having said that my dealership said that the B3300 has been an extremely popular choice since it came out. My :2cents:

 

[Carl Bert]

I personally would go with the B3200 just because of the mid PTO. Even if you never use it, it will be much better for resale, if and when that day comes. There is no doubt that the "L" would do heavier work, it just depends on what size tractor you are looking for, and what u intend on doing with it. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[josephny]

pretty much you already said the differences=mid pto and cheaper the b3300su would be. they are both very much the same tractor. b3300su would be heavier if you did go with the r-4 tires and loaded them. about 200 lbs more. the b3200 will have the mid pto ($1000 more and will you ever use a mid mount mower or front mount snow blower?) the b3200 also has cruise control if i am not mistaken, and the b3300su does not come standard with it. the b3300su will put out about 3 more pto hp but not that much difference. same loader cap. specs. and such=both=la504 loader.

i own a b7800=very simular to both and have r-4 tires and do alot of woods work with it. it will do a lot of work if you use proper technique. at about 2600 lbs with fel and loaded tires (more with back hoe) it can be a little on the light side for pushing in the woods with roots and all. do you need bigger/heavier tractor=maybe L series??? like i say you can do work but must have the proper expectations and technique. i run a 3ph winch and skid logs with mine a lot. have also put in minor trails in woods with it too, but it will not move too many roots. can up root very small trees (4" diameter in best conditions.)

i am looking at both like you. i go with the b3300su, unless you see a need for that mid pto on the b3200. good luck and enjoy shopping. be sure to test drive them both out. even try some of the L series too. depending on what you want to do in the woods, might need a heavier unit. and i would go with the r-4 tires. i get along great with them except in the winter and only because they don't chain up good with ladder chains. if i had the right chains they be great in the winter too. be sure to get tires loaded. and price is about right.

just for your info, there has been a few recent threads on the b3300 and such. try the search if you want and there will be a lot more info for you too.

Thanks so much for the details!

I'm just not sure about the mid-PTO -- I don't see myself putting a mower on it, but one never knows.

As for the weight, one of my big concerns is getting stuck in wet areas of the woods, in mud, or in my peat muck. I thought lighter is better than heavier for minimizing the chances of getting stuck. One reason for the backhoe (not the main reason) is to help pull out of stuck areas.

I don't know what loaded tires means.

Thanks

 

[josephny]

Same decision I just had to make, and that was one of the reasons that I chose the B3200. I would rather have the mid-PTO then not. Having said that my dealership said that the B3300 has been an extremely popular choice since it came out. My :2cents:

That's good to hear. I wondered whether the 3300 was not a widely accepted model compared to the 3200.

Thanks!

 

[josephny]

I personally would go with the B3200 just because of the mid PTO. Even if you never use it, it will be much better for resale, if and when that day comes. There is no doubt that the "L" would do heavier work, it just depends on what size tractor you are looking for, and what u intend on doing with it. Good luck and keep us posted.

I hadn't thought of resale value, which the mid-PTO would appear to help.

This is my first tractor, so I don't know what an L would do for me over the 3300.

Thanks

 

[marxman]

I don't know what loaded tires means.

It means that the rear tires are 3/4 filled with either calcium chloride, windshield washer fluid, or beetjiuce. It serves to add weight to the tractor and lower the center of gravity. It's a pretty common practice for those with uneven terrain.

 

[josephny]

It means that the rear tires are 3/4 filled with either calcium chloride, windshield washer fluid, or beetjiuce. It serves to add weight to the tractor and lower the center of gravity. It's a pretty common practice for those with uneven terrain.

I suppose the beetjuice would be handy if I break down and have to spend the night (;-)

Seriously, I'm so confused about the weight issue. (I understand, basically, the center of gravity issue.)

If I'm going over wet, slippery, muddy or peat-y terrain, and I better off (i.e., less likely to get stuck) having more weight or less for any give tractor/tire setup?

 

[1savoy]

Hi Joseph,

I think the loaded tires may help your traction in the mud, as it will place more weight at the rear of the tractor, especially if you have a loader hanging off the front. If you have the BH you will also have plenty of rear weight. Not all mud is the same, just as snow is not the same. In my opinion, if you are trying to stay on top of the mud, get the largest (biggest footprint) tire you can. That would be the 3300 instead of the 3200. The taller tire will also help with ground clearance, as dragging the undercarriage thru the mud will not help. You are correct that the backhoe will help getting you out of the mud. You can use the BH to pick up the rear and re-position the tractor. Also, push or pull yourself. The BH and subframe hang pretty low on these machines and may also help contribute to getting stuck in the first place. I have had good luck using my toothbar on my loader bucket to help drag me out of the mud. Me personally, I would not worry about getting the mid-pto if you have no use for it. I tend to keep things so long, the re-sale is not my concern and it is so hard to predict who will want what down the road. The lower cost and bigger tires would sway me to the 3300. Just my $0.02. Good luck with your decision.

 

[ddb123]

I drove a B3300 today and liked it. The dealer in Joplin, MO said he sells a lot of them and I believe it. I really thought hard about a B3300, but the B3200 never interested me.

 

[jim_wilson]

I suppose the beetjuice would be handy if I break down and have to spend the night (;-)

Seriously, I'm so confused about the weight issue. (I understand, basically, the center of gravity issue.)

If I'm going over wet, slippery, muddy or peat-y terrain, and I better off (i.e., less likely to get stuck) having more weight or less for any give tractor/tire setup?

The weight in the tires helps to balance the tractor. First way it helps is that it gives a counterweight for when you are picking up heavy objects with the front end loader. It is possible to lift the rear end of a tractor if you either fill the loader to it's weight capacity - or try to carry a heavy object (like a big rock or something).

The weight in the tires also provides weight down low - to help balance the tractor from tipping over. Tractors are typically top heavy - so you need weight down load to help anchor the tractor if you are on an incline.

There's a reason why race cars are so low to the ground - tractors have to deal with those same laws of physics.

I would stay away from the calcium chloride option for filling the tires. My dealer filled the rear tires on my BX eight years ago with the beetjuice product - and it was just fine (no rims eaten thru like calcium chloride will) - until just recently when I had to replace the valve stems because they dry rotted off. After the repair he refilled the tires with some sort of citrus product that they are using now. Apparently people were having some issues with the beet juice when it leaked and it was sort of stinky.

 

[jim_wilson]

I'm inching my way closer to actually making a purchase.

Spoke with a deal about the 3200. Told him it's mostly for woods work, making trails, clearing stuff.

He suggested the 3300 might be better -- higher ground clearance, stronger structure and a little cheaper. But it doesn't have a mid-PTO.

I don't ever see myself putting a mower on the tractor.

Think it's a better choice?

He also said R4 tires would be better for my purpose -- they're wider and less likely to puncture in the woods and would provide better traction.

B3300SUHSDP, 8767 R4 tires front, 8768 R4 tires rear, LA504 loader with grill guard, B1626 60" LM bucket: $17,450.

And, BH77 backhoe, 1976 mechanical thumb, mounting kit, 12" bucket: $8,350.

Also getting 3 valves, quick couple, HD alt, rear work light, ROPS organizer for additional cost.

These prices don't include tire waste fee, Doc fee or sales tax.

Would appreciate thoughts.

Thanks,

Joseph

I've been considering the same options for a new tractor to replace my BX23.

I'm considering:

B3200 with FEL and BH77 hoe
B3300 with FEL and BH77 hoe
L3200 with FEL and BH 77 hoe
L3800 with FEL and BH 77 hoe

I started considering the L because it has some more FEL capacity and 3 point capacity.

I like the way the backhoe is better integrated on the B series though. And I like the driver station on the B series better. Also the B series has the loader joystick right next to the driver seat - instead of mounted forward. I intend on doing a lot of loader work so this is an advantage.

I've pretty much ruled out the B3200 in favor of the B3300. If you look at the Kubota specs the 3300 has a little bit more PTO hp than the 3200, the 3pt hitch lifts just a little bit more, and the 3300 comes with the same size R4 tires (if you get those) - as the L3200 and L3800 come with. The B3200 comes with smaller R4 tires than the 3300 (if you choose that option) Plus it's cheaper than the B3200 - it's only missing the mid PTO.

I don't really think I will be putting a mower deck on this - ever. So the only drawback to the no PTO thing -is that I won't be able to put a front snowblower on it. I figure I can still put a rear blower on it - and if I really wanted a front blower I could put a hydraulic one on the FEL arms. So the missing mid PTO is a good trade off for the slightly increased capabilities of the B3300 over the B3200.

So I've just got to decide whether I really need to jump to an L series - over the B. As soon as it stops raining here I'm taking a trip to the dealer to pore over each and take a closer look to help my decision.

 

[davbin]

I really enjoy our new B3300SU on our 5-acre wooded lot. It is more money and has about 500 lbs less lift than the L3200 - but, smaller size = more maneuverable around the trees.