B3200 to L3200

[kuboman]

Has anyone gone this way and wished they had not. I like the looks of the L3200/3800 and wonder if I would be happy with the switch or wish I had kept the B3200 for its size. I like the idea of a little more tractor plus more loader but I do like the maneuverability of the B. Ideas, experience etc is most welcome here.:confused2:

 

[kuboman]

Anybody?

 

[TripleR]

I have never owned a B, but looked at them and decided they weren't right for me. Right now my ideal combination is a BX and Grand L.

You might check with John Thomas as I believe he has owned a B3200 after owning a L3240. John has always provided really good information on the forum and PM; really nice guy.:thumbsup:

I really like the L Series, but as you mentioned, there is quite a bir of difference in size.

 

[kuboman]

I have never owned a B, but looked at them and decided they weren't right for me. Right now my ideal combination is a BX and Grand L.

You might check with John Thomas as I believe he has owned a B3200 after owning a L3240. John has always provided really good information on the forum and PM; really nice guy.:thumbsup:

I really like the L Series, but as you mentioned, there is quite a bir of difference in size.

Thanks, I will try and wake up JT. The Grand L"s are quite a bit larger than the standard L which is what I am looking at. The size of the B3200 I really like because I need to get in some awkward spots. Just wish the loader would lift a little more. Just don't know if the extra size of the L would be a drawback.:confused2:

 

[TripleR]

Thanks, I will try and wake up JT. The Grand L"s are quite a bit larger than the standard L which is what I am looking at. The size of the B3200 I really like because I need to get in some awkward spots. Just wish the loader would lift a little more. Just don't know if the extra size of the L would be a drawback.:confused2:

When I bought my L5030, I seriously went shopping for a B3200. I then looked at the L and didn't like the layout, so went to the GL3240 which we really liked. I didn't remember the GL being that much larger in that size, but that has been a while.

I can identify with your problem and wound up deciding one tractor wouldn't really work for me, but everyone's situation is different. Good luck.

 

[bikerdib]

I am going round and round in a similar (though not as much) comparison. I currently have a B7300 with FEL and thought about upgrading. My dealer has some pretty good specials running. I looked at a B3300 with FEL but I think that after I complete the current heavy job (clearing an area of creek bed where I intend on making a pond) I will wish I still had the smaller B7300. My property is mostly wooded and I prefer it rough so at most I have walking trails through the woods and the B7300 pulling a 48" Bush Hog is very capable for that. I even considered the entry L model but that is DEFINITELY overkill for my usual needs. I may go back to the dealer and see what kind of deal he'd throw me on a B2920.

The dealer told me he has a very low hour BX coming in with FEL, backhoe and 60" belly mower that he would probably sell for the payoff but I think I'd be disappointed because of ground clearance and weight of the unit.

 

[TripleR]

I am going round and round in a similar (though not as much) comparison. I currently have a B7300 with FEL and thought about upgrading. My dealer has some pretty good specials running. I looked at a B3300 with FEL but I think that after I complete the current heavy job (clearing an area of creek bed where I intend on making a pond) I will wish I still had the smaller B7300. My property is mostly wooded and I prefer it rough so at most I have walking trails through the woods and the B7300 pulling a 48" Bush Hog is very capable for that. I even considered the entry L model but that is DEFINITELY overkill for my usual needs. I may go back to the dealer and see what kind of deal he'd throw me on a B2920.

The dealer told me he has a very low hour BX coming in with FEL, backhoe and 60" belly mower that he would probably sell for the payoff but I think I'd be disappointed because of ground clearance and weight of the unit.

I think you are right on that, I love our BX2660, but ground clearance can be problematic and the ride on rough ground is not very good.

Rather than buy equipment we need occasionally, we just rent or barter it for the specific job.

 

[ctgoldwing]

Good morning Kuboman

I think the choice is best determined by what you want to do with it. Not unlike buying a camera lens. . .

This is my second Kubota (L3400). The first one I had a B8200 (???) - it was a 18-19hp tlb that I bought when we built this house 22 years ago. i kept it about 5-6 years.

This time around (2009) I went for a larger model but not the one I had started off looking at. Originally I was thinking 40-45hp. The reality of the size of the machines of that size convinced me I really needed something smaller.

I do a fair amount of work in the woods and a large machine is no asset there. The L3400, for me, is just what I need. Not too heavy over the lawn, big enough to handle the BH76 backhoe and small enough to maneuver with the box blade, phd & snow blower.

 

[AKwelder]

i was looking at the B and L series. I am 6'-2" and the b series seems cramped. The L series has more room.

Let me know how goes

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Has anyone gone this way and wished they had not. I like the looks of the L3200/3800 and wonder if I would be happy with the switch or wish I had kept the B3200 for its size. I like the idea of a little more tractor plus more loader but I do like the maneuverability of the B. Ideas, experience etc is most welcome here.:confused2:

OK, back from Church.
I started with a BX2200 FEL MMM for one year. Traded the BX2200 to a B7800 FEL RFM which I kept for 3 years along with a BX1500 MMM also for 3 years. Traded them after payoff to a L3240HST and a BX2350 MMM. Got rid of both of them in less than one year and like 30 hours each and went to a BX2660 FEL MMM and B3200 FEL. My L was 1000lbs more than the B3200/B7800 with about the same HP so the B's pulled hills with RFM better than the L but the L was great on level ground but the L was scary on my hillsides.
I did alot of landscaping over the years and when there were/are big jobs I call in the dozers and track loaders. Found out they can do in a few hours what took/takes me weeks with my tractors. Also on hillsides tractors are scary and a dozer or track machine handles them safely.
I currently have a BX25 and a couple of F's for mowing at two different locations and my recently aquired RTV1140. I believe I'm settled in for awhile with what meets my current needs. My needs have changed over the years as I've tackled new projects or finished some projects.
Flat land and room to turn it go for a Grand L, hands down no doubt about it. Hillside and rocky BX or B. Higher ground clearance hillside B no doubt. Mowing, F no doubt.
Hope this helps and I didn't see this thread until a few minutes ago.

 

[kuboman]

Thanks for all the responses. Well I am still confused but a little less so. It sounds like the standard L size would not be a problem. I will just have to see if the dealer will let me try a L3200/3800 when they get some in. Nothing like hands on experience.

 

[TripleR]

Thanks for all the responses. Well I am still confused but a little less so. It sounds like the standard L size would not be a problem. I will just have to see if the dealer will let me try a L3200/3800 when they get some in. Nothing like hands on experience.

I agree completely, if I had not driven them, I would have wound up with the wrong tractor a couple of times; actually did wind up with the wrong tractor once and never again.

 

[jeepfreak1972]

I'm kicking around offing my B3200 in favor of an L3200 as well. I was just on Kubota site comparing overall dimensions because of my concern for getting to big of a tractor. The L3200 is only around 6 inches longer than my B3200, only 1.3 inches wider and actually has a 2.6 inch shorter wheel base. You would be gaining almost 1000lbs in tractor weight and all cast iron transmission and more loader power as well as larger tires. The L is a bit taller with ROPS up at 91.7inches tall compared to my B's height which I still have to fold down to get in and out of my garage anyway. So after looking and comparing, the L3200 is really not much bigger than a B in foot print but is a much more substantial piece of equipment when comparing actual bulk of the tractors. I'm leaning heavy toward the L3200. Hope this helps.


Steve

Thanks for all the responses. Well I am still confused but a little less so. It sounds like the standard L size would not be a problem. I will just have to see if the dealer will let me try a L3200/3800 when they get some in. Nothing like hands on experience.

 

[kuboman]

I'm kicking around offing my B3200 in favor of an L3200 as well. I was just on Kubota site comparing overall dimensions because of my concern for getting to big of a tractor. The L3200 is only around 6 inches longer than my B3200, only 1.3 inches wider and actually has a 2.6 inch shorter wheel base. You would be gaining almost 1000lbs in tractor weight and all cast iron transmission and more loader power as well as larger tires. The L is a bit taller with ROPS up at 91.7inches tall compared to my B's height which I still have to fold down to get in and out of my garage anyway. So after looking and comparing, the L3200 is really not much bigger than a B in foot print but is a much more substantial piece of equipment when comparing actual bulk of the tractors. I'm leaning heavy toward the L3200. Hope this helps.


Sreve

It seems you have read my mind. I am hoping the dealer will get some in soon. It all seems good on paper but seeing and touching is still the best.:laughing:

 

[jeepfreak1972]

Plus the L3200 has a nice suspension seat.:thumbsup:

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I had a B7800 for 3 years. Traded it to a L3240HST and kept it for a few months, 35 hours and traded it to a B3200.

 

[jeepfreak1972]

Why the switch back to a B3200?

 

[lzicc]

I went back and forth between the L3800 and the B3030 and chose the L. I sat on both of them and the B seems narrow compared to the L.

My reason why I went with the L were, it is a little heavier, more HP, roomier operators deck, the axle was twice the size in diameter on the L, slightly wider stance, it felt more stable sitting on it. The B had a few more luxuries that weren't important to me like the tilt steering, although I did like the FEL lever closer to the seat on the B.

The L also has a different setup on the tie rods that give it a tighter turn radius.

You really need to see both of them in person to get a real feel for what you are looking for. I would definitely look at the front axles on both. The L was allot larger in diameter. I wouldn't have noticed that until the dealer mentioned it to me.

 

[santa2u]

I'm lovin my L3200. Only had it a couple of weeks now and a lot of that time was rainy and cold, but what little seat time I have had, it beats the heck out of my old B7510. And you're right Jeepfreak, that suspension seat is great! Went by TSC yesterday and bought myself an orange steering wheel knob.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Why the switch back to a B3200?

I have hill side property. Sitting higher in the seat feels less secure than sitting lower and when running over a rock with one wheel or dropping in a hole with one wheel was a bit scarier on the L over the B.
I used a Landpride 6' RFM which could swing the B7800 at the bottom of the hill when turning but I knew it was going to do it so no problem and my land was fairly level there. The L handled it like it wasn't back there weight wise (mower vs tractor).
When nearing the crest of the hill the L (32HP 2700lbs)would start straining/slowing down when running the RFM. The B7800 (31HP 1700lbs) never stuttered or slowed. The difference a thousand pounds makes for the same HP on a hill.
Mainly I felt less secure on the hill side with the L and I was more hesitant to get it out for most of my small jobs where the B was a grab the key and do the job, big or small.
If I had flat land the L would probably still be with me even though it was a bit big for my non farming or non logging needs. I mainly do 5+ acres of residential projects and most of my big ones are done or more done than not done.
I also call Roy with his track loader to do major jobs which usually take him 4 hours to my 4 weeks with a tractor. Hillsides are not a tractors friend if the work has to be done crossways.