B3200 vs B3030

[MW66]

I keep going back and forth on these two models as I will be buying one of them very soon. I know the B3030 comes with position control which appears to be the biggest advantage over the B3200, but it also has some of the creature comforts too. I spoke with my dealer again, who is a very straight shooter and is willing to sell me either one, but he told me that he has not sold a single B3030 (uncabbed) model since the release of the B3200. I'm looking for an open seat tractor. It is about $2,000 more for the B3030. Is $2,000 worth a better high back seat w/armrests, position control, independent PTO, ratchet arms, and tilt wheel? I'm going to compare them again on the lot this Saturday. I think I've spent more time researching tractor models than when I bought my vehicle. Being a tractor newbie, I'm trying to get it right.

 

[RussMan]

What are your needs? Are you a casual tractor user or will it be used primarily for mowing or ??? How many acres? I don't know much about the 3200 but I have the B3030 and it is a wonderful tractor for my needs.

 

[kuboman]

There are some features of the 3030 that you can put on the 3200 such as arm rests. They are basically the same tractor. I have put on numerous features of the 3030 on my 3200.

 

[Bret Mc]

MW66, I also debated back and forth over the same two tractors you are for hours & hours, (and days). My final decision was the B3030, the way I looked at it was that I am going to spend alot of time(years)on it and the extra's would be worth it in the long run. My two cents, Bret

 

[brandoro]

What I was really after was the cab when I bought my B3030 but have come to appreciate many of the added features. Hooking up 3pt attachments with the extendable lower links is much easier.

 

[prentp]

There are some features of the 3030 that you can put on the 3200 such as arm rests. They are basically the same tractor. I have put on numerous features of the 3030 on my 3200.

I'm curious how you added your armrests. I purchased a B3200 last month and that is one upgrade I would like to do.

I chose the B3200 over the B3030 because I didn't feel the differences where enough for my situation. The one thing I did add was a pat's quich hitch to help wiht hooking up 3 point attachments.

 

[MW66]

I have a newly built home on 20 acres that I've owned for about 10 years. Mostly woods, but I will have 3.5 acres to mow. It is flat land and mostly open as I've only put in a 14 tree orchard and several blue spruce trees upfront. So, I need to reclaim the field, grade, and then plant grass on 1.5 acres. The other portion of the 3.5 acres will be covered under my builder's agreement. Once I have the land in order for seeding (removing brush along woods edge to open up lawn area, disking and tilling field, grading, prepping seedbed), I imagine that my uses will be mostly mowing, but also some FEL work for new landscaping, and some occasional work in the woods removing cut firewood, maintaining my trail in the woods, small foodplots for deer, etc.

 

[TripleR]

On my last foray into buying a new tractor I started thinking I wanted a 3200, but quickly lost interest and went from there. Between the two, I would not even consider the 3200 for my needs/wants and would go with the added features of the 3030. Long term those "little things" get to be big things.

Not knocking the 3200 as it is great for lots of people.

 

[DelSc]

I got the B3030 because I wanted a cab, but have grown to really like the position control. Previous tractor didnt have it so I didnt know what I was missing, but now I wouldnt want to do without. I use 3pt hitch a lot, but If you dont forsee that, then it wouldnt be worth much.

Tilt wheel seemed like a bit of an extravagance to me when I was looking at first, but I find I use it all the time and it makes it easier on my back when I mow or remove snow for long periods.

If your on a tight budget, $2000 is a lot of money that you might rather spend on implements, but if you have room in your budget, and intend on using the 3pt hitch a lot, then you might like the added features.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Had a B3200, never had a B3030 so I guess that shows my choice at the time. Still wouldn't pay the extra for the B3030 over B3200 even now. Had a L3240HST which is the Deluxe L so I have enjoyed the extras of the B3030 and they are nice extras. The position control and extending arms on the 3ph are the main usable differences for me but they are not worth $1000 and for sure not $2000 and I am a free spender on tractors. I don't have, want or need a cab so that's not a consideration for me. I believe it comes down to how often you change 3ph implements, how critical exact dropping of 3ph implements and how much money do you have that you just want to spend on the tractor and how much more do you want to spend on implements and how much do you have to spend on implements, fuel and insurance. There are several quick hitch attachments from $70 to $200+ to help hook up implements which is what I chose. Now on the other side is how much per day and for how many days will you use this tractor? Divide $2000 by the number of days and see the daily cost for the deluxe.