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.

 

[red4now]

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.

Ditto on the comments about tilt steering wheel, seat, 3PH arm features, etc. but one of the things, other than position control which was very important to me, was the idea that the B3200 is a re-badged B7800 which was and still is a very good tractor for its time but it carries over the older technology which includes the vibration issue that becomes more apparent at higher RPM with the FEL off and the mower on - which you have indicated will be one of your primary uses generally. After one summer of dealing with this, I switched and it cost me more the second time than it would have if I would have done it the first time. And I also have to be reminded by my better half about that decision which in some ways is even more costly.. - just my two cents worth..

 

[MW66]

Ditto on the comments about tilt steering wheel, seat, 3PH arm features, etc. but one of the things, other than position control which was very important to me, was the idea that the B3200 is a re-badged B7800 which was and still is a very good tractor for its time but it carries over the older technology which includes the vibration issue that becomes more apparent at higher RPM with the FEL off and the mower on - which you have indicated will be one of your primary uses generally. After one summer of dealing with this, I switched and it cost me more the second time than it would have if I would have done it the first time. And I also have to be reminded by my better half about that decision which in some ways is even more costly.. - just my two cents worth..

That's interesting (vibration) since they both have 4 cylinder engines, albeit not the exact same one. Also, what size MMM are you running? You feel the B3030 runs that much smoother? I'm not made of money by any stretch, but I've always subscribed to the theory, but quality and only cry once. So, if I thought the extra features were valuable, I would definitely spend the extra $2,000 since over the life of the tractor, it's not really that much extra.

 

[Bret Mc]

One thing that has'nt been mentioned yet is the single pedal for the transmission on the 3030, to me it makes the tractor smoother to operate compared to the two pedals on the 3200

 

[KU Gator]

If you do a search, you will see similar threads on B3030 & B3200 vibration with the main themes being it vibrates and it bothers me, it vibrates a little but I don't care, and I don't feel the vibration. Seems to be part of the 4 cyl diesel. Drive them, get them up above 2K RPM and either it bothers you or it doesn't. We tested a B7800 and a B2920 back to back and I noticed it, but although we bought the 2920, that was not the deciding factor.

The B2630 has a 3 cyl and offers all the same features as the 3030 if you don't want a cab. Some on the board have been getting deals on them so might be worth considering.

In the end, it is of course easy to spend someone elses money, but my thought would be buy the one you want so you don't spend the next 10 years of ownership saying "I probably should have ..." We tend to regret more what we didn't do than what we did do.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I would consider the B2630 to keep the cost in line with the B3200, and still get the extras. I'm not sure that extra hp is really needed for anything you can do with a tractor that size, though using a 5' bush hog in rough going might be one.

 

[kuboman]

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.

I ordered through parts the armrests for a b3030. They install in minutes on the 3200 seat which is the same as the 3030. I also added the left hand step that is for the 3030 but it fits right on the 3200. They are identical when it comes to the cosmetic things. As for adjustable lower links some kind of a quick hitch is far superior to adjustable arms.
It is your choice but unless you need a cab and/or position control I can have a lot of fun on the $2000 more it cost to get the 3030.

 

[red4now]

That's interesting (vibration) since they both have 4 cylinder engines, albeit not the exact same one. Also, what size MMM are you running? You feel the B3030 runs that much smoother? I'm not made of money by any stretch, but I've always subscribed to the theory, but quality and only cry once. So, if I thought the extra features were valuable, I would definitely spend the extra $2,000 since over the life of the tractor, it's not really that much extra.

I not so sure it is just a point about the features, but also more about the design. Yes they both have 4 cyl engines but as the head office Kubota tech rep described it to me, the newer generation moves the HST to a different connect point in relation to the engine, more padding on the floorboards, different HST pedal configuration setup, etc.. which all contribute to less vibration overall. If I would have had that discussion with him before, I would have started out with the B3030 right away and saved myself the extra work of having to re-deal (mind you that is somewhat fun in itself) I have the 60" MMM and I also subscribe to the ie: spread cost over the life of the tractor and being happy with it as opposed to some regrets. Thought I had done that the first time around and I had the size, HP, main features ie: FEL and MMM right, just not the extra feature options. I didn't think I would need or make use of them since this was a hefty purchase to begin with getting the B3200. For me, it did not suit my needs and I had to change my thinking along with help from comments made here on TBN as well. We all know no one tractor is perfect (even Kubota) but it is nice to be nearly all satisfied for our particular needs and uses.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I ordered through parts the armrests for a b3030. They install in minutes on the 3200 seat which is the same as the 3030. I also added the left hand step that is for the 3030 but it fits right on the 3200. They are identical when it comes to the cosmetic things. As for adjustable lower links some kind of a quick hitch is far superior to adjustable arms.
It is your choice but unless you need a cab and/or position control I can have a lot of fun on the $2000 more it cost to get the 3030.

I had adjustable arms on a L3240 and now have or had Pat's and two other quick hitches. QH's are not superior to adjustable arms unless maybe you have TNT. If you get off tractor to hook up upper arm or drive shaft then the adjustable arms are simple and easy to hook up. I'd sure give up my QH's for adjustable arms any day.

 

[LQPAPPY]

It all comes back to the old story of buying what you want and are going to be happy owning. You can never justifiy the cost of anything that borders on the pleasure side, RV, boat, airplane. Buy what you want and feel comfortable in affording, then don't look back and say well I wish, or if I had known, it is a done deal. By the way, I have a B3030 and it is great.

 

[srs]

I'm looking for an open seat tractor. It is about $2,000 more for the B3030.

MW66, As you know Buffalo New York get a considerable amount of snowfall. Will you use your tractor for snow removal? I know you mentioned you are looking for an open seat tractor but was wondering if the cabbed version of the 3030 would fit you better? But then it is more money. I have the cabbed 3030 and with the record snowfalls we had this winter the heated cab just laughed at the blowing wind, cold, and snow! Your thoughts?