B7800/B3030 - Large enough for heavy loads?

[mike69440]

I have carried too many 800lb boulders in my weighted, reinforced and hydraulics screwed to the max B7200 so if you only do this occasionally a B7800 should be fine. If the smaller machine makes more sense, do it, but I do not see any cost saving. Be carefull about tip over!

 

[Bob_Young]

Will you be moving the pumpkins with the bucket the comes with the loader? You might want to check the dimensions/shape of the bucket to see how "pumpkin friendly" it is. Even with my L4300, I can't visualize picking up an 800# pumpkin without the bucket gouging the sides or the pumpkin tumbling out...but then I don't know giant pumpkins.

If you were planning to use clamp on forks with the issue bucket, keep in mind that they will put the weight of the load further out from the loader's pivot pin and pose a greater challenge to the loader's lifting ability and the tractor's balance. In that case, I'd lean toward the L2800 or larger.

The B3030's LA403 loader lift capacity is rated at about 1100 lbs. AT THE PIVOT PIN. But your load will be forward of the pivot pin. At 19.7" forward of the pivot pin the lift capacity drops to around 780 lbs....kinda marginal if you have an 800# pumpkin that's 40" in diameter.

The loader on the B3030 has 'Quick Hitch' capability as an option. This will allow you to swap the bucket for pallet forks. Your load would then be closer to the pivot pin than with the bucket and clamp-on forks but may still fall near the upper limit of the loader's capability.

The B3030 will make a better finish mower than the L-series and mowing will be 90% of it's work. As suggested above, the best approach might be to get the B3030 and move the pumpkins with a fork arrangement on the 3 pt. hitch.
FWIW
Bob

 

[lawn_king]

The B3030 will work fine for your needs, The 403 fel is strong And its a nice light machine for mowing, quiet,good on fuel, turns on a dime! Lots to like about the B3030.

 

[Timber]

The B7800 and the 3030 have quick tach set up options but they are specific to those machines. You can look into other brand quick tach systems that are More universal to other equipment like skidstear otherwise you will have to use there pallet fork set up. This will be the way you want to go regardless of the tractor you decide on

 

[white]

I have a B2910 6 years old with 60" bucket and 60"MMM. You can do all you need and more with far more ease than the larger L size. I have tried both and always come back to the B2910/3030 size for an all around tractor.

 

[The Gardener]

New Kidz: '04 L4300, '06 B7610 Old Pros: '75 Ford 4000, '67 Ford 2000, '54 JD40

Q: Do you own all of these tractors at the present time?
..... If so, how do you delegate jobs among the five tractors?

Q: What kind of property do you maintain for such a diverse collection of tractors?

I could already imagine owning several Kubota machines for our varied needs and project ideas. In fact, we're thinking in this manner as we approach our first Kubota purchase. If possible, we'd like this to be 1 of 3 in ten years time.

The Gardener

 

[Bob_Young]

Gardener,
I own them all currently. The older ones have been in the family for decades. None of the old ones had an FEL. When I retired and moved back to NY in 2002, I found the oldtimers in an unreliable state.

I bought the L4300 as an Ag machine to take over brush clearing, plowing, discing, light haying (haven't done it for awhile) and mowing work on my 50+ acre farm while I straightened out some issues with the 4000. I got the 4000 fixed and it's back to its mowing chores and available for most anything else. It looks kind of rough but runs good and only has about 3000 hours on it. Both the L4300 and the Ford 4000 are strong tractors. The 4300's 4WD does give it an edge though.

Due to the FEL and the brush claw I have on it, the L4300 really shines for brush clearing, moving firewood around and any heavy lifting. So far it's done as well on the Ag type work as the 4000.

The 2000 and the JD40 are currently in need of repair and not working. The 2000 has about 2200 hours and was a very reliable tractor in the past. I think it's worth fixing and keeping as it was a tough little critter.

Because there's only me to work the place, I know from experience that having more than one tractor is a help. No unhitching and rehitching everytime conditions change and call for different work to be done.

When the place was being hayed regularly, having 3 working tractors on hand was perfect. One on the baler, one on the haybine and one for raking/wagon drawing. Mow enough for 100 or so bales in the morning, rake yesterday's 100 and maybe the day before's in the afternoon and bale 100 or so around suppertime. I'd like to get back to that.

So, when I get the JD running again, I'll probably sell it. The Ford 2000, like I said, may be around for awhile.

About 12 mi. away from the farm, I maintain my Dad's place and my own....about 2.5 acres total with maybe 40 trees. The mowing and landscaping chores fall, primarily, to the B7610. In the winter, the L4300 gets moved to the homestead for snow removal work. Nothing happens on the farm in the winter so the Fords and the JD sit...and sometimes provide homes for mice unfortunately.

Oh yeah, I'm single (never married) and never been in debt...so I can afford it/get away with it. I've heard there are worse ways to spend money.

Sorry this took so much space...maybe should've been a private message.
Bob

 

[The Gardener]

Thanks for sharing. It was a great read.

I can certainly appreciate your comments regarding the convenience of not having to change out attachments for each job. Owning different machines for very specific tasks likewise maximizes their individual strength.

Best of Luck on your expansion of production on the farm.

The Gardener

 

[WayneW]

I'll chime in here about the Carry All (3 pt)

here's a link to the one I have from TSC.
Tractor Supply Company - CARRY ALL

I use mine to move pallets of cut, split & stacked firewood. I cut & split it, then stack it once. I leave it in the field, in the sun all summer, then cover it with tarps for the fall. Then in late fall I use the carry all to pick up the pallets in move them into the barn for winter.

I have a B7610 which has a 1060 lb lift capacity for the 3pt (24" out)

Even though the carry all is rated for 1000 lbs, it has never flinched at a full load...the hydrolics quit first. (won't lift the pallet & I'll have to take a little wood off) With the loader on the tractor moves it fine & quite safely. I have to move them about 600 ft up a steep driveway.

Like someone else said, you could lift 2 pumpkins, 1 on the carry all and 1 on the loader. That will balance you out.

-best of luck

 

[aggc]

Thank you all for the replies and advice. They gave me some things to think about. I never considered using the three-point hitch to carry them before.

I think I am going to wait until I see what the next generation of L-series tractors looks like as I hear they are going through a redesign. I like the L2800 and L3400 but the current models are a little light on bells and whistles. I rented an L3130 for the weekend. Sweet! A little heavy on the wallet though...