B7800 B3030or L3400 ?

[cleanmansb]

Hello All:
I just bought a 20 acre farm house garage and barn in Pa
snow country. I have 1 acre around house 9 in pasture and
the rest is hilly and wood covered. I am going to get 2 to 4
horses and have to put up new fences. I will need to mow
plow snow and tend to stalls. B7800 B3030 0r L3400 any thoughts on what will be best for us.
Scott

 

[familyman]

With 9 acres of pasture, fence posts to dig, stalls to muck and snow to plow I would definitely not go smaller than the L3400. I've only got a couple of acres on which I'm digging, box blading, skidding and mowing and I still wouldn't go smaller! People will tell you that you could do it with the other two machines, and you could. Slower, and less easily, but you could. You may even want to go a little bigger, say, 35-40 hp, but the L3400 should handle it fine. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[aloha]

Welcome to TBN.

A B7800 would do what you want.

You mention new fences. The B3030 could be awkward with a post hole digger because it does not have a clutch. I like to be able to stop the rotation of the auger while raising it and watching it. I can do that with the B7800 by clutching with my left foot while raising with my right hand and looking over my right shoulder. It would be difficult, if not impossible, with the B3030 to reach the PTO lever on the left while twisted around.

You mention "wood covered." The smaller size of the B series may give advantages in maneuvering through the woods, and possibly for cleaning stalls.

The main disadvantage of the B series is the light weight, which can mean reduced traction, but the light weight can be a great advantage when mowing lawn or trailering.

If you go for an L3400, you probably will want the HST for easier maneuverability.

 

[familyman]

I second the motion for HST. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[DHD]

I've got a B7800 and an old Ford 2000.
I use the B7800 for grading the driveway, finish mowing and snowblowing.
I like both tractors, but when it comes to doing anything in the woods I use the Ford 2000, even though its only 2wd, it is a heavier duty tractor with higher ground clearance.
The the 4wd on the B7800 would be good in the woods, but with the lower ground clearance and with my luck, I would eventually encounter a rock, stump, log or the ocassional stick that pops up when you run over one end with your tire, and it would hit some delicate low hanging things like the low hanging fuel bowl.
If I ever decided to work in the woods with the B7800 I would
not do it without first installing a skip plate underneath the tractor.
Better safe than sorry.

 

[TonyV]

Welcome to the forum Cleanmansb. This is a loaded question really! Everyone who ever bought a tractor thinks that their tractor is the best. Which is exactly why an L3400 is the tractor to go with. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
All kidding aside though, get down to the local Kubota dealer and take a few tractors for a spin around the lot. Explain to the dealer the types of jobs that you need to do, and between the two of you, you'll soon wind up with the best tractor there ever was. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

...Tony

 

[schole]

Hi Scott,

Tony's comments on favourites certainly ring true for many of us posting here. I, too, have an L3400DT and love it (17 hilly acres).

I love seat time, but there are times when I wouldn't mind an even larger machine if could have afforded it. The 34 hp size is just super for my lawns and being generally nimble. However, if you are planning on more traditionally farming activities with plenty of ground-engaging equipment, then I would think that even the L3400 would be the smallest machine to choose. Don't get me wrong -- the L3400 is amazingly tough, strong, and a joy to use. I would hate to see you with something under-powered.

I would suggest the most hp for the $$ in your budget. All these machines are certainly 'compact' workhorses.

Shawn