B7800 vs. L2800

[N1ST]

There have been a few threads lately about B7800 vs. L2800. They seem to favor the L, but I'm thinking that there must be advantages to the B.

Weight - My use of a tractor would be for tilling and loader use. With 600lbs of tiller on the back and a loader on the front I think the weight comparison would be somewhere around B(3000lbs) vs. L(4000lbs). With this much weight already, would the extra 1000 lbs really help when using a 4 or 5' tiller? On the flip side, is 4000lbs a lot to be moving around with about the same size 30hp engine?

Frame - So, where is that extra 1000 lbs? Is it extra iron? Tires? I assume a heavier frame. Where is it heavier. Does it offer any real sturdyness benefits? If you are going to strees the B7800 to the point where the frame is at risk, is the L going to be at risk?

Fuel - Is there a fuel use penelty for hauling around the extra 1000lbs? Anyone know what the fuel performance of each is? Are we talking .5 gal/hr for the B vs. 1 gal/hr for the L?

3pt - I understand that the B has 1/4" vs. position control on the L. But I've read that once you get used to 1/4", it's not an issue.

Cost - Is one more expensive to maintain or buy parts for than the other? I've heard that it can be more expensive to maintain a larger tractor.

Manuverability - What is the L too big for that the B can do? ...muck out stalls? What is the B too small for that the L can do?

I'm hoping folks have some 1st hand knowledge or observations. If not, I'll take educated guesses!

 

[teg]

Personally, I think it's splitting hairs... I first looked at the B7800 until I saw the L2800 (for less money). I like a basic tractor, HST was my wife's only demand. To me, I liked the look of the L2800 (and didn't have the extra change for the L3400) I would say that both can do the same job but each *may* have an edge on a particular task. I don't think most of us ever use the tractor to the maximum and that both can "work" for you. I would say I would have been happy with the B7800...

 

[Nik]

I own a B3030 HST but often use my brother"s L3710. The B3030 does have position control on the 3 point hitch. It also has extendable lower links and a ratchet adjustment on one of the links. I like this setup. The B3030 is more nimble and will compact your soil less than the L series.

For rough fields and brushhogging the L3710 gives a somewhat better ride due to its larger frame. I do not know the FEL specs of the L4400, Our L3710 FEL can lift nearly double the B3030 and we like using the forklift on the L3710 to move heavy objects. The B3030 with FEL is easier to maneuver in tight spaces.

 

[Carl Bill]

I have been looking at tractors for a few weeks and had the same delima. You need to know that the B7800 has been discontinued and it will be no longer available as soon as dealer stock is exhausted.

I have been leaning toward the L2800HST for ony about $400 more. I thin fo rthe work I am contemplating, the bigger tractor will help. I actually looked at both today, and I can say I think I "like" the L2800 a bit more too.

However, I also have a 2003 BX1500 with FEL that I will be keeping for the smaller work, so I could be biased toward the larger L series...

My wife thinks I should "trade" the BX, but I explained that I will not be using the L for mowing and we need to keep the BX for mowing and for "her" to use... and it may become "her" tractor.... It may work!

We'll see in the next few days....

 

[N1ST]

True, tough decision. It's hard to say when enough is enough. Imagine you could buy any Kubota for the same price. Imagine you could buy any car for the same price. Some would buy a sub-compact because, why buy bigger than you need? Some would buy the biggest because, just in case.

I remember seeing the first Japaneese cars and wondering how can those tiny wheels possibly last as long as an American made car. But they did.

I guess it's pilosophy; minimalist vx. maximilist.

 

[Carl Bill]

True, tough decision. It's hard to say when enough is enough. Imagine you could buy any Kubota for the same price. Imagine you could buy any car for the same price. Some would buy a sub-compact because, why buy bigger than you need? Some would buy the biggest because, just in case.

I remember seeing the first Japaneese cars and wondering how can those tiny wheels possibly last as long as an American made car. But they did.

I guess it's pilosophy; minimalist vx. maximilist.

If you are buying only ONE tractor, I suppose you need to make sure you buy enough tractor to do all things you think you will ever need it to do. In my case, I have the little BX already, so I am buying for the larger work and do not need to even consider what I will do for the smaller work.

For the long term, I anticipate I will sell or trade the "big" L series in a couple of years when I finish all the tasks I am planning for it. Probably be ready for a really nice ZTR mower to do all the mowing after I get all of the dirt work done with the big L.

I am also looking at JD, MF and have been trying to see what Kioti can do. I may also stop by the NH dealer tomorrow with all of my other quotes to see just what they can do. But so far, Kubota is closer to the price I like.

But I'll see what tomorrow brings... :|

 

[Carl Bill]

Actually, if you are not planning to fully utilize the capacities of the FEL on a B7800 and can get by with the capacities of the tiller, mower, FEL, etc, of a BX. You will be amazed at how much work a smaller BX series Kubota can do.

MY BX1500 can mow like you wouldn't believe and the FEL is really nice. It has a lot more actual mowing power than my John Deere 23HP Kohler riding mower with the same sized mowing deck (48").

So keep that in mind. The little BX's are really mean machines! I have just moved to a new acreage and need a bit more FEL and blade capability to move a lot of dirt. I also need to attach an auger and the BX1500 is lust a bit too small for the augers I have found.

 

[N1ST]

I agree. Around 24 hp would due, but the B7800 gives me "head room".

 

[texbaylea]

When I started my hunt for a tractor some 2.5 yrs ago I first looked at the B7800. Decided that I needed/wanted some of the deluxe features and moved to considering the B2930 (before the B3030). Then I found out that the cost delta to an L3130 was minimal. Then moved on to considering the loader specs and that clinched it with the LA723 loader. I bought the Hy-Reach Tree Shear with my L3130 and it needed the LA723 for effective use.

I am glad that I made the choice that I did.

Vernon

 

[Bob_Young]

There have been a few threads lately about B7800 vs. L2800. They seem to favor the L, but I'm thinking that there must be advantages to the B.

Weight - My use of a tractor would be for tilling and loader use. With 600lbs of tiller on the back and a loader on the front I think the weight comparison would be somewhere around B(3000lbs) vs. L(4000lbs). With this much weight already, would the extra 1000 lbs really help when using a 4 or 5' tiller? On the flip side, is 4000lbs a lot to be moving around with about the same size 30hp engine?

Frame - So, where is that extra 1000 lbs? Is it extra iron? Tires? I assume a heavier frame. Where is it heavier. Does it offer any real sturdyness benefits? If you are going to strees the B7800 to the point where the frame is at risk, is the L going to be at risk?

Fuel - Is there a fuel use penelty for hauling around the extra 1000lbs? Anyone know what the fuel performance of each is? Are we talking .5 gal/hr for the B vs. 1 gal/hr for the L?

3pt - I understand that the B has 1/4" vs. position control on the L. But I've read that once you get used to 1/4", it's not an issue.

Cost - Is one more expensive to maintain or buy parts for than the other? I've heard that it can be more expensive to maintain a larger tractor.

Manuverability - What is the L too big for that the B can do? ...muck out stalls? What is the B too small for that the L can do?

I'm hoping folks have some 1st hand knowledge or observations. If not, I'll take educated guesses!

1. Weight - The extra weight of the L2800 will be a big help on hillsides with heavy implements. An L2800 will be much more comfortable in these situations with a 5' bush hog or heavy tiller. The tail won't tend to "wag the dog" so much. On flat ground, there will be little difference and the B7800 will do about as well as the L. Here in hilly central NY, a tractor that's a bit light for the implement can quickly become a handful while a heavy rig makes the job much easier. But if you're planning usage on a lawn, the weight is a detriment and the B7800 an obvious choice.

2. Frame - Probably no great weight difference there. I'd suspect it's mostly in the front and rear axle castings and the transmission castings. Keep in mind the L3400 is the same tractor as the L2800 but with a bigger engine. Therefore the drivetrain is designed to handle more than what the L2800 is capable of putting out. I'd think this would make it sturdier than if it were designed to simply handle 30HP max. This might be important if you get a little nuts one day and start ramming or jerking at something that won't move.

3. Fuel - This is just a guess, but I'd suspect that you'd see less than a 20% difference in fuel consumption between the two; maybe much less. My substantially heavier MX5000 burns virtually the same fuel as my L4300 for an hour's work. The L4300 tends to burn about the same amount of fuel for the same work whether the loader is off or on....and this is on hilly ground.

4. Cost - The L2800 is still a small tractor. Maintaining an M9540 might be substantially more, but not an L2800. In fact, being a little larger would probably mean maintenance access to many areas would be less cramped on the L as opposed to the B. The B's cram a lot into a small package.

5. 3Pt. - I'm used to both Quarter-Inching and Position Control. Once you've worked Position Control, believe me, Q-I will always be an 'issue', though not always a major one. PC is a huge plus for the L2800.

6. Manueverability - This is where the B7800 shines....if you really need it. Covering the ground between flowerbeds, shrubbery, trees, and structures, the smaller tractor will always win out. The B's are great for loader work inside barns as well. If this will be a major use, you might want to go even smaller; maybe a B7610 or B2620. Time to get out the tape measure.

A big feature of the B7800 is the center PTO. If you plan to run a mid-mount mower or a front-mount snowblower, the B7800 is only one of the two suited for the job. If you're not planning on these attachments and don't expect to do lawn or barn work, there's little reason to choose a B7800 over an L2800
FWIW
Bob