Mowing Can Kubota B3030 Handle 72" Finish Mower?

[TNfolksnSC]

Can Kubota B3030 Handle 72\" Finish Mower?

I'd like some opinions from anyone that has some experience on this subject...I've recently bought a home & 8 acres and grass-cutting time is rapidly approaching. I am considering 2 different Kubotas...a B3030 and a L3430. I am leaning toward the smaller frame tractor because I think it can handle the light garden and landscaping work that I plan to do but I was thinking about pulling a 72" finish mower instead of a 60". I have gotten opinions from dealers ranging from "it won't handle it", to "it'll be marginal", to "no problem".
I called Woods technical support and they said they recommend 25HP PTO for a 72" and 15HP PTO for the 60". The B3030HST is rated at 23HP PTO. The L3430 is 27HP PTO.

I'd rather pull a 1800lb tractor over the lawn if it will do the job instead of a 3300lb tractor if the smaller one can do the job.

What do you guys think?

 

[ronjhall]

Re: Can Kubota B3030 Handle 72\" Finish Mower?

I run a 72" MMM with my B2910 (B3030 is the new model). The problem with a 72" RFM on a B3030, is it would require the FEL or a lot of counter weight be on front of tractor. This would defeat the light tractor factor. If you want a light tractor for mowing get the MMM. Yes a MMM cost more. But the hard to install and remove it is not true. It is just as easy to install my MMM as it is to install the Rotary Cutter. As for power my B2910 has never had a problem running the 72" MMM, even in heavy wet grass.

 

[TNfolksnSC]

Re: Can Kubota B3030 Handle 72\" Finish Mower?

Ron-Thanks for your reply. I'll consider the MMM. For some reason I just thought that I wanted/needed a rear-discharge RFM. Maybe I need to re-think that.

 

[OrangeGuy]

Re: Can Kubota B3030 Handle 72\" Finish Mower?

I have a 90" RFM on my Kubota L3430. This tractor handles it with no problem. No additional weights except cab and FEL frame. 72" on a 3030 should be fine unless you have steep hills.

OrangeGuy

 

[ronjhall]

Re: Can Kubota B3030 Handle 72\" Finish Mower?

<font color="blue"> 72" on a 3030 should be fine unless you have steep hills. </font>
I do not normally disagree with others comments. But there is a big difference between a L3430HSTC and a B3030 tractor. Putting a Woods 72" rear discharge mower on the back of a B3030 will require additional weight on front of tractor. This mower weighs over 150 lbs more than a standard RFM when rear chain shielding is added.

 

[RoyJackson]

Re: Can Kubota B3030 Handle 72\" Finish Mower?

The Woods RD72, the standard duty 72" RFM, weighs 603# per the Woods website. That Kubota B3030 weighs about 1900 pounds with no loader or ballast.

You'd probably want about 150-200 lbs of weights to handle the mower if you intend to lift and run in transport position. As long as the mower is on the ground...that is, you tow it rather then lift it for transport, you wouldn't even need the front weights.

Personally, I'd go for the 72" mower. One can always make a narrower cut should the tractor bog down. Or, shift to a lower range...

However, you have 8 acres...this is all lawn? No field work involved?
If all lawn, then go for that 72" mower. Just get 3 or 4 front weights for your tractor...but only if you intend to operate the tractor with the mower in the raised position for transport.

I'm not a big fan of mid mount mowers...too expensive and they'll only work with the tractor they're designed for.
However, if you want to spend the extra money, that tis a viable option. If there are a lot of obstacles (trees, bushes and such), the MMM may be the better way to go.

 

[JLoaf]

Re: Can Kubota B3030 Handle 72\" Finish Mower?

I found the following comentary on the Carver web site:
<font color="purple"> "Performance (torque) differences between the three models.
I think the primary times that an operator will realize a noticeable difference in performance of the 27 hp B2710 and 30 hp B2910/B7800 tractors are:

Contractors and folks doing LOADER operations handling heavy loads, multipurpose buckets, excavating (digging) dirt may select the B2910 for a little reserve HP reasons.

If your loader task is basically for med. and light duty homeowner work, the B 2710 will serve you well.

Mowing. The extra 2 horsepower will always help you push the mower/cutter a little faster and a little easier. It may help you go to a larger size cutter. Our experience is that the B 2710 handles the 72” mid mount deck and a 72” rear mounted finishing mower really well.

Under 30 hp --- We have always recommended a 48” brush cutter (bush hog) for most tall weeds and brush applications.

Several customers are using the B 2710 with 5’ cutters in “light duty and arid environments where the undergrowth is not too thick or wet.

The extra horsepower with the B7800/B2910 will help the users considering a 60” rotary cutter and 84" finishing mowers.

Special needs for implements requiring certain PTO powered Generators, Pumps, Hay tools, etc." </font>

I have had no problem at all pulling a Woods RD7200 with my B2710.

 

[DavidVaTech]

Re: Can Kubota B3030 Handle 72\" Finish Mower?

I'm using a B2910 (B3030 replaces this model) w/ 72" MMM on 3 acres or turf with approx. 40-50 shade trees. Could not live without the menuverability of a MMM over a RFM. I also cut the rights-of-way on the sides of my private road with this deck once a month (meaning, its a little tall) at 4" gage wheel settings. Absolutely no problems at all. I specifically chose the B2910 for it's lighter weight vs. the L's and glad I did. I'm just doing a lot of landscaping type chores.

 

[nick37]

Re: Can Kubota B3030 Handle 72\" Finish Mower?

I haul a 72" Landpride finish mower behind my B7800 (22 PTO HP). I believe the mower weighs something like 585 lbs.

The only time the engine struggles is with wet or tall (8-10") grass. Of course, in those instances, I can always take a narrower swipe each pass and the reduce the load. Before I got a rotary mower, the finish mower was tested (abused) many times and did well enough. For normal mowing, 22hp is fine.

Thinking of ballast with a tow behind mower is a little harder. I'm nicely balanced with the FEL and mower for all my other chores and it's a convenient pairing during the summer. However, with the mower down, the ride's a little bouncy and the traction is poor because the tractor misses that ~600lbs. on the rear tires. I often have to use 4wd or lightly pick up the mower if it's damp or I'm reversing up hill. Some weights up front instead of a loader would probably be ideal.

 

[73jeep]

Re: Can Kubota B3030 Handle 72\" Finish Mower?

Just my 2 cents worth.....I've just ordered a MF 1523 (18.7 PTO HP) with a woods 60" mower. I also was asking if this 1523 tractor could handle the mower I'd picked out. The dealer told me of another one of his customers to whom he'd sold a MF 1225 (which is older version of same tractor I'm getting) and it pulls a 72" mower without any problems. If this is true, then a Kubota 3030 should handle a 72" mower.