Comparing a L3130 to BX7800

[Hay Dude]

Finalizing search for 4WD with 72" mower. Have found 2 units. One is a B7800 with R4's about 1050hrs, hydro and 72" mower looks to be about a 8 of 10 condition. Other is a L3130 4WD with 1750 hours, hydro, turfs and 72" deck. Also looks to be 8 of 10 in condition. Both are about $8500.
Most work will be mowing of lawn grass to rough grass on farm and a few customers. Possibly a 5' bush hog or a cone spreader on back. Nothing crazy.
Anyone have any direct experiences or thoughts on comparing them?

One thing I like a lot better about the 7800 is the twin hydro pedals over the "toe/heel" pedal on the 3130. Like the lower hours on 7800, too.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

While the L3130 only has a few more HP than the B7800, it is a bigger, heavier tractor than the B7800. It's a step up in overall size, weight, lift capacity, etc.

Frankly, I'm not sure I'd use either one to pull a 6 foot rotary cutter. A 6' finish mower would be fine, but I think a 6 foot rotary cutter would be too much, especially for the B7800. I think a 5 footer would work better on either one, particularly if you get into some brush mowing or chopping down tall, thick, overgrown grass/weeds.

I haven't used either one. If you're going to be using it mainly for mowing lawn grass, I'd lean towards the B7800 because its lighter footprint would be less damaging to lawns. What type of tires are on each one? For lawns, I'd want turf tires.

 

[Hay Dude]

Great point on the weight. The weights I figured would be the same, but the 7800 weighs 1800lbs and the 3130 is 3300lbs!! It weighs twice as much! Side by side comparison, you wouldn't think that the 3130 weighs double the 7800.
Primary use is lawn cutting, so lighter footprint is a big plus.
I would only use a 5' bush hog if any bush hog at all.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Does the B7800 have a front end loader on it? If so, the price sounds ok. If not, then I think $8,500 may be a little too high. But I'm not up to date on prices of those models. Check tractorhouse.com, which will show you the asking prices on other ones.

If it has a front end loader, I don't know if those were quick attach or not. Since your primary use is lawn mowing, you would want to be able to detach it easily.

 

[nybirdman]

I owned a L3130 HST and have run a B7800 quite a bit(with a back-hoe).I much preferred the L3130.The B7800 is smaller for sure but had a very cramped operator station compared to the L3130.

 

[Hay Dude]

No front loader on either tractor. No plans for backhoe.
I don't plan on getting FEl, unless my wife wants it for moving mulch around the house and I'm sure the FEL is plenty good for mulch, small dirt piles, etc.
I think the 7800 sounds like the one unless I'm missing something. I'm not buying a dirt-work tractor. Just a big grass cutter for some hilly ground.
Talk me out of it if you think I'll be unhappy though.

 

[nybirdman]

The B7800 would serve as a better grass cutter just because it's shorter and lighter IMHO.

 

[varmint]

I had a L3130, and really liked its features, etc., but I agree with the others that it is overweight for mowing purposed. Even with turfs, it is a heavy machine. With filled rear R-4s, I couldn't drive mine over grassy areas without leaving cleat marks. I had a HD loader on it as well, but still. Nybirdman is right on.

 

[Hay Dude]

Dealer just dropped 7800 from $8,500 to $7,900.
Shipping will be about $600.

 

[McREBEL]

Definitely the B7800 for primarily cutting grass, due to the lighter weight. There is this one on tractorhouse.com for $9000 with FEL for comparison (no mower). If you think you will ever need a FEL I would think hard about getting a tractor with a FEL on it already. To add a Kubota FEL later will be in the $3K range.

http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=9110489

The better deal between the two tractors you mentioned, use not considered, might be the L3130. The L's are a step up in capability/weight/money from the B's.