Buying Advice deciding between a b and l series

[Motractr]

I've been reading here for a few days and would like some advice. My wife has given me the okay to replace my current tractor and I have decided it is going to be a Kubota. My current trator is a early '70s Ford 3000. I currenly mow around four acres of rolling pasture. Occasionaly I also need to bush hog if things get ahead of me. I would also like to be able to do some light loader work and possibly run a post hole digger if needed. I have a 6 foot Land Pride 2572 finish mower and a 5 foot bush hog.

I have test driven both an B3200 and a L3400 and have also looked at the L2800. I liked both tractors very well and both have positives and negatives in my mind. I want to get a tractor that will do what I need it to do but also not over buy on size. I liked the fact that the b3200 has the ability to accept a mid mount mower if I decide to get one in the future, but I seemed to be able to get on the L series with less effort. My question is wheter the B3200 or the L2800 will handle the 6" finish mower. Or should I move up to the L3400/3700 The Ford doesn't have any trouble with bogging down with the hills and it most likely weighs 5000#

Suggestions on which tractor would best suit my needs will be appreciated.

I have an L2800 HST. It is under powered for PTO work. Fine for pulling and loader work, though. I also have an L4330 HST with loader that is a great machine all around. My B7610 with loader mows with a 5 foot bush hog but is too small for big work and unstable when lifting heavy loads or on uneven ground. I think that for a relatively small difference in price for big jumps in horsepower I'd go big.

 

[dst1165]

While out looking around today I spotted and test drove a 2005 L2800 that had 162 hours on it. It had a few scratches on the hood but otherwise looked in good shape. They were asking $13,500 for it. Is that a good price?

Also while disengaging the PTO there was a clicking noise that the dealer attibuted to the over running clutch. Is that normal?

 

[Thomas]

Did it have fel also HST.

Some past L2800 had jerky issue w/3pt hitch,also cable problem to 3pt hitch lever...believe there some threads on TBN about it.

 

[dst1165]

Sorry for the lack of information. The tractor was HST and did have a FEL. I worked the 3-point hitch and it was somewhat jerky when moved slowly.

 

[Motractr]

Sorry for the lack of information. The tractor was HST and did have a FEL. I worked the 3-point hitch and it was somewhat jerky when moved slowly.

I paid $16,500 for L2800 HST with LA463 FEL new in 2006.

 

[General Lee]

Also while disengaging the PTO there was a clicking noise that the dealer attibuted to the over running clutch. Is that normal?

The PTO on my 3200 clicks once when I press the clutch in to stop the PTO only when the mower is spinning. I've never heard the term "over running clutch". Not sure what that means.

 

[Cat_Driver]

You cna buy a B today and a bigger tractor next year or just be done with it and buy the bigger tractor today and save money.

I don't hink I have ever heard anyone say I have too much money, or too big of a tractor.

 

[logan97]

Thanks for the input everyone! I'm leaning toward the l2800 that is unless I find a much better deal on a B3200. I tend to like the way the Ls are laid out. I found a used l2800 near me with 180 hours. I believe they are asking $15,500. From what I hear this dealer is willing to negotiate.

update?

 

[dst1165]

Some things that I read here on TBN got me concerned about what noise I heard the L2800 PTO make.
The more I think about what I will be doing with the tractor, I'm not sure I can justify a new one. I think I will keep my eyes open a little while longer to see if anything turns up.

 

[k0ua]

The PTO on my 3200 clicks once when I press the clutch in to stop the PTO only when the mower is spinning. I've never heard the term "over running clutch". Not sure what that means.

The overrunning clutch prevents the rotary implement from pushing the tractor. Think of a large rotary cutter, when it is spun up it has a lot of stored energy, like a large flywheel. If you reduce throttle on the tractor suddenly, you dont want that energy to continue pushing the tractor foward. The overrunning clutch prevents that. It is some sort of 1 way ratchet, that can be driven one way, but when the PTO shaft on the cutter is going faster than the PTO splines it ratchets and cannot be driven from the cutter. This is the clicking noise you hear.
James K0UA