Difficulty in deciding which machine to get

[bandit67]

I think I've narrowed down my choices, but still having difficulty making a decision. I've just about ruled out the B26 - it looks to be one heck of a nice machine - very stout, should take many years of abuse, but I'm concerned about the 26 hp motor handling the weight of the machine on the slopes on my property which is at 8500' elevation - I wish they offered a 30hp version.

I think I'm now down to the B3030 or the L3400. I like the weight of the L3400 because of the slopes, and the loader is slightly stronger than the B3030, though both fall short compared to the B26. I'm a bit dissapointed that the 3pt on the L is weaker than the B, and I'm a bit nervous about the overall durability of the L's PTO with the troublesome cams and cable linkage. I do like the overall size/bulk of the machine and the loader, and think the Woods BH80X would be a real nice fit with the L3400. But the B3030 PTO would appear to be far superior. On the B3030, those FEL pins seem aweful small compared to the nice stout FEL setup on the B26, but I guess I could just resolve to replacing the pins every few years (I know they are going to take a beating with all the rocks I'll be digging up/moving around).

I do have some concerns about the extremely light weight of the B3030, and with the backhoe, I guess Kubota doesn't recommend filling the tires. I also wonder how the B3030 would stand up to years of transporting such a big backhoe around a mountain property.

I do plan to use a 3pt tiller, probably do quite a bit of box blading, lots of digging up rocks with the backhoe w/ thumb, and a ton of snow removal. I really liked my snow setup with the FEL and rear blade on my last machine, so I think I may go that route again. We should average around 175-225 inches of snow during the winters, with many storms dumping 12-18" at a time (though the 24-30" storms also happen with some good frequency). I realize a snowblower would probably be a better bet, but not sure I want to do that just yet - it could be something that I go for if I get tired of the FEL/rear blade after a couple of winters.

So I guess I'm looking for feedback on the 2 machines. I haven't completely ruled out the B26 just yet, because I expect that machine will hold up extremely well over the years, and aside from the 26hp engine, the features, size, weight, capacities are exactly what I want. That backhoe is one stout looking little sucker. But a salesman at a dealer who's sold a lot of machines up in my area said he also thinks the 26 hp engine might be a bit underpowered on my property. I spent a day on an L35 on my new property, and I liked the torque it had in getting around and changing direction (forward/reverse) on some decent slopes with a loaded FEL.

The L3400 prices out $400-500 more than the B3030 comparably equipped (both with Woods BH80X), and it's a little bigger than I really need, and I'm having a real hard time getting past the PTO on that machine.

Comments, suggestions, opinions?

 

[gotcha]

I spent a day on an L35 on my new property, and I liked the torque it had in getting around and changing direction (forward/reverse) on some decent slopes with a loaded FEL.
Comments, suggestions, opinions?

Maybe so you can get the same feel with the other machines on your slopes etc., you should see if the dealer would let you put one of each through the same paces or possibly rent one of each for a 1/2 day or what ever the minimum time is. That is the only way your going to get an answer to all of your questions/feelings. Really asking us is not the answer as we all look at any one particular unit in different ways and have many different comments and again they are, are own feelings and you may not feel the same way without working it yourself.
The Gotcha Man

 

[bandit67]

Maybe so you can get the same feel with the other machines on your slopes etc., you should see if the dealer would let you put one of each through the same paces or possibly rent one of each for a 1/2 day or what ever the minimum time is. That is the only way your going to get an answer to all of your questions/feelings. Really asking us is not the answer as we all look at any one particular unit in different ways and have many different comments and again they are, are own feelings and you may not feel the same way without working it yourself.
The Gotcha Man

Yeah, I know, but they don't seem to do that out here - guess no one wants to buy a partially used, scratched up machine. And with the new-ness of the B26, and the limited supply, there's no way I'll ever get any seat time on my property without actually buying it. So far, all I have to go by is the dealer's recommendation that the B26 will be underpowered at 8500', and that I'd be happier with the performance of a 30 (or more) hp machine.

Are there any "mountain dwelling" B3030 owners out there that feel that their machine is a sturdy enough unit to give them 15 years of good service - I know the mountainous areas of NH & VT have some good granite rocks that'll put a machine through the paces.

 

[canoetrpr]

IMHO the B series strength is its weight (or lack thereof). So if your tasks include finish mowing - this is great. You can have a great finish mower (the MMM seems awesome) and a tractor to do everything else to boot.

If finish mowing is not a primary application that I can't really see a good reason to go with a B series machine. That's just me personally. I'll take the larger weight and larger frame and higher lift hight etc. of the L.

I'm not really sure I'd be that worried about the PTO. Failures have not been widespread, best I can tell. The odd issue and a PSB related to it can be found on all models. Overall, pretty much all Kubotas have a stellar reputation for reliability. Any problems will always surface to the top. Plus you will get the upgraded valve and PTO cams to boot on a new machine.

Also remember that Kubota sells many many L3400s and L2800s and there are not too many people even here that have had a breakdown with their machines. Keep all of this in perspective. I mean there are people that have had problems on new machines of other brands / models a lot more regularly than anything you hear about the L3400/L2800 PTOs or otherwise.

You can definately consider looking at a L3240 and L3540. For hilly terrain the extra HP on the L3540 might be worthwhile.

 

[Bob_Young]

L4400 with BH-90X. It'll be a digging beast. The tractor itself is not really all that big or heavy; but, with backhoe and FEL, it's every bit of 20 ft. long.

PTO is independent hydraulic so the L3400/2800 live PTO issues are left behind.

If you're going to spend the money, might as well get something that will DIG.
Bob

 

[aesanders]

Why not look for a good L35 or L39? I've seen soe good prices on some little used L35's.

 

[DiezNutz]

Hey Ed,
You probably know what I'm gonna say You've obviously put a whole lotta thought into this, which is great. I don't think the BH80-X is a problem for the B3030, but to wring the most out of it the extra mass of the L would be a benefit - as it would be for plowing snow. If you could get past the 3PH & PTO weaknesses of the L, I think it suits your plans better. But I don't think the B3030 is going to let you down either - your rugged terrain will be relatively the same stress on either machine. Maybe you could solve both concerns by stepping up to a GL 3130 (or even 3430)?

 

[hill]

You keep talking about the weight of the B26. The weight is listed in specs. WITH loader and backhoe at 4001 lbs, I think it was.

Why is that so much heavier than a B3030 which checks in at 1700+ lbs. WITHOUT loader or backhoe?

Kubota doesn't seem to think we'd like to know the weights of all their attachments but I doubt very much if those two together wouldn't bring the total of a so equipped B3030 to within a B26 ballpark.

Kubota doesn't recommend loading tires with a backhoe attached - right. They must recommend spinning tires so as to sell them? My dealer told me not to worry about filled tires. He didn't say that Kubota has to caution against every possible dumb thing an owner might do as well as against every possible failure of equipment, whether it's actually happened or not. (My tires are filled)

 

[art]

The B-26 is just a new version of the B-21 with more horsepower! See if there are any in your area and ask the owners of their thoughts. The weight is a plus for digging in rocks and they are built for 100 percent digging. The 3030/3400 are both built for limited digging or ocassional use with other utility duties that would take the account for most of the hours.

See if there are any rental places that have them locally.

 

[bandit67]

Thanks for all the feedback, guys.

I won't go for a used L35 because I prefer HST for a day's worth of dirt work, and the gears/clutch/braking of the L35 really slowed down my overall production because of the sloped terrain. A local dealer has a used L39 supposedly for around the price of the new B26, but I wasn't able to check the hours, and I think it may be just a bit large for a 3 acre property in the long run. I also think the L3400 is about as big as I should go on that size property - I agree that the Grand L's are a nicer machine, but they seem even bigger than the standard L's. That's why I like the B series - their size is perfect.

Hill, the B26 weighs in about 500 lbs more than the B3030.

Art, as far as I can tell, only a couple of B26's have sold in a 100 mile radius, and none were to rental yards. I've never even found a B21 at a rental yard out here. L35's are apparently the rental machine of choice, and the only one I've actually found is at the place just down the road from my new property.

Problem with all of this is that every day, I change my number 1 choice. Maybe I should just relax and go with the B3030 - so what if I have to replace loader pins every few years due to wear. Heck, I'm so hung up on the capacities of the different machines, but ANY of the machines I'm looking at are a huge improvement over my last subcompact. It may not really matter in the end, because in a few weeks, I'm going to rent a fullsize New Holland 95 series TLB, and anything, including the L39, won't be able to stack up to that machine. Realizing that, I should be able to just suck it up and accept the fact that a fullsize TLB purchase is completely unrealistic, and whichever compact I choose is a WAY better option than the alternative - the old shovel and wheelbarrow.