Educate Me on Older Kubota

[The Gardener]

Hi Ron,

My B2910 (previous model to B3030 & similar specs) is limited to 500 lbs max weight on 3PH for a RFM or Rotary Cutter.

This is the number that I would very much like to know for any tractor we are looking to purchase for mowing. I cannot find this number on the Kubota website for a B3030. They only list a capacity @ lift point [2140#] and 24" behind lift point [1676#].

Where in the specs do they state this specific max number?

Is it a calculated percentage of the numbers provided?

Would the B3030 not be able to use any of these RFM due to their gross weight?

PRD6000, PRD7200, and PRD8400 Rear Discharge Mowers

Thanks!

 

[MarkV]

Have you considered any other brands besides Kubota? If you could loose the need for two tractors with FEL’s some of the older Fords can be had for under $5000 and would pull the mowers mentioned easily.

MarkV

 

[ronjhall]

Hi Ron,

Where in the specs do they state this specific max number?

Is it a calculated percentage of the numbers provided?

Would the B3030 not be able to use any of these RFM due to their gross weight?

PRD6000, PRD7200, and PRD8400 Rear Discharge Mowers

Thanks!

Those numbers are in the B2910 owners manual. Kind of misleading if you use the site info.
Using the info that is on the Woods site the none of the units you list should be used on the B series tractors.
The 72" SD series would be out of the Kubota limit. But I have seen B2910/B3030 with a 72" RFM mower on them. Kubota list the RFM 72" for both B3030 and B7800. Weight is listed at 585lbs. Will still need some weight on front of tractor for ballast.

 

[The Gardener]

Hi MarkV,

We had an older Ford. It was a very solid tractor. In fact, it was excellent. In seven years of regular, 12 month use, we spent a mere $735 in repairs. We could not have been more pleased with a tractor. We finally sold it because it was a 2WD design, and our property expansion began to expose this limitation.

My hesitation in buying something that is too old would be concerns regarding seat comfort, nicer suspension, easier steering, and other such creature comforts that our older tractor also lacked. I'll be sitting on this thing for 2+ hours riding over some rougher sections of terrain. Having driven our previous steel tank, it was fantastic and dependable but not all that comfortable. We didn't cut grass with that Ford tractor - nor would I have wanted to. Its replacement, however, will assume that role.

I like what I have been told by several close friends who have owned several colors. They all pointed me toward Kubota, and I feel confident in their orange recommendation.

 

[The Gardener]

Will still need some weight on front of tractor for ballast.

Beyond the FEL, or would just having the FEL be enough?

I must say, this is a lot more complicated than I had expected. As a novice tractor operator who never used the PTO on our previous 25hp Ford, I did not realize there were weight issues to be considered if you stayed within the PTO weight capacities listed on the website: particularly the 24" behind lift point number.

I guess I just don't understand what that value [the 1676#] serves as a listing for the B3030 tractor.

I just don't get it. I'm clueless

I was thinking that someone adds a set of forks to the PTO on their B3030. They want to lift a pallet of bricks. I was assuming that the weight of the bricks on this pallet should not exceed 1676# or the front tires might/will lift off the ground. If this is correct, how does this differ from lifting a RFM that weighs less than 1676# ?

 

[DmansPadge]

Beyond the FEL, or would just having the FEL be enough?

Having a FEL will be enough weight for most situations. I don't have a FEL so I have 3 suitcase weights on the front of my B series Kubota.

I was thinking that someone adds a set of forks to the PTO on their B3030. They want to lift a pallet of bricks. I was assuming that the weight of the bricks on this pallet should not exceed 1676# or the front tires might/will lift off the ground. If this is correct, how does this differ from lifting a RFM that weighs less than 1676# ?

The 1676 number is a spec of what the 3pt hitch is capable of doing... and not what you can lift and then drive around with. Take my tractor for example... a B7410. It only weighs about 1200 lbs.... but can lift over 1000 at the 3pt hitch. Could you imagine trying to drive a 1200 lb. tractor with 1000 lbs. hanging off the back of it?

I think the main point is that if your going to be using a large RFM on a small tractor you are going to need some extra weight to keep the tractor safe to operate. You don't want to be moving around your land bouncing the front wheels off the ground. A FEL would do or if you get a tractor w/o one, you should consider adding weight another way... such as suitcase weights.

 

[DiezNutz]

I was thinking that someone adds a set of forks to the PTO on their B3030. They want to lift a pallet of bricks.

Are you trying to lift bricks or see how far you can fling them? Do you have some sadistic need for a 23HP egg beater?
The 1676# has nothing to do with the front wheels. It is exactly what it says - the rated lifting capacity of the 3PH hydraulics (in this case specified at 24" behind the lift point). Rest assured that without serious ballast on the tractor (e.g., loaded FEL), you will not be able to lift anything close to that, let alone carry it.

 

[art]

Gardener, all tractors talk of total weight lift on the three point with no regard to front ballast.

 

[The Gardener]

Thanks everyone. I understand.

 

[MarkV]

Keep in mind that the rated lift is at 24” behind the 3pt arms. A mower will extend much farther than 24”. It all becomes a matter of leverage. Some of the confusion has to do with manufactures recommend weights for implements during transport. When you think of an 800 lbs. rotary mower carried 5+ feet behind the tractor while going full speed through a plowed field you can imagine how things would break. I would not do that and I am sure you would not either. If I was a tractor manufacture though I’d bet someone would come in looking for a free fix because I hadn’t told them not to. If I was the manufacture I would put very conservative rating in the specs to cover my tail.

MarkV