First Tractor - B2930 or L3400?

[GoCougs]

This is my first post. In the next few months I plan to buy my first tractor. I am moving to a 15 acre piece of land. I have spent my spare time the last couple of years getting it ready to move in. As part of that I rented a JD 450 for a week (which was way fun) and cleared a couple of acres for pasture for my wife's Llamas, a small barn and a house. To support other chores, I have rented both Kubota and John Deere compact tractors. I have a slight leaning towards the Kubota and have decided to go that route. The Kubota's I rented were B21's and I liked them fine.

To start with I just want a basic HST with a loader and a back blade. I want to keep it under $20,000, so any other implemetnts would come later. Things could change, but the only other for sure implement that would come later would be a brush hog for the pasture.

I have a 600 foot gravel drive, and then a 1000 foot VERY steep paved access road. I would be doing light grading on my drive and snow removal for both roads. I am in the Pacific Northwest, but at a little higher elevation. Still probably only about two weeks out of the year with snow, and a 12 inch snowfall is only going to happen once per year or so. But last year, my four wheel drive pickup could not get up the steep drive with 12 inches of snow on it. Still thinking not enough snow to justify a snow blower.

I also would be doing light dirt work like leveling out a brushy area for a carport, moving piles of gravel, and general loader work. I do not have things like a lot of big stumps to move as I took care of them when I had the JD 450. I will not have a lawn.

I have been considering both the B2920 and L3400. I have been leaning towards the 2920. As my place is more finished now, and I have fenced the pasture and garden, I have more places that are more close quarters and I think the 2920 would be more manauverable. I am also thinking the lighter 2920 might tackle the steep drive in the snow better than the 3400. Is my logic sound?

 

[dodge man]

Both are excellent machines. I'm not sure of the price difference, but it sounds like you are on a budget like most of us are. You have rented machines so you should pretty much know what you want. If I'm not mistaken, a B21 is a commercial/construction grade machine and is pretty heavy duty, so what you would be buying would not be as heavy duty, but would still be a pretty decent sized machine. I'd say get the bigger machine if you can afford it. If not buying the B would maybe allow you to buy so more implements latter on.

 

[nybirdman]

The greater weight would be an advantage moving snow,sounds like a rear blade would work for the snow removal and road maintainance.Higher horse-power at high elevations would be and advantage.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Will you move tractor to different locations? Do you have a trailer to haul either one of them? The L weighs alot more than the B. Had an L3240HST and traded back to a B series, a B3200, 1700lbs less weight. Had a B7800 and for me the B serves my purposes better. My dual axle trailer easily moves the B but it was at max, maybe a hair over, with the L. The L feels more like a big tractor from the getting up on it to the riding around on it than the B which for me was OK on flat land but not on my hillsides. I felt less secure on hillsides with the L, maybe was because of the height off of the ground. When the B lifts one wheel off the ground on a hole or some thing it doesn't feel pleasant but when my L did it, it felt down right scary. Either tractor will do your job well in my opinion. Looks like your personal preference after sitting on each one and the dollars should be the way to make the decision.

 

[bp fick]

The B series, which you likely know, also comes in a slightly heavier, longer, upgraded version.

In other words, there are a few B models that fall approximately between the two you mentioned. Sit in them. That's for sure. Then let your wallet by your guide, I guess. Nice problem really.

 

[KU Gator]

John Thomas's points were good and he has experience with both sizes. We purchased about 12 acres for recreation about 35 miles away from our residence of 3 acres. We tried BX's and B's and ended up with the B2920 because we would be trailering for the foreseeable future and did not want the weight of the L. It serves most of our needs pretty well and we can use the belly mower for a pretty good quality cut on the yard at home if we want or even the pasture at the other property now that we have the rocks under control.

But with that said, if we lived on the 12 acres which still needs some clearing, I would probably opt for the L. It has the position control for the 3pt hitch which should be easier for mowing with a rough cut rotary mower than the 1/4 inch valve system on the B2920. The heavier frame and overall weight would be better for loader work, pulling saplings, and ground engaging equipment like the rear or box blades.

But in the end, as John Thomas said, you and your wife should go set on them and drive them around the dealer lot and you will probably be able to make a decision. With the variety of tasks you will do with the tractor, you will find there is no one size that is perfect for all the tasks. So prioritize the tasks, then work backwards from there.

 

[gerard]

Another opinion from the peanut gallery! I have a 10 acre horse farm, all cleared and have an L2500DT. Good size and serves me well. If I had 15 acres and still had some clearing etc, I would opt for the L series in a 35hp in a heartbeat. Unless trailering weight is a major issue for you, the added weight will make it a more effective machine. Better yet load the tires, you won't regret it. (Makes machine more stable, less tippy on steep slopes, and easier to do loader work). I would also go for the HST next time AND a live PTO. (My only regret with my current unit. Snowblowing's harder with a gear and no live pto). I looked at B series and L series. Just seemed the B is more geared to estate living, L more to serious farming. Look at the loader specs (lifting capacity, bucket volume), and the 3 pt lifting specs. I never heard anyone say they wished they had less power, a smaller loader bucket, or smaller implements on the back! You can do the same things with a smaller unit but it will take longer and you have to work the machine a little longer and a little harder. 15 acres you're in the right size area and while BOTH will work, I humbly submit the L series is a better fit!

 

[GoCougs]

Thanks for the input to date. Has given me some things to think about. Had not thought about trailering. Trailer would come later also as do not have the money for that yet. My pickup has an 11000 pound towing capacity, so could pull either if I had too, but lighter is always a nicer tow.

I would say that ease of towing would be a tie breaker, but would be more interested in which tractor would perfrom better back blading snow on very steep hill. Figured I would back blade down hill and then dead head back up, but still need to get up. My neighbor plowed it with his medium size excavator last winter and he could not get back up the hill with his rubber tracked excavator.

 

[Just Bill]

Hello
You might also consider a used low hour tractor that might have some remaining warranty.
The L3400 is usually between $12K and $14K with a FEL and 4x4
I bought one that still had 7 mo factory warranty.

 

[medicshawn]

With filled tires and chains you should be able to get just about anywhere. You didn't mention how large of a pasture you will be maintaining. Will you have anything to unload with the tractor? Hay feed etc? Loader capacity might make a difference. With the L3400 you could get Skid Steer Quick Attach for the front end and some pallet forks. Best thing since sliced bread. Do you need to be able to turn your tractor in tight spaces? With a 10K trailer you could carry the L3400. You didn't mention if you were financing versus buying used. Pros and cons to each. You could probably find something used for an excellent price in this economy. Going New there's not much difference in zero percent for 5 years. I would buy as big as I could afford. It's much cheaper to buy the wright tractor once instead of buying it as your second tractor. I had a B7800 and upgraded to L3940 don't regret it a bit. I did buy a bigger trailer though.