bandit67
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- May 27, 2004
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- Lake Hartwell, SC
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- 2012 B3000 HSDCC 2020 Z251 Zero Turn
Thanks for the replies, fellas.
Glad to have my B7800 home again
- Thread starter Fjord
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Bandit67
One other thing that I think I mentioned in another post. When I put my BH on it was about 6 months after I got the tractor and there was already a bit of dirt in the threaded holeds in the rear axle housing that the subframe bolts to, so if you don't put your BH on right away, it might be a good idea to put some plugs or short bolts with never seize on them in those holes to keep them clean.
One other thing that I think I mentioned in another post. When I put my BH on it was about 6 months after I got the tractor and there was already a bit of dirt in the threaded holeds in the rear axle housing that the subframe bolts to, so if you don't put your BH on right away, it might be a good idea to put some plugs or short bolts with never seize on them in those holes to keep them clean.
bandit67
Veteran Member
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- May 27, 2004
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- Lake Hartwell, SC
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- 2012 B3000 HSDCC 2020 Z251 Zero Turn
Hey guys,
Well, I picked up the B7800 with FEL and Box Blade from the rental yard tonight. It's got 67 hours on it, so it's still in good shape. After spending a couple of days each on an L35, and a full size NH backhoe, I have to say I am REALLY impressed with that little B7800. It seems to have a ton of power up here at 8500' above sea level, so I can only imagine the awesome amount of power you guys have at your disposal.
I only spent an hour on it this evening - tomorrow's the big clock chewing day on it, but I kept trying things with it that I expected it would never be able to handle, and it just kept doing everything. And I really, really like the size of it - seems perfect on my property. I'll definitely get a better feel after another 7 hours on it tomorrow doing a bunch of different work, but if it's anything like what I experienced tonight, I think I'll be totally sold on that size machine. It's even handling the decomposed granite with the FEL just as well as the 2 bigger machines did - actually, in some cases, seems to be doing a little better, probably based on the smaller loader bucket.
I'll give my final opinion on it tomorrow after I'm finished. But I'm beginning to think that the B7800 or the B3030 with the BH75 or BH70X is going to be a great machine for me for a long time.
Either of you want to take your machine on a road trip and really put it to the test in our rocky ground?
Well, I picked up the B7800 with FEL and Box Blade from the rental yard tonight. It's got 67 hours on it, so it's still in good shape. After spending a couple of days each on an L35, and a full size NH backhoe, I have to say I am REALLY impressed with that little B7800. It seems to have a ton of power up here at 8500' above sea level, so I can only imagine the awesome amount of power you guys have at your disposal.
I only spent an hour on it this evening - tomorrow's the big clock chewing day on it, but I kept trying things with it that I expected it would never be able to handle, and it just kept doing everything. And I really, really like the size of it - seems perfect on my property. I'll definitely get a better feel after another 7 hours on it tomorrow doing a bunch of different work, but if it's anything like what I experienced tonight, I think I'll be totally sold on that size machine. It's even handling the decomposed granite with the FEL just as well as the 2 bigger machines did - actually, in some cases, seems to be doing a little better, probably based on the smaller loader bucket.
I'll give my final opinion on it tomorrow after I'm finished. But I'm beginning to think that the B7800 or the B3030 with the BH75 or BH70X is going to be a great machine for me for a long time.
Either of you want to take your machine on a road trip and really put it to the test in our rocky ground?
That would be some road trip from up here! When I lent my tractor to my buddy I drove it over to his place (about 7 miles) and timed it between the concession roads. 2200 RPM in hi range = 7 minutes per mile. I got a bit of a suntan that afternoon. I'd probably have to stop off on the way to your place for my 300 hr service. Good luck with your "shopping" and let us know what you decide.
When I lent my tractor to my buddy I drove it over to his place (about 7 miles) and timed it between the concession roads. 2200 RPM in hi range = 7 minutes per mile. I got a bit of a suntan that afternoon. I'd probably have to stop off on the way to your place for my 300 hr service. Good luck with your "shopping" and let us know what you decide.
bandit67
Veteran Member
- Joined
- May 27, 2004
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- Location
- Lake Hartwell, SC
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- 2012 B3000 HSDCC 2020 Z251 Zero Turn
Well, after logging a full day's work on the B7800, I definitely like the overall size and power. There are a few little things that I think might push me to the B3030 over the B7800. I like the enclosed platform of the B3030 - less chance of me losing things out of my pockets and burying them. I also like the fact that the B3030 is a little heavier, which is something I want with the uses I have mapped out.
I do like the FEL cross brace that runs over the hood, and the braces that tie into the grille guard. There was absolutely no visually discernable flexing of the FEL. I had the braceless FEL mounts on my last machine, and I did not like the substantial amount of flex it had, and have concerns about the B3030 braceless mounts. I'll have to do a bit of test driving of the B3030, since I think I'm leaning more towards it, because of some of the other features. But I'll have to think long and hard if the $2000 price difference is worth it. And if the B3030 FEL isn't every bit as stiff as the B7800, it'll be a deal breaker.
Overall, though, I was very impressed with the B7800's power, FEL capabilities, etc. The biggest issue with the 7800 or the B3030 for me is going to be the light weight, but if I can add enough additional weight to it, I think it'll be fine. The 7800 was very stable on my property, and there was much less 'pucker factor' than with the L35, or the full size New Holland. The yard guys thought the rear tires were filled, and all I had on the 3pt was a box blade. It is possible that adding the backhoe will increase the tippiness on the slopes, but since I've decided not to go with the bigger BH80X, I think it'll be fine, but the additional weight on the rear will be a real plus for dirtwork.
I really like the lighter, smaller, more nimble machine. I know it's odd because so many folks talk about bigger being better, but for the work I want to do, it seems that the smaller machine is going to be the ticket.
I do like the FEL cross brace that runs over the hood, and the braces that tie into the grille guard. There was absolutely no visually discernable flexing of the FEL. I had the braceless FEL mounts on my last machine, and I did not like the substantial amount of flex it had, and have concerns about the B3030 braceless mounts. I'll have to do a bit of test driving of the B3030, since I think I'm leaning more towards it, because of some of the other features. But I'll have to think long and hard if the $2000 price difference is worth it. And if the B3030 FEL isn't every bit as stiff as the B7800, it'll be a deal breaker.
Overall, though, I was very impressed with the B7800's power, FEL capabilities, etc. The biggest issue with the 7800 or the B3030 for me is going to be the light weight, but if I can add enough additional weight to it, I think it'll be fine. The 7800 was very stable on my property, and there was much less 'pucker factor' than with the L35, or the full size New Holland. The yard guys thought the rear tires were filled, and all I had on the 3pt was a box blade. It is possible that adding the backhoe will increase the tippiness on the slopes, but since I've decided not to go with the bigger BH80X, I think it'll be fine, but the additional weight on the rear will be a real plus for dirtwork.
I really like the lighter, smaller, more nimble machine. I know it's odd because so many folks talk about bigger being better, but for the work I want to do, it seems that the smaller machine is going to be the ticket.
