Goodbye 3030 HSTC, Hello 3430 HSTC

[john_bud]

I did, and have the 3430's tires filled as well. It does help, but it wasn't enough to give me near the stability I needed on the 3030.

Just check'n! While you did "take it in the shorts", just remember that you can't put a price on NOT rolling over and NOT getting squashed like a bug. So, all in all, the price is certainly worth it.

I had a similar (but cheaper) situation the other day. I was moving a pile of dirt from next to the pond to a ramp up the hill. Using the old Ford's 3/4 yard bucket and 14' backhoe on it for weight, the dirt was moving pretty quick. BUT as the ramp got above 8-10' tall with a 40 degree angle or so, it got pretty hairy. The hoe is up pretty tall so it felt way tippy when you would hit a hole on a corner. When backing down, the front end would get real light. Slipping the clutch too quick would lift the front tires!! That's when I switched to the Kubota L3410. CG felt like it was 6' lower! Of course the bucket is 1/2 the size, and it took 500+ round trips, but they were much less nerve wracking trips! The pile that was moved was about 10' tall, 50' wide and 100' long. Not a cube, but more mound shaped, still that's a lot of stuff to move. If I didn't have a more stable tractor to use, that pile would have gone to a much lower place!!!


Charlesaf3,

I think that the wheels that come on the B3030 are fixed and not adjustable. BUT, you should be able to buy some adjustable ones. Check around at the AG tire stores.

jb

 

[VAMountains]

Charlesaf3 - I extended the 3030 wheels with an extension kit (1.5" on each side) sold by Kubota. It didn't do much. I really can't explain the incredible difference between the two tractors in terms of stability. If I were you (and I was a month ago), I would give serious thought to the Grand L instead of the 3030. It makes all the difference on the hills, and even the lesser slopes. And that's without having the tires extended -- a very easy thing to do on the Grand L. I'm having the tires extended Friday, and I fully expect my experience to get even better.

 

[VAMountains]

Charlsaf3 --

One more thing. The Grand L is ~1000 pounds heavier than the 3030, and I think that makes a world of difference in stability as well. It's not all the CG, but that's a big part of it.

Drive up to Charlottesville and play with mine for a while. It's too bad I already sent the 3030 back -- you could have played with both side-by-side.

 

[IslandTractor]

I've never seen a good technical discussion on stability on TBN. It clearly is dependent on CG and track width but other than that I don't know. Why would a larger heavier tractor necessarily be more stable? The L3430 clearly has a higher center of gravity than the B3030. It also has a wider track. Which factor is more important? If you look at dedicated slope mowers like the PowerTrak 1845, they are low and wide but not necessarily as heavy as any 45hp tractor. CG and track width make sense but the rest is unclear.

To be fair, the B3030 is not known for being unstable at all. The BX series seems to be the most stable of all the Kubota tractors because of ?the ratio of CG to track width.

Also, how does one measure stability in a tractor? Dynamic stability would be tough but even static stability should be a useful figure. At what point does the tractor tip over if you gradually increase the incline? Seems that could be safely tested by rigging a few safety lines to catch it once the uphill wheels both leave the ground.

 

[VAMountains]

I don't think the B3030 itself is unstable. I think the B3030 *with cab* is less stable on any kind of slope than the 3430 with cab. Putting a cab on such a small tractor raises the center of gravity moreso than when you put a similar cab on a large tractor.

 

[Doc_Bob]

R4s. I still want to mow the lawn, and I was told that AGs would rip it apart.

AGs will definitely rip up a lawn.
Bob

 

[Doc_Bob]

I put 20 hours on my 3030 before realizing that I made a mistake. Luckily, the dealer agreed to take it back (with a $2500 restocking fee) and to replace it with the Grand L 3430 HSTC (after I paid the $5000 price difference). This was an expensive lesson, but I'm already MUCH happier -- mostly because I'm MUCH safer -- with the 3430.

Good decision.
Bob

PS Also, I love BIG tractors!

 

[Toolguy]

Charlesaf3,

I have a B3030 and even though my 3.5 acres is pretty level I do have a few spots that slope pretty good. Here is a picture of the steepest part of the "ditch" alongside of the road. I have never felt at all unsafe on this while mowing. Hope it gives you an idea of what a B3030 will do. I am very happy with mine. Good luck.

 

[Jibber]

The R4s will tear up the lawn too.. especially filled R4s. I spend more time reseeding the lawn than I do driving the tractor.

 

[ovrszd]

I don't think the B3030 itself is unstable. I think the B3030 *with cab* is less stable on any kind of slope than the 3430 with cab. Putting a cab on such a small tractor raises the center of gravity moreso than when you put a similar cab on a large tractor.

I think that is very true. I also think you are getting a false sense of security driving this bigger tractor. It won't feel as "tippy" as the 3030. I'll go on a limb and say the difference between the two tractors as far as tipping point is very small.

I'm attaching a very good document that explains all of this way better than I can. Hopefully it will give you some helpful data.