Help with choice b/w 2410 and 2910

skiprox · Jun 18, 2003

Have 45 selectively cleared acres in the Texas Hill Country of which about 20 acres is mowable, but uneven and wooded pastures, the remainder being caliche cedar flats and rocky (limestone) slopes. I have never owned or operated a tractor before, but from the outstanding posts at this site have narrowed my choices to an orange B2410 (w/fel $14,425) or B2910 (w/fel $16,400). The L series look great and are clearly higher tech, but those tracs seem way too big for a newbie like me.
My uses will be primaily maintenance related...mowing, road and drainage improvements, rock and wood hauling, post digging etc., though larger projects may present themselves after I've had some true seat time and have a better understanding of what I can do myself and what I should leave to the experts.
I'm leaning towards the b2410 purchase because:
1) Price;
2) The smaller size allows for more tighter work around trees and other obstacles;
3) It will hopefully fit on my single axle trailer (2460 carry capacity);
4) It may be better suited to my experience level, which is non-existent; and
5) It seems to handle a 60"mmm better than the 2910 w/R4s.
I like the b2910 features a lot, but it seems so much bigger in size, implements and total cost and I really don't know that the 4 additional pto horses will add much function since it's still not big enough to handle standard 30hp implements. Trailering the 2910 with the fel attached would be pretty dicey.
I need help with this decision soon as the purchase will be with me for a while and I want to get the 0% financing before it ends. Also, am I nuts thinking about the mmm and using it at the 4" height over my pastures. My lawn around the house is pretty minimal. Would I be better off with a bush hog type rear mower and use the money saved to get a rear or box blade? The mmm sure takes up less space and looks cool.
All comments and suggestions appreciated.
Skip

Bird · Jun 18, 2003

Skip, the B2410 is a nice tractor, cheaper price, and lighter weight for your trailer (although I think you need a bigger trailer anyway). And maybe it's better for the 60" mid-mount mower, I don't know because I used, and prefer, a rear discharge 3-point mower (which is also cheaper to buy and isn't model specific to the tractor so you could later trade or sell one without having to replace both tractor and mower). B2410 better suited to your experience level? Not at all. I really think the difference is negligible, but if anything the bigger tractor is more stable. ( am I nuts thinking about the mmm and using it at the 4" height over my pastures ) In my opinion, yes. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif You're talking about a pretty expensive piece of equipment and it won't hold up to the rough service as well as a brush hog that costs a third as much. ( Would I be better off with a bush hog type rear mower and use the money saved to get a rear or box blade? ) Absolutely! ( The mmm sure takes up less space and looks cool ) Yep, but I'll bet you get tired of looking at it after you use it on a pasture a few times. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I just had to kid you a bit, and I think you should buy the one you like best, but I do seriously think you'll be happier longer with the larger tractor, a brush hog, and a box blade.

skiprox · Jun 19, 2003

Re: Choice shifting to B2910 & L3130

Bird, thanks for your kind and wise words of advise. This forum is so great. You've convinced me to forget about the mmm and go with a rear discharge cutter. Yours and other posts also have me now debating over the size and stability factor and am thinking that I really ought to be comparing the 2910 and the 3130. If I can keep the entire package below $20K, I'll probably go with the newer and heavier model. I just don't know if I really need the extra size and weight, especially after seeing all these posts raving about their B7500s. Quite a move up from when I started out thinking about lawn and garden tractors and got sent to this site!!
Skip
Dripping Springs, Tx

2003Pilot · Jun 19, 2003

Re: Choice shifting to B2910 & L3130

I was originally considering a B-7800, nice size machine, but because of its popularity, they are becoming harder to get. I decided to look at an L-3130, and that's what I will be getting.

This will be my first "real" tractor (although I have a reasonably size "Landlord" Simplicity garden tractor for mowing. I'm not at all hesitant of the size of the 3130.

My guess is that you would get used to the larger tractor real quick. I agree with Bird, skip the 2410 and go with a larger tractor.

Originally I didn't even consider the L series tractors, I considered them much too big, but trying them out several times at a dealer I'm not even considering a smaller model anymore.

My L-3130 was originally scheduled to be delivered this Sunday (6/22), but the Dealer has to wait a couple of additional days for the toothbar.

Good luck with which ever model you choose!

Bird · Jun 19, 2003

Re: Choice shifting to B2910 & L3130

( thinking that I really ought to be comparing the 2910 and the 3130 )

You're gettin' smarter all the time, in my opinion. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif As I've said many times, I've known lots of people who trade up to a bigger tractor, and only a few who ever trade down to a smaller one. I just had 10 acres, although I did a bit of work for neighbors and also on my brother's and my brother-in-law's 10 acres places, too. I had a B7100, then the B2710; both good little tractors but the difference was substantial to say the least.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 19, 2003

Re: Choice shifting to B2910 & L3130

>>>>thinking that I really ought to be comparing the 2910 and the 3130.<<<<

Skiprox, my vote is the L series. You have quite a few acres and I personally think the L series might be a better choice over the B series. Mowing 20 acres might even call for the cab version /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gifof the 3430. Let us know what you decide.

frank_f15 · Jun 19, 2003

although i have a b2400 and i think it is a fine tractor , and well suited to my needs, but if it was me with 45 acres and the uses u intend for it i would go with the 2910 at least, and seriously consider the L series.

TresCrows · Jun 19, 2003

For the 45 acres of rough Texas Hill Country--you need a Grande L. The B series are much more lightly built and the real world difference between 2410 and a 2910 is minimal compared to the difference between a Grande L and a 2910. The B series are scooters, the L is a Hog.
You need a bigger trailer anyway, shoot man --you in Texas--go BIG /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif, probably a bigger truck and a bigger /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. TBN is all about BIG. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. J
J

fishman · Jun 19, 2003

I think you've gotten quite a bit of good advice, but let me add my two cents.

Your trailer is a little small even for the 2410, which looks to be a great little tractor. Think about it, if one of your trailer tires blows, your prized tractor may be in the ditch . . . on top of you! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif A 7,000 lb, 18ft trailer with a set of electric brakes will set you back less than $1500. Get a good one, sell your single axle trailer, and don't look back.

I have a 2910 for my 10 acres, and could easily get by with a 2410. However, for your needs (20 acres of mowing! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif) I certainly would want to go with the biggest rotary cutter I could. A 4 foot cutter would be too small. A finish mower would be too lightly constructed.

My dad recently bought a New Holland TC40D for his 45 acres and it's a good one. After using it for about 10 hours off and on, it's definitely a lot more capable than my little 2910. Much more capable at loader work, able to drive a 6' cutter through 6' tall THICK grass at a good clip, etc. I would guess that it would roughly be comparable to a L3710 or it's equivelant in the new 30 series.

The 2910 is much more maneuverable than the TC40D. This may not be as big a deal as you might think. 45 acres is a big place by most standards.

One other thing that hasn't been touched on to much is comfort. A larger tractor won't beat you up nearly as bad as a smaller one. Get a tractor with a seat suspension for sure. The 2910 has one, everything smaller Kubota makes does not.

Lastly, don't rush into a purchase to save a few bucks in interest without making sure you're getting what is right for you. It may cost you a lot more down the road. I suspect that Kubota financing deals will be pretty good for a few more months (no direct knowledge of that, but the fed is rumored to be considering dropping interest rates again). The financing might actually get better . . . it did after I bought my tractor /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Rick Jay · Jun 19, 2003

skiprox,

I love my B2910 and think it's one of the best investments I've ever made. However, you certainly have enough space to utilize the power of the L series. The new L's are really nice looking machines. The L3130 weighs almost twice what a B2910 does...that's a lot more oomph for not too many more $$$.

I also would really question your single axle trailer to move your tractor. You will be marginal, at best, weight wise. The extra strength and stability afforded by a dual axle trailer is well worth a couple more $.

So...my recommendation: L3130 (or more) and bigger trailer.

~Rick