Help with choice b/w 2410 and 2910

[skiprox]

Thoughtful and helpful advise from all on board here have prompted me to set aside a couple of hours tomorrow to drive the L3130 and talk terms with the dealer. Have always believed it best to have the right tools for the job at hand. It's also encouraging to have great advise upon which to base a proper decision. Thanks for all the terrific guidance. Will now focus on the Grand L Series and establishing a relationship with a reputable dealer. Anybody need a nearly new small trailer?
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[auggie]

Skiprox, this is an interesting thread because I'm thinking about those two tractors too. I now have a BX2200 and I cut 4-5 acres of orchard grass on the highest setting, called TOP. That's about 6 inches, or brush hog length. The BX does a great job. It may be a waste of a machine, but I only want one to cut the grass around the house and the full field. And if it ever dries out here in Virginia, I'll cut it down to four inches so it looks good.

 

[TractorTeen]

I love my B2910. I can't find one flaw about it. I got it because I needed a compact size for my yard but I wanted the power to operate attachments and for the bigger loader. If you are like me and have to have the small size get the B2910. If you have room for the L3130 than get that one. You will be happy with either one and everybody will support your decision. I think that if you can move the L3130 around your land you will be better off with it.

 

[Henro]

I would at the same time check the prices of the 3430 and the 3830. For your size property I would think the 3830 would be the way I would go if I had the money. I don't know if you can afford one or not.

Now I have a B2910 on 3.7 acres...so my perspective my be a little out of wack...but I don't think so....naturally... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[skiprox]

I started looking at the mid-sized CUTs due to their maneuverability in tight spaces, more affordable price, trailerability for service and the fact that the majority of the work I expected to be doing would be cutting the upper 5 acres of grass/weeds around the house. For those expectations, the B2410 to B2910 range would be perfect.
However, the bulk of my property's terrain is extremely varied, ranging from a bottomland pasture (which needs to be sprigged and re-fenced) to steep hillside slopes and plateaus with limestone outcrops. Road maintenance in these areas has been largely neglected. The posts on this forum have convinced me that the safest and more productive way to go is to the larger frame CUT with more weight, stability, and torque, albeit with more debt to carry and more expensive attachments.
Since prudence dictates that I sacrifice some manueverability and economy for safety, my present quandry is between the L3130 and L3830, both with HST and maybe a HD FEL for rock removal/relocation for stacked wall building. The 3130 is barely within my budget, but the 3830's wider stance (even wider with R4s), 30.5 pto vs 24, and nearly 20% more torque have me leaning in that direction. I can save a little $ if I opt for the standard 723 loader bucket without QA, but with the rock work and some cedar pushing and stump removals, the extra $300 for the HD bucket may be worth it down the road. I also have questions regarding the 3 valve vs 4 valve loader and rear hydraulics, but I'll save those for another post. Any thoughts or experiences that might help me pull the trigger on one of these choices would be much appreciated, as have all of the comments made here to date.
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