Buying Advice It shouldn't be this difficult...

[Hotrocks]

To settle on a specific tractor.

I posted a month or two ago regarding a B2920 I just knew I had to have because it would be the perfect tractor for my needs. However, I went to Barlows this weekend and hung out for awhile...spoke with one of the mechanics (Brady had to leave early so I didn't get to speak with him) and I spoke with a long time customer and his tractor needs and preferences. They both recommended the biggest tractor I could afford.

Hence, my dilema. B2920 vs B3200, both with FEL. Again, I have 66 hilly acres, 50 + wooded, about 8-10 to bushhog a couple times a year, 2-3 to finish mow. The tractor will be used for property maintance, land scaping projects and everything else I can think of. I really like the drive over MMM with the B2920 but I don't think you can get that with the B2920. The B2920 has a suspended deck and the B3200 has a floating deck, and I don't know the difference or benefits of either. I want to run a 5ft bushhog. How good will the 3200 be at mowing hilly land? I'm concerened about it's weight and height for stability. In addition, after reading other posts, I'm very concerned with the 3200's "jerky 3pt hitch" and the "4 cylinder vibration." Is the jerky 3pt hitch prevalent with the hydrostatic transmission? I've been told it only happens with the manual transmission when using the clutch? There just seems to be a lot more concerns with the 3200.

And, final question, is a mid size truck with a V8 big enough to haul either of these tracors on a tandem 16ft trailer? I currently have a grand Cherokee with a 5.7 litre hemi. But I wanted to reduce payments. I'm thinking anything smaller than a full size truck with a V8 is to small. I wouldn't be transporting it more than a couple times per year most likely.

Thanks in advance for any advice and sorry for thelong post. I will be purchasing in the next couple weeks and thought the B2920 was it, but then I got confused. Please help.

 

[kuboman]

I would go with the B3200 just for the extra hp and slight increase in size. The 3pt is not jerky on these tractors. They have 1/4" valve and it is smooth. The extra loader lift and reach can always be used.

 

[Hotrocks]

I would go with the B3200 just for the extra hp and slight increase in size. The 3pt is not jerky on these tractors. They have 1/4" valve and it is smooth. The extra loader lift and reach can always be used.

Am I confusing the 3200 3 pt hitch issue with one of the L series tractors?

 

[cttractor]

If you're truly going to work much of that 66 acres, even the B3200 doesn't quite seem large enough. Perhaps one of theL series machines would be a better match for what you need to do.

 

[MikeInEburg]

Couple of thoughts:
1. Have you considered a three-point finish mower instead of belly mower? They are half the cost and install in five minutes or less
2. Do any of your tractor choices offer adjustable wheel settings - essentially allowing you to set wheels farther apart? A few inches makes a substantial difference in stability.
3. remember that there is no "perfect one-size does all" machine. You can come close, but there are always compromises.
Good luck!
Mike

 

[k0ua]

Am I confusing the 3200 3 pt hitch issue with one of the L series tractors?

Yes. The B3200 and the L3200 are different tractors. The B3200 has 1/4 inching and the L3200 has position control and the jerky hitch issue. Although the L series "jerk" annoyance has at least in one instance been repaired by a dealer. There are several threads about this . The jerky 3pt is not a big issue to some, and a major issue to others. YMMV.


http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-buying-pricing/210609-2011-l3800-jerky-three-point-3.html


go to the third page for a link to the u tube video of the repaired hitch

James K0UA

 

[ChuckinNH]

Am I confusing the 3200 3 pt hitch issue with one of the L series tractors?

Yes, it is the standard L series that has the 3pt problems, those models ending in "00". The vibration issue is the only thing I've heard with the B3200. Try before you buy on either of these models. The mmm on the Bxx20 series is held up by the tractor while mowing, the depth of cut controled by a knob on the tractor deck, and the wheels only touch on bumps, humps, etc., and function strictly as anti scalp wheels. The mmm on the B3200 actually rides on those wheels, and the cut height is adjusted by raising, or lowering the wheels to fixed positions.

With 66 acres, I would strongly consider keeping the finish mowing around the house separate from the tractor needs for the rest of the land. If you do that, you might want to look at something a bit larger than the B3200. The B3200 will handle a 5' rotary cutter, but I'm not sure that it would be the best choice on really hilly land. Though quite a bit more expensive, the Grand L might be best here. In NH, they switched to Grand L's a couple of years ago for mowing the median strips, and sides of the Interstate highways, and I see there seems to be more of them this summer, so I'm guessing that they are working out well. An interesting side note here is that in many cases I've noticed that the rotary cutters they use are not as wide as the tractor. I'm guessing that this is for much better control on the steep areas. I think that is a great plan, and I sure wouldn't want to to larger than the 4' mower I have on my B2620, or on a B2920 for that matter. It is not a question of power, but a question of weight, and how far back it is. Rotary cutters get long fast when you go up in width.

 

[kuboman]

After re-reading your post I would like others recommend an L series and a 3pt mower over a belly mower. I think you just might feel under tractored with a B. And I would buy as much HP as you can afford as hills eat power like crazy.

 

[Verticaltrx]

He said he had 66ac, but 50 of that is wooded. I think the B3200 (or B3300) would be fine. The B3030 has some really nice upgrades if it's in the budget.

As for mowing on hilly land, with fluid filled tires and the loader removed they are very stable little tractors. I've had mine on some very steep land and it has always preformed well. You can add front suitcase weights, wheel weights, and axle extensions if you are really worried about stability. I run a 5' bush hog and it handles it without any trouble. For finish mowing I too would suggest a rear mount finish mower over the MMM, especially if you will be regularly doing a lot of other tasks with the tractor. A finishing mower on the 3pt hitch is much less in the way for loader work than a MMM. As to the vibration, it occurs around PTO rpm (2600), but there really is no need to run it that fast. I run my tractor around 2000 rpms for most any task and it is very smooth at that speed and below. Also note, a lot of people either wouldn't notice the vibration, or wouldn't find it objectionable if they hadn't read about it here first.

I haul mine on a 18' lowboy equipment trailer and a 3/4 ton truck. I use it commercially so I haul it a lot however. I have hauled a B-series (B7610) in the bed of my truck before, so they really aren't that big of a tractor. I think a 1/2 ton truck and 16-18' 7,000lb equipment trailer would be plenty.

 

[TripleR]

I have to admit that I am really torn as any one tractor is going to be a compromise. Personally, if I had to decide on one machine, I would go with a B3030/3000. As pointed out by Verticaltrx, the total acreage throws some of us off. We have over 110 acres that have never seen any of our tractors except from a distance. Now if you will be working in the woods dragging trees then that will change the equation.

You will be transporting, so the B will be easier and require less costly equipment than the L.

You can pull it with a full size pickup, but I would go with an 18 foot I believe to allow you to balance your load.

The ideal situation is to do as Chuck recommended and separate mowing and tractor work, but $$$$.

I do feel compelled to add that tractor work/plans are a lot like battle plans and often don't survive the first engagement without modification. You are going to have all that land and a tractor. It may not be long before your tasks outstrip your equipment, so take some time to evaluate all those things dancing around in the back of your mind and see where you stand.

I probably haven't helped much, but the reality is you can go with a small L or big B with one having advantages in one area and one in another.