Knowing what you know now...

Boondox · Feb 29, 2004

Wow, how many of us have mulled that same question over and over in our minds..?

There are times I wish I had gone up a couple more notches in size when I traded up from my B1750 to the L3010. The L3710 (or presently the L3830) would have given me more oomph when sculpting the land, harvesting firewood, clearing snow, etc. But the bottom line is this little Clementine of mine has done pretty near everything I've ever tossed her way! My only specific need would be greater FEL breakout strength, but I can live with what I have.

Pete

8561 · Feb 29, 2004

Henro - I have to say I was a little shocked at your original post. I thought you were headed in the other direction towards an L series, now I'm sensing something in the middle of your two might be ideal in your opinion.

When I was purchasing mine last summer, all the advice I received on this forum was go bigger, go bigger, go bigger when I was comparing the B7500 and B2410. In the end, I made what I thought was the right purchase for me and bought the B2410, knowing, as is the premise of this thread, this would be the only tractor I would have for the next 10 or more years.

I've said this before, and I think it is still true. I think there are days you wish your tractor is bigger and days you wish it is smaller. Ultimately, you'll make what you have work for you and are thankful you don't push a wheelbarrow anymore. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

narcnh · Feb 29, 2004

"I think there are days you wish your tractor is bigger and days you wish it is smaller."

Ayuh. Moved a lot of snow from the back side of the house last weekend, where it slides off of the main house, onto the rear wing/barn/carriage house section (what do you call that on an old New England farmhouse?) and then to the ground. While clearing a path from the farm road to the house, I went right under a big old spruce without thinking about it. Looked up and the ROPS JUST cleared the lower branches. Would have been a real bummer to damage that tree. I'm going to have to be more careful, when mowing this summer around some of the other trees (and may think about the 'smaller is better' comment a few times).

RobertN · Feb 29, 2004

I am at a cross roads...

My B8200HST 4x4 is great. It is Kubota B2710/2910 sized, which is pretty nice for the five acre range. Iif I had to buy another tracor, to last 10 years, I would go with the same thing, although I would look at the other brands real closely.

The tractor I would choose would primarily be a HP upgrade to mine. Mine is 19hp, which is on the low side for the size tractor; again imagine the B2910... Now knock it down to 19hp. Mine does not have power steering either. It would be nice to have the extra HP, I do lug down really easy. And, a loader full of stuff can be fun to steer.

Of note to go with another tractor, would be the immediate addition fo TnT. I built mine, and it works great; wouldn't have one without it. A loader would come with it. I got mine without. I paid cash for it, and it was all I had cash for... Then did same with the loader. It is a more COMPLETE tractor with the loader and TnT.

Of other note, I would look at a skid-steer attach on the loader arms. There would be one bucket for material and finish work, and another with a tooth bar. Barring that, it might be a clamshell with teeth... Auxillary hydraulics would go to the front too, for a clamshell and other skidsteer type implements.

Also, I would look at a "square" setup. What I mean, is a 4' or 5' wide package. My loader is 4', my front tires are 4', but the rear tires, whether turf or R4 or R1(I have R4), are 4-1/2' wide. To cover that print, I have a 5' scraper. I have wanted to access where I needed somehting more like a 4' tractor. If I can not do that, and still have the HP, then might as well have a 5' loader ect...

If possible, rear down pressure would be nice. I have found my PHD to be hardly useful here with the lack of down pressure.

NOW... the cross roads... My B8200 works great at home, but I need it for our Mom and Pop landscape business. I have had access problems because of the width, and the length of manueverin with the loader and scraper(which I needed) on the tractor. I have also lacked HP for many things I wanted to do. I get the work done, slower, but time is $$$.

For my aplications, that ASV RC30 would fit all my applications, at home and at work. I could mow, grade, and dig. It could do post holes, trench ect, and outmaneuver my CUT. As some of you have seen in other threads, after renting it a few times, I am sold on its capabilities.

If I went that route, It would be the 30HP RC30, with a tooth/clamshell bucket. First implement would be a mower, second would be a tie between a trencher and an auger.

Right now is a crossroads though... The Kubota works at home fine. The 19hp is ok. Away from home, I could use the HP, and manueverability. Both would be nice at home. The RC30 would cost over twice what my B8200 is worth. A B2910, JD4310, TC29 would be about 1.5 times $$$. As a fledling business, I'm not ready to put the cash there yet...

frank_f15 · Feb 29, 2004

( I've said this before, and I think it is still true. I think there are days you wish your tractor is bigger and days you wish it is smaller. )

i feel the same way, the only time i would like a biggere tractor is the few times i need more mass AND not more hp! plus at time i could use a little more umph on the fell, but for 90% of my task the b2400 fits me well.

fishman · Feb 29, 2004

I lurked for months, then visited this site very often for the next year before buying my 2910 for my 10 acres. I am very happy with my purchase after 2.5 years. The only thing I wish it had was a quick-tach type system for the loader bucket. Interchangable tools for the loader would be a big advantage and if buying a tractor today, it would have that feature or I wouldn't own it.

Again, this site and taking my time were two keys to getting it right the first time.

That said, if $ was an issue, I think a 7500 would have been able to handle 97% of the stuff I've done with my tractor, although requiring more time. That would have saved me $4k.

I am glad I've been able to afford my 2910 though. Just 31 more payments to go! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

EastTexFrank · Feb 29, 2004

Guys, what's a top & tilt system???? I feel completely left out not knowing what everyone else is talking about. Help me!!!!!

Inspector507 · Feb 29, 2004

EastTexFrank
Terrain Contour Control aka Top and Tilt

Junkman · Mar 1, 2004

( Guys, what's a top & tilt system???? I feel completely left out not knowing what everyone else is talking about. Help me!!!!! )

It is an expensive system of hydraulic pistons, hoses, and valves to control everything that attached to the 3 point hitch, that will do everything you need to do with it from the tractor seat. It is for those that want the best of everything. If you never had one, you will never miss it. Once you have one, you will wonder how you ever got along without it. Sort of like having a wife.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Henro · Mar 1, 2004

If you never had one, you will never miss it. Once you have one, you will wonder how you ever got along without it. Sort of like having a wife.... 

Junkman,

I'm /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Usually your advice is pretty good. In this case my experience is just the opposite! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I never had a T&T, but I sure do miss having one just about every time I bend backwards to adjust the top link!

And the wife, well on those days when the "honey do's" never end...I wonder why I got one in the first place! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

(Hope she doesn't see me typing this, or the second point may become the truth... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif )