Buying Advice Kubota B3350

[bumperm]

2010'

I don't think anyone is disputing that. It's called pick your poison.

1) order the 3rd function valve at $799 (add a hundred more for parts and you can use the 3rd function for chute deflection - and grapples, and whatever else extra you want to hang on the front. This assumes you are doing your own labor. Add maybe $200 for labor if not).

2) Electric chute rotation, as you said $597. When I was finished doing this on my previous BX2750, I don't think you could not tell it was not factory. Does require welding and metal fab skill, but not $500 worth! (allowing $97 for parts). That said, if you don't want to mess with it . . .

On my B3350, I'll be adding my own radio (much cheaper than K). Also I'll replace the forward work lights with LED or mod them with a HID kit (cheap, easy, and way more light, less heat, and longevity than halogen). Also will add rear work lights - dealer is providing switch to match forward light switch.

The lighting thing is not about saving money*, there's just better stuff out there than quartz halogen. The 3rd function for deflection is a little about saving money and a little about improving reliability by using hydraulics alone - - seemed absolutely silly to me to use electric hydraulic valve.

*But then, it's not likely that any of us contemplating buying a new tier 4 Kubota have saving money at the top of our lists. I like shiny new sometimes, and the B3350 looks to be a good fit for my nee-, er, wants.

 

[bumperm]

The third valve function is NOT included with the $902 hydraulic deflector as least thats what every dealer I have talked to has said (over 5) and according to Kubota's website.

That's correct.

Perhaps there's a misunderstanding. What I said was, "Since my B3350 will have the $799 3rd function valve, I'll be looking for a suitable little cylinder on ebay or surplus.".

Ordering the 3rd function valve, and then adding a hydraulic cylinder for deflection myself (less than $100), makes much more sense to me than the "hydraulic deflection" option from the factory. True, buying remote deflection from Kubota means "ready to go" and no fabrication. But it's still a one trick pony and adds complication over good old hydraulics alone.

On the other hand adding the 3rd function valve is potentially useful for more when the blower is off. And all I have to do is add a hydraulic cylinder and weld on brackets - - piece of cake. I'll also have completely separate/discreet hydraulic functions for chute rotation, deflection, and snowblower elevation up/down/float.

Kubota's $902 hydraulic deflector is really electric/hydraulic, using an electric solenoid to switch chute rotation hydraulics over to deflection. You can only do one or the other, not both at the same time. Perhaps not a big deal, but oft' times, as when running the backhoe, it's nice to be able to adjust a couple of things in concert. That, and my old brain gets befuddled when one control is responsible for more than a couple of things* - just ain't right.

*In my plane, the stick controls ailerons (lateral axis or roll) and elevator (pitch or up and down), I guess if there was a red button on top for machine guns the fun factor would enable enough active brain cells to migrate from other tasks so I wouldn't get too confused.

So I get to do a little fabrication on my new B3350's snowblower. maybe not for everbody, but I enjoy that sort of thing :c) and from what I've read here, there are a very many talented owners here who agree.

Good news, dealer called today and said the tractor is in and they are working on adding all the expensive stuff I ordered. Could be delivered as early at this Friday. WoooHoooo!

bumper

 

[Ductape]

Before you go making your own hydraulic deflector kit, check with a Deere dealer. Someone on here awhile back bought a kit through a Deere dealer. It seems RAD / Blizzard(who makes the blowers for Kubota also) is / was making green rear blowers under the Frontier brand for Deere, and they sell what is largely the same deflector kit as the Kubota for ALOT less money. It does not have the electric / hydraulic diverter, which you wouldn't need with a third function anyway. If my memory serves me correctly, the kit even came painted black, the same as it comes in the Kubota kit. The key is, the top cylinder mount fits the curvature of the chute deflector properly, which may add some labor time to a home-made kit.