L3010 too much machine?

clayhunter · Sep 3, 2004

Long time watcher, first post. I have about 3.5 acres, about half pretty nice lawn and the other half overgrown orchard that I've about half hand-cleared. Riding trails are nearby and my wife has two horses she's boarding elsewhere and wants a barn to bring them home. The lot is pretty level and dry - but soggy in the spring.
After I finish clearing and getting the barn built primary uses will be (1) mowing and (2) general landscaping (My Dr. says I shouldn't dig).
I have pretty much settled on the BX23 with MMM, but in searching for a deal came across a 200 hour 2001 L3010HSD w/Kubota FEL (43??) in real nice shape with 16' dual axle trailer for a little over $13k. I'd add a MMM right away and bh a little later. Bigger is better makes sense to me, but is it nuts to use a 3010 as a primary lawnmower and secondary landscape machine on under 4 acres? I'm a little worried about that weight on my lawn.

frank_f15 · Sep 3, 2004

WELCOME TO THE FORUM: that sounds like a pretty good price for that unit, and i am usually not one to say u have too much tractor, but in this case i might think so. But of couse this is just my opiion

grandad · Sep 3, 2004

You can't use a hard and fast rule for tractor size vs. lot size. There are some folks here with tractors that seem big for the amount of acreage involved... I'm probably one of them, but it has worked out about perfect for me because of the nature of the work involved. So, you have to look at what you really expect to be doing with it before you decide.

That said, the subcompact market is really hot right now, so on a "performance per pound" basis, there is going to be more value in a bigger, used rig like the 3010, and it's understandable it caught your eye.

My guess is the 3010, even with a MMM and turf tires, is probably not going to make you happy as a lawn mower. It would be perfect if you had several wide-open, non-soggy acres to mow, but otherwise it's pretty big and heavy.

It'll outwork the BX for everything else, of course. You'll have to decide if the extra capability outweighs - no pun intended /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif - the downside.

clayhunter · Sep 3, 2004

Thanks guys, you're confirming my suspicions. My neighbor has a B2910 on a lot similar to mine, but more open. He likes it a lot, but he also has a dedicated mower so the 2910 gets used only occasionally for mowing. I want to simplify my life and get down to one machine. The 3010 doesn't seem much larger than the 2910, so I thought I might make it work, especially since it seems to be a lot of tractor for the money. Mostly because of weight/mowing concerns, I think I need to curb the "tool man" urge and keep looking for a BX23.

Henro · Sep 4, 2004

There was a time when I thought I might consider a L3010 size machine for my 3.7 acres. Fortunately I came to my senses...and realized that my B2910 was eventually going to be more than I needed, as I get the things done that I need to.

I ended up buying a BX2200 for the grass cutting and other smaller chores...

If I had to only have one tractor, I would probably settle on a B7500 size tractor.

The BX is nice, but the ground clearance is not great, and it just does not (to me) seem to get the power to the ground that well. Now keep in mind that I am using my B2910 as my reference point when I say that about the BX... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

You are right about that L3010, a lot of tractor for the money, when compared to the smaller tractors...seems you always get a lower dollar per pound price each time you step up in tractor size.

Give serious consideration to the B7500...more loader, more backhoe, more ground clearance, more standard sized 3PH...and priced cheaper by the pound too! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

clayhunter · Sep 4, 2004

Funny you mention the B7500. I came to the conclusion that because mowing would be at last half of my machine hours, one of the larger BX's were probably the right machine due to its weight/size and floating deck. I don't have a ground clearance issue, and I like the lower cg. I'm not sure I need a backhoe, but don't want to lose the option of adding one, so I gave the B7500 serious thought, but its deck doesn't float, so I settled back on the BX23 - which has me buying a backhoe I'm not sure I'll really need.
If Kubota built a BX machine that I could add a backhoe to later I would own it. It aggravates me a bit that they don't, but that's probably another thread...

dwenham · Sep 4, 2004

Clayhunter, I can understand your quandry. The larger machines are sooooo tempting.
For what it's worth, I hadn't even given any real consideration to a tlb until I saw the BX. The backhoe is a huge bonus in this package. It attaches and detaches so easily, you'll find it makes you want to dig holes! We added 18 trees to our place this year that just wouldn't have been done without the hoe.
It may be true that other BX's have trouble putting HP to the ground, but adding 650 lbs. of backhoe changes that considerably. You'll love the ability to go from lawnmower to earthmover in about 15 minutes and the cut from the belly mower is excellent.
Just a little perspective on size: my BX22 is about twice as big as the Yanmar YM155D I had for 23 years and the Yanmar did everything I asked of it in all that time, including loading a 5 Yard dump truck! Yes, I had to dig a hole to park the truck in, and a ramp for the tractor to get high enough to load the truck, but it worked. You'll never miss shoveling. I've been amazed by the BX every time I've used it and especially the great engineering of the impliments. I won't say the bigger tractor wouldn't make you happy, but the BX surely won't dissapoint!
Dave

JJT · Sep 4, 2004

If you are going to use the tractor to move snow, I'd step up to the bigger machine. I have the L3710 and couldn't live with anything smaller. I have a Kubota zero turn for the finish mowing.

Warwagon · Sep 5, 2004

Clayhunter, I may be wrong on this and if I am someone here will correct me, but I do believe that if you want to put a mmm on the 3130 you first need to remove the FEL. Check with the Kubota dealer, they would know for sure. Kevin

Henro · Sep 5, 2004

<font color="blue"> I gave the B7500 serious thought, but its deck doesn't float, so I settled back on the BX23 </font>

CH,

I have a bx2200 with 60 inch MMM. I am happy with the cut, but I have seen a lawn that was cut with a b2410 that looks better than mine cut by the BX.

So in my opinion the floating vs ground riding comparison is over blown. Much depends on the ground the grass is growing on. IF it bumpy and wavy, like mine, either mower will work about the same I expect. I used to have a RFM on my larger tractor, and it cut as good as the bx does in my case.

I would not let the type mower drive my decision if I were you.

If you are shooting for a pristine, manicured, showcase lawn, a tractor is probably not what you want to cut it with anyway.

Now this is just one guy speaking... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Perhaps you should post a question in the Kubota owning/operating forum, asking b7500 owners how well their tractors mow. You really do want to purchase the right tractor the first time...saves money that way... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

By the way, Woods apparently has come out with a back hoe that is designed to be added to a BX1800 or bx2200, so that could be another option for the future if you do decide to go with the bx...