Need help sizing a new tractor for 3.5 hilly acres.

['Bota Fan]

I've had the B3030 cab w/ 84" RFM for over a year now. Handy as a pocket on a shirt! 30+ acres to mow. Do it in sections, so I don't know how long it would take at once. No FEL, just suitcases in the front and loaded tires. Lots of hills, and I just take it easy and stay in four all the time. See other threads about tilt meters, pucker factor, etc. On this tractor, there are two windows where you can see your front tires VERY well. I just keep an eye on 'em and I've never had any trouble.

To answer your question about mowing time, I did a two-acre section a couple of days ago. Took an hour and it was pretty thick stuff.

The A/C is phenomenal and I use it in 95 degree temps all the time. Heater is just as good, even though we don't use 'em much down here. Good luck with your negotiations!

 

[crazyal]

I'm just on the other side of the mountian from you in Cambridge. Although I'm not quite as high I can feel your pain about the driveway. You may laugh but the best thing I found to keep it from getting washed out with all this rain is to walk it during a downpour. I find with a shovel and very little work I can divert the streams of water that collect in the tire tracks off the edge of the drive before they become a river.

I have to do it a couple of times each year but now I'm getting better at fixing the problems before the storm. If I forget or don't pay attention I usually pay by buying more crusher run.

I was thinking of the B7800 but liked the extra features of the B3030. I wanted a center PTO for a front mount blower so the 'L's were out. So that left the GL3240, at first I thought it was overkill but now that's the direction I'm headed. Just the extra weight and width on those hills seams like a nice thing. I'm sure the 3030 would do everything I want but for not much more money you step up in FEL/ 3pt capabilities. If money is not tight you might want to think about the GL.

 

[DCJL]

Great ideas guys, thanks. I pretty much had my mind set on the 3030 as it seems about right after all you guys said. The idea of going to the GL3240 is good, but if I was going up I'd go to the new GL40 series as IMHO the 30s are just plain ugly and if I'm going to have this thing for years, I'd better be happy with it and that includes its looks! I also think the GL's may just weigh a bit too much for lawn mowing.

Anyone have experience with removing the MMM on these?

 

[RussMan]

I have a 3030 w/ a 72" MMM to mow about 5 acres of hilly lawn - it is a wonderful machine, and the 72" really makes for efficient play... er work. Plus the 3030 is a lighter machine than some others of similar HP so is easier on the lawn.

 

[DCJL]

Thanks, looks like the 3030 is probably the best compromise. So, how about mounting/unmounting the MMM? How hard and how long does it take? What is the process like?

 

[DCJL]

Went to one of the local places today to price out a 3030. While there I had a chance to see a GL3240 next to it. I was shocked at how much larger the GL3240 was. What a NICE tractor. Probably bigger than I need but tempting as it does not cost much more than the 3030.

So the price I got for the Hydrostatic Cab B3030, LA403 Loader, A4 tires filled with RimGuard, is $22,610 delivered plus tax.

Price w/o the cab is $18,810. (The cab adds $3,800)

Certainly a bit high compared to what others have paid, and this was with purchasing a bunch of other toys… er tools.

Anyone got a better place (price) up here in northern Vt to buy it from? The place I went to seems like a bunch of real nice people, but not $2k+ worth of nice!

 

[DCJL]

Hey Crazyal,

Oops, just reread this post, you did mean the 40 series. I must have been asleep at the wheel. Sorry. I thought you meant the 30 series, yuch. Yea the 3240 is one sweet unit. Any dealer you'd recommend?

thanks,

Don

I'm just on the other side of the mountian from you in Cambridge. Although I'm not quite as high I can feel your pain about the driveway. You may laugh but the best thing I found to keep it from getting washed out with all this rain is to walk it during a downpour. I find with a shovel and very little work I can divert the streams of water that collect in the tire tracks off the edge of the drive before they become a river.

I have to do it a couple of times each year but now I'm getting better at fixing the problems before the storm. If I forget or don't pay attention I usually pay by buying more crusher run.

I was thinking of the B7800 but liked the extra features of the B3030. I wanted a center PTO for a front mount blower so the 'L's were out. So that left the GL3240, at first I thought it was overkill but now that's the direction I'm headed. Just the extra weight and width on those hills seams like a nice thing. I'm sure the 3030 would do everything I want but for not much more money you step up in FEL/ 3pt capabilities. If money is not tight you might want to think about the GL.

 

[AMR]

I just put a deposit on a new B3030, waiting for delivery. I purchased it with the BH, MMM, bagger, blade and loader, but from the break-out pricing that I can see the machine with loader, 60" QA bucket, valves, etc. came to $18,300 plus tax.

 

[DCJL]

I just got a quote for a NH TC34DA, Hydro, Loader w/QA, R4 Loaded and block heater, for $17,600.

The B3030 the same way but w/o the QA is $18,935.

I may be going blue instead. I also think the TC34DA is more tractor, no?

 

[crazyal]

I've been looking for one for most of the year. I had thought about the one just outside Montplier but a co-worker hasn't had too good of luck with their service department. He has the M5040 and after sevral weeks of running around with them he finally got them to take a look at it. They did drop off a Kioti but didn't show up the firt time to pick up and didn't call back a few times.

The dealer in Essex doesn't seam to have much but I've been told he has good prices (haven't priced anything yet so i can't confirm it). Another member recomended a dealer down in Pitsford, just north of Rutland.

I could live with the 30 series but do like the updated look of the 40s as well as the extras. TalonDancer posted a nice thread in the owning/ operating section about his 3240. I know the B3030 (and 7800) would work just fine but I plan on owning it for 20 years or more so why not spend a little more and get some extra bells and the extra enjoyment that goes with it.