I currently have a b6100E...but i am looking for a tractor to do some grading on our construction sites. Now i only need a box scraper that is 54" because any larger and it might not fit between the houses. It will be mostly used to grade the ground for scaffolding, as we currently do that by hand with a pick hoe...a very long and tiring task. Also the safety inspector wants to see a better grading job in the future. I was looking at the b21, i know i can go to a regular b series tractor but this tractor is going to see some extreme duty in mud and also in the winter...I am also planning on expanding into differant territory of construction like gerneral contracting. Also i want it to last over 20 years which is the current life of our other machines we use (rough terrain forklifts) So really i am looking at the b21...but i also like the new b39 and if i do expand i am going to need a larger machine. I would like to know your opinions of both machines. and i know the b39 is pretty new so not many people will be able to comment on this machine. I dont plan on buying this machine for another year or so but i'm just trying to get a head start.
The L39 will be wider than 54" (by a lot... its specs read at 74" wide), but will be a great machine that should hold up rather well. Keeping in the construction series will give you a better life span for very heavy work. We have a few grading companies who use our B7510's for grading around tight spaces, but they are extremely hard on the units and rarely keep them maintained or even 1/2 way clean so they dont hold up as well as the customer will like. I'm not sure that even a B21 would hold up too much longer in those conditions though.
It is very nice to have the quick-mount backhoe option on the B21/L39's even if you dont buy it with the unit. There is a large price difference between the construction units vs the standard B's if you're just looking to do grading work though.
Take a look at this B3030. 53.8 inches wide, available with a factory cab and even air conditioning for all those days you need to work but the weather is not cooperating.
After re-thinking the situation...i realized a 60" box blade would be better could the b21 have enough power to pull that? I think sticking with the construction series is my best bet...and i would get the back hoe also the L39 should have enough room to get inbetween the houses...our forklifts with 88" track get through...well not all of the time so i would like something a bit smaller. If i went with the L39 i would have nearly 20 inches more clearence which is a lot nicer...also i think i would go for a larger boxblade if that were the case.
