Need some help picking/pricing a B3200 please

[MikeinMich]

After limping along for the last 15 years with my inherited simplicity tractor (which was about 20 years old when I got it), my wife has finally decided that it's time to try to use the rest of our ten acres of mostly swampy (at least in the spring) yard. She envisions paths, some garden, fencing the whole thing and whatever other work she can get out of me. We've also got a pond that needs to be groomed/dug out at the edge and the dirt has to go somewhere. And then there's the paver and block front porch to create with some attendant earth moving - and of course she wants to create her flower borders out of 12" to 24" boulders.

So- we considered finding something used but I'm thinking that I'm going to need four wheel drive to play around the pond and in the wetter parts of the yard. I think we've settled on a B3200 since it's still small enough to mow under the trees with after this "project" but still big enough for the loader work or with a backhoe (My wife thought the B2920 might wind up being too small in the rougher parts).

I got online and priced my kubota at the website- With the industrial R4 tires, a FEL (w/ a 60" bucket), a ballast box, and a 60" mmm it's supposed to come out to $21,913. Add a backhoe and 12" bucket and I start to cry at the whopping $29,996. We went to the local dealer (who has been essential in keeping the above simplicity tractor alive all these years) and got a price (before tax and the financing stuff) of $19,820 for the tractor without the backhoe, and an additional $6,800 for the backhoe (I think it includes the bucket too) so $26,620.

SO - the burning question of course is are these good prices? But I'd also appreciate any thoughts on the whole mid mount mower thing (the dealer's charging $2,570 for that little piece of metal) as opposed to continuing to torture the poor garden tractor with mowing duties and just finding a brush hog (which I'm going to need anyway). And my wife swears that we'll use the backhoe (in addition to all of the above she also envisions a family room in the future with a basement which, of course, we could just dig the hole for) but is that realistic? It's about $280 for a day's worth of mini excavator from the local rental shop, but I have no idea how much work that buys. And I don't know what other creative uses I might put a backhoe to.


Thanks in advance for any wisdom that might assist me in my hour of need.

 

[whistlepig]

The B3200 sounds to be the right size. Small enough not to rut your yard while mowing but still capable of doing some worthwhile dirt work. Maybe put the backhoe purchase off until later. May ease your pain a bit. For me it has worked out best to hire out my backhoe work. A good backhoe operator has always been a bargain for me at the end of the day. Good luck in your purchase no matter what you decide. You are going the right direction.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I just bought a B3200 from Barlows Equipment. You may save some money by contacting them based on the prices you gave and what I paid. Used mine Thursday for several hours and it's a joy to use. Prefer it for my uses much more than the L3240HST except for the great seat on the L and hooking up the 3ph rear finish mower and boxblade. It would have been easier with the L due to extendable 3ph arms. I do have the 3ph quick attach attachments on my B so I was able to attach and detach by myself. I've been working on 3 of my 5 acres of hillside, some trees, rocky, gullied land for 5 years. After reading the praises of the BH I have still never came to the conclusion that I would use it enough to justify the cost. I have hired someone with a backhoe 1 or maybe 2 times to come dig a hole for me and maybe cost me $200 total for them to do it. I don't dig deep ditches, basements or tree stumps. If I did alot of that I would probably buy a BH. The picture is of the 3ph quick attach extensions on the L but I kept them and put them on my B3200. I also have a set of Pat's in my garage and will put them on my BX2350.

 

[MikeInEburg]

I prefer a rear finish mower to a mid mount mower for a couple of reasons:
1. Easier (for me) to install and remove
2. Allows me to back into areas that would not be mowable with MMM.
3. Significantly lower cost and usable on different tractor models.
Your prices seem in line. If your wife will let you get a backhoe, BUY IT QUICK!
Mike

 

[jambx]

Mike,

Here is my $0.02 on justifying a BH.

While it does come down to your planned uses, needs and budget I look at it another way - convenience.

I recently sold my BX22 (which I just upgraded to a B2920 last week). The BX came with a loader and BH as standard. I used that BH more times than I initially imagined. From planting shrubs to digging trenches (for utilities), putting in a 1000 square foot patio, digging up countless stumps - heck I even removing a old tennis court and dug out down to my house footing for a bilco door.

Now, I realize some may argue that if I was to add all my projects up I was probably still in the hole for a few hundered (I personally think I got my money back not to mention the satifaction I get from doing it myself) but, one of the most important decision drivers for me was the convenience - the convenience of being able to stroll out to my barn and hook up the BH even for the smallest of projects (I can plant bulbs like nobodies business !).

Just last month when I was between tractors I had to dig a small trench for a downspout (10 feet long) - I forgot how much work and a shovel and pick are to use. I guess what I am trying to convey is a BH can in my estimation easily be justified even if you dont think you have a lot of future jobs for it.

Oh and get a thumb - it is a huge addition of capability to an otherwise great attachment (I use mine to pick up cut logs and place right on my log splitter ).

Heres a few pics - my favorite was the rock the size of a VW that of course sat tight up against my foundation wall (where the bilco door was going to go) - that little BH worked overtime but it got it out.

Have fun and be safe.

~Jim

 

[devildog1]

MikeinMich,
Dealers can usually do better then the web based prices, talk to them. I just purchased a B3200 TLB, which replaced my BX23 TLB. You will not regret adding the backhoe, I loved using it for projects with the BX23 so much, It was a no brain- er when I ordered the B3200.As far as the ballast box goes, forget It! Have dealer install Rim-Guard in rears, cost and weight should be the same.I've had a 60"mmm with the BX23 and it did work well. Now I have a rear mount which I really like to use around trees and under trees that I could not reach with the 60"mmm. Each has it's advantages, choise is yours, hope this helps?
DevilDog

 

[MikeinMich]

I saw the TLB tractors on the Kubota website. Is getting one of these the same as getting a B3200 with a loader and a backhoe "seperately" ?

 

[devildog1]

No the TLB's, on Kubota's web build page are dedicated TLB's for heavy backhoe and loader use. These TLB's are usually for contractors who expect very heavy use. The hydraulic pumps put out more GPM so everything operates faster, like in contractor fast where time is $$$$.They may actually be a little more beefier the the B's and L's, although I'm not quite sure of that.
DevilDog

 

[NIdaho]

Mike,

I recently purchased a B3200 w/ FEL (60" bucket) and R-4 Industrial tires. I also had RimGuard put in the rear tires and a block heater installed as well. I shopped 6 dealers in Eastern Washinton, Northern Idaho and Western Montana as well as a price from Barlow's. The price from Barlow's was the lowest but when I added in the cross country shipping, my local dealers beat the package. The price range was $17,050 to $18,500. If you say that your dealer wants to add $2,600 for the MMM that would put the range for your package at $19,650 to $20,100 but with RimGuard instead of the Ballast box and a Engine Block Heater (installed).

Hope that helps.

 

[MikeinMich]

It certainly does. Thanks very much. I went to my local tractor store first because they've helped me out in the past and I could just drive it home (pissing off all the commuters in the process, of course). We have two other dealers around here and I do have a friend with a trailer so I'll see what they have to say this afternoon. I'm going to try Barlow's too, and ask about shipping (although that would certainly be a road trip to remember But it looks like the place down the street is definitely in the running.