New "B" series catalog..

[IslandTractor]

Not trying to start any trouble, but although weight is good for dirt work, I'd venture to guess that Kioti hasn't purposely decided to focus on heavier equipment just for that reason, but more because they do not have the manufacturing capabilities at this point to produce a lighter small machine with higher quality steel that is just as strong, but significantly lighter than iron. Based on what I've seen out of Kioti, I think their equipment is way overpriced for what you get. And I really hate the ridiculous amount of cantilever that their backhoes have - they sit way too far off the back of the machines. Sorry, but that comes from using slightly inferior steel - you need more of it to get the strength of a higher quality steel, so they end up with this huge mass hanging off the back of the machine. That's something that I have to take into consideration on a property with a lot of slopes and a bunch of trees to maneuver around.

I don't know if you have any basis for your suspicion that the heavier tractors like Kioti and Mahindra use inferior steel. If you are building a tractor to mow lawns you build it light. If you are building a CUT that has more general uses including ground engagement there is no reason to build it light as weight can be an advantage. Korean and Indian steel companies today are amongst the biggest and most modern in the world. Your attitude towards quality steel may be about 30 years out of date. I doubt seriously there is any difference in available materials that forced the designers to build heavy.

I've had a Kioti backhoe and now have a Woods. They seem about the same to me in construction and performance so maybe the US steel companies are also incapable of building with high quality steel.

 

[ovrszd]

I make no claims to be a Kubota tractor expert. I've only owned one, my current B2910. But I read every new bit of information I can find about CUTs. What aggravates me about the latest Kubota lineup is it appears to be more fluff than substance.

When my 2910 was built in 2001 it came standard with position control, extendable arms, mechanical cruise control, 3 speed hydro, true power steering, suspension seat, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, clutch engaged PTO and an excellent HP/Weight ratio. I couldn't be more happy. Each time Kubota announces a new model in this tractor range, I am more happy with mine.

It will be a sad day when I finally have to retire the 2910. Fortunately, barring some catastrophic event, that day is a long ways off. Kubota offers nothing that replaces all of those features in one tractor today, remotely close to the price of a 2910. Hopefully when my day comes to buy another tractor, they will have awakened and returned to the days that made them a quality tractor manufactorer by producing something that can compete with the old 2910.

 

[bandit67]

Your 2910 was replaced with the B3030. Capacities & power were increased slightly. I think the only issue may be how much of a price increase that replacement cost the customers, but I can't comment for sure since I never priced a 2910 back then. But I don't hear too many complaints from B3030 owners - only that there is no horn. They have all the other features of the old 2_10's.

The new 'standard' B's are not replacements for the old 2410, 2710, or 2910 - those were replaced by only 2 models,the B2630 & B3030. The new B2320, 2620, & 2920 replace the old 'standard' 7410, 7510, & 7610, and as Kubota does with their replacements, updated the power and capacities on the new models. Some features were updated, such as to a new 3 range hydro, but the 3pt hitch was not updated to PC - you want that, get the deluxe B's.
Keep in mind that JD's deluxe tractors in this category are the 2320 & 2520 (there is no 30hp machine yet), and although those have position control, they only have a 2 range hydro, so they fall between Kubota's new standard B's and the deluxe B's.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Farmers often have many tractors, and have different ones for jobs that the particular tractor does well. Most owners, on the other hand, face the opposite challenge, that of finding one tractor that does as many things well as possible. All such tractors are some kind of compromise, and it is up to the individual to find the best compromise for his own uses. That process is difficult as is evidenced by the length of time it takes many to choose, and the difficulties they go through with that choice. Kubota recognized this area that wasn't being addressed before other manufacturers did, and has made lots of money in the process. The B series tractors are well matched in size, manuverability, and power for the various tasks that a small land owner might face. Their lift capacities, and hp are well matched for their footprint size, and weight. Their weights are well matched for their size, and are gentle on all land, not just lawns. They are extremely versitile tractors, and are perhaps better matched with the available proprietory implements, (snowblowers, front blades, mower decks, front brooms, etc.) than any other brand of tractor in that size range. That being true, they serve more needs than others address. I have some disappointments in the new B series too, but they are somewhat different from what I've been hearing here. I was hoping to see a factory QC loader bucket like the small JD's for lightweight forks, and perhaps a small strong bucket for digging, and a larger one for snow, and bark mulch, etc. Loaders are for picking things up, and the more odd shaped things we can handle the better. I was hoping that Kubota would introduce an intergrated backhoe, and they did. Yes, islandtractor, I am pleased that the new mower deck is suspended, drive over, and easily adjusted for depth of cut, though I am one that might never mount a mower, I am over 60, and appreciate that option since 300 lb+ mower decks aren't as much fun to push around as they used to be. Yes, position control would be nice, but 1/4 inching is adequate if it translates into an economical tractor. I think the seats, if as nice as the new one for the exisiting B's will be fine since I am on my tractor for a few hours at most any one time. I don't feel that the Kubota B series are lawnmowers since I suspect that there are thousands more of them in use that have never seen a mmm than there are other model tractors in existance. That they serve very well in that function, and are available with well designed mower decks is a plus, and only adds to their versitility. That is not the task they were designed for as is obvious by the many z-turn mowers, 4 wheel steer riders, etc. that are much better suited to that task, and Kubota is a force in that market too. Most companies look at the market to see what there is that they can compete with, Kubota looked at the market, and saw what wasn't there, and for that I, for one, am grateful. I've been holding off on my new tractor purchase for some time, partly to see what this new series would bring. I had hoped for a little more than was delivered I think, but ATI, and others will address the loader QC ( isn't it great how a free market works sometimes?), and the backhoe does look easier to mount, and store, and it is very close coupled to the tractor which is a good thing in my eyes. The longer wheelbase hopefully will give a little more legroom in the operator area, etc. I like the new loader control lever location though Kubota is late to the party with that. I am much more concerned with how well the available transmission ranges suit my needs than how many there are. If one range is useless on my land, it doesn't really count! All in all, I guess I am slightly disappointed after waiting all this time, but perhaps my expectations were not realistic. I think, given the true cost of ownership over a period of years, considering purchase price, cost, ease, and time down for maintenance / parts, minus the selling price of the used tractor, that even the larger B series, and JD 2000 series are cheaper to own than other brands, and will probably stay with them.

 

[Elsie71]

The new tractors look great. Two of the things I always wished my B7100HST had was a completely separate engagement of the rear and mid PTO and a separate lift for the mower, independent of the 3 pt. hitch. I was able to put a cylinder on the tractor to lift the mower by itself, but I half to take off the mower or unhook the PTO shaft to run anything at high speed on the rear PTO. Does anyone know yet if these features are available on the new tractors, or they still like my old 7100. For that matter, is the rear and mid PTO operation on a B7510/7610 independent of one another?

Someone mentioned that the new tractors still have a transmission driven PTO. That is not a problem with a hydrostatic drive tractor that has a clutch. Essentially it works the same as a live PTO and does not stop when you stop the tractor.

I see that the new mowers for these tractors are all suspended. This might be all right, but I always thought my ground engaging mower did a much nicer job because it followed the ground contour. The only downside was that it wasn't as easy to adjust the mowing height, and there was a lot of wear on the gauge wheels, especially if you didn't grease them as often as you probably should.

I think the included hydraulic control valve would be nice, but is it really standard if you can delete it for a reduced price?

The position control 3 pt. would be nice, but I suppose it would add to the cost. If I recall correctly, I looked a few years ago at a B7200, and I think all the parts from it would have fit on my 7200 to make it position control. Also, the B7510 narrow version has position control, so I would assume that one could put those parts on a regular B7510 or a B7610. The cost, however, might be prohibitive. Perhaps they would also work on the new models???

 

[bxowner]

Every manufacturer does things that don't make sense - or at least doesn't make sense to this consumer. Take Jeep. They've had the opportunity to offer a simple pickup for years, but continue to tease with prototypes that don't get built. Home Depot stocks 11 different magnetic cabinet hinge mechanisms. All in brown and unpainted steel. Only one in white. You can buy energy efficient lightbulbs around here in 25, 40, 75 and 100 watts. Not 60.

Again, no offense. But how hard is it to offer a 3-pt-hitch lever with a simple thumb-wheel stopper?! (also known as position control). Total cost: $3.27. This weekend warrior needs his 72" rear blade to drop to "2.5" each and every time to grade a level lawn. Since he can't do it all in one weekend, he'll have to return to the project over several weekends in a row. Quarter-inching would drive him crazy. Yes he could do it, but his mind is elsewhere - and that darn thumb-wheel stopper just makes it so easy.

I sound like Andy Rooney.

 

[ovrszd]

Your 2910 was replaced with the B3030. Capacities & power were increased slightly. I think the only issue may be how much of a price increase that replacement cost the customers, but I can't comment for sure since I never priced a 2910 back then. But I don't hear too many complaints from B3030 owners - only that there is no horn. They have all the other features of the old 2_10's.


I lost track of the number of B3030 owners on here that complained about the seat. Most even went so far as to look for an aftermarket seat to fix the problem. Lawn King makes his living with his 3030 and hated his seat.

The 3030 is a great machine. But once again Kubota spent most of it's focus on cosmetics with little attention to retaining all of the features it had with the 2910. They gave up the clutch, suspension seat, telescoping steering wheel and true power steering. Hmmmmmm. Was their primary concern customer care or cosmetics and profit.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Not on the last major change, but on the one before that, Toyota took 30% of the parts out of the Camry. In the world of manufacturing, Toyota has become the worshiped business model, and most successful manufacturing companies, and those that want to be successful are jumping on the "lean manufacturing / Toyota" model. Unfortunately, like many laws, the letter of the model is being implemented, but not always the intent, or the understanding of how to make it work. In some cases, new product feature implementation boils down to a graph. On one side you have the features desired by customers, or thought to be desired by customers, and on the other you have the cost / difficulty of implementation. Where the lines cross determines the features that are actually implemented in the new product. The other force at work here is the perceived cost of a feature. Some person at a computer will look at a seat, and say the function is thus, and so all these features are not necessary, but add cost. Unfortunately, the end user / customer is often perceived as being someone that won't know the difference. As consumers, we have the power to change that of course. The most effective way I know is to write letters / emails to the company that are nice, but explain which features affect your BUYING decision. Trust me, if Kubota thinks you won't buy a tractor that doesn't have position control, they will put position control on all their tractors, but they have to know that first. Of course not buying things with features we don't like works too, but sure limits the tools we can have. I base that on my many years of experience in a company that manufactured consumer products (firearms), and being a part of the new product introduction team. Unfortunately, in many cases, the people designing the products today, and making those decisions rarely have any experience with the end product........ and so they make decisions based on other criteria.
All manufacturers should have a place on their web site to make those buying criteria known. I have sent those emails to both Kubota, and JD. Kubota sent a reply stating that those concerns were forwarded to the development team of the product in question......

 

[bandit67]

I lost track of the number of B3030 owners on here that complained about the seat. Most even went so far as to look for an aftermarket seat to fix the problem. Lawn King makes his living with his 3030 and hated his seat.

The 3030 is a great machine. But once again Kubota spent most of it's focus on cosmetics with little attention to retaining all of the features it had with the 2910. They gave up the clutch, suspension seat, telescoping steering wheel and true power steering. Hmmmmmm. Was their primary concern customer care or cosmetics and profit.

OK, I agree with the B3030 seat issue, but they did fix that problem for most customers - I guess I understand how deleting a true suspension seat would save a ton of $$ for the mfr. I've never had one, so I don't know what I'm missing. These newer tractors are a lot more comfortable and easy to drive than the old Ferguson I ran years ago. I don't know how the clutch would be necessary on the B3030, since it is hydro and has an independent pto. Telescoping steering wheel - I can do without that as long as I get a tilt wheel. What do you mean by true power steering - isn't the B3030's steering wheel a no-effort fingertip turn lock-to-lock, even when not moving? - the BX's do that, and so do many other subcompacts and compacts.

Unfortunately, there doesn't exist what I would consider my ideal machine, and I'm sure the majority feels the same way. That's the way it is in the world of mass-production. You always seem to have to settle for something that comes closest to what you have in your mind.

Take my diesel pickup for example - it has some pretty impressive transmission programming on my custom burned chip, and anyone who drives or rides in it is blown away by how much better it feels than their factory tranny programming. But I still find myself wanting to further refine the programming for the countless different driving scenarios I encounter, and unless I spring for the chip burning hardware and software, I have to settle, even though my truck runs better than many of the Superduties on the road.

 

[Buster57]

I upgraded to the new seat on the B7800 but I really do not understand what the big dead was? The old seat was OK. Heck, the Grand "L" came with a seat having staples in the back that were "pre-rusted". I was not happy about that and told the factory that if it was the computer industry it would be a design "QAN". But I never had an issue with the "old B-series" seat. I must be missing something?
I am 5'11" 200 so maybe they designed the old seat for some one of average height and overweight?