New "B" series catalog..

[MessickFarmEqu]

That gear box uses hydraulic assist. It's precise and powerful and fast. The 3030 and BX models use a simple hydraulic actuator located under the steering wheel and a hydraulic cylinder guiding the front wheels.

Most manufacturers reguard hydrostatic power stearing as an improvment over hydraulic. Each design has its advantages and disadvantages. If you look at the economey tractor line, most have the hydraulic stearing that you seem to like. I don't know the parts cost, but its probably cheaper if its on the economey tractor line.

 

[IslandTractor]

It would seem that the new 2920 on the way is going to be a slightly smaller version of that hp/weight ratio. It should have good power for a small chipper, and should run any implement suited to it's size quite well. I do agree with ovrszd that it's a shame that we have to lose good, solid features to gain some of the things we are looking for. Perhaps there isn't enough competition in this class tractor?

I think Kubota has decided they have a large enough lead in this business that they only need to compete head to head with JD. The new B series update does a credible job of matching or surpassing the roughly equivalent JD2320 and 2520 series. Both the Bs and the JDs are relatively light and focused on mowing (note Kubota's new drive over MMM but lack of position control etc). Kubota does not seem as concerned about the heavier weight CUTs like Kioti and Mahindra that offer more features/bang for the buck (though dealer dependent on pricing) and is not attempting to even match those in many feature areas much less surpass them. Neither Kubota nor JD really sell a tractor to compete primarily with the CK or 1500 series (heavy small CUTs).

Kubota is definitely number one in CUTs and their game plan has worked so far. Bring in customers with BX and B then upsell to L and M when the customer needs more than a machine optimized for mowing. They've never had serious competition from anyone except JD and the current updates indicate they are still primarily concerned only about green. I'd guess Kubota and JD will be numbers one and two for a long time but that their market shares will be nibbled (?bitten off) by the rising sales of other value oriented brands like the Korean Kioti and Indian Mahindra. At least with the Korean company that sort of parallels what has happened in the car industry.

 

[lawn_king]

I have read this entire thread (lots of good info & insight), I guess im a little confused about the new B line up. Will kubota build a 2620 and a 2630?

 

[bandit67]

Yes. The 2630 remains the 'deluxe' 26 hp B.

The 2620 is considered the 'standard' 26 hp B, and is a smaller, lighter machine with lower capacities throughout. Two quite different machines. The 2620 is basically an updated 7510 with more engine hp, but identical FEL and 3pt capacities, new backhoe with a single reversible seat for tractor & backhoe operation, a new integrated FEL joystick, and a new 3 range hydro. Other than that, pretty much a 7510 sizewise and ability wise. Guess Kubota wanted to update the model numbers too.

 

[lawn_king]

Thank you.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I think Kubota has decided they have a large enough lead in this business that they only need to compete head to head with JD.

I think thats absolutly true. Besides Kubota and Deere, every other company in this business has a extremely small impact on overall tractor sales. If you have 50% or more market share with your product, why build a tractor like the guys who are catching single digit market shares.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Because you slowly start losing the people that are part of that great market share? I owned a Kubota, really like Kubota's, but also want the functional features that I can get at the green store, and other places. Attractive plastic hoods don't do much for me, especially if replacing a headlight costs as much as it does for a B3030.

 

[IslandTractor]

I think thats absolutly true. Besides Kubota and Deere, every other company in this business has a extremely small impact on overall tractor sales. If you have 50% or more market share with your product, why build a tractor like the guys who are catching single digit market shares.

Neil, you sound like an executive from General Motors dismissing Toyota and Honda in the 1970s.

 

[Volfandt]

you sound like an executive from General Motors dismissing Toyota and Honda in the 1970s.

And I bet the former leadership of GM, Ford & Chrysler didn't tie their golden parachutes to the performance of their former companys either.......
It wasn't like they didn't have an inkling that the market was going to change drastically. VW started chipping away at the large gas guzzlers in the 60's.

With the exception of the suspension seat (which was somewhat addressed by a replacement seat program), I'd Kubota knows full well the market their targeting.
The new B's address several shortcomings in the market share they basically invented and dominate.
1) the 3 sp HST is a step above everyone. A major deal maker.....
2) the HP to weight ratio keeps them at the top of the primary mowing customer base. A lesser deal maker.
3) the suspended MMM imroves their lead in the same primary mowing customer base. A major deal maker (anyone see a pattern here.)
4) slopped ergonomics to keep up with the Jones'. Theres been many references here where buyers used "a better line of site" to justify purchasing other than Kubota.
5) An integrated BH. This will steal BX TLB sales...

And not surprisingly what the new B's don't address, i.e. more FEL capacity and 3PH position control IS addressed by their premium B models.

Seems Kubota has the small CUT field covered.......

 

[ChuckinNH]

I agree that all the things that Kubota has done for the new B series will look really good in a catalog!
1. Three speed hydro...... It seems the speed in mid range is 1mph faster than low range on their other three speed tractors?



2 . Hp to weight ratio is very good with the B series, and that's a fact. It looks to me like the new hydro steals a lot more of that hp though, so other than the 2920 things haven't changed much.


3. The suspended mower deck, easy adjustment, and drive over feature are really nice improvements in that area for those that mow with this size tractor.


4. Ergonomics are important, and I expect that the longer wheelbase will result in more room in the operator area than the current B7xxx series. Nice


5. I am one that waited for months to see what the new bh would bring. Though I really like the close coupled mounting, and 4pt mount, I am a little disappointed that they reduced both the digging forces, and swing angle of the boom. How much do you pay for 10 degrees more swing, and a few hundred pounds in digging force over the BX class machines? I found two problems with the limited swing on my BX. The first was that it made positioning much more critical. The second is that in order to be able to place the spoils with more room, I found myself often digging at an angle to the long axis of the tractor, and that is not the best situation, and is perhaps one situation Kubota was hoping to reduce, or eliminate by limiting the swing in the first place.

Since the inception of the 7500 series there has been an explosion in attachments for loaders, and the 3pt hitch for small tractors. The BX series showed many new owners what the capabilities, and versatility of these small machines could really be. My earlier comments reflected some of the things that those people upgrading from the BX or similar brand series might be looking for......... while keeping the nice mowing features they have come to like, and perhaps more importantly use to justify their purchase in the first place.

Like other Kubota fans, I am wholeheartedly in favor of all the things that Kubota has done with this upgrade......... I am just picking nits.