You don't need earmuffs inside the cab of the
B3000. I suspect it's the same or possibly just a bit quieter than the
B3030 cab. However, I am probably going to play with some additional sound absorption material this summer, and will post my results at that time. The
B3000 hydro noise is essentially the same as my
B3030 open station, but the cab holds more of the noise in. Obviously, the bigger machines can add a lot more sound deadening/sound proofing, and have a slightly different mounting system that helps isolate the cab better, which is the direction that Kubota has gone with the
B3350, but it comes down to how much hydro noise comes up through the sheet metal floor. I've noticed that the bigger machines have very little exposed sheet metal inside the cab, whereas the
B3000/
B3030 has quite a bit exposed.
The engine noise is certainly quieter than on the open station machine, and I can barely hear the rear pto when I run the snowblower. All of the objectionable noise comes from the hydro transmission, which is right underneath the majority of the cab.
The biggest complaint I've heard is the hydro whine inside the cab tends to drone out the stereo at lower volumes. Currently, I use my machine without headphones, and with my iPhone & earphones when I want to listen to music or the radio. I wanted to see what the noise issue was prior to buying an in-cab stereo, but now that I've put 30 hours on the machine, I have plans to add a stereo as I don't feel the in-cab noise is too much for a stereo to reasonably deal with.
I suspect, after looking at what Kubota did to help with sound deadening, that I can do a little better with some of the available aftermarket products. When I get around to tackling that task come warmer weather, I will be sure to take video, with sound, of before & after inside the cab, along with detailed pictures of what modifications I make. That way, if it works out the way I hope, I can provide all the information folks need to make the modifications. I don't have a decibel meter, but if I can get my hands on a cheap one or borrow one, then I'll take those before & after readings also.
The in-cab noise certainly doesn't have me wishing I held out for the more expensive, Tier $$$, oh, excuse me, Tier 4,
B3350.
Oh, and I love technology, just don't like it everywhere, and hate when it fails and makes things completely useless.