newb help on b7800 v l2800

[Hamilton]

Hi all,

I'm a newcomer to posting here but have been reading the threads for the past 6 months or so while doing research on my first tractor purchase. I'm at the point where I'm ready to buy, and thought I'd check one last time here with the forum. Sorry if this is old hat - I've read the past B7800 v L2800 threads but they answers seem to be very situation-specific, so I was wondering what people thought of my situation.

We have a 20-acre piece of land in northern Mass, about 5 of which is lawn (well, yard really - I'm not into super green lawns or frequent lawn care) and about 6 of which is field, growing wild. The rest is wood. We have a 200' long gravel/stone dust driveway which needs more material packed down, and I've got trees to remove and smallish amounts of snow to remove.

I had settled on the B7800 (HST, 4WD) but the dealer suggested the L2800 as an alternative, for $1600 more. All of a sudden this threw a wrench into my research. I've done the comparison and see the extra weight etc. What do people think in this application? Will not having the mid PTO be a major issue later? Would it be just as easy (and cheaper) to add weight to the B7800 when needed? And is stepping up to something like the B3030 worth the $$ for the features?

Summary of what I'm looking at: tractor, loader, rear finish mower (60" - was told that larger led to tilting and uneven cuts - true?) and a rear grader blade.

Thanks all in advance for the help - this site is really great for all the helpful input to novices like me.

 

[Barneyhunts]

I have a B7800 and use it for brushhogging, light loader work, plowing, discing , planting and for use with the stone rake. It is especially manuverable while I run the brushhog on my woods trails. I had some problems with traction, which might be weight related, when plowing established sod with a two bottom plow - might also have been due to my inexperience! I really like the tractor, but it is light weight and this is noticeable when I lift the brush hog or the disc. That said the machine has done everything I've asked it to do. Either way you're looking at a nice machine!

 

[toddler]

Hey BarneyHunts,

Given the size of your property, I'd definately favor the larger tractor over the smaller. If you are going to be mowing 5 acres frequently, I'd want a 72" mower unless your property is very uneven. You're time is worth money, and the 72 will cut faster.

I cut between 2 & 3 acres in VT with a 60" MMM, and if I had to do it again, I'd get a 72".

As to which tractor, that will depend on what you want to be able to do on your lot. For many small jobs, the B7800 will do fine. For larger jobs, I'd want at least the L2800. Also, if you plan to use a rear mower, then I don't think you'll miss the mid-PTO.

Besides, if you decide to get a snow thrower, you won't have to worry about the temptation of a front mounted one. You'll use a rear mount and leave on the FEL. Life gets simple

I would definately take the L2800 over the B7800 with a lot the size you're discussing. I'd even consider the L3400 if it was in the price range, and probably get a 72" Caroni Flail Mower to put behind it. Right now, I'm looking at the L3240/3540 and the Caroni Flail to rough mow 7acres. I was initially thinking I'd also get a Mid PTO and MMM for the 2-3 we'll have as finished lawn, but after discussing it with my wife, if we don't like the Flail cut enough, we'll get a used zero-turn.

When you think about this, it's not simple what can't the B7800 do that the L2800 can. The question is which will let you finish the job you're doing faster and more comfortably. Based on that, I'd go L2800 or L3400! But realize, none of these are going to pull large stumps.

If you tell us more details about the property and tasks, we can probably offer you more specific advice.

Regards,
Todd

 

[Shantycoke]

Hi Mr. Hamilton,
Your situation sounds similar to mine. I have a B7800, mow a 5 acre yard with it, and we use a little Kubota T1570 for about an acre of yard closer to the house and the wifes obstacle course. I do sometimes regret using a 60" MMM, kinda wish I would have gone to the 72", but too late now. I also use a 5' brush hog on my logging roads and a hillside, and have no issues running it or raising it, but I always have my loader on when I use it as a counter weight. I also use a 5' box blade, a 6' back blade for snow removal on a 350' driveway, and run a 3 pt. hitch log splitter off of the hydraulics. I have ag tires on the tractor, and they do very little damage to the yard while mowing unless I make hard turns. I would not recommend turfs unless all you're going to do is mow.
I personally like the MMM over the pull behind finish mower, but if you're wanting a rear finish mower, the mid PTO would be useless to you. My best buddy out the road has the same tractor, but he got it with a backhoe and a 60" tiller and is very impressed with everything. He runs heavy equipment in a powerplant, so if this little 30 horse tractor impresses him, that tells me something.
My tractor has never lacked for power or anything else for that matter. I'm very pleased with all that it does. I think you would be happy with one, but whatever you choose will probably serve you well.
Hope this helps,
Pat

 

[toddler]

Hey Hamilton and BarneyHunts,

My apologies, I addressed my reply to the wrong person. That'll teach me to try and type while watching VanHelsing on TV. Maybe I can blame it on Kate Beckinsale's looks.

Hamilton,

I just did my weekly drive from NC to VA, and I stopped at the Kubota dealer in Lynchburg just to look at the two tractors side by side. (It's a nice point to get out of the car and stretch my legs anyway.)

Obviously they were closed, but I wanted to remind myself about the size of the B's. I forgot to mention, in Vermont where I was mowing 2-3 acres, I had a B2710. The B7800 seems like it's about the same size. 3hp more, but the same frame size. But the B2710 had position control.

The L2800 which was parked right next to the B7800 is definately a larger tractor. Bigger wheels, slightly larger and stronger loader. It also adds position control for the 3pt hitch!

It's not quite as refined looking as the B7800, and I'd rather have a MMM if I was going to be mowing around my house. But, if you've ruled out a mid mount mower and the price difference isn't a major obstacle to you, I'd seriously look at that L2800.

Regards, and sorry again for the name error,
Todd

 

[Hamilton]

Wow - thanks so much for the replies already, the people on this forum are incredible for how helpful you are!

I didn't know the L2800 had position control on the 3 point; that's a real plus. I've heard a lot that the extra weight will make a big difference also.

What I'm having the hard time reconciling is that of course most of the hours I put on this will be for mowing, but the key features like weight and power become really key for the harder/rarer jobs. I do plan on grading out the driveway in the spring and laying down more gravel, and I was planning on dragging a few trees around.

The 60" vs. 72" was news to me also - I had assumed bigger was better in all cases. The sales guy suggested that the 72" was a little too wide and would, on non-level ground, have a tendency to tilt and produce an uneven cut; also that the slower speed required to tow the 72" (while maintaining power) would offset the value of the wider cut path. Have people had this experience? I tended to believe the guy because the result would be for me to spend less money (always against the sales guy's natural instincts).

I do hate shutting the door on the mid PTO. For our property, which has flat bits and hilly bits and big trees and rocks sticking out of the grass in places the tow-behind seemed to make more sense though.

 

[toddler]

For our property, which has flat bits and hilly bits and big trees and rocks sticking out of the grass in places the tow-behind seemed to make more sense though.

Hi again,

Can you explain this to me? I'm of the opinion that if you have a lot of obstacles, a MMM is more maneuverable. Of course a zero turn is even more nimble, and you could pick up a used comercial zero turn for a LOT less than a tractor. The ride might be super uncomfortable, though, on those little wheels . . .

Todd

 

[art]

The mid mounted deck is a plus for many over a rear. I only recommend a rear for big open areas! A seventy two inch cut with the size tractors you are looking at would be a must! Dop the deck learn where you can go and how to cut it so it doesn't scalp!

This past summer I used a different mower for much of the time then the summer before. This summer I used a 52" Z and last summer I used a 54" Z. This summer with the smaller deck I scalped! Last summer I didn't! At the end of the summer I came home with a 72" Z the same brand as the before that didn't. That didn't scalp anymore the the one make 52" did!
Don't worry about the position control vs the 1/4" valve as they both can work very well. A lot of hipe(most started from some manufacturers) say it doesn't work but it does and for many chores it will do better then position control.

It won't be to long that all the extra weight will be tied to burning an extra gallon of fuel a week just for mowing a couple of acres!

 

[teg]

I vote for the B7800 w/ MMM... if I was going to be mowing. My L2800 with FEL and a 4' shredder is about 20 feet long and 3800 lbs. How much snow do you have to deal with? If traction is an issue, tire chains can help with that.

 

[MDM]

I've got the 2800 and I have 14 acres. I also have a 60" RFM. My tractor is 90% mowing machine. I finish mower about 2.5 acres. I like the added weight of the 2800 when I need it. Personally, with 20 acres I would want the bigger tractor. I would rather have a tractor that is a little large for my needs vs. one that is a little small for some tasks.

By the way, the 2800/3400 does not have position control.