Pulled the trigger on a new to me 2008 B3030!!

Sbalak · Mar 9, 2014

Had to go to AL to get her back to MN, but it was just too good of a deal to pass up. She's got 318 hrs, 72 MMM, R4s, but I'm also looking to add a FEL. I asked my local dealer to quote me a LA403 (loader, loader value, and 60" bucket) and he came back at $4100. That's slightly higher than I expected, but in the ballpark. I thought I'd ask here to see if other's got better pricing from their dealers. I'm not afraid of drive to save some bucks.

The fluid's were changed at 240 hrs and this tractor has lived in warm climate its entire life. I'm still many hours from needing a change, but I need to operate in -20F during the winter. Need cold weather advice. Do you guys run standard or super duty fluids? Something else?

I'm still debating on the best way to add some weight for the FEL. I plan on moving dirt and snow with it so I was considering either/both a ballast box or loaded tires. I plan to mow with it and part of my mowing is a septic leach mound so my concern is soil compression. I was using a JD L120 and it only weighed ~500lbs. The B3030 is 2260lbs (1800+460) today, but how much extra weight would loaded tires add? I have to admit that I like the idea of dropping a box when I don't need weight and adding it if I do.

Small misc items. I'm missing a small plastic trim piece just below the light switch on the left side. Does anybody know that P\N for that? I also need to get a top link for the 3pt.

Thanks for all the help!

s219 · Mar 9, 2014

I'd say get loaded tires if you plan to keep the FEL on all the time. Then consider ballast to counteract whatever you might carry in the FEL. I normally just hook up my box blade when moving materials.

If you will take the FEL off to mow, then just go with ballast.

I recall that the loaded tires add about 350-400 lbs on the B series, but it's been a while since I ran the numbers. You can do a rough calculation if you measure the tires and assume 75% full.

Good luck!

TripleR · Mar 9, 2014

Congratulations on your new tractor, I really like the deluxe B Series tractors. As in so many tractor related issues for the homeowner/hobbyist everything seems to be a balance and compromise. On our tractor we don't use for yard work we finf fluid in the tires with cast centers or wheel weights in addition to ballast on the 3PH gives us the best for loader work, but that much weight will bit you when mowing the lawn.

I am merely extrapolating as I don't own a B Series, but my inclination would be to mow without the FEL as mentioned and add sufficient 3PH ballast.

A little use will steer you in the right direction; enjoy your tractor.

Sorry I can't help on fluids.

number two · Mar 9, 2014

Nice tractor-we like our cab model very much!
Even if you don't load the tires,a rear counter weight is essential for loader work.Not only for stability but also to avoid over loading the front end components.You'll regret it in the long run otherwise.
Fluids-Kubota SUDT2 for the hydraulic fluid in MN for sure.Get a 5 gal. pail.4 gallons for the change and you will need some when you add the FEL.
Motor oil-a 10W30 diesel oil like Kubota or Shell Rotella for conventional oil,or any 5W40 diesel synthetic if you may prefer that in your climate.
Your missing plastic part-often we forget the Kubota parts catalog is available online,either at Kubota's website,or Messicks or Tractorsmart websites will direct you there.
If you did not receive the operators manual with your purchase,you will want one-not expensive at the dealer.
Hope this helps-enjoy!

Happy Gilmore · Mar 9, 2014

Nice tractor Sbalac, if you don't mind me asking what'd you pay for her? You might want to pick up a block heater, especially for the winter months.

k0ua · Mar 9, 2014

The part on the left is called SHUTTLE COVER PART NUMBER 6C200-53562

TOP LINK ASSEMBLY 6C200-65400 (THIS IS THE NEW ONE)

Here is where you can hunt for parts for yourself. below
Kubota Tractor Corporation - Parts

JOHNTHOMAS · Mar 10, 2014

Upper link at Tractor Supply or other Farm/Farm Machine box store. Add a Boxblade for ballast and for a usefull implement.
Add weight to tires AFTER using the tractor to see if you need it. FEL on front and Boxblade on rear is lots of added weight and the mowing deck.

Sbalak · Mar 10, 2014

Thanks for all the replies! Very helpful, especially the link to Kubota parts. I use the Massey version all the time, so I don't know why I didn't look for something similar for Kubota. We're in a warm up here in MN, so I think I'll plan on switching to SUDT 2 fluid here soon. Figure it will take some time to get er done, so might as well be warm when doing it.

Happy G, I paid $9500 for her, but I had another $1000 (truck rental, gas, food) to pick her up. Even at $10.5 I couldn't write the check fast enough! I was just about to buy a local b7800 w/60 MMM & FEL (2004 @485hr) for $13.2 but somebody beat me to the punch. Now I'll be at 14.5 for the B3030 with new loader, plus lower hours, bigger MMM, and the deluxe features of the 30 series.

JohnThomas, I've got a king kutter 6' box I used on the MF230. It's still deep in snow right now, but would that work for the Kubota? I'm thinking it's about a foot too big.

s219 · Mar 10, 2014

I'd size the box to be approximately the outer width of the rear tires, and no wider. The B3030 will be traction limited when pulling a box blade, so no sense making it worse!

Sbalak · Mar 29, 2014

I finally got my LA403 ordered and delivered. I put it on myself over a weekend. The manual says 1.5hrs.....but it was more like 1.5 days for me.

The only gotcha I ran into was the mower mounts. My B3030 had a 72in already installed, so it had mower deck linkage attachments bolted to the frame. Long story short, those have to be removed. The quick attach loader mounts have the slots to hold the deck attachment pins. No mention of that in the manual, but after some google images it quickly became clear how it was supposed to fit.