Soon to be new B7800HSD Owner

Berak · Feb 14, 2004

Hello all,

I am about to purchase my first tractor ever and after extensive research and looking I've pretty much decided on a Kubota B7800HSD. I'd be getting it with the LA402 FEL to start, mainly for snow removal around my house to start with.

I have 30 mostly open but hilly acres in the country where I live and will be building a new house within a few years. One thing I'm interested in is the ability of this machine to do some of the tasks to aid in that construction. I will need to build a road to the new house which could be 1000' or so. The path is open field right now, how will this tractor tackle that kind of work and what implements would I use?

I haven't closed the deal on this new tractor yet and I was considering upgrading to the L3130HST, but it is at least $2.5K more (with FEL) and I really don't want to spend that much if the B7800 can do just about the same work.

As you can imagine I have a ton more questions but that is long enough for a first post! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

DK35vince · Feb 14, 2004

If you plan to mow most of that 30 acres I would recommend the larger tractor.

Henro · Feb 15, 2004

Short and sweet:

I have a B2910 on 3.7 acres. Buy the 3130. Price is about the same. You get so much more for the dollar.

Buy the 3130...oh, I already said that... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif ... well really, consider the 3430 too...

I love my b2910, but sort of wish I had the 3430. With 30 acres there is no question in my mind which you should buy...

L3130 minimum...you will not regret it... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

8561 · Feb 15, 2004

There is no question a 3130 is a bigger, heavier tractor that has higher capabilities than the B7800. One thing to consider is if you are going to mow, I would let the weight of the tractor be part of the decision. It really depends on how soft your ground is as to whether the additional weight of the L series makes a big difference. The 7800 would seemingly do everything you have described, but might not do it as quickly as the L. I wouldn't consider the $2500 insignificant either. Good luck.

Bird · Feb 15, 2004

The 7800 will do the jobs; just take longer than a bigger tractor. In my opinion, you'll be satisfied with the 7800, but like the 3130 even more.

Rick Jay · Feb 15, 2004

Berak,

Welcome to TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I love my B2910 but I'm only on 2/3 acre and don't use it to mow. Even Henro keeps pestering us that he wants an L (Henro, just buy one! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) for his property.

If you look at how much more tractor you get for the L series in comparison to the B...tractor weight, loader capabilities, bigger implements...and really for not that many more $$$, I would say the L is the way to go.

If you plan on having this tractor for 10-20 years or more, the difference in the price isn't all that much. If you're going to trade it in a few years, then you'll get part of that difference back then.

The new L's are really nice machines. If you can buy one without sacrificing feeding your family, I'd say go with it. Actually...when I bought my B2910, my family slimmed down nicely those 3 years of payments. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Good Luck in your decision.

~Rick

Muleskinner · Feb 15, 2004

I bought a new B7800 last December. I use it on my 15 acre horse/mule ranch in the SO CAL high desert. It has the factory FEL and a rear box scraper. If you are going to be mowing or plowing your 30 acre spread, then you may want to move up to the L series tractor.

So far, I am 100% happy with my B7800. It is super manuverable in tight places and has all the power I can use. I was going to buy a new BX serieas, but the dealer talked me into the B7800. Best decision I made. The BX serias is too small for anything but cleaning out my stalls ETC. Not that is not a good tractor, just too small for me. I always say buy more vehicle or tool than you need and it will usually last longer.

narcnh · Feb 16, 2004

I can't add much to what the others have already said, except that I upgraded to a 7800 this past summer from a smaller 1750 and I love it. So far, it has done everything I have asked of it, mainly ditching with a rear blade, snow removal with FEL and RB, hauling wood, spreading sand, etc. It is a very maneuverable, very powerful machine on a small frame, and I have yet to strain it. The L series is certainly more powerful, but if you are planning to mow with the tractor, as has already been said, make sure your soil can support it. I will be using my 7800 to mow and brush hog, come spring.

aloha · Feb 16, 2004

I recently bought a B7800 and think it is fantastic. I also think the L3130 offers great value. Since you say you will be building the new house "within a few years" you probably have the time to approach this at the slightly slower pace you would see with the B7800 as compared to an L series.

You ask what implements to do the 1000' driveway. The primary implement will likely be a box scraper. I got a Woods 60" box scraper, just delivered 2 weeks ago, and it is a very well built unit.

For your list of implements to consider, add a backhoe. Expensive, but very handy. There are lots of discussions of backhoes.

You will also see lots of discussions of mowers. Many people put a mid-mount mower on a B7800 or comparable. My own preference is to use the tractor for rough mowing with a brush hog, and do finish mowing with a modest machine designed for that.

Be sure to ask those questions you have. This is a good place to hang out.

Berak · Feb 16, 2004

Wow this site is great and full of active members with good advice. I have a 2003 Dodge Ram Cummins Diesel and enjoy a similar thing at the TDR website (TurboDieselRegister.com).

After giving it some more thought I decided on the L3130HST with the L723? FEL. I figured I would regret not having more tractor more than spending too much money, and if I keep it as long as I plan to, I won't even remember how much I paid! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Besides that I don't really need to eat EVERY day as long as the wife and kids are fed. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anyway, I found a dealer in upstate NY advertising on this website (Emerich Sales and Service) who bested my best local offer by over $1500 on the B7800 and probably more on this unit. I'm getting a new L3130HST and the big FEL for $17,999, plus $250 for loading the tires and $425 for delivery.

The ground at my place is VERY rocky and hard so I need all the machine / weight I can get.

One of the first things I might try is leveling my rutted driveway which has a hump in the middle. This is very hard pan. Will this machine be able to do much with it with just a FEL?

P.S. I haven't been this excited about getting new toy since I was a kid, I finally get a real Tonka Toy!