Tractor Research Over: Now the details

Henro · Jul 15, 2003

Re: Update on the journey

Gee Fishman!

I thought I was reading a post I had written the similarities are so close! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Until I got to:

 ...so I bought a little Kubota 1670 lawn tractor for that task... 

I decided for the same reasons as you to buy something smaller to get around the obsticals...a bx2200.

There is no doubt that in most soils a B2910 could power an 18" auger. Mine digs easily in our clay soil with a 14 inch auger.

In my case, I would not want a bucket larger than 54" for what I do. I can lift the rear off the ground with that bucket, If I fill it real good, with loaded tires and a box blade on...that is unusual though and take a good chunk of concrete or large rock to make happen. I understand the 54" bucket may be more heavy duty than the 60, but I don't know.

Some days I wish I had a larger tractor...like yesterday when I moved more fill I had dumped on my driveway...not too far, but it was six large truck loads, about 150 tons. But then I come back down to earth and realize the B2910 is the perfect tractor for my needs with only 3.7 acres to deal with.

All those tractors are good tractors MB, I am not sure I would buy the older model though [3410]. If you would ever want to sell and move up to something larger /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif a newer model might be worth more at that time...

TractorLuvr · Jul 15, 2003

May i suggest a Kubota L35, my company owns two(both with fel, one with boxblade and one with backhoe) and both are absolutly wonderful. Ive put them through hell and they both have come out on top. I really like the glide shift transmission, you put it in a gear and you can change the speed and direction while its moving. Come to think of it.. the only time i use the clutch is to stop, i dont use the break pedals. Sorry, anyway, i was going to ask my boss if purchasing a trencher would be a better idea than a backhoe because we dig alot of trenches for irragation sleeves, pipes and other things but forgot.. trenchers are better imo

fishman · Jul 17, 2003

Re: Update on the journey

Henro,

Boy, I wish I could have gotten a BX2200. Also looked at the BX1500, which was a 'little' closer in price to the T series. But I just couldn't justify the 3k vs 9k difference in price. That and the fact that I use my 1670 for a lot of quick and easy tasks that wouldn't even warm up a BX, so's I thought a gas motor was more appropriate.

You are certainly tractor-rich (or poor, maybe /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif)

monkeybreath · Jul 17, 2003

Bill, thank you for your input. Re the 3410 issue, as I am 59, and really have limited uses, I am pretty sure this will be my first and last tractor - don't think I will be selling for quite a while, if at all. I am convinced after a very thorough analysis that the 7800 or 3410 or 3430 would all do what I need without any real issues - 99% of tasks on 5 acres which are already landscaped and fixed up. So it comes down to the price differences between all of those. The 3410 is about $1600 less than the 3430, and may be that I can even do better. . as it is an older model and used (16 hours). The differences between the 3430 and 3410 not significant for me, and even though I can afford the difference, I constantly have to remind myself, I started out looking for a used 8N with FEL - hoping to get one for within $5-6k, for "occasional use" and wow, look where this has evolved. My caution also may be because I have been on the property here for 17 years without a tractor, decided I might want a small used one, and now am looking at a package for about $20 k plus with attachments. Most of the work around here is done, or will be completed within a year, and I have very limited mowing - clearly under an acre 3-4 times a year, and once my other projects are done, even more limited uses. . . but, I have to think you all are right about more tractor being better even for my limited uses. But, still have concern about the brands for attachments - did search here for Gearmore equipment but not much info. I will post inquiry in Attachment thread there. Once I have my confidence level comfortable re the attachments to go with the tractor, I will be going ahead - maybe tomorrow - . Thanks again for input. I would be lost without this forum and the group of guys here that my wife now calls my "tractor buddies" as in "are you going to be talking to your tractor buddies again?"

Henro · Jul 17, 2003

Re: Update on the journey

 I use my 1670 for a lot of quick and easy tasks that wouldn't even warm up a BX, so's I thought a gas motor was more appropriate.

You are certainly tractor-rich (or poor, maybe ) 

Yes...I guess tractor-poor might apply best...IF my dealer finds a bx for me...

AND... I am going to keep my little yardman 20 HP gas piece of sugar specifically for those little jobs like pulling a trailer full of compost, or whatever...was thinking of selling it cheap to someone...but it makes sense to take the mower deck off and use it for those misc jobs me thinks... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Henro · Jul 17, 2003

99% of tasks on 5 acres which are already landscaped and fixed up. 

MB...if that is the case...AND you figure you will not be doing much on the rest...[forgot...but I think I remember you have a lot more...] Then I seriously suggest you give SERIOUS consideration to the B7800 [or better the B2910].

This is a little tractor, but it can do amazing things since it has 30 HP under the hood. A couple days ago I moved about 150 tons of dirt fill, that was dirt plus broken concrete mixed in. A total of about 300 tons over three days...the B2910 did not even wimper...just kept going and going...it MAY be just what you need.

Seems like here at tbn we all want to suggest everyone go bigger...and that is generally the best advice...but I can assure you that the B2910 is no wimp...and it might just be want you need if you are only going to be dealing with about five acres.

Good luck in your decision...if you go bigger that will be fine too I am sure...except for grass cutting perhaps...but who knows...?

 I am pretty sure this will be my first and last tractor 

I though the same thing last year when I bought my b2910...this year I ordered a bx2200... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Watch out! You never know... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

PS...gee after posting this and coming back to the top of the thread...I see you decided on the 7800...

Well, let me just add that the b2910 has some advantages...the suspension seat is REALLY nice after about 8 hours of continuous use...the extendable lower link arms on the 3PH are priceless...makes attaching things a LOT easier...Tilt steering wheel...who cares? I don't. Cruise control...rather not have it...

Forget the other differences...but I still think I would go for the B2910 over the 7800 if the price difference was about $1,000 or less...

monkeybreath · Jul 18, 2003

Bill, you are right, I have a lot more than 5 acres - what I meant to say was that I figure that 99% of what I will be doing will be on the 5 acres around the house, and the rest on the other 85 acres. I could be very wrong though, but would hate to see an expensive tractor sitting in the barn because I ran out of projects, but imagination might take over and then who knows. Other uses will be to groom the drive way to the high way as needed and once and a while cleaning up the road to the back of the property. I am waiting for a quote on the B7800 - and still considering the 3410 and 3430 as mentioned above.

stvman · Jul 18, 2003

Monkey, I too have been looking at a 7800 and the 3130 and felt that the 3130 may be too big for me. But if you look at the L35 it looks like a smaller tractor than the 3130 but it is based on a 3410 the diffrence is the size of the tires. I asked my dealer if you could get the R4's from the L35 on the 3130 he said it would drop the price around 500.00 which is also a plus for me bringing the weight of the tractor down a little and lowering the center of gravity. I can get the price down close to 18,000 with a 723 loader which will lift close to double what a 7800 can lift. I was quoted 16200.00 for a 7800 and when you factor in no folding rops, no telescoping links on the three point hitch, less horse power, no suspention in the seat, no hand crank on the draw bar not to mention the intellipanel and much beefier castings. For me the 3130 seems to be a much better deal.

As far as financing I would not consider a used tractor unless the price was considerably lower than new. If I had cash I would still use Kubotas money for 3 years at 0%

Just my $.02, Steve