TRADING UP, BUT DOWNSIZING TOO.

s219 · May 9, 2014

What you'll find is that the B's are traction/weight limited, in the sense that you run out of both before you run out of power. In contrast, the L3200 will normally run out of power first. It's a different experience, I can say that (went from a B2920 to an L3200 a few months ago).

JOHNTHOMAS · May 10, 2014

s219 said:
What you'll find is that the B's are traction/weight limited, in the sense that you run out of both before you run out of power. In contrast, the L3200 will normally run out of power first. It's a different experience, I can say that (went from a B2920 to an L3200 a few months ago).

I agree. Went from B7800 to an L3240 to a B3200 and of course on from there to many BXs, Fs, B2320and B2620..

JOHNTHOMAS · May 10, 2014

troutsqueezer said:
>I to think there are some "to harsh" members. I was able to read the entire post, did read the entire post and am glad to respond to the post. I also taught College classes for 6 years and a high school class one semester so maybe that helped me to be able to read it without trying to grade it or "teach" English/writing class here on the tractor owners forum. Is that to harsh?
I owned a B7800 for 3 years and did lots of work with it. Decided I needed bigger and more deluxe features after hearing the "bigger is better" puffing for a while. Traded to a Grand L 3240HST+ to do my hillside, rocky, treed, gullied 5 acres. The L weighed twice what the B7800 weighed and the seat on the L was way higher off the ground. The higher off the ground scared me and the same HP for a twice heavier machine was also a disappointment. Hauling (trailering) an L instead of a B was also quit a bit more formidable. After 6 months or so, maybe a year (guess my/you critics have stopped reading by now, due to long paragraph, which is OK with me ) I traded the Grand L3240HST+ to a B3200. I also owned BXs during this time which I used for mowing until I bought my first F mower.
(Next paragraph) The L was a great flatland traction gripping machine. If I plowed flat land, never had to move it from property to property and needed more traction, the L would be the preference. If I was going from a B with 31/32HP to a quite heavier L I'd want to step up to more HP than I did which I see you are proposing/pondering.
(Obviously new paragraph, not sure the last one broke so obviously) Going from 2 tractors to one will also bring some vexing issues. I've owned a couple before to save switching implements and it sure was time and back saving.
OK, grade for spelling? Syntax? Proper grammer? Last of all, by some critics, content. Oops, also clarity? I know the content and clarity doesn't mean much to the "graders" but that's life and the chances one takes when they deal with the anonymous public that aren't dealing with people face to face, just hiding behind a fake name. To harsh again?

John, not bad for a school teacher but I did spot a few areas where something is amiss. I put them in bold but won't go into why they are improper. I didn't evaluate content. No charge for this service. :stirthepot:

Glad you didn't send a bill because I wouldn't pay you much since you didn't give a breakdown of mistakes, in your opinion, which you know would have the other Grammar and English teachers and wanna be teachers kicking in their free opinions.

I didn't teach Writing, English or Grammar. (Grammarly | Instant Grammar Check - Plagiarism Checker - Online Proofreader)
I just do personal Kubota experience (the content part you didn't bother to read) and some strong opinions here. I do/did charge fairly high prices for College teaching and did the High School, one semester, for free thinking it may be fun and easy but it was neither one. Have a great respect for pre College "called" (those not just in it for the money) Teachers.:thumbsup:

namesray · May 14, 2014

I have been giving this some more thought. I don't feel good about the trade deal at this time going from 2 tractors to 1 larger one, as I have crunched some serious numbers, such as efficiency/cost per hour, total money actually spent, and so on. Let me tell you, my brain was fried. I have looked at used L3200 and L3800 and those prices are better.

I am heavily leaning towards selling my B3200 with Mid Mount Mower on private sale. I feel I could sell it for more then the 11k I still owe, thus giving me some pocket money and simplifying parking/storage space, maintenance, and insurance costs.

The B3200 was barely carrying its weight business wise, so it goes. I figured I made some money on it for the 2 years I had it, so not much lost on selling it now. My B7800 has been the work horse for me and I find it is more efficient to keep this tractor. When it is time for the B7800 to go in a few years, I feel the new tier 4 engines will have the bugs worked out, so that will be a option again to trade up. In the mean time, I will continue on with the B7800 and keep an eye out for a used L3800 or similar tractor. Who knows what deal I might come across or where my needs will be by then. Now, anybody in north central Pennsylvania or close by interested in a 2012 B3200 with MMM and 500 hours on it. It's in EXCELLENT condition and will be still in use until sold.

Once again, thanks for the replies and if you have any more comments, I am still open to reading them.

Verticaltrx · May 15, 2014

If you are going that route, which I think is a good one, I'd maybe even look for something a little larger than an L3800. If you go back a few more years you could get a Grand L or large standard L for about the same money as a couple year old L3800. If you go back to the Grand L 10 series they have plenty of heft and size, but not all the widgets that the new grand L's have. They are also getting to the point they are pretty affordable. I'd also look at L4400s and MX5000s. There are lots of 10-15 year old Kubotas with only a few hundred hours on them and in great mechanical shape.

namesray · May 15, 2014

Points well taken on looking for an even heavier unit then the L3200 or L3800 to pull/haul even more, but I would still like to be able to tow them behind a 1/2 ton hd if possible. The L3200 and L3800 weight in around 4000 lbs with loaded tires and front loader. I have a trailer that can handle 5000 lbs cargo, so tractor with implement has to stay under that. The L3200/3800 would fit right into that package. I don't want to have to buy bigger equipment just to compliment another bigger piece of equipment. Trying to work as much as I can with what I got. I do a bit of transporting from site to site.

My philosophy with this side business was to try as much as I could, to take what I already needed for my own property maintenance and use it to make money as well. As soon as you start getting equipment just for the side business, the efficiency of owning that equipment drops drastically, especially doing it only part time. Now if I was going at it full time, that would be a different story.

I have been calculating the costs of ownership based on annual and per hours of operation of the tractor at 10 year cycles. I am trying to set myself up to upgrade to ONE L series Kubota in a few years when the b7800 reaches that mark. I am estimating around 500 hours each year on the tractor if the economy/my business stays where it is now.

Fallon · May 15, 2014

namesray said:
Points well taken on looking for an even heavier unit then the L3200 or L3800 to pull/haul even more, but I would still like to be able to tow them behind a 1/2 ton hd if possible. The L3200 and L3800 weight in around 4000 lbs with loaded tires and front loader. I have a trailer that can handle 5000 lbs cargo, so tractor with implement has to stay under that. The L3200/3800 would fit right into that package. I don't want to have to buy bigger equipment just to compliment another bigger piece of equipment. Trying to work as much as I can with what I got. I do a bit of transporting from site to site.

My philosophy with this side business was to try as much as I could, to take what I already needed for my own property maintenance and use it to make money as well. As soon as you start getting equipment just for the side business, the efficiency of owning that equipment drops drastically, especially doing it only part time. Now if I was going at it full time, that would be a different story.

I have been calculating the costs of ownership based on annual and per hours of operation of the tractor at 10 year cycles. I am trying to set myself up to upgrade to ONE L series Kubota in a few years when the b7800 reaches that mark. I am estimating around 500 hours each year on the tractor if the economy/my business stays where it is now.

Definitely something to think about. I pull my 2,000ish lbs trailer + 3,800lbs ish tractor (loader, loaded tires, etc. calculated weight but not weighed) behind my 2009 Tacoma (6,000lbs towing capacity). I can pull it pretty well, but you know that Toyota was correct when they came up with that tow capacity. I tend to be more worried about the suspension & braking more than the power. I could flog it really hard for the power, so it's not the weak point, not to mention keeping things stable & stopping is a lot more important than going fast.

We are looking at a farm truck in our future, something 3/4 ton or bigger & cheap (which probably means old along with the maintenance & reliability that comes with old) for several reasons, including a better trailer hauler & spare vehicle or father-in-law is visiting vehicle.