Very close to purchasing a B2920 TLB!

[Green Guy]

Hey Guys,

Well, I'm VERY close to pulling the trigger on a brand new B2920 with FEL, BH, and 3PH. The dealer that I have been working with (local) has extended what seems to be a great price on this machine/setup at $23,250. What do you guys think? The machine is still in the crate and they will assemble it and deliver it to my house.

I must admit, I've wanted a real tractor like this since I was 5 and growing up working on a horse farm and occassionally operating various pieces of heavy equipment and it will be nice to have a real machine to help with projects around the house. While this machine is a bit overkill for the property that I currently own, I plan to keep it for MANY years and hope to be able to move to a home with more property for weekend play time. I have several projects that it will be used for immediately, such as regrading/leveling my backyard (I've removed 6" of soil (2" of weak topsoil and 4" of sand) and will be bringing in a good quality top soil so I can actually grow a lawn in my backyard, spreading stone and mulch, some trench work (running power to an out building), landscape/shrub/walkway work at my parents home, removal of some small stumps, etc... Ongoing work after these projects will be mowing and light loader work. I like knowing that I will be able to mow my lawn in about 20 minutes vs. the 1.25 hours it takes with my smaller walk behind 33" mower.

Some questions that I have...

What is the life expectancy of this tractor with proper maintenance? Can I expect to get 20 years out of it as a homeowner? I may help a friend who owns a small landscaping business on occassion with light loader / backhoe work a couple times a month in the summer to make some extra $ and help him out when he needs a smaller machine that is delicate on lawns.

Will I run into any problems if the tractor sits for periods of time? I plan to run it about once a week, but if it happens to sit in my shed for a month without being run, will that be an issue?

Thanks.

 

[devildog1]

Welcome to TBN. First let me say that my first tractor was a Oliver Super 55 that I had used a few times in the summer for bush hogging back field/lawn. It sat all spring and most of the time until I needed it to plow or blow snow in winter. Had it 20 years no issues other then regular maintenance, your tractor can and will last a long time IF YOU TAKE CARE OF IT! The Kubota 2920 is a great size tractor that can do many tasks and is up to doing them, are you going to use it for snow removal? If so you do have the option of a front or rear mounted snow blower. Good luck.
DevilDog

 

[s219]

I have a 2920 and am very happy with it -- it's an ideal combination of size and power.

I paid $15400 for the 2920 and the LA364 front loader. Not sure what exact cost the backhoe adds, but I know it's in the $6-7K upward ballpark. Maybe someone with the backhoe can comment.

Mine normally sits no more than a week (it's a weekend warrior machine) but it will probably see some extended downtime in the coming months as my work on our new property tapers off for a while. I plan to insert the clutch block (keeps it from sticking) if it will sit more than 2-3 weeks at a time. Otherwise, no real worries that I know of.

You should be able to get at least 20 years out of it from what I can see, especially if you take good care of it and stay on top of the maintenance.

Good luck!

 

[ericher69]

Have. 2920 (cab front blower)

Mostly used for residential snow removal contracts

This tractor is a powerhouse for its size!

I hope to one day add the fel and bh. You should have no problem getting 20 yrs out of her.

As for sitting too long...

I would throw a battery maintainer on if it will sit for a while and clutch block (piece of hardwood that comes with tractor to prevent the clutch from sticking in place)

Good luck and great choice!

 

[CHDinCT]

The new tractor sounds awesome. Like my BX25's big brother. One thing in your post caught my eye and that is the possible commercial work for your friend. You definitely want a good insurance policy for that work, including liability coverage. Your homeowners won't likely cover the machine off your property and I'm pretty sure the Kubota insurance, which does cover the machine where ever it is, doesn't include liability. Perhaps you'd be covered by your friends policy while doing work for him, but make sure.

As for the tractor lasting, you should get many thousands of hours out of it without major rebuild work. More than the average homeowner could normally rack up. Just keep up the regular maintenance.

 

[Martian]

Shoot me for mentioning if you must, but if you truly want a workhorse with a loader and backhoe in that size, the B26 is the best. MUCH pricier (not sure on the exact figures), but they are a really nice machine. I looked at them a little before getting my 110, but were actually a step down in size from what I'd had and I wanted bigger. The B26 will out spec the B2920 in every imaginable spec, though. If you can afford it, go for it. Otherwise you will still be very happy with a B2920 TLB.

 

[Green Guy]

Thanks for the replies so far, great information and comments!

I actually rented a B26 to do the majority of the excavation that I've done so far in my backyard and was VERY impressed with it's capabilities. I dug out a HUGE stump that I didn't think the machine had the capability to remove and it plucked it like an apple with proper technique. At this time, I don't need the capability of the B26, but if I do, I think the B2920 will be able to get me there, I'll just have to work a bit slower and use good operator technique with the exception of pure lift capacity and backhoe depth and power. I think the B2920 will do just about everything that I as a homeowner will be able to throw at it. I would like to purchase new since I want to make sure that it is treated right from day one and keep it as in like new condition as possible

 

[Green Guy]

Here is the B26 that I rented in the midst of my backyard excavation / leveling project... Thanks to my neighbors who let me move 30 yards of fill to their heavily wooded backyards.

Oh, don't pay attention to my roof (it's ugly hahahaha), I just had it re-roofed last spring and it looks a million times better. Glad I didn't have to lug 24 squares of shingles up there as I was considering doing it myself with some help, glad I didn't!

 

[tractchores]

I have a b2920 setup the same way. I bought mine very lightly used (year old with just over 50 hrs), but the price you're seeing is around what I was seeing on new machines at the time. You'll be very happy with it and surprised by what it can do. I still am finding new things for mine. You'll find its great for the new lawn, I redid mine and discovered I could spread and level 10 tons of top soil per hour after I got good at it. The BH is great too and good for moving big rocks, stumps, etc. One caution is to make sure to get the rear tires loaded and be careful on side slopes with the BH on (its VERY heavy and until you get used to it you want to get a feel for the machine with it off). I would also highly recommend building a dolly for the BH, here's a link to my build thread. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/236155-bh65-backhoe-dolly-build.html

It should be fine sitting for periods of time, I make sure to start mine monthly at least (usually use it every weekend). It should last a very very long time, a dealer near me had a 1986 model that was still in great shape when I was shopping!

 

[powerstroke444e]

Sounds like a great machine for what your doing. Are you getting a belly mower? If your looking at commercial work you may want to step up to a b26 but no belly mower for it though.

Edit after reading your other posts your doing it right trying/renting 1st enjoy the new machine