B3030 Cab owners

[Timberman444]

I am thinking about upgrading from my deere 2320 to a Kubota B3030 cab, But have a few questions for you guys who own one and know the ins and outs of owning/operating one.

How top heavy or tippy is the tractor on uneven ground and if you run over a medium sized rock (say the size of a football) do you get that feeling that you are going to go over? How loud is the cab is it relatively quite, I know no cab is sound proof, but how loud is the engine when operating at rated engine speed when mowing, is there any excessive vibrations in the cab, how good is the visibility. and most importantly the total height of the tractor so I know if it will fit in the garage door.

I have had a hard time finding good pics of the interior of the cab on the internet so if you could post some I would appreciate it.

 

[VAMountains]

The B3030 with cab is *very* tippy on any type of a slope. Other than that it's a great unit. I purchased one and exchanged it for a L3430 HSTC (cab) after a month because I almost flipped it several times doing normal work on gradual slopes. I had filled tires and something heavy on the back at all times, but that doesn't make it stable enough for any slope work. Others may disagree, but the high center of gravity, narrow wheelbase and light weight made it much too dangerous for me.

 

[sunnyside360]

..... I purchased one and exchanged it for a L3430 HSTC (cab) after a month because I almost flipped it several times doing normal work on gradual slopes.. ......

When I was looking for a small cab tractor 2 yrs ago it boiled down to Kubota B3030 and JD 3X20. I drove both at the dealerships. Kubota dealer kept trying to push me up into the L3430 -- said I would be much happier with that model. By comparison, the B3030 cab noise was far greater than the JD 3520 I tested, but the new 2009 B3030 may be better as there has been a lot of chatter about the cab noise. I also liked the 3x20 ergonomics better.
The decision got easier when the Deere dealer discounted the tractor and equipment 18% and the Kubota dealer would not budge from msrp.
Best advice is to test drive the B3030 cab tractor and get your best price.

 

['Bota Fan]

I have a fairly standard-height garage door and I can't get my B3030 in there. As for the noise level inside the cab, I can't have a cell phone conversation with the engine maxed out and the RFM running, however, it is possible at idle.

The tractor is way too top-heavy. Since I only operate mine on my own property, I'm able to watch for the dangerous places and keep all four on the ground (so far ).

The visibility is great, and I've never had a service issue. Best of luck in your decision and purchase.

 

[amigauser]

I also owned one for a year and traded it for a Grand L3240 open station. The B3030 did feel top heavy and it made me very nervous on slopes (even with loaded tires). The cab was nice in the winter but it was very noisy. I could hardly hear the radio with the noise. For my uses an open station tractor made more sense and the GL3240 is much more stable on slopes than the B3030 ever was as it is much wider and heavier.

I parked my B3030 cab in a 7ft garage. It just bearly squeeked in with the industrial tires on it. The turf tires are larger in diameter so they may not clear 7 ft. I would recommend measuring both your door and the actual tractor you are looking at for clearance.

Like others have said, take a test drive or better yet see if the dealer will let you try it on your own property.

 

[Ductape]

I'm surprised at so many less-than-glowing reviews. I really love my B3030HSDC. Mine has loaded rear tires and felt pretty stable..... but i added Kubota's wheel spacer kit (1.5" each side) and now it feels rock steady. Mine has the turfs, and I did have to modify my 7' overhead door opening slightly to get inside. It was a matter of removing trim and replacing with thinner trim. I do not feel I would have had to modify my door opening if I had the R4s, since the turfs are taller. I have never felt any unusual vibrations. I feel the visibility is very good with the cab. It definitely is NOT car quiet..... but quiet enough for a tractor. As stated..... you probably won't be having cell phone conversations at PTO speed. I will attach a youtube video or two so you can get a feel for the noise level. The music in my vids is the factory Panasonic radio, not dubbed in afterward. The heater will sweat you out of the cab on medium in the middle of winter...... and the A/C will keep you cool and dry in summer. I find it a pleasure to operate....... winter or summer. I haven't had any problems of any kind with it, and have only needed to do routine maintenance. I have the front mounted blower, and it is an absolute snow eating monster. My RFM is 60" (wish I had 72") and it never slows down, even in tall wet grass. For my uses....... the 3030 is the ultimate. Small frame (fits in my garage), big power. Very enjoyable and comfortable to operate. Only tractor in its class with a factory cab. Overall....... I'm not sure I could get much happier with it !


YouTube - Night Snowblowing With Kubota B3030HSDC 2


YouTube - Landpride FDR1560 & Kubota B3030

 

[Ductape]

Not alot of interior pics, but here's a few.........

 

[Timberman444]

guess I will have to go with one of the Deere 3x20 cab series. thank you all for the info, you have definately talked me out of the B3030 with how tippy it is, I do not want to chance getting hurt.

 

[bstrom]

Just curious - is it the same frame as the 2630 and 3030 without cab? I haven't heard any complaints about those. What makes it tippy, the weight of the cab or is it a different frame and setup then the other Bxx30's?

 

[Double Orange]

guess I will have to go with one of the Deere 3x20 cab series. thank you all for the info, you have definately talked me out of the B3030 with how tippy it is, I do not want to chance getting hurt.

I had a B3030 Cab for 201 hrs. No complaints. I have hills , creek crossings and more hills.

Great piece of equipment.

My only complant is you have to reach up to change the CD.

But I trade every year.

So some one else is injoying the B3030 C.

Now I have the Grand L xx40.
BIG. BIG BIG diference.

Go with the XX40 Series. And HST Plus.

 

[lawn_king]

Say what you will about the 3030 cab, my experience was cool in the summer,warm in the winter, good tunes, and its a **** of a lot louder when you open up that cab door! B3030 is a fine machine!

 

[srs]

By comparison, the B3030 cab noise was far greater than the JD 3520 I tested, but the new 2009 B3030 may be better as there has been a lot of chatter about the cab noise.

Sunnyside, is the 2009 B3030 any different than previous years or are you just guessing they may be better?

 

[Ductape]

Just curious - is it the same frame as the 2630 and 3030 without cab? I haven't heard any complaints about those. What makes it tippy, the weight of the cab or is it a different frame and setup then the other Bxx30's?

Same tractor....... Kubota just adds the cab. I've never felt mine was tippy, so I guess I can't answer the second part.

 

[sunnyside360]

Sunnyside, is the 2009 B3030 any different than previous years or are you just guessing they may be better?

I test drove the B3030 two years ago when looking to buy and Kubota may have improved cab noise since then -- don't know.

 

[srs]

Ok, thanks. My cabbed 3030 is much louder then I thought it would be when I bought it. I guess I was thinking it would be "car like". I've never driven the 3540 cabbed tractor and understand it is very quiet. I think Kubota should have done their homework a little better on isolating noise to the inside. Certainly it is much better then not having the cab. But what a joy to use this past winter with clearing snow. My wife loves it in the summer time too when SHE cuts the grass. She is very allergic to poison ivy and she loves to get inside with her cup of Coke, turns the tunes up and off she goes. For what it's worth I won't go back to a non cabbed tractor!

 

[Earl Ohl]

Ok, thanks. My cabbed 3030 is much louder then I thought it would be when I bought it. I guess I was thinking it would be "car like". I've never driven the 3540 cabbed tractor and understand it is very quiet. I think Kubota should have done their homework a little better on isolating noise to the inside. Certainly it is much better then not having the cab. But what a joy to use this past winter with clearing snow. My wife loves it in the summer time too when SHE cuts the grass. She is very allergic to poison ivy and she loves to get inside with her cup of Coke, turns the tunes up and off she goes. For what it's worth I won't go back to a non cabbed tractor![/QUOTE]

Yes, mine's loud too. I was thinking of going to a junk yard & getting some of that insulation that they put under the carpet in cars. I figure it would be simple to put a piece under the floor mat & see if that helps some. I also wouldn't go back to an open station tractor.

 

[Earl Ohl]

I'm surprised at so many less-than-glowing reviews. I really love my B3030HSDC. Mine has loaded rear tires and felt pretty stable..... but i added Kubota's wheel spacer kit (1.5" each side) and now it feels rock steady. Mine has the turfs, and I did have to modify my 7' overhead door opening slightly to get inside. It was a matter of removing trim and replacing with thinner trim. I do not feel I would have had to modify my door opening if I had the R4s, since the turfs are taller. I have never felt any unusual vibrations. I feel the visibility is very good with the cab. It definitely is NOT car quiet..... but quiet enough for a tractor. As stated..... you probably won't be having cell phone conversations at PTO speed. I will attach a youtube video or two so you can get a feel for the noise level. The music in my vids is the factory Panasonic radio, not dubbed in afterward. The heater will sweat you out of the cab on medium in the middle of winter...... and the A/C will keep you cool and dry in summer. I find it a pleasure to operate....... winter or summer. I haven't had any problems of any kind with it, and have only needed to do routine maintenance. I have the front mounted blower, and it is an absolute snow eating monster. My RFM is 60" (wish I had 72") and it never slows down, even in tall wet grass. For my uses....... the 3030 is the ultimate. Small frame (fits in my garage), big power. Very enjoyable and comfortable to operate. Only tractor in its class with a factory cab. Overall....... I'm not sure I could get much happier with it !

I feel about the same way you do, Ductape. I have non loaded R-4's & all I do is hook up the weight box when using the FEL. I never had a tipping issue. I have well over 20 years experience tractoring & I know what can be done safely & what can't. The weight box has about 500 lbs. of chain in it & the operator is 6 ft. 5 in. & weighs well over 300 lbs. So I'd say there's plenty of ballast there!

 

[brandoro]

I managed to lift a back wheel on more than one occasion with the B6200 and with the B7610 that I owned previously. So far with the B3030HSDC I have not had that happen despite working out in the bush with the flail mower where I can't always see what I am driving over or into until I have passed with the mower. I dropped the low side back wheel into a hole once, drove the pucker factor and heart rate way up but the tractor never felt close to tipping. My experience, I think it's great and don't find it tippy.
Really looking forward to blowing snow this winter, never thought I would say that.

 

[smfcpacfp]

I do not find the B3030 HSDC to be tippy at all.

It is noisy at full bore in the cab. I am more sensitive to the effects of noise than most people since I have lost some of my hearing due to loud noise as a young man. When I am snowblowing I wear ear plugs and shooting ear muffs just to be safe.

If you have a 7 foot garage door, it won't fit, but it will come close as Ductape says.

I don't find there to be any vibration, and I don't have a visibility problem. If you look at my Kubota web page below you will see some interior photos. I should add that I am very happy with my purchase.

 

[Fritzy]

I also have a 3030 with a cab, I too find it tippy, in fact I did tip it over. As long as you take it easy on the slops you will have no problem. Other than the tipping I think my tractor is the best thing to sliced bread.