B Series vs L Series

[jkruer01]

Are there any advantages/disadvantages when comparing the B Series to the L Series? Does a 30hp L series tractor have any advantages over a 30hp B series tractor?

Thanks!
Jeremy

 

[dex3361]

Ground clearance and weight to name a couple.

 

[jkruer01]

Pardon my ignorance, but what benefit does added weight provide?

Thanks!
Jeremy

 

[TripleR]

Well it's a little more complicated as you have the Bxx20, Bxx00 as well as Bxx30 Series with a wide variety of features, position control 3-point and tilt steering among them.

 

[dex3361]

Pardon my ignorance, but what benefit does added weight provide?

Thanks!
Jeremy

If you are using it as a lawn mower weight may cause more damage to the lawn.

In the tractor world for the most part weight equals traction and traction is good.

 

[bp fick]

When contemplating a new dive into the tractor world, or even the higher end lawn mower/garden tractor world, study the tractor and don't spend much, if any time on the hp rating. That is often merely a distraction.

Tractors, even the lawn/garden versions, tend to come in "series". Think of them as similar to a High School sports conference class or subcompact- compact- intermediate- full sized- luxury full sized sedans.

When you determine what class, what series best suites your needs, then finally, you choose which particular engine, within that series, with its hp rating you really need and are willing to pay for. Does that help?

It is not uncommon for vastly different sized tractors to share a similar engine size.

 

[Thomas]

Little more room for operator.
Weight=traction..can be good thing.
L tad wider which won't allow places you could go w/B.

 

[Tom_H]

Pardon my ignorance, but what benefit does added weight provide?

Thanks!
Jeremy

If you are plowing dense dry clay or hardpan, it gives you pressure on the (preferably ag) tires and prevents the wheels from spinning, thus you get the traction needed. If you are doing backhoe work in difficult soil, a tractor that's too light will be thrown around when the bh is digging in that material, whereas a heavier tractor will not be as affected.

Too much weight is not good for mowing. When you go to "Build My Kubota", mid-mount mowers are listed for BX and B series tractors, but not for L and M series. On some of the L models, there is an option for a mid-PTO, yet I don't see any Kubota or Land Pride Mid-Mount Mowers listed, so that's somewhat confusing. Another possibility is to put put a rear finish mower, flex wing mower, or light duty (this means knife blade instead of hammer blade-not related to the size of the unit) flail mower on the three point hitch of those larger tractors, however.

Edit update: Hmmm, after looking some more on "Build my Kubota" it appears that at least some Grand L models offer an MMM, but I see no L series outside the "Grand" that have the mid-PTO or an MMM. Am I correct in this????

 

[amigauser]

I previously owned a B3030 and now have a L3240. As has been stated, the L series are around 1000 lbs heavier. They are also longer and wider than the B's which can be a plus or minus. In my case I found the L to be much more stable than the B was. It is also a lot less manuverable due to the physically larger size. From a power to weight ratio the B3030 is very hard to beat but I found myself spinning the tires on it due to the relatively light weight were the L just digs in and pulls. For loader work the L series has a much stronger loader which is why I upgraded. If you are primarily mowing then the B series (either 20 or 30 series) are a better way to go. For mostly loader work the L is probably a better choice.

 

[dex3361]

Edit update: Hmmm, after looking some more on "Build my Kubota" it appears that at least some Grand L models offer an MMM, but I see no L series outside the "Grand" that have the mid-PTO or an MMM. Am I correct in this????

The L series L2800,3400,4400 do not have mid PTO and do not offer MMM.

 

[LBrown59]

Pardon my ignorance, but what benefit does added weight provide?

Thanks!
Jeremy

Traction

 

[lawn_king]

Amigauser stole most of my thunder on this topic with a fine post. I would like to add' having owned several b series machines myself ( love the B's !! ) If you trailer your machine often, like i do, its a lot bigger deal to move an L! I have a cab model & she can weigh in at well over 5000 lbs, depending on how i have her set up.

 

[gbyosemite]

Are there any advantages/disadvantages when comparing the B Series to the L Series? Does a 30hp L series tractor have any advantages over a 30hp B series tractor?

Thanks!
Jeremy

I know this is an old thread but there seems to be a lot of bad information...or maybe just out of date.
Deciding between the B and L series is not straight forward at all. They really are very similar in a lot of ways.

Lets compare the new B2650 to the new L2501
B has 1 more horsepower but 23% smaller displacement engine - runs at higher RPM
B has 8.7 gpm hydraulic vs the L's 8.28
B has greater 3pt hitch lift at pins (2139 vs 1918)
L is 5 inches longer
L is 1.5 inches wider
B has 1.2 inch better ground clearance
B has a 1.3 foot better turning radius
L is 837 pounds heavier

It is really hard to see much difference looking at specs. Clearly the L is heavier but it has less ground clearance (at least that is what the spec sheet would have us believe), less hydraulic flow, and less 3pt lifting capacity. Very strange considering it would be easy to assume the L is bigger and better in every way. A heavier tractor on a similar size frame would lead me to believe it is of a sturdier construction.

I'll probably end up with a BX but for now I get to borrow my father-in-law's L series.

 

[s219]

There is a huge difference in the frame and general beef of an L2501 compared to a B2650 -- should be very obvious when the two tractors are side by side. I owned a B and moved up to an L, and there is no confusing the two, even at the extremes of the ranges where there are some overlaps.

One thing you can't spec on paper is traction, but the L2501 will clobber the B2650 in that regard, and I'd wager it will easily put more power down to the ground. The lighter B will lose traction before it can use all it's power.

 

[Fallon]

Weight defines what a tractor will do, HP only defines how fast.

A 24hp L will out work a 100hp B unless you are just doing stuff with the PTO.

 

[lawn_king]

i actually purchased another new B. A new 2013 B2320,fel,blower,front blade, curtis cab. There are jobs i need the grand L for and jobs that a need a small agile B for.

 

[LD1]

I am curious at them specs as weather they are believable.

The B has 12.4x16 tires. The L has 11.2" x24" tires. Bout a 6" difference right there. Not sure how they are getting more ground clearance with the smaller tire.

The 3PH spec is also a bit hard to believe. But IMO, both are significantly more than you will ever lift. My heaviest attachment is 1100#. No way would I ever lift that with a B sized machine.

Also a bit hard to believe that it has an equally strong loader.

But its all marketing. Everyone does it. Pump the numbers. In ideal conditions and proper counterweights the B may actually be able to do what it advertises. But in the real world, The L is a much more capable machine.

 

[My Hoe]

Subscribed.

 

[Baby Grand]

To get an idea of the difference between B and L series, take a tape measure & go to the dealership.
When you get there, measure up the front axles on both and compare.
It's just a hunch, but I suspect you'll find the L's have a much beefier front axle.
You may be able to avoid measuring entirely if you can find load ratings for each in the literature.
A stronger front axle means you can lift more weight, safely, with the FEL.
For these smaller 4WD tractors with FELs, the front axle seems to be an Achilles heel, in terms of durability.
Be kind to the front axle and the tractor will be kind to you.
S219 makes a good point about traction, too.
In general, I find that I run out of traction before I run out of power, and our B2320 & L3240 are both at the low end of their series for power.
That being said, our land is mostly flat and I don't do as much brush hogging as some others do, so my experience may not be relevant to yours.

 

[chim]

I've had an L3200 for almost three years. It replaced a B7500 that I had for the previous 10 years. The L series is a lot more tractor without being big enough to be cumbersome. The L handles a 6' RFM better than the B did a 5-footer. FEL capacity is much improved, and it will do things and go places in 2WD that required 4WD with the B. The front and rear axles are much more robust. It's a more comfortable tractor to operate.