Advantage to 3 extra HP?

/ Advantage to 3 extra HP? #1  

jodebg

Platinum Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2012
Messages
671
Location
New Hartford, CT
Tractor
Kubota B-2650
I have a Kubota B7800 30hp compact tractor with a FEL.

Now looking at a B2710 27 HP with a FEL and Backhoe and low hours.
Thought it would be nice to have the backhoe.

From what I am seeing it looks as if the 3ph lift capacity is the same
on both models. Not sure if the FEL lift capacity is the same?

So my question is, if both of the lift capacities are the same, what will I lose
by going to a 27hp tractor from the 30hp I now have?

Think I may be missing something?
 
/ Advantage to 3 extra HP? #2  
Just compare the tractor weights. A direct correspondence with the work it can do. HP claims mean little.
 
/ Advantage to 3 extra HP? #3  
3 hp doesn't sound like much. On one hand I wouldn't think it would make much difference but then again it is a ten percent reduction in hp.
 
/ Advantage to 3 extra HP? #4  
Let's see, a tractor that is 20%-30% ? heavier (with the hoe) with 10% less power, what do you think? While the machine will operate fine, if you work on hills or drive at transport speeds, you will notice the difference.

While weight is what gets the work done, HP gets that work done faster, meaning that the same machines other than HP, typically the higher HP machine will get things done faster and easier. ;)
 
/ Advantage to 3 extra HP? #5  
Hp especially 3 won't make a lot of difference. A 70 hp D3 can drag a 1,000 plus hp tractor pull rig anywhere it wants to go.
 
/ Advantage to 3 extra HP? #6  
HP makes most difference on the PTO. If you don't use the PTO, you won't feel the difference.
 
/ Advantage to 3 extra HP? #7  
Hp especially 3 won't make a lot of difference. A 70 hp D3 can drag a 1,000 plus hp tractor pull rig anywhere it wants to go.

I'll take that bet with any one of the semi pullers or unlimited mods (they are a tractor pull rig)
 
/ Advantage to 3 extra HP? #8  
I'll take that bet with any one of the semi pullers or unlimited mods (they are a tractor pull rig)
Are you talking about a semi truck? A semi truck can't pull very hard without a trailer hooked up because then most of the weight is over the front wheels. If you are talking about a pull tractor you still have to meet regulation weight. At the local pulls it is 8,000 pounds. The heaviest I have seen was at the world championship pull in KY which was 12,500. The dozer and the tractor pull back to back with a level chain.
 
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/ Advantage to 3 extra HP? #9  
I have a Kubota B7800 30hp compact tractor with a FEL.

Now looking at a B2710 27 HP with a FEL and Backhoe and low hours.
Thought it would be nice to have the backhoe.

From what I am seeing it looks as if the 3ph lift capacity is the same
on both models. Not sure if the FEL lift capacity is the same?

So my question is, if both of the lift capacities are the same, what will I lose
by going to a 27hp tractor from the 30hp I now have?

Think I may be missing something?

I started with a B7510 21 hp, then B3200 32 hp and now L3901 37 hp. Each increase in hp I see a noticeable difference in power and performance. All other things being equal don't discount the hp difference. How important is "nice to have a backhoe" ?
 
/ Advantage to 3 extra HP?
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Looking at the responses I see that weight is critical to work.

So, if the back hoe adds overall weight to the tractor, that would help
in it's work capabilities?

The 3 less hp may decrease the speed of the work done?

Hopefully, I am stating this correctly.
 
/ Advantage to 3 extra HP? #11  
I bought a new B2710HST in 2002, then picked up a used B7800 in 2008 (manufactured in 2003) and sold it a few years later. They are the same base tractor (the B2710 had a few more trivial features like a cruise control lock). I kept the 2710 since I bought it new and it had less hours but could have kept 7800 if I needed it but I picked it up to run my 3pt chipper which it do not do very well. Bottom line, they are both less than 2000 lbs with loaded rear tires and I never found a situation that I noticed 3 hp difference, both would spin the tires if you buried the loader bucket. I would not worry about hp between these two, a lot of other things should be considered, hours, features you want, price, etc...

I have several tractors and my B2710 gets used the most, mowing, moving hay, cleaning up the barn, filling my wife planter boxes, moving her roses, cleaning up her garden, come to think of it she uses it more than me.
 
/ Advantage to 3 extra HP? #12  
I don't have a backhoe, don't have enough calls to justify the cost of one. Always thought it would be more in the way and slow me down. Think I would rather rent one for a day than to drag one around with me all the time. I don't see how the extra weight of a backhoe will help you spread dirt or load a trailer. A ballast on the rear can help with that.
 
/ Advantage to 3 extra HP? #13  
Looking at the responses I see that weight is critical to work.

So, if the back hoe adds overall weight to the tractor, that would help
in it's work capabilities?

The 3 less hp may decrease the speed of the work done?

Hopefully, I am stating this correctly.

Correct

HP determines how fast you can go.
HP is very important when you are using the pto or transporting heavy loads.
A 3pt rototiller or generator can easily overload a tractor with insufficient HP.
As far as loader work if the weight of the tractors are the same you would most likely not notice the difference.

90cummins
 
/ Advantage to 3 extra HP? #14  
Looking at the responses I see that weight is critical to work. So, if the back hoe adds overall weight to the tractor, that would help in it's work?
yes . My backhoe considerable increase the strength of my tractor.
 
/ Advantage to 3 extra HP? #15  
Looking at the responses I see that weight is critical to work.

So, if the back hoe adds overall weight to the tractor, that would help
in it's work capabilities?

The 3 less hp may decrease the speed of the work done?

Hopefully, I am stating this correctly.

I would not use the additional weight of any attachment in assessing the work capacity of a piece of machinery. It is the tractor that drives and carries the attachment, not the other way around.

Attachments used as ballast or counter balance can make for a more productive set up, but that is the same as filled tires or a ballast box. That type of added weight just slows things down a bit.

IF the more powerful tractor also has a higher flow rate hydraulic system, you could expect more rapid cycling while using the BH. That would be good
 
/ Advantage to 3 extra HP? #16  
One thing to keep in mind is the OP already owns the B7800 and is trying to determine if the B2710 with a backhoe is a good replacement/addition (at least that is how I read his post).

To me all things almost equal between the base tractors, the BH (with a thumb) would drive me to get the 2710. Another poster stated, you can rent one when needed, but owning one makes a lot of stuff a lot easier. I am biased as I own a L45TLB but I use it as least once a week around the house, loading something, unloading something, digging, cleaning up brush/trees, etc., you will find uses for it.

Only you can really decide.
 
/ Advantage to 3 extra HP? #17  
One thing to keep in mind is the OP already owns the B7800 and is trying to determine if the B2710 with a backhoe is a good replacement/addition (at least that is how I read his post). To me all things almost equal between the base tractors, the BH (with a thumb) would drive me to get the 2710. Another poster stated, you can rent one when needed, but owning one makes a lot of stuff a lot easier. I am biased as I own a L45TLB but I use it as least once a week around the house, loading something, unloading something, digging, cleaning up brush/trees, etc., you will find uses for it. Only you can really decide.
My BX does much better working in the dirt when the hoe is on due to the weight... Less spinning of tires while using the FEL. Unless you are maxing out the PTO, I don't see the HP a concern.
 
/ Advantage to 3 extra HP?
  • Thread Starter
#18  
This has been a very good thread, thanks for all the great information.

Time for another question.

I recently tried to remove what looked like a basketball size rock from an area that I was grading.
As you all know, those "small rocks" can be very deceiving. This ended up to be a large stone that my bucket
would not even budge. My neighbor offered to assist with his bx-sized 26hp JD TLB. I initially tried to
discourage him, but he insisted on giving it a try.

To my surprise, his small machine not only pulled the rock out of it's large hole, but was also able
to move it to it's location a few feet away-no small task.

This got me to thinking that having a backhoe may be a good idea?

So, here is my question.

How much power does a back hoe have?

I know we are able to see the stated lift capacity of our FEL's,
but are back hoes rated as well?

I am moving good size stones on a regular basis while working on our landscaping.
After a while you know just how large of a stone you can lift be for the machine "cries uncle."

With the same tractor and HP I am assuming that the back hoe will lift more weight than the
FEL? Assuming this to be true, I would like to know approximately how much more weight will it lift?
 
/ Advantage to 3 extra HP? #19  
This has been a very good thread, thanks for all the great information.

Time for another question.

I recently tried to remove what looked like a basketball size rock from an area that I was grading.
As you all know, those "small rocks" can be very deceiving. This ended up to be a large stone that my bucket
would not even budge. My neighbor offered to assist with his bx-sized 26hp JD TLB. I initially tried to
discourage him, but he insisted on giving it a try.

To my surprise, his small machine not only pulled the rock out of it's large hole, but was also able
to move it to it's location a few feet away-no small task.

This got me to thinking that having a backhoe may be a good idea?

So, here is my question.

How much power does a back hoe have?

I know we are able to see the stated lift capacity of our FEL's,
but are back hoes rated as well?

I am moving good size stones on a regular basis while working on our landscaping.
After a while you know just how large of a stone you can lift be for the machine "cries uncle."

With the same tractor and HP I am assuming that the back hoe will lift more weight than the
FEL? Assuming this to be true, I would like to know approximately how much more weight will it lift?
I think your BH will be limited by its bucket/thumb grip way before you limit out on weight unless you have some kind of strapping. I found when digging up big rocks (+200lb), I haven't seen ratings for the BH for my BX. I use the BH to unearth rocks and then position them to load into my FEL bucket to haul where I want. I rarely lift them off the ground with the BH due to their shape. The BH will throw the tractor around (basically lift the backend and send you sideways if you get a little reckless. That is lots of power.

As far as landscaping I mainly used my FEL to move and position hundreds of 80+lb. landscape blocks putting six at a time in the bucket.
 
/ Advantage to 3 extra HP? #20  
I have a Kubota B7800 30hp compact tractor with a FEL.

Now looking at a B2710 27 HP with a FEL and Backhoe and low hours.
Thought it would be nice to have the backhoe.

From what I am seeing it looks as if the 3ph lift capacity is the same
on both models. Not sure if the FEL lift capacity is the same?

So my question is, if both of the lift capacities are the same, what will I lose
by going to a 27hp tractor from the 30hp I now have?

Think I may be missing something?

The two tractors are nearly the same. The 2710 was made from 2003-2005, the 7800 from 2005-2008. Nearly the same engine, weight, wheelbase, tires, transmission, etc., although I think the 2710 was a "deluxe" tractor with a few upgrade features over the more basic 7800. You would only notice a difference in power with pto-operated attachments such as a mower or snow blower. For loader work or just going from place to place, either machine has ample power for the weight. Of course when you hang the backhoe on the 2710 it's going to weigh more, but just comparing tractor vs tractor, they're nearly twins.
 
 
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