Kubota B3300SU...good tractor?

[jodebg]

Wondering what the feedback is on a Kubota B3300SU?

This is an economy model, so what is missing other than the
mid pto?

Thanks!

 

[jeff9366]

I had a B3300SU. I put 400 engine hours on it, then sold it for nearly-same-size but much heavier kubota L3560.

The BIG ISSUE for me is B3300SU lateral stability. The B3300SU is the only 'B' with big wheels so it is the most laterally 'tippy' of all the "B"s. So be EXTRA prudent carrying heavy loads in the FEL bucket, otherwise the potential to roll it is there.

Fill the rear tires with liquid, to lower the tractor's center-of-gravity.

Whenever moving a heavy load in the B3300SU bucket have ample counterbalance mounted on the Three Point Hitch. Backhoe is one example of ample counterbalance.

You can power a 5' Rotary Cutter. You can pull a Disc Harrow with 18" diameter pans. You can pull a 12" X two bottom moldboard plow at full throttle, but you need a contemporary plow, sized to this "intermediate" frame tractor, such as plows sold by everytfhingattachments.com. Old plows, designed for the larger Ford 9N/2N/8N, have a main beam that is too long and collide with the B3300SU bodywork.

Small issues: The HST transmission has a high pitched whine. Using Kubota "Super UDT2" hydraulic fluid reduces the whine significantly. I always wore ear plugs operating the B3300SU.

I believe all B3300SU tractors came with hydrostatic (HST) transmission. Highly desirable, even with the whine.

No Position Control on the Three Point Hitch hydraulic lift. Instead, B3300SU has QIV, also written as 1/4" valve. Personally, I liked the QIV, especially when using my Moldboard Plow and Disc Harrow. QIV only fell short when operating a Rotary Cutter, and you work around this handily with $30 limit chains. Few B3300SU owners read how to adjust the QIV in the Operator's Manual, where QIV adjustment is clearly explained.

I did not like the factory turnbuckle Lower Link stabilizers. I had Mark Hodge at Stabilworks fabricate pinned replacements for me. I believe pinned stabilizers are now available as an option from Kubota.


T-B-N LINKS TO MY FORMER B3300SU:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ine-root-removal-woods.html?highlight=B3300SU

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...0su-zerco-check-chains.html?highlight=B3300SU

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ting-sand-pears-kubota.html?highlight=B3300SU

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...0su-rollover-box-blade.html?highlight=B3300SU

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...emoved-roots-using-fel.html?highlight=B3300SU

 

[jeff9366]

You continue to seek info on one tractor after another. This is fine. But if you learn to search the T-B-N archive you will receive information faster and more complete information.

Here is a search with B3300SU typed in the Search box:
Search Results | Compact tractor forums, news, reviews, information.

TEN PAGES of B3300SU thread references pop up immediately.

 

[jodebg]

Thanks for the information.

I have consisered using a set of pinned stabilizers on the 3ph. My concern is that
there may be too much sway during operating. I use a large carry all on the tractor.
Will the carry all be fairly stable with the pinned stabilizers?

 

[jeff9366]

Yes. The sway is no more than 1/4" at the stabilizers.

Rigid stabilizers are most important when pushing an implement with the tractor in reverse.

Pushing a Box Blade with the tractor in reverse will crumple turnbuckle stabilizers almost immediately.

I feel a B3300SU depreciates at $10 per engine hour. When I sold by B3300SU with 400 engine hours I priced it at $4,000 less than dealer new invoice.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I enjoyed mine. Bigger HP for the frame size.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

I love mine. Just shy of 500 hrs on it. The loader frame is a little light on torsional rigidity but well matched to the tractor. It's the same tractor as the B3200 with out the mid PTO and the extra $$ to go with it.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

I feel a B3300SU depreciates at $10 per engine hour. When I sold by B3300SU with 400 engine hours I priced it at $4,000 less than dealer new invoice.

Curious, how did you come up with this figure? Is that any different than any other tractor?

 

[jodebg]

Do you have a qa bucket? The one I am going to look at does not. Does Kubota make a quick coupler for this loader?

 

[project_X]

They do, I believe it is B1658

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

They do, I believe it is B1658

Sounds like the right number. Works well for the simplicity of it and requires no modifications to install. I converted mine to hydraulic action

 

[jeff9366]

Do you have a qa bucket? The one I am going to look at does not. Does Kubota make a quick coupler for this loader?

I bought the optional pin-on "Quick Coupler" bucket. A mistake. I work 40% in the woods. A pin was snagged by brush and pulled out. One side of the bucket de-coupled, structural parts on the FEL bent and it was $1,200 to repair. Fortunately, I had Kubota sponsored KTAC insurance, so I only paid $250 deductible.

When the tractor was returned I replaced the QC pins with bolts and ny-lock nuts.

Others have shared my unfortunate experience with the pin-on QC bucket in woods work.

 

[jeff9366]

Curious, how did you come up with this figure? Is that any different than any other tractor?

I considered I had $10/hour in fun, operating the B3300SU. So I reduced the "new" price of $17,200, which included optional rear/center drawbar, pin-on QC bucket, Cruise Control and R4/industrial tires, by $4,200. (I took new delivery February 2012.)

No Florida sales tax on ag nor forestry equipment.

At time of sale actual engine hours were 406.

The first person who contacted me bought the B3300SU for $13,000, my full asking price. I am looking at the bill-of-sale, dated January 2014.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I also made the mistake of getting the "quick pin-on" bucket. I hated fighting with it.

 

[project_X]

I never seem to see used b1658s for sale, what did u guys do with yours?

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Sold the whole tractor! Lol.
380hrs for $17k cash (I paid $19.5k new)

 

[project_X]

That makes sense

 

[jodebg]

Does anyone have a photo of the optional pin-on "Quick Coupler" bucket assembly?

I bought the optional pin-on "Quick Coupler" bucket. A mistake. I work 40% in the woods. A pin was snagged by brush and pulled out. One side of the bucket de-coupled, structural parts on the FEL bent and it was $1,200 to repair. Fortunately, I had Kubota sponsored KTAC insurance, so I only paid $250 deductible.

When the tractor was returned I replaced the QC pins with bolts and ny-lock nuts.

Others have shared my unfortunate experience with the pin-on QC bucket in woods work.

 

[jodebg]

Jeff, I'm confused about the fix for the coupler.

Did you insert the original large lower fastening pin through the coupler and bucket bracket, and then insert a bolt and lock nut to secure the large pin from slipping out?
Did you have to drill the hole in the large pin to a larger diameter for the bolt?

I have a quick coupler for my b7800 and want to make sure I don't end up with the same issue.
Thanks.

I bought the optional pin-on "Quick Coupler" bucket. A mistake. I work 40% in the woods. A pin was snagged by brush and pulled out. One side of the bucket de-coupled, structural parts on the FEL bent and it was $1,200 to repair. Fortunately, I had Kubota sponsored KTAC insurance, so I only paid $250 deductible.

When the tractor was returned I replaced the QC pins with bolts and ny-lock nuts.

Others have shared my unfortunate experience with the pin-on QC bucket in woods work.

 

[jeff9366]

I pulled the pins, inserted like diameter bolts, added ny-lock nuts.

That was years ago, and, as the problem stayed fixed, I forget the details.