Think of the
B3030 as the Cadillac and the
B7800 as the Chevy. Mechanically they are very similar tractors, the
B3030 comes with a lot more standard features including the MID-PTO. The
B7800, if I recall correctly, offers the MID-PTO as an option. Since you are looking for a tractor that will be a mowing machine with secondary uses, you should seriously consider the Mid-Mount Mower. The
B3030 has other small touches as standard that are either not available on the
B7800 or are added cost options. Consequently when you look at the two, consider what you are doing with the tractor. Some people end up closing the price gap between the
B7800 and the
B3030 by adding options, which makes the
B3030 a smaller price step up. Now if you don't need/want those options, then the price gap is pretty wide.
The
L3400 is one of the economy series Kubotas. It is more of a mid-weight tractor, where the "B" series tractors are ultra-light tractors. I think the
L3400 is a nice machine, but is not as refined or fully featured as the "B" tractors. As you are planning on doing a lot of mowing, consider the added weight of the
L3400 as a disadvantage.
For mowing and for loader work, the HST transmission options will make your life much easier and more fun too.
I use a
B2910, which has been replaced by the
B3030 this model year and I would not want to trade the deluxe options for a more basic model as the
B7800 has, but that is simply my personal choice. I look at it from the standpoint that the tractor will last for a couple of decades, the convenince features, for me, are worth the added price.
