32 HP? Is it enough?

[chim]

Right now I have an L3200 and couldn't be happier. The 32 HP it has is plenty for me and a big improvement over the 21 I had before. I have a little over 2 acres at the house that gets mowed (6 foot Landpride) at least weekly except during a dry spell. This past Tuesday we settled on another piece of land adjoining our place that will bring the yard to about 3.5 acres. Besides that I mow a small lawn for a widow nearby. The previous tractor was a B7500 with a 5 foot landpride finish mower. The L3200 is a much more user-friendly tractor that makes it a lot easier.

I don't mow with the FEL attached. The whole thing comes off in less than a minute. This also helps avoid tearing up grass on tight turns or soft ground.

 

[chim]

.................... 1 tractor isn't perfect for everything...................

That's why Wifey suggested we keep the old Ford 1210 when we got the new "garden tractor" (her terminology for the L3200).

 

[PhilY]

I would say to check out the Kubota B2620 and similar tractors. This will be well sized for what it looks that you will be doing. I'd suggest to get the tires filled to help with traction. With filled tires and a FEL on it, the B2620 would probably weigh around 2500 - 2700lbs. This is probably around the upper limit for weight that I would frequently use on a lawn. As for as your tire choices go, the industrials are great for a lot of heavy duty loader work. This is because they are made to be a heavy weight bearing tire. The turfs and ags can squat with heavy FEL loads, but this shouldn't be an issue at the B sized tractors. I have the L3540, and it weighs almost 6K lbs with fel, fluids, and loaded tires. At this weight I can only go around the corner of the garage a few times (in 2wd) before the lawn starts to tear it up. I have about 10 acres and a lot of woods, my tractor has just enough power to do what I have needed. The FEL Forks top out when moving boulders about 30-36" in dia. or 10' logs that are 22" in diameter. It has the HP to drag 2 logs that are about 12-14' and 18" in dia. but the wheels pretty much just spin in 4wd. So, even with the necessary HP the traction isn't quite there. Just thought I would share some of the things I have done in case you may see yourself doing similar tasks for I'd rather have a tractor with too much power than not enough.

 

[wrooster]

I have 3 acres that will need to be mowed. I have another 7 that are woods.
I don't care for the B series... they look too much like glorified lawnmowers to me. I don't mean to offend anyone, but just my opinion.

That's too bad you are of that mindset, because the Kubota B series (e.g. 2620) is very likely the best option for you in terms of initial purchase cost, productivity, operating fuel efficiency, overall longevity, and (perhaps eventually) resale. The fact that you can get a brand new one at US$0 down and 0% financing for 5 years means you don't have to lay out US$15K up front, and that improves your cash flow situation. Moreover, you can include selected implements in the finance as well. Finally, the dealer warranty on a new machine also removes all of the risk you are taking on by purchasing a used tractor with an unknown service/PM history and which any repair bills will come straight out of your pocket.

But don't let practical factors like these get in the way of your dream.

Wrooster

 

[vpracer]

Don't mean to hijack your thread but I have a nice L3200 HST, 4x4, R4 tires, front end loader and a nice box blade that I'm about to trade in. I bought some land and need a larger tractor. Its got a whopping 25 hours on it. It spent it's life launching a boat at my lake property. So it went from the barn down the ramp and back into the barn. I did move some top soil around with the loader so it does have some "use" marks. I used the box blade once I think to spread that soil. Let me know if your interested and we can pm about price and pic's etc. Tractor is in Central Texas so not too far from McKinney.

Sorry if I've messed up your thread but thought I'd throw this out there.

 

[PhilY]

I agree with Wrooster about looking at a new tractor, too. These tractors hold their value well, and with new you get that 0% financing for 5 years. In terms of pricing, if you take 15% off of the price listed online at Kubota's website, that will probably be darn close to what a dealer would sell it to you for.

 

[Grandad4]

I have 3 acres that will need to be mowed. I have another 7 that are woods.

I don't care for the B series... they look too much like glorified lawnmowers to me. I don't mean to offend anyone, but just my opinion.

Sorry if I misunderstood your post that said you had 3 acres. Plenty of owners use "B" size equipment on 3-10 acres and get their work done just fine with those models. They probably don't give a rip what anyone else "thinks" about their equipment. Many others, myself included, chose something larger with good results. We found the work needs got larger with time, so having more capability paid off. It's your money and you have to live with your decision; so by all means, get as much tractor as you want.

 

[case245]

are you looking at HST or GEAR tranny if a gear tractor check out the b2320 that tractor abot 13k with fel that size tractor will do alot more then you would think i owned the same size in a case ih i did plowing tilling dragging logs with it

 

[5thGenTexan]

As soon as money changes hands I will have a 07 Kubota L3830 w/shuttle shift.

 

[Cigar Face]

As soon as money changes hands I will have a 07 Kubota L3830 w/shuttle shift.

well thats gonna be one bbigg tractor on your property but hey dont let anyone steer you differently if thats what you want. Enjoy it and post pictures when you get it

 

[Turbys_1700]

As soon as money changes hands I will have a 07 Kubota L3830 w/shuttle shift.

You are going to be very happy with your choice...
I have been running a 28 HP 1720 Hew Holland the past 6 years and it is IMHO the perfect size for maintaining a 5 acre yard and various chores around the house...
It is the smallest tractor on our farm but gets used weekly during the mowing season...
I added a FEL couple years ago and I find more and more things to do with it...
Post pictures when you get your tractor...

 

[Grandad4]

As soon as money changes hands I will have a 07 Kubota L3830 w/shuttle shift.

Very good choice! Those are excellent machines. Take good care of it and it will last about forever. I think it has a "Glide shift transmission", which is kind of a unique Kubota system, a bit more fancy than a standard shuttle. Owners that have them like them a lot. Be sure to read up on all the features. Everyone will want to see pictures when you get it.

 

[dstig1]

That's a decent size. Not too big, not too small.

 

[5thGenTexan]

Not sure it will happen... I have not heard back from the guy with info to wire a check. It may be better anyway, there was something that just didn't feel right about it. I am a bit worried about the money too. I got a 2012 F150 this year and just built my 30x50 shop on our new land. I gotta stop the money bleeding. I am going to look at the $4700 MF 150 tomorrow. I practically learned how to drive and back a trailer on a MF 135, so I think I will feel a little like home on the 150.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Run from any bad smells. If your not dealing with a reputable established dealer, do payment in hand with the equipment in hand with proof of clear ownership only.

 

[Cigar Face]

Not sure it will happen... I have not heard back from the guy with info to wire a check. It may be better anyway, there was something that just didn't feel right about it. I am a bit worried about the money too. I got a 2012 F150 this year and just built my 30x50 shop on our new land. I gotta stop the money bleeding. I am going to look at the $4700 MF 150 tomorrow. I practically learned how to drive and back a trailer on a MF 135, so I think I will feel a little like home on the 150.

Oh my goodness. Please tell me you didn't fall for one of those too good to be true Craigslist scams where you wired the money to some dude sight unseen. If you did, the money went to Nigeria and you will never see it again

 

[flusher]

Doing my tractor shopping and new is NOT in the cards for me. I have been given an allowance of $15,500 for a tractor and implements.

I keep looking at the Kubotas online, they just seems to look better in the pics. Other colors don't seem to have the "beef"

Used 32 HP seems to be about where my price range is, and I am just worried I am not going to be satisfied. I have 3 acres that will need to be mowed eventually when there is something growing. I think the majority of my work for the foreseeable future will be boxblade work smoothing things out, working on my drive, and moving dirt. Just alot of cleanup work around the place.


So the question... Is a 32 HP Kubota whimpy???

http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=7309543

My first tractor was a new 2005 Kubota B7510HST (21 hp engine, 17 hp pto, 4WD, hydrostatic tranny, power steering) with the LA302 FEL (4-ft wide bucket, about 800 lb lift). Cost: $12,600 plus tax. I used it around my 10 acre place for 3 years doing the work you plan to do. Mowed my hayfield with a 4-ft wide King Kutter rotary mower from Tractor Supply (aka bush hog, brush hog, shredder, slasher). Cost: $500. My boxblade was a 4-ft wide KK also from Tractor Supply. Cost: around $250 IIRC.

All the major tractor manufacturers have similar tractors to offer in your price range.

You don't need 32 hp to do what you want to do on that tiny acreage. YOu can get it done with a lot smaller tractor.

Good luck.

 

[johnk]

Be patient and don't make a hurry up decision. The tractor will probably be with you for the rest of your life...

 

[Illini22]

I recently bought a new 2011 ck35 hst for $14999. I think you can get what you want for 15500

 

[5thGenTexan]

No, I didnt fall for anything. I went to the lot and looked it over, drove it around, played with it. Decided I wanted to think about it a day or so. I thought it was better to wire funds to the guy so I didn't have to drive an hour and a half to drop a check off, wait for it to clear and then go back again. I wasn't born on a turnip truck yesterday. Doesn't matter though, I haven't heard back from the guy and I have moved on pretty much.