I'm trying to avoid making the same mistake you did. The
B3030 is about $4,000 more than a
B7610, or about a 37% price increase. 37% seems like a lot. So does $4,000 when you are looking at a tractor that is about $10,500. However, if you are also getting lots of extras, like TnT, hydraulic box scraper, landscape rake, tiller, mower, toothbars, pallet forks etc., now you are in the mid $20k range, and the $4,000 increase is more like 15%. Add a backhoe and it drops even lower. What do you get for that 15%:
25% or more capacity in just about any function you can think of. All of your attachments will work better.
Postion control.
3 range HST
adjustable cruise control
telecoping 3PH lift arms
tilt steering
4 point instead of 3 point backhoe attachment
rear hydrualic outlet
The above is a bargain for just 15% more. All but the last two are sure to make your life easier, even if you feel you don't need them.
So you probably think I'm sold on the
B3030 over the
B7610. Not really. There's always convincing the CF0 why I am spending $4k more than I first told her (actually $10k more than I first told her, and $4k more than I told her the 2nd time).
The other issue is that the
B3030 might be too big. I have a 5' by 10' landscape trailer that should be able to handle the
B7610 (minus all attachments) without much problem. I can always put attachments on pallets and make a separate trip. The extra 500 lbs of the
B3030 pushes it beyond my comfort zone for the trailer, especially for the 65 mile trip to the dealer. Then there is also the issue of fitting into some of the smaller spaces in my yard, and lawn damage from the extra weight. Bottom line is I'm willing to pay the extra $4k for the
B3030 features, but I'm not so sure I'm willing to take on the extra size and weight.
It was Seapea that posted this. I couldn't attach link. Doesn't look like he had tried hauling at the time of this post. I'd contact him and ask how it went. Let me know afterward please. Just curious /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
