B2630 or B7800?

[davitk]

I am nearly ready to buy my tractor, have been looking and wishing now for three years, but still need a little advice (nobody had better give me that 'green, blue, orange are all equal bs; I've looked AND touched, and orange is the best ). My area is blessed with an abundance of Kubota dealerships, and finding a good one has not been a problem.

The B7800 has 30hp, the B2630 26hp. Both tractors are very similarly sized with identical loader capacitiy, and the prices are within 150.00 of each other. My quandry is this, and since this is my first tractor, I'm asking you guys: what will be more important, the four extra horses of the B7800 , or the niceties (cruise control, tilt steering, telescoping three-point arms, nicer seat, simpler loader frame, position control three-point, etc.) of the B2630? I am settled on one or the other, I won't go bigger, and certainly not smaller.

I will be using the tractor with FEL to maintain 7 acres of hobby farm, mostly level, and dealing with rocks, trees, etc., and will also do some rotary mowing and snow clean up (blacktop driveway; I'm so lucky!).

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Dave

 

[2Botas]

Did you look at the B3030? it has the bigger engine and all of the premium features. solves your question on both ends. although i think it is around $800 more than the 2630. One thing i have found, never settle on something you are not sure of when buying a new tractor. I thought a B7510 would work well for me and save me some money. I then found myself buying a B3030 less than 6 months later because i wanted the premium features and needed more power. The biggest thing i dont like about the b7800 is the gear type PTO engagement. I hate having to come to a complete stop and push the clutch in to engage the pto. the wet clutch setup in the B2630 and B3030 is much nicer. Good luck in your search.

 

[doctord23]

I was stuck between the same two choices and didn't want to spend the extra for the 3030 ($1500 more in my case). I went with the 2630 and have been very happy. I mostly use it for loader work, field mowing and grading. You'll enjoy the features of the premium tractor.

 

[canoetrpr]

From someone who has a 'standard' tractor without the luxuries (L3400) I'd recommend you spend the extra little bit and get the luxuries. Personally if I was in your boat, I wouldn't think about it and would just get a B3030 and be done with it. The cost difference isn't enough to justify thinking about it. Just MHO.

Things like position control valve, turnbuckles you don't have to get a wrench out for etc... are worth the extra money - just MHO.

That said - between the B7800 and the B2630, I don't think you will find much the B2630 can't do that the B7800 can.

 

[Nik]

As others have said you will be happy with the premium features of the B2630 or B3030. Position control and better 3 point hitch are worth the extra price. For $1,500 more the B3030 will give you the ability to use a 5' brushhog and the 30 hp machine may have better resale appeal.

 

[BCNU]

I have a 2630 and have been very pleased with it. Very easy on fuel. I like all the premium features it has for the money. I use it mostly for loader work and yard aeration. If you think you need the extra 4 horsepower i would go with the 3030 if you want the premium features. Another grand won't change your payments that much. Good luck in your decision!

 

[machmeter62]

I am nearly ready to buy my tractor, have been looking and wishing now for three years, but still need a little advice (nobody had better give me that 'green, blue, orange are all equal bs; I've looked AND touched, and orange is the best ). My area is blessed with an abundance of Kubota dealerships, and finding a good one has not been a problem.

The B7800 has 30hp, the B2630 26hp. Both tractors are very similarly sized with identical loader capacitiy, and the prices are within 150.00 of each other. My quandry is this, and since this is my first tractor, I'm asking you guys: what will be more important, the four extra horses of the B7800 , or the niceties (cruise control, tilt steering, telescoping three-point arms, nicer seat, simpler loader frame, position control three-point, etc.) of the B2630? I am settled on one or the other, I won't go bigger, and certainly not smaller.

I will be using the tractor with FEL to maintain 7 acres of hobby farm, mostly level, and dealing with rocks, trees, etc., and will also do some rotary mowing and snow clean up (blacktop driveway; I'm so lucky!).

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Dave

I was born with the "TOO MUCH IS NOT ENOUGH'' mentality; go for the B3030 with all the "bells and whistles," and never look back! It sounds like a long term investment----so make it a good one!! The difference in cost over the years will amortize as a small initial investment for the best.

 

[davitk]

Your responses are quite interesting, and contradict the dealers advice. Hmmmmmmmm.............. sounds like the end user of the tractor may have different priorities?

The local dealers have been pushing the 7800, say the 3030 tends to sit on their lots and not sell, not worth the extra money for the "fancier" features. As I listen to you guys, and local tractor owners, you're all saying the same things - those "fancy" features go a long way to make the machine more productive and enjoyable. I wonder why the dealers are so stuck on the old.......

I see the wisdom of going with the 3030 and the extra hp, and as I look back through the old posts, it is mentioned about 90% more than the 2630, and the more popular tractor would certainly be easier to re-sell if I ever wanted to trade up. The extra hp no doubt would be useful at times, although I tend to like a quiet tractor, and the bigger engines tend to resonate a bit louder. Guess that's what headphones are for.

Darn it, this always happens to me and I wind up spending more money. Next thing I know you'll be talking to me about the grand 3240.......

 

[Taiser]

I was in the same boat, 2630, 7800 or a deere 2520. Got the 7800 and it's been perfect but here the price differences between a 7800 and 3030 are high. With the 7800 I got the extra power over the 2630, and basically the same machine without the PC and fancy gauge cluster. The price difference (for me) wasn't worth it and I'm glad I got the extra power over the 2630 especially at the PTO. Plus a 4 cyl diesel sounds sweet.

If the prices were closer, or if I was looking at buying now with a Canadian dollar at 1.02 US I would have looked harder at the 3030 but my little 7800 hasn't let me down yet, it's an awesome machine!

 

[BlacknTan]

I was in the same position also..

My dealer recommended the B-7800 over the 3030.. Said I didn't need the dash out of a Porsche.. He was right.. I love the 7800

 

[canoetrpr]

There is no right or wrong answer here as you can see. Chances are you will be happy with any of these machines. Personally I think that the premium features will be well worth the money particularly in the B series.

The position control valve, better seat, and easier to adjust 3PT arms would be more than worth the price difference. The price difference just isn't enough to not do the B3030 IMHO.

If you are looking for bang for the buck and finish mowing is not your primary application then IMHO the L2800/L3400 offer a lot also - bigger frame - heavier machine - for about the same price as the B3030.

 

[davitk]

The 2630 has the same 3 cylinder motor as the new B26 excavator, must be a good one for Kubota to use it there. The price difference from Carver's is $1,750 to jump to the 30 horse on the 3030. Would running a rotary mower or a flail mower need that extra 4 horses, or is there some future use I'm overlooking where it might make a big difference?

Dave

 

[Crash101]

It's so difficult to find that one ideal tractor to fit all the needs. Now and in the future. Impossible actually.
The B7800 becomes your "standard" to compare all the others with. Can you get by with a few less HP? Wheel power yes. You'll spin before bogging down. But PTO power, now that's the question. How much is enough? What implements, and what size implements will you be using? And speaking of PTO, can you get by with the "non" independent (live) PTO? The more you use the PTO, the more this could become an issue. Mowing, Rotary cutting, Post Hole digging, Tilling etc. all would be performed better with an independant PTO. Those who recommend the 3030 are probably right. But with a 4 cylinder engine ( 2 pistons up and 2 pistons down with 180 degree firing order) you may experience more vibration than with a 3 cylinder (240 degree firing order with one coming up and one going down when one is at the top). And is the difference in price worth it? More is not always better.
If it were me with the amount of land you intend to work and with the work you will probably be doing I believe I would opt for the 2630. Save some money (and fuel) over the 3030 and buy only implements intended for that tractor and its power ratings.
Consider this only an opinion and one of which is not nearly as informed as many others.

 

[machmeter62]

Your responses are quite interesting, and contradict the dealers advice. Hmmmmmmmm.............. sounds like the end user of the tractor may have different priorities?

The local dealers have been pushing the 7800, say the 3030 tends to sit on their lots and not sell, not worth the extra money for the "fancier" features. As I listen to you guys, and local tractor owners, you're all saying the same things - those "fancy" features go a long way to make the machine more productive and enjoyable. I wonder why the dealers are so stuck on the old.......

I see the wisdom of going with the 3030 and the extra hp, and as I look back through the old posts, it is mentioned about 90% more than the 2630, and the more popular tractor would certainly be easier to re-sell if I ever wanted to trade up. The extra hp no doubt would be useful at times, although I tend to like a quiet tractor, and the bigger engines tend to resonate a bit louder. Guess that's what headphones are for.

Darn it, this always happens to me and I wind up spending more money. Next thing I know you'll be talking to me about the grand 3240.......

What ever tractor is your final decision; make sure it has "position control" on the three point! If you plan on using a box blade or scraper blade, the "inching valve" will literately waste a lot of your time, and frustrate you in grading work! Position control allows infinite positions, which makes your finished job look professional. If you buy a lesser tractor without PC; you maybe able to add it later for $300 or >.

 

[lawn_king]

I followed the same path as 2botas. I first purchased a b7500 and it was a great tractor, i however grew to need more tractor in just a few years. I was all set to buy the 7800 just as the 26 and 3030 came out. Long story short, i purchased the 3030. The tooless 3 ph alone is worth the extra $. The cc & pc are so far superior to the standard b series, that extra cost will be forgotten your first day in the field,JMHO.

 

[davitk]

But with a 4 cylinder engine ( 2 pistons up and 2 pistons down with 180 degree firing order) you may experience more vibration than with a 3 cylinder (240 degree firing order with one coming up and one going down when one is at the top).

Interesting thought, crash, there is a marked difference between the silky smooth 23 hp 3 cyl on the BX2350 and the 30 hp 4 cyl on the B3030. Have not yet found a B2630 on a dealer's lot, so have not had the opportunity to see one run.

Guys like me must drive tractor salesmen nuts, now I have to find one and test it out!

 

[QueBota]

I went through the same thing a few years ago between a 7800 and 2910. I went for the 2910 and have no regrets. I would go for the 3030 unless it is going to cause major budgetary problems.

Dave

 

[easygo]

If I remember correctly the 2630 (26hp) has the same engine as the 7610 (24hp) but it runs at a higher rpm to get the extra power out of the machine. I guess the 7800 can produce the extra power at lower rpm. I personally would go for the 7800 and forget about the extra fancy stuff. That said, I use my 21hp B7510 on 10 acres and have been perfectly happy with it. The larger tractor would certainly fit on my property, but I could not justify it.

 

[rickster]

Not an easy choice to make! I tried all of them and bought the B7800. The 3030 is nice to. I've never used position control so I don't know what I'm missing with that. I do know the B7800 has a lot of happy owners. If you like the added options of the 3030 get it. Get the bigger tractor from the start so you won't be a member of the "I wish I would have gotten the bigger tractor club" You tend to lose $$ when you play that game.

 

[crazyal]

Buying a tractor is hard, at least for some of us. I was all set to get the 7800, nothing fancy but from all reports a real good workhorse. But there's that part of me that wants to think of this the same way I would when buying a car. I always pick the few options I really want and anything else is fluff.

The problem is that you're buying a tractor and most will keep it (like me) for a very long time. I can see myself still having it 20 years from now. I could never see keeping a car or truck that long. Over that 20 years how many times will those extra features be of real use? I've all but decided that I'm going with a GL. Probably the 3240.

So you have to ask yourself how long you plan on keeping it. Of course they do hold their value too so upgrading doesn't hurt like a car. Guess I didn't help much.