B2630 vs B3030?

[parkgt]

Do the owners of either wish they had bought the other? If I save some and buy the B2630 will I wish I had spent the extra for the B3030? I have 80 acres of recreational property that is hilly, rocky and mostly wooded, less than 5 acres that need brush hogged. There is 400ft of elevation change across the 1/2 mile length. I need to cut ATV trails, move rocks and downed trees and do a general cleanup and then maintenance, plus the normal non-mowing stuff on a 3 acre home lot. This is in the Western AR, don't really need to get out if there is snow or much wetness.

Also wondering if I will regret the R4s. I am leaning towards them since I have very rocky terrain and don't really have to do anything if the weather is wet. And yes I have read many of the tire post but many don't specify where they live or the soil conditions. Here there is not much bottomless mud like other areas, more steeper rock terrain that usually has a bottom of rocks within a couple on inches.

For what it is worth I am coming off of a B8200 4WD that is on it's last legs but was not used on this new property.

Thanks for all the useful info so far!

 

[nspec]

I have the 2630 and could never imagine that frame needing any more power. I run big implements and run out of traction way before I run out of power. I've moved some massive rocks, dug some monster stumps, run a chipper, tiller, moldboard plow, etc... In my opinion, the bigger engine is simply not necessary. Plus the 3 cylinder is smoother than the 4. If you need more power, you should be looking at an L.

 

[AStanton]

Park,
I own a cabbed B3030, which I bought to do snow removal. I never operated a B2630, so I can't give an honest comparison. If you are going through a lot of woods, I would advise you against getting the cabbed model--too easy to get hung up on branches. I agree with the earlier poster, for your acreage, you should look at a L model.
Attached is a pic of my B3030 in action.
Good luck.

 

[parkgt]

I have the 2630 and could never imagine that frame needing any more power. I run big implements and run out of traction way before I run out of power. I've moved some massive rocks, dug some monster stumps, run a chipper, tiller, moldboard plow, etc... In my opinion, the bigger engine is simply not necessary. Plus the 3 cylinder is smoother than the 4. If you need more power, you should be looking at an L.

Thanks for the reply, I am leaning that way. Do you have any experience with climbing hills with a load? Since the Hydro gives up some power compared to gears I wondered in the extra HP would be much of a factor or does the 3 range just allow you to go low enough that it is not an issue?

 

[ericher69]

I have the smaller framed b2920. The best value in the lineup was the b2620 as you get the bigger tires and loader from the b2320. But my main use for the tractor is snow removal residential contracts and I wanted the extra HP to run the blower. The difference was $1000 from b2620-b2920. You can always throttle back if you don't need the full power but you can't use HP you didn't buy!

If the b3030 is not much more go for it my 2 cents

 

[PD Clinton]

Either one of these models will accomplish a lot of work. If you can afford the higher horsepower it will come in handy over time. I own a B3030 and am satisfied with it most of the time. The position control three point hitch is much better in my opinion. As are other options on these two models. The weight or lack of is an issue while doing some heavy jobs such as loader work. I have the R4 tires and believe they are a better option if doing any lawn work. The B3030 seems to have adequate power, mine seems to run pretty smooth. If you are purchasing a rough cut rotary mower, check out the woods HC54. You will be glad you did. I have a post on this. Check it out. Hope this helps I have owned Kubota's for over twenty five years. The B7100 had over 8k hours when I traded it in on B3030 . It still ran like a champ! Good Luck With Your Search , PD Clinton

 

[nspec]

Thanks for the reply, I am leaning that way. Do you have any experience with climbing hills with a load? Since the Hydro gives up some power compared to gears I wondered in the extra HP would be much of a factor or does the 3 range just allow you to go low enough that it is not an issue?

Power climbing hills is not even a consideration for me - and I have them. I grew up on much larger equipment and I have been thoroughly impressed with this one and all of the work it has accomplished. The two tractors are absolutely identical (position control, etc...) with the exception of the engine.

Again, even running pto powered equipment, I have never felt I needed any more power.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I' just bought my 14th Kubota. I've owned from the smallest BX a BX1500 up to an Grand L3240 and many, many of the Bs and BXs in between. I've owned one and only one geared a B2320 with Ag tires. That was my first and last geared and ag tired tractor since I also don't have mud and am not a farmer.
I looked very briefly at the ..30 series Bs and for the price I jumped off that page. I considered the B2320 HST and even the B2929 HST but for my needs and my experience I went with the B2620 HST FEL BH R/I4 tires.
I have about 5 acres of hillside property. Plus 5 flat acres of flat rental property with 6 septic tanks on it. The Ls are heavier and scarier on the hillside. The B3200 I owned is also a bit bigger than the B2620 so that's another factor for my staying in that size range. The more acres the bigger machine is something I don't agree with. The jobs needed done should be the main factor for the machine you pick. It was $1000 more for the B2920 vs the B2620 and I guess my choice shows my preferance there and the B2320 would have saved $500.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I'll make this real easy.... The B2630 was discontinued several months ago.

 

[Locoweed]

I would go with the R4 tires. I have done a lot of digging up/moving rocks & I don't think AG tires would hold up very well.