B3030 and B26

[bandit67]

I finally got to go over a B26 last week at the dealer. What I cant figure out..is why its even MADE? Its a B2630 that comes with the BH; FEL and that hard canopy and nothing more??

Buy the B3030 ( if you need more HP..and thats up to you) add on a Wood BH ( much stronger and less $$ than Kubota's)....install a Woods FEL ( again..less $ than Kubota's and more lifting power) and if ya want..get a cab for the AC.

I have to disagree with you. Both the B26 and the B2630/B3030 have their places. I started looking at the B3030 for my next purchase because of the size, but always had issues with the FEL and backhoe specs. The 3pt specs out very strong. As I continued to research machines and my anticipated needs, I realized that if I end up on the type of property that we are currently looking for, the B26 will actually be a better machine for me. Much better FEL and backhoe capacities - even the Woods units can't touch the B26 specs. And the B26 is a much stouter machine - as I understand, even without the backhoe, the B26 is quite a bit heavier than a comparably equipped B2630/B3030.

Without the need for a mower on a tractor that size, the B3030 does not hold an advantage, but does have more disadvantages for my needs. The only B2630/3030 advantage might be the fact that you can put on a front mounted snow blower, but if I really wanted to go with a snow blower (which I don't plan to at this time), I'm sure I could find or rig up a QA mounted unit that could be mounted to the B26 loader. I prefer the loader and rear blade setup on a tractor for clearing snow, especially since most snow clearing time around here is windy, and I am not about to blow snow in the wind, either with or without a cab (I'm getting covered or the cab is getting covered in blowing snow). I do plan on using a small walk behind snow blower for walkways, around the house, etc.

But for me, the TLB features and specs are a better fit with what I want in a machine that size, and I am glad Kubota improved on the B21 and came out with the B26, because I just couldn't get past some of the capacities on the B3030.

 

[gotcha]

The only B2630/3030 advantage might be the fact that you can put on a front mounted snow blower, but if I really wanted to go with a snow blower (which I don't plan to at this time), I'm sure I could find or rig up a QA mounted unit that could be mounted to the B26 loader.

I had a friend who took an odd ball 48" blower and made it to fit the QA and put a 25 HP twin cylinder electric start motor and rigged up control to turn the clutch run system from the tractor seat. Speed was set full throttle until you got off and turned it down and/shut it off. It work very will or should I say as well as any snowblower does considering type of snow.
The Gotcha Man

 

[The Gardener]

the B26 is quite a bit heavier than a comparably equipped B2630/B3030.

Specs state the following weight(s):

B2630 .... TL .... 1786#
B3030 .... TL .... 1852#
B3030 (Cab) ..... 2271#
B26 ....... TL .... 2976#

* The B26 is 1190# heavier than a B2630. That's almost a 67% increase in curb weight. *

I have no idea what accounts for this weight difference. I haven't seen either tractor in person. But, it certainly lends strength to their claim that the B26 is a commercial level tractor.

All three of these tractors, as well as the B7800, are superb for what they are built to handle. Owner feedback has been extemely positive on this forum. A combination of anticipated use and budget most likely determines which of these four tractors most of us will select. For me, mowing has been the fly in the ointment. I finally decided to address mowing with a different machine, altogether. That left us with the B26 as the perfect solution for our many planned projects.

 

[Sully2]

The B26 has a stronger FEL - self leveling too IIRC and a larger hydraulic pump to power the FEL & backhoe. THe B26 hoe is slightly larger & more powerful than the Woods BH80-X. It is really designed to shine as a small TLB. For other work, it is a comprimise as the FEL doesn't come off.

Compact TLBs are really too small to have a cab - you wouldn't have enough room to swing the seat around & still be in the cab. When I did my pool demo last fall, we rented a 15,000# Volvo Hoe - it was sure nice to sit in the air conditioned cab while running the hoe.

The rig is nothing more than a B2630 wihth a jacked up pump..nothing more. Kubota COULD HAVE incorporated that same pump into the B2630 and B3030 but decided instead to blow a line up smke up someones "rear end" and bring out a "new model"

As far as spinning the seat around ...with the Wood BH you dont..you sit in a seperate seat. Cab or not..( I dont have one..but my friends does)...the B26 I looked at was "discounted" to $28,500. A out of site price for nothing more than a Jacked up previous model tractor

 

[Sully2]

I have to disagree with you. Both the B26 and the B2630/B3030 have their places. I started looking at the B3030 for my next purchase because of the size, but always had issues with the FEL and backhoe specs. The 3pt specs out very strong. As I continued to research machines and my anticipated needs, I realized that if I end up on the type of property that we are currently looking for, the B26 will actually be a better machine for me. Much better FEL and backhoe capacities - even the Woods units can't touch the B26 specs. And the B26 is a much stouter machine - as I understand, even without the backhoe, the B26 is quite a bit heavier than a comparably equipped B2630/B3030.

Without the need for a mower on a tractor that size, the B3030 does not hold an advantage, but does have more disadvantages for my needs. The only B2630/3030 advantage might be the fact that you can put on a front mounted snow blower, but if I really wanted to go with a snow blower (which I don't plan to at this time), I'm sure I could find or rig up a QA mounted unit that could be mounted to the B26 loader. I prefer the loader and rear blade setup on a tractor for clearing snow, especially since most snow clearing time around here is windy, and I am not about to blow snow in the wind, either with or without a cab (I'm getting covered or the cab is getting covered in blowing snow). I do plan on using a small walk behind snow blower for walkways, around the house, etc.

But for me, the TLB features and specs are a better fit with what I want in a machine that size, and I am glad Kubota improved on the B21 and came out with the B26, because I just couldn't get past some of the capacities on the B3030.

Go and look at the and sit them side by side..and you tell me where all the difference is at!!!

 

[The Gardener]

Kubota COULD HAVE incorporated that same pump into the B2630 and B3030

I'm not an engineer, but I don't think it's as simple as changing out the pump. If the strength of the hydraulic pump is not proportional to the weight and overall strength of the tractor, I think some potentially serious issues could occur.

Issues ranging from a loud snap to the tractor possibly tipping over when the hydraulic pump exceeds the limitations of the tractor frame. In some way, I believe that additional 1190# comes into play.

I might be totally wrong - it wouldn't be a first and regrettably not a last :-]

 

[_RaT_]

The rig is nothing more than a B2630 wihth a jacked up pump..nothing more. Kubota COULD HAVE incorporated that same pump into the B2630 and B3030 but decided instead to blow a line up smke up someones "rear end" and bring out a "new model"

As far as spinning the seat around ...with the Wood BH you dont..you sit in a seperate seat. Cab or not..( I dont have one..but my friends does)...the B26 I looked at was "discounted" to $28,500. A out of site price for nothing more than a Jacked up previous model tractor

You have me curious. I owned a L3830 which uses the exact same engine as the L39, I wonder if they too are exactly the same and if for that matter if after owning a L48 if it is not exactly the same as the L5030 after they to use the very same motor. I think there may well be more to this besides a fixed loader versus non fixed etc. If I get the opportunity to look at the 2630 and B26 I will offer my opinion as to whether I consider them nearly identical. I think it would be interesting for others to do the same. I am curious and would appreciate input from others. For starters, the brouchure or was it the website that shows a integral frame on the B26, something the typical compact simply does not use. I know the L48 does and the L5030 does not, I assume the same for the L39 and L3830.

 

[amigauser]

I have not seen a B26 to compare so I can't speculate on how close it is to a B2630.

As far as the weight issue goes, isn't the B26 weight including the FEL? The B2630/B3030 weights are for just the tractor by itself. That alone would explain the weight difference. Obviously if you take a B2630 and add a FEL to it the weight is going to increase probably close to 1000 lbs.

Norm

 

[_RaT_]

I have not seen a B26 to compare so I can't speculate on how close it is to a B2630.

As far as the weight issue goes, isn't the B26 weight including the FEL? The B2630/B3030 weights are for just the tractor by itself. That alone would explain the weight difference. Obviously if you take a B2630 and add a FEL to it the weight is going to increase probably close to 1000 lbs.

Norm

Thats what I am curious about as well and why it will be nice to get some comparisons.

 

[DiezNutz]

As far as the weight issue goes, isn't the B26 weight including the FEL? The B2630/B3030 weights are for just the tractor by itself. That alone would explain the weight difference. Obviously if you take a B2630 and add a FEL to it the weight is going to increase probably close to 1000 lbs.

Yep, by the time you bolt the subframe to the tractor.

Thats what I am curious about as well and why it will be nice to get some comparisons.

The 2970# does include the FEL, with the 60" bucket from what I can gather. Website also claims the lift capacity is 1100# but they don't say at what point it's measured... if it's at the pivot pin, then that's only 9# more than the LA403 FEL for the B3030.

Are these things really going for $28.5K??!! I got ALL of my gear significantly less than that - with an extra cylinder and 4HP to boot!

 

[DiezNutz]

Also, a few things have been eating at me about these backhoes. A few have claimed that the B26 hoe (BT820) is "so much more powerful", say than the BH80-X. Well let's look at a few numbers:

Bucket Digging Force
B26: 4210#

 

[DiezNutz]

Also, a few things have been eating at me about these backhoes. A few have claimed that the B26 hoe is "so much more powerful", say than the BH80-X. Well let's look at a few numbers:

Bucket Digging Force
B26: 4210# BH80-X: 3780# Winner: B26, - by a whopping 11%.

Dipperstick Digging Force
B26: 2123# BH80-X: 2480# Winner: BH80-X, by 17%. I could argue this one's more important because it's what keeps the bucket moving forward.

For digging depth & reach, the B26 beats the BH80-X by about an inch or so. The BH80-X's stabilizers spread a little further. Whoopdeedoo.

What's the point? They're comparable and I think most would be hard pressed to distinguish a real difference in power/ability. Forget about pump flow rates & gpm, because that only determines the speed of the cylinders; hydraulic power and digging force is all about pressure. I don't know why but Kubota never publishes max psi for their BH's, but the BH80-X relief is at 2470. I can vouch that I pop it fairly often.

Another thing that always seems to get overlooked in these "backhoe wars" is the weight of the tractor; that has just as much to do with digging ability b/c it's what keeps the BH in the ground doing business. You've no doubt heard it said about hotted-up big block V8s that "all that HP doesn't do you any good if you can't get it to the ground"? Well same thing here. I'm going to claim that if you take the B26 vs. a B2630/B3030 similarly equipped with FEL, BH, grille, subframes, etc. that both are going to weigh in around 4000#. I know firsthand that my BH80-X doesn't have any trouble jacking up the rear of my B3030 if I don't pay attention, and I'd bet it's the same story with the B26. Point is, the only way to make either of those BH's dig any better is to strap them on a heavier tractor. Q.E.D.

 

[mikeyd]

I have to agree with Dieznutz. When I went to buy my first tractor I was fairly obsessed with the stats....breakout force, lift height,speed of lift, dump etc....convinced myself that if one brand of FEL could raise to max height a half secound quicker than another, then obviously it is a superior product.

Now that I have owned a number of machines,tractors, mini excavator, skidsteer, bulldozer if anything I wish they would slow the hydraulics down. Seems like things happen too quick, especially if I am working with one of my boys. I typically throttle back for more control, trouble is you lose power when you do that. Wish there was some type of screw you could turn down the speed of the hydraulics but still run at full power.

Point is, buy the machine that will be the most versitile. You will never notice the half secound quicker dump speed or the 11 pounds extra of breakout force etc. My neighbor has a BX23, I have a 5030. On paper, I have a far superior machine. But the truth is, practically speaking ,there is almost nothing he can't do with his machine that I can do with my 5030, it just takes him a little longer.

 

[DiezNutz]

... if anything I wish they would slow the hydraulics down. Seems like things happen too quick, especially if I am working with one of my boys. I typically throttle back for more control ...

Good point... I don't think I've ever needed or wanted to run the tractor above ~1800-1900 rpm when I was using the BH.

... there is almost nothing he can't do with his machine that I can do with my 5030, it just takes him a little longer.

When you see what some of these guys on here do with their "little" BX's, it's pretty amazing. Relatively speaking, they've probably wrung more out of those machines than the big boys have.

 

[Sully2]

Yep, by the time you bolt the subframe to the tractor.


The 2970# does include the FEL, with the 60" bucket from what I can gather. Website also claims the lift capacity is 1100# but they don't say at what point it's measured... if it's at the pivot pin, then that's only 9# more than the LA403 FEL for the B3030.

Are these things really going for $28.5K??!! I got ALL of my gear significantly less than that - with an extra cylinder and 4HP to boot!

The one I looked at..sitting right next to a B2630..was REDUCED to $28, 500. It said it was $30,???
The only reason I even went over to look..as I thought it was another "style" of the B2630 is the hard ??.fiberglass..?? roof thingy on it. Support by the rear ROPS and I guess??..you call it a forward ROPS also?? It dont come with a cab...which a lot of guys say that just have to have..???...my buddy with the L5030 included...and with a BH on it and the FE with quick detach bucket.

 

[Sully2]

Point is, buy the machine that will be the most versitile. You will never notice the half secound quicker dump speed or the 11 pounds extra of breakout force etc. My neighbor has a BX23, I have a 5030. On paper, I have a far superior machine. But the truth is, practically speaking ,there is almost nothing he can't do with his machine that I can do with my 5030, it just takes him a little longer.

The "point is" he can do with his BX23..."practically speaking" any job you are PRESENTLY DOING with your 5030. NOT what the 5030 CAN DO. Have him move 30 round bales of hay at 900-1000 pounds per roll with a spear and see what happens!

Im still attempting to clear some land ( rear yard actually) of some standing dead trees...and thats the main reason I went to a B series over a smaller sized tractor ( although for 95% of my stuff..smaller would have done fine) Some of them I cant budge ( standing dead)..so my friend comes over with his 5030...and can reach up HIGHer on the truck..and shoves then right over for me

 

[Sully2]

When you see what some of these guys on here do with their "little" BX's, it's pretty amazing. Relatively speaking, they've probably wrung more out of those machines than the big boys have.

Without a doubt. I came within a "whisker" of getting one..but the large physical size of the B2630/3030 was recommended to me ..for my job here...over the "smaller" sized one

 

[_RaT_]

I have to agree with Dieznutz. When I went to buy my first tractor I was fairly obsessed with the stats....breakout force, lift height,speed of lift, dump etc....convinced myself that if one brand of FEL could raise to max height a half secound quicker than another, then obviously it is a superior product.

Now that I have owned a number of machines,tractors, mini excavator, skidsteer, bulldozer if anything I wish they would slow the hydraulics down. Seems like things happen too quick, especially if I am working with one of my boys. I typically throttle back for more control, trouble is you lose power when you do that. Wish there was some type of screw you could turn down the speed of the hydraulics but still run at full power.

Point is, buy the machine that will be the most versitile. You will never notice the half secound quicker dump speed or the 11 pounds extra of breakout force etc. My neighbor has a BX23, I have a 5030. On paper, I have a far superior machine. But the truth is, practically speaking ,there is almost nothing he can't do with his machine that I can do with my 5030, it just takes him a little longer.

I agree with you Mike.. I see so many folks here stressing the specs be it between models or brands and frankly, for the most part, the values have little to do with how the tractor actually performs. Tons of hydraulic pump flow means nothing if in the end the tractor user never realizes it. My L48 had much more main hydraulic flow but a considerably slower loader then my L3830. Lift specs, breakout, 3 pt hitch lift, bucket etc are guides but to use those to buy your isn't the best idea. I do like having high dump/curl values on the bucket rotations. A bucket curl of 45 degrees is much easier to hand load then one with only 25 degrees.

 

[mikeyd]

The "point is" he can do with his BX23..."practically speaking" any job you are PRESENTLY DOING with your 5030. NOT what the 5030 CAN DO. Have him move 30 round bales of hay at 900-1000 pounds per roll with a spear and see what happens!

I would suggest the BX23 could use the FEL to roll the bales. Again, takes a little longer, but accomplishes the same task. Is a BX23 capable of everything a 5030 can do? Well, of course not. But, in one way or another, with a little extra time, it comes pretty darn close.

 

[_RaT_]

I would suggest the BX23 could use the FEL to roll the bales. Again, takes a little longer, but accomplishes the same task. Is a BX23 capable of everything a 5030 can do? Well, of course not. But, in one way or another, with a little extra time, it comes pretty darn close.

The other thing to bear in mind is how frequently you do those difficult tasks. Wear and tear on compacts accumulates pretty fast. Loader pivot points in my experience wear much faster on compacts then industrial tractors respective of the tasks they are designed to do.