Like Steve, I'm a huge cheerleader for the B3030HSDC. Honestly, I couldn't be much happier with mine. Having 30 hp and a factory cab in a small framed compact is ideal for me. I can't comment on the Kubota belly mower, since I use a 5 foot Landpride rear mower on mine. I have no doubt a 3030 would run an 84 inch rear mower if the grass was cut regularly. In the winter, clearing snow is an absolute joy. The front blower is commercial duty, and built like a tank. I've never so much as changed a shear in it. It will throw snow 40 to 50 feet if you want. When the town goes by the end of the driveway and unloads..... it goes through it like a hot knife through butter. The turf tires work great in winter (though my rears are loaded) and on level ground it blows anywhere in 2wd. I did initially add a concrete filled weight box on the three point, thinking the weight could only make things better. I was wrong. With the blower in float, it made the front end light enough that it didn't steer well. I removed the weight box and all is well again. I've never been stuck, and never have trouble getting around.
A few observations:
I have loaded rears and Kubota's rear wheel spacer kit, and it feels rock solid on the hill i mow. Get the radio install kit in the tractor. The factory radio is way over priced, but having tunes (any car stereo will do) in the tractor make every chore enjoyable. Even when I'm just planting flowers in the yard, and using the tractor as a wheelbarrow, the radio is usually playing with the windows open. Having tunes makes the time spent mowing or snowblowing fly by. When running the heat in the winter, put the A/C on. It de-fogs the windows..... something it took me a few snowstorms to figure out. In my snowblowing video, you can see me looking around the fog before I figured this out. The heater will easily allow you to snowblow in your boxers and tanktop in the coldest weather....... something I've threatend my neighbors with
. You will find a low heat setting is all you'll need. The A/C will keep you cool and dry while mowing..... even though we don't have Arizona heat. I've yet to have to do a repair of any kind..... just change the oil, etc. I did have to modify the trim (thinner trim) above my 7 foot overhead door to get the tractor in the barn. I highly recommend one of the optional chute deflectors. It will allow you to place the snow exactly where you want it. Mine is hydraulic, but there is an electric kit also. If money was no object, i might opt for the cold weather kit. Its not much more money, and includes a rear window defroster and a 60 amp alternator instead of the factor 40 amp. Probably something your GF wouldn't need, but I like the thought of the 60 amp alt.
Complaints:
None really. Only complaints I can come up with are that i find the 'regen' circuit on the loader valve to be 'quirky'. Turning the chute on the blower to the left is smooth as butter, but turning it right requires pushing the joystick past the 'regen' detent. This creates a different feel on the joystick between shooting snow left and shooting snow right. This comes from using a loader specific valve in a snowblower application. I took me a handful of storms to get used to. The cab is quiet, but not car quiet. I definitely cannot have a cellphone conversation at PTO speed. It'd be more convenient to have the brakes on the left instead of the right if you are splitting them. And.... is it really so difficult to put a cup holder where its convenient to use ??
Keep in mind that these are not 'real' complaints.If we lived in a perfect world i'd consider changing those four things...... even though I'm really stretching to call these complaints. I suppose we aren't supposed to talk on the phone while tractoring anyway??
YouTube - Night Snowblowing With Kubota B3030HSDC 2
