B3030 Factory Radio/CD Player

[JJZ 109]

Waxman doesn't seem to post much these days, but if I recall he had a little better sound experience than I did.
He and I both had several pictures posted during our installs, but that was very nearly 3 years ago and all of the links to our pics are broken now. Unfortunately I no longer have them on my computer to post again. If nothing else, it was kind of a fun project to do on a brand new (in early 2009) tractor and kept away some winter boredom. I just wish it would have worked out better.
If you do go ahead, there should be a factory plug up inside the headliner. Just to the right of where the climate controls are, near the factory antenna. Some cut the plug off and spliced into those wires. I just used some blade connectors and kept the plug intact. The factory mounting bracket alone was $104 back in 2009. No idea what it would cost today.

 

[TimP]

Thanks to everyone for all of the info.

It definately seems like I would be better buying my own stereo system or use headphones with built-in stereo.

Maybe even just get a decent boom box so I can use it other places when I'm not in the tractor.

But wait... I'm getting WAY ahead of myself.

I don't even have a B3030... yet. I'm looking around now to se what's out there and searching for a good deal on a used one.

I recall reading something a month ago or so, that the B3030 was beinbg replaced with some new model, but I don't see any info from Kubota yet.

 

[radair]

Save your money. I bought a Kubota mount and aftermarket Pioneer stereo and then mounted some speakers into the headliner.
The inherent cab noise, especially when running at PTO speeds pretty much cancels out an enjoyable stereo experience. It just has to be cranked too loud to hear it. I would not do it over again.
Spend your money on a set of noise canceling headphones with built in radio.
Some here have disagreed with me in the past and probably will again. But I can only speak of my own experience.

I agree with JJZ. I have a B3000 with factory cab and don't think a stereo would be worth the cost. I've been using my ipod with noise reducing headphones over the earbuds and it's very nice - good tunes and no HST whine. Snowblowing is enjoyable with this set-up. The other night the wind was blowing the snow into a white out at times and I was laughing at it. In the open-air BX wearing expedition clothing and goggles I would have been miserable.

 

[JJZ 109]

The other night the wind was blowing the snow into a white out at times and I was laughing at it. In the open-air BX wearing expedition clothing and goggles I would have been miserable.

You just hit upon the reason that I traded my open JD 790 in for the B3030 3 years ago. :thumbsup:
I actually picked up a set of AO Safety Worktunes. Never have used them in the tractor, but they don't do a bad job while riding the zero turn. Shop around if you decide on these. Prices vary widely online.

 

[garyiden]

Because of the noise in the cab, and with my hearing being selective at best , I figured I'd get noise cancelling headphones for use with my machine.

What I ended up doing was wiring in a jack, and plugging in the N/C headphones. You can also wire in your cellphone if you want to make calls, or your Ipod/MP3 player.

Bottom line, I don't have a buzzing in my ears after 4-6 hours in the cab, it's more enjoyable and less tiring, and it's too cool. My father is kinda peeved over the fact that I've got a machine with a cab, heat, air conditioning and tunes.

It wasn't an option when he bought his old Ford tractor.

This is exactly what I want to do! Wire in a receptacle to charge my phone. Can you elaborate on how you did that? Pictures would be great. I'm driving a B3000. I saw the electrical line up in the header (where the antenna is), is that what you used? Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.