B3030 Floorboard Vibration

[canoetrpr]

Yeah. I have fallen head over heals for a 3320. But I just can't easily let go of that sweeet Kubota quality. I do not think the JD's have it. If the B3030 was as smooth as my B7610, I would already have one. As it stands, I just can't see long term tractor happiness with numb feet. And I don't want a tractor with a mere 1.5 PTO HP more than my last one.

Killer_B. If you like the JD 3320, I would be comparing it to a GL3240 with a LA723 loader.

The B series tractors are real nice and one of their strengths IMHO is their weight (or lack of it) - great for finish mowing. Really nice mid mount mowers to boot. If you are comparing to a JD 3320 I don't think the GLs have much of a weight disadvantage to speak of compared to a JD3320.

 

[Killer_B]

Killer_B. If you like the JD 3320, I would be comparing it to a GL3240 with a LA723 loader.

You are correct. The JD seems to fall in the gap between the B and L series Kubota, but is probably better compared to the L’s.

I see it as kind of a papa bear, momma bear, and baby bear type thing. The L3240 is the papa bear, and it's just too big to be mowing my lawn with. The B3030 is the baby bear, and it would actually be just perfect for what I want to do. But, alas, I just couldn’t live with the vibes and rattles. I’m a little particular that way.

So I have settled for mamma bear, the JD 3320. It is compact enough to mow my yard with, and supremely comfortable. Yea, it's a little big compared to the B3030. But that's OK. Compromises must be made.

Now the hard part will be waiting 3 weeks for them to put this thing together. In the mean time, the old push mower (and the pushers) are getting a real work-out.

 

[WayneW]

Killer B,
I too am considering upgrading my 7610 to a 7800 or 3030. Increased 3pt and pto HP, as well as increased stability (due to wider stance and longer wheelbase) and increased loader capacity. (more, more, more!)

I posted a question here some time ago about a 7800 update. Perhaps a 7810? No real answers then, but I guess some promise now. Guess we'll all have to wait until late Sept.

As far as the engine, I wish Kubota would put the 3 cyl 34 HP they use the the GL3400 in a B. I've heard that they are quite smooth. And larger at around 100 c.i.d.

 

[DiezNutz]

A tip for other owners, when you take the loader off, leave the pins with the loader - they rattle something fierce if you leave them on the tractor...

The FEL arms have a couple of nice "holsters" to drop them into for just this purpose, I'm not sure why anyone would be tempted to leave them on the tractor and possibly run the risk of losing one. Am I missing something?

 

[Killer_B]

Killer B,
As far as the engine, I wish Kubota would put the 3 cyl 34 HP they use the the GL3400 in a B. I've heard that they are quite smooth. And larger at around 100 c.i.d.

If that happens, I probably will wish I would have waited.

 

[teeravis1]

KillerB-
I have a B3030HSDC I bought about a year and a half ago, now have approx. 80 hrs on it. I have never felt any vibrations in the floor boards that really stand out. In fact after I read this thread the first time I had to go start mine up and use it to try to see if I could feel the vibrations. I only felt a very slight vibration, and that was when I was really trying hard to concentrate on feeling something on the floor boards. If I wasn't trying to feel it I would never know it was there. So I guess I got a good one!

 

[Killer_B]

I have heard that they send all the good tractors to the U.P. and we trolls get the rest ;-)

 

[Sully2]

Good point. But at $20K+ a little refinement may not be an unreasonable expectation. Especially when the other makes (and other Kubotas) don't numb your extremities.

I can feel vibe's when I stand beside mine and put my hand on the floorboard...but none with my feet or my rump when sitting and operating mine!!

 

[Toolguy]

My B3030 does have some vibration at certain RPMs. Not noticeable in the floorboard, though. Mostly in the steering wheel, fenders and 3PTH arms. I have found the sweet spots ( Rpms with least vibration) to be: 1100 rpm idle-very smooth, 1600 rpm-smooth, 2100 rpm-pretty good, 2500 rpm- a little buzzy but not bad. These also happen to be the rpms that I do almost all of my work at. 1600 for plowing snow and light loader work. 2100 rpm for heavier, faster loader work, 2500-2600 for mowing. I also put a bungee cord on the loader control when the loader is off. It buzzes pretty good if not tied down. With the loader on it is not a problem. Overall, I am OK with the amount of vibration that it has. It could be better, though. Aside from that, I love everything else about it. It is an awesome tractor and suits my needs perfectly. I also looked at the 3*20 Deeres and decided that they were too big and too heavy for me. When my ground is wet in the spring the B3030 with loaded tires is on the heavy side for mowing lawn. That is why I kept my JD318. If the ground is too wet for the 'Bota, the old JD gets the job done with minimal impact on the turf. Slow compared to the B3030 and 60" MMM, but it works until things dry out.

 

[hazmat]

The FEL arms have a couple of nice "holsters" to drop them into for just this purpose, I'm not sure why anyone would be tempted to leave them on the tractor and possibly run the risk of losing one. Am I missing something?

What you read the manual?

When I took it off I said hmmm, where can I put these, put them back on the tractor, 2 minutes later said - this ain't working out and put them on the loader. I'll look for the holster next time...