B3030 HSD what am I missing?

[lawn_king]

All you are missing is climate control!

 

[KubotaSteve]

First off, I live in a colder climate and I don't have block heaters on my tractors. They are kept in unheated garages in the winter, it gets to -20 here in the winter but rarely maintains that low of a temperature for long periods. I don't see the need for you to pay for a block heater in North Carolina unless your climate is a lot colder than I think it is

With regard to the bucket size, I use a B2910 (the model that the B3030 replaced) which is essentially the same physical size and capacity as the B3030. It has a 60" bucket and that is a good size for the tractor, its a little wider than the width of the machine. I also use a New Holland TC24 which is physically smaller and that one has a 54" bucket but the loaders are roughly similar in overall capacity. The smaller bucket is easier to dig with, but most tasks really do not involve much digging. Mostly I find the bucket is used for moving material (perhaps from a pile) but rarely do I dig down into the ground. That said, the 54" bucket on the B3030 doesn't seem like it would be a good option.

I would strongly recommend a 72" mower deck. There is no reason to have 30hp and not have an implement that takes advantage of the power. I run a 60" mower on a 24hp tractor and a 56" mower deck on a 21 hp tractor and a 54" mower deck on an 18 hp tractor. Heck I didn't even know the B3030 could take a deck as small as a 60" deck.

JMHO

I have the 7800 with the 54" bucket and 60" MMM and it has worked great. Remember when you start going larger with implements it can hamper to ability to maneuver in tight places. And for those that say its only 6" that is my response when stepping up to the 60" bucket. The reason for the 60" MMM was not only storage reasons but also some of trails are too narrow for a 72" mower. When putting my tractor in the shed, I still have to lift the guard up on the 60" MMM to get it through the door.
I wouldn't waste the money on the block heater either. I'm partial to my clamp on forks. I have Paynes, but I really like the set of Sundowns that Timber has on his machine.

 

[Piedmont]

Thanks for the input. The 60" bucket is in and the block heater is out. Do you recomend the Kubota bucket or is there a less expensive alternative?

 

[QueBota]

Check into the quick attach bucket option, wish I got it when I bought my tractor.

Dave

 

[wushaw]

If you are going to be doing any night work then the alternator upgrade for work lights is good.

 

[MMLawn]

Not sure if you have your deal done yet, but since your screen name is Piedmont I'll assume you are in the Piedmont. If so we bought our B3030 from Riddle Tractor in Winston Salem and got a great deal and price and they are very good to deal with.

 

[alchemysa]

The best thing on my tractor by about a million miles is the 4-in-1 bucket. I use it just about every time I climb in the seat. Its really amazing what it does and how much more useful the tractor becomes. For example, say you want to pick up a twenty foot branch (or even just a little 10 ft branch) and dump it on a pile for burning. How do you do that with an ordinary bucket? With a 4-in1 you just grab it and its on the pile in a second. If you are ripping up an old slab you can pick up the chunks and leave the dirt in place. If youve got any massive box thorns you can't get near you just squeeze 'em into a little bale and carry em to the pile too. The list of 'extra' things you can do with a 4-in-1 is endless. For good reason you'll hardly ever see a bobcat or tractor on a construction site these days without a 4-in-1. They are expensive and they add a bit of weight to the front end but once you've tried it you'll never want to have a tractor without one. And heres the magic word. They are really FUN to use. Puts a smile on my dial everytime! An alternative option is a heavy duty grapple that bolts onto the bucket. I'd want one of those if I didn't have the 4-in-1

 

[Piedmont]

The best thing on my tractor by about a million miles is the 4-in-1 bucket. I use it just about every time I climb in the seat. Its really amazing what it does and how much more useful the tractor becomes. For example, say you want to pick up a twenty foot branch (or even just a little 10 ft branch) and dump it on a pile for burning. How do you do that with an ordinary bucket? With a 4-in1 you just grab it and its on the pile in a second. If you are ripping up an old slab you can pick up the chunks and leave the dirt in place. If youve got any massive box thorns you can't get near you just squeeze 'em into a little bale and carry em to the pile too. The list of 'extra' things you can do with a 4-in-1 is endless. For good reason you'll hardly ever see a bobcat or tractor on a construction site these days without a 4-in-1. They are expensive and they add a bit of weight to the front end but once you've tried it you'll never want to have a tractor without one. And heres the magic word. They are really FUN to use. Puts a smile on my dial everytime! An alternative option is a heavy duty grapple that bolts onto the bucket. I'd want one of those if I didn't have the 4-in-1

Thanks for the tip, with the additional weight up front what do you recomend on the backend for balance besides loaded tires?

 

[Glowplug]

Block heater in the piedmont of North Carolina?

I grew up in the NC piedmont. Lived there a couple of decades. No reason to get a block heater there.

 

[Stef]

Thanks for the tip, with the additional weight up front what do you recomend on the backend for balance besides loaded tires?

A backhoe ... I'm kidding, I know you don't want one. But it's true, it makes a great conterweight.