B3030 HSD what am I missing?

[Piedmont]

Getting ready to pull the trigger on a new B3030 HSD with 4 wheel drive,
Kubota LA 403 loader, 54” bucket turf tires with ballast installed on the rears.
Engine block heater and 60” MMM.
Since I don’t know what I don’t know what else should I give consideration to?
With 0% financing I want to pack in as much as I can afford and need. ( BH is not something I would use), I'll get my implements later on the used market.
I appreciate your input.

 

[DWW68]

I see you are going with the 54" bucket. What do you plan on using it for? I would think that the 60" bucket would be a better option. My thaughts are that you can carry more with a 60". Unless the material is very heavy. I have yet to find any material that with a full load my tractor could not handle. If looking to dig with bucket, the 54 may be more agressive. But with a tooth bar, I do not see that being a problem with the 60". The tooth bar is in the near future for me. Just something to think about.
Dan

 

[ats64mod]

Sounds like you've just about got it covered. The only other thing my dealer suggested (as it pertains to the B3030 w/LA403) was a 60" loader bucket. Not sure if this was a good or bad choice on my part, but wider for me seems like a better choice since I won't be using it to "dig" - just scooping up loose dirt, topsoil, mulch, etc and pushing things around.

Not sure of the price difference between the two... but I suspect it's not much.

 

[Toolguy]

Get the 60" bucket. That's what I have and I think a 54" would be too small. Drop the block heater and get a quality 72" RB such as a Landpride or Woods. You can always use one of those. I live in Michigan and have no problem starting mine in the winter. I think it is a great tractor. I mow my 1.5 acre lawn with the 60" MMM and plow snow from my 300' driveway with the FEL and a 72" rear blade. I couldn't be happier with my choice. Good luck.

 

[Barnboy]

The width of the rear tread is 53.8". A 60" bucket will give you more room when pushing snow or dirt with the loader.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Getting ready to pull the trigger on a new B3030 HSD. . .

Engine block heater . . .

60” MMM.

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

 

[Stef]

Get a 60" bucket. I assure you, you'll regret having a 54" since it doesn't cover the width of the rear wheels (turf tires are a bit wider than R4). My dealer doesn't offer 54" for a B3030 only 60".

 

[bialecki]

Get a 60" bucket. I assure you, you'll regret having a 54" since it doesn't cover the width of the rear wheels (turf tires are a bit wider than R4). My dealer doesn't offer 54" for a B3030 only 60".

I agree with Stef, when I use my 60" bucket to do finish grading , back blading, I am glad I have the 60" width to cover the tracks of the tractor (Kubota B7800). Also do yourself a favor, get an ATI toothbar as well.

 

[asmithcars]

I agree with the others on the 60" bucket. I have a B3030 and I don't think I'd be happy with a smaller one. I'd also suggest you seriously consider a tooth bar -- I got one when I bought the tractor (dealer thew it in as a purchase incentive) and thought I might use it occasionally...I use it a lot more than I expected. And, they are easy to get on/off (5-6 minutes.) I don't have a block heater and I've had no problems with starting in Maryland's cold weather.

 

[Sully2]

I have to go along with the 60" bucket also. No block heater for me either..and it starts fine even down to 0 degrees ( outside and covered with a tarp)