I've 10 acres in WTX pretty flat with waist high grass (not very dense but capable of wrapping up my stihl weedwacker), I'm planning on refencing, redigging my leech field, putting in a large garden, pulling stumps, moving wood/chipping, regrading the driveway, putting in an RV shelter with hookups, planting trees, doing a large compost pile from the local feedlot, moving my electric meter and maybe putting in a pond and/or building with papercrete, with loader, chipping, planting and pulling trees (it's rough for anything but mesquite here) and bushhogging being the forever chores and the rest being one shot type stuff. I passed on a '85 JD 650 with a bushhog for $5k fearing it was too small(13.5hp at the pto). The local rental place has a B3030HST with BH, FEL, canopy and grill guard for $17500 with 350 hrs as of a couple weeks ago. He's quite proud of his maintainence. I have about half that cash, after looking at loan cost and Kubota's 0% financing I went to the only tractor dealer within 200 miles and he suggested the l3130HST saying that he's seen 5' implements tear up a 3030's pto (?)bearings. He quoted $30k for 3130HST with 5' hog, BH, FEL, 62"tiller, and 6" auger/postholer and $800 insurance (ouch, 21-23k for the 3030 with the same implements sounds like far less of a stretch: box blade, chipper and maybe a crete mixer after that debit is paid of). Now I'm reading about complaints on the BH75 which I know the rental guy has replaced the main shaft on both his b3030's BHs claiming K had a bad batch.... The only negative I've read about the L3130 is it's a bit big for tight stuff and the smallest engine on that frame. I've started thinking that a trencher would be more appropriate for the bulk of the digging work, but the soil does seem to have a reasonable amount of clay and makes me think that a bh may be the slower route but ultimately less wear on the tractor. Seems to me that if I'm going to do the bigger frame I might should step up one size on the engine. My reluctance to take on debt is inching me towards renting the bushhog this year and taking our savings to buy a few city lots to put the singlewide that was going to be an outright sale and try to turn 17k into 23ish k, so that I can go in with cash instead of debt, but these same unknowns will still apply. Heck, I haven't even driven these or any other tractor let alone worked one out.
B3030 v L3130
- Thread starter DesertDIY
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Croomrider
Bronze Member
Sounds like you are thinking things through very clearly!
CR
CR
Henro
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2003
- Messages
- 4,981
- Location
- Few miles north of Pgh, PA
- Tractor
- Kubota B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini EX
I'm a little confused by your post which I read yesterday...so if this reply makes no sense to you just read the next one.
With 10 acres, the larger frame may be better if you are doing heavy work. I have a B2910 (B3030 size) on four acres and there was a time when I was thinking of getting something larger. (I have a smaller BX for grass cutting chores.)
The larger L series (larger than the B series) can take a larger capacity loader and the larger backhoe (BH90). These are advantages if you need to do hard work with the tractor.
The 3130 (or 3430 even better) weigh more and in the end will pull harder when doing pulling work.
The B3030 will be smaller and get between trees or whatever easier...
The B3030 is not the best if you plan on using a post hole digger...due to the lever operated hydraulic clutch (from what I understand).
Both are good tractors. If I had 10 acres and were doing it over, I would buy the L series. That being said, I have moved hundreds of tons of earth fill with my B2910 (at least 500 tons) and it has impressed me with it hard work ethic.
Not sure if this helps much...
With 10 acres, the larger frame may be better if you are doing heavy work. I have a B2910 (B3030 size) on four acres and there was a time when I was thinking of getting something larger. (I have a smaller BX for grass cutting chores.)
The larger L series (larger than the B series) can take a larger capacity loader and the larger backhoe (BH90). These are advantages if you need to do hard work with the tractor.
The 3130 (or 3430 even better) weigh more and in the end will pull harder when doing pulling work.
The B3030 will be smaller and get between trees or whatever easier...
The B3030 is not the best if you plan on using a post hole digger...due to the lever operated hydraulic clutch (from what I understand).
Both are good tractors. If I had 10 acres and were doing it over, I would buy the L series. That being said, I have moved hundreds of tons of earth fill with my B2910 (at least 500 tons) and it has impressed me with it hard work ethic.
Not sure if this helps much...
I came to the two tractor conclusion myself today...ugh, it's only money right. There really seems to be no excellent comprimise for things like trenching close to the house and turning around and pulling a 6' shredder and post/tree holing. I've come to realise (after reading as much 3030/3130 stuff as I can in two days) that I have no idea what the difference is in the grades of shredders and why you can pull much more finish mower per HP. This year was dry and dusty until the end of July, and then we had ~15" of rain in a month (yearly average ~12"). The acreage went from stump root balls in the dirt to 3' grass with no real chance to do any mowing. It's 4-5' in spots now, but still easy to see the ground (geez, just post a pic silly....tommorow) as you walk through it. The front 5 acres seem to have very little in terms of rocks on the ground while the back 5 wouldn't be suprising to find more fist sized rocks on the ground. There's some russian thissle and tumble weeds and thicker stuff back there. I would think this would translate into a light duty bush hog in front and a medium duty in back. or just a light duty bushhog (6' on a 3130?) and some goats and a good fence lol.... Now that I know about 4 in 1 buckets and those multiuse cultivator/aerator/planters/disc things I'm definitately going to need to put more thought into this. Any TX users have favorite dealers around El Paso/Midland/Lubbock/San Antonio/Austin or Houston? I have a feeling 800 miles round trip could save some substantial money.
ksmmoto
Gold Member
In 2003 when I was tractor shopping, I had my mind on a B2910 as that's what I had rented. The Grand L's had just came out and I bought the L3430. And I am really glad I bought the larger tractor!
Your prices don't sound bad with all the equipment. You can come out better that way as the dealers discount for all the volume you are purchasing. Also you may need the larger tractor as I believe the Texas brush is tough!
I got the LA513 loader, but wish I had the LA723, it wasn't much more money. I do have the smaller BL4690 backhoe and really like it.
ksmmoto
Your prices don't sound bad with all the equipment. You can come out better that way as the dealers discount for all the volume you are purchasing. Also you may need the larger tractor as I believe the Texas brush is tough!
I got the LA513 loader, but wish I had the LA723, it wasn't much more money. I do have the smaller BL4690 backhoe and really like it.
ksmmoto
WayneW
Silver Member
Desert,
Have you considered the "basic" L series, like the L3400. It more comparable (in features) to something like a B7800, but larger. Since you went with the B3030 on your mind (a deluxe B series), perhaps the dealer directed you to the larger Grand L series. Anyway, a 3400 may save you quite a sum of money over a Grand L, with less features. No posistion control, simpler 3 pt hitch etc.
Have you considered the "basic" L series, like the L3400. It more comparable (in features) to something like a B7800, but larger. Since you went with the B3030 on your mind (a deluxe B series), perhaps the dealer directed you to the larger Grand L series. Anyway, a 3400 may save you quite a sum of money over a Grand L, with less features. No posistion control, simpler 3 pt hitch etc.
WayneW
Silver Member
So I bought the B3030 today with a LA403, BH75, FROPS with lid and grill guard with 428hrs. No toothbar or quick latch loader pins but that's alright with amount of attachments I want to get it's just a drop in the bucket. I paid 17.5K and avoided sales tax by filling out the Texas ag exemption form at http://window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/01-3392.pdf Just thought I'd mention that for any other texas ag buyers. Now I need to get to work on selling my single wide, research implements and FEL/BH operator techniques. If there are stickies or good guides, I thank you in advance for the pointers and the help I've already recieved from this community.