B3300 or L3400

[bxowner]

Well... you've waited a week and a half and haven't broached the subject with your wife yet... so you probably have some more time to do what I'm recommending: buy the RFM that you'd be getting for the 3300. Put it on your B2920 and try it out at least a couple of times to give it a fair shot. If you hate it, then you can recoup a good part of the money from the same dealer that's given you the quote that was a lot better than you expected. It's a lot cheaper to trade back an as-new RFM than a whole tractor. Plus, the experience may change your current leanings. If you love it and find it's the solution, then go ahead and trade the B2920 for the 3300 and drive off into the sunset.

 

[CJBOTA]

That is a decent idea. Actually I was thinking about borrowing my neighbors RFM to accomplish the same thing. Altrhough I usually break the news to her 10 minutes before it arrives, she just loves surprises.
You guys are probably wondering how I have stayed married for 40 years.
I'll just say, it ain't been easy.
cj

 

[davatk]

Yea, I'm pretty close, I just haven't figured out how to break the news to the wife. We just celebrated our 40th anniversary. If I'm not careful, the first thing I'll have to do with the new hoe is dig my grave. A new tractor seems like the perfect anniversary present.
cj

Hey, thanks for the idea CJBOTA ! I can pitch a backhoe to the wife and tell here I can save us some money on burial costs - leaving more cash for the kids ! :laughing:

 

[CJBOTA]

OK, this is how it went down today. I called my wife today from work and told her I wanted to discuss something. I said I wanted to do something but it was totally up to her and if she thought it was a bad idea I would just forget about it. ( yea, right ) Anyway without me saying another word she said go ahead and get a bigger tractor as long as it is Orange.
I just about flipped out, I said how did you know because I haven't even mentioned it. She said after 40 years of marriage she pretty much knows what I'm thinking. That is spooky. From now on I am going out to the barn if I have to do any thinking.
Anyway, I am paying my dealer a visit tomorrow and we will see what happens. I know they don't have a 3300 yet, but they have a couple L3400's. I'm still thinking B3300 but I have not totally ruled the L3400 out yet.
cj

 

[magicheater]

Do you really think distance is going to stop her? You are a lucky man!! Make sure you get her some orange flowers when you make the deal!!

 

[davatk]

OK, this is how it went down today. I called my wife today from work and told her I wanted to discuss something. I said I wanted to do something but it was totally up to her and if she thought it was a bad idea I would just forget about it. ( yea, right ) Anyway without me saying another word she said go ahead and get a bigger tractor as long as it is Orange.
I just about flipped out, I said how did you know because I haven't even mentioned it. She said after 40 years of marriage she pretty much knows what I'm thinking. That is spooky. From now on I am going out to the barn if I have to do any thinking.
Anyway, I am paying my dealer a visit tomorrow and we will see what happens. I know they don't have a 3300 yet, but they have a couple L3400's. I'm still thinking B3300 but I have not totally ruled the L3400 out yet.
cj

They pick up on the subtle signs. Like in the old days when you passed a young lady in a skimpy outfit and your neck had that involuntary reaction to look. Now-a-days, you pass a farm and you are looking over at the barn at their tractors. Or you take the long way to the grocery store so you can ride by the Kubota dealer and look over their lot as you drive by. Its not all that hard to see the signs if you think about it.

 

[TripleR]

OK, this is how it went down today. I called my wife today from work and told her I wanted to discuss something. I said I wanted to do something but it was totally up to her and if she thought it was a bad idea I would just forget about it. ( yea, right ) Anyway without me saying another word she said go ahead and get a bigger tractor as long as it is Orange.
I just about flipped out, I said how did you know because I haven't even mentioned it. She said after 40 years of marriage she pretty much knows what I'm thinking. That is spooky. From now on I am going out to the barn if I have to do any thinking.
Anyway, I am paying my dealer a visit tomorrow and we will see what happens. I know they don't have a 3300 yet, but they have a couple L3400's. I'm still thinking B3300 but I have not totally ruled the L3400 out yet.
cj

That sure sounds familiar. My wife and I have been married for over forty years also and were together since age fifteen. A few months ago, I somewhat in passing mentioned how it might be to have a larger tractor where we live. For anything my BX wouldn't handle I bring one the four miles from another property which might mean changing implements or postponing work at that property.

She jumped on the idea and a week later we went shopping for guess what; B3200/L3400. Short story, we now have a Grand L5030 HSTC.

 

[dex3361]

Since you are considering the L3400 have you seen the New L3700 of the same frame size? I was at the local Kub dealer and he had a new one on the lot. I was actually looking for the new MX5100HST but he has sold every one as soon as he gets them. Just shopping, for now.

 

[teg]

...Anyway without me saying another word she said go ahead and get a bigger tractor as long as it is Orange...

I'm pretty sure my wife reads TBN, TOO!!!

 

[CJBOTA]

I hope JOHNTHOMAS is still reading this thread because he loves this crap. I visited two dealers this morning. ( my dealer and another one not to far away) Neither dealer had a B3300 yet but expect to very soon. But that doesn't matter. Both had the L3400 HST. After looking closer I decided I can make it work. The one dealer had the L3400 parked right next to a B2920 and I could easily see that it is not that much bigger and I would not lose that much compactness while gaining alot more tractor.
Also, while driving around I decided that I could live with giving up the hyd front blade for the rear grader blade, which should help offset the price a little. Those hyd. front blades are nice but exspensive.
Anyway, my set up will look like this: L3400 HST with BH, FEL, 84" RFM and 84" rear blade. My dealer sells BEFCO rfm and the other dealer sells Woods. I would like your comments on these two mowers. I am thinking they should be comparable.
Now, before anyone gets two excited about the 84" rfm, I must tell you my orchard is flat and I am not using it as A brush hog. I know the the L3400 will pick it up for transport. The wider mower will reach under the trees better as they mature.
Both dealers will have a final number Monday morning for me. They were both very busy with all the normal Saturday morning crowd. I am expecting the price won't be that far from the B3300 to be a deal breaker.
cj

 

[TripleR]

Sounds like a really good set up for your needs. I only know anything about BIFCO; never even saw one, but I have two 10' Woods rotary cutters and they are really good. I have 7' and 8' Caroni finish mowers that have also proven themselves to be almost indestructible and one will even cut very light brush as it has blades similar in design to those on a rotary cutter with three or four inch hardened swinging cutting tips.

I know you will enjoy your new equipment.

 

[medicshawn]

Sounds like a good setup. I have heard of Befco but don't really know much about them. I do know Woods and Landpride are top notch. I have a 7 foot Landpride RFM and I like it but would have also been happy with a woods. I'm guessing the mowers will run you 2K -3K. I would keep my eyes out for a used unit you can save some good money and they hold up so well.

I also suggest you look at flail mowers, they might fit your situation better. Closer to the rear than the finish mower. Will chew anything that's on the ground, and some you can offset to the side so you could get closer to the trees. My landpride is only 6-8 inches wider than my tires. I know someone else mentioned the Caroni mowers. Check out Agri Supply - Farm Supplies, Tools, Lawn Mower Blades, Cast Iron Cookware even with shipping they have good prices on Caroni flail and finish mowers.

I would also look at the Woods RM990. It's a hybrid finish mower bushhog. The blades swing free in you hit something. Might be nice if there's any debris under the trees sticks etc.

 

[CJBOTA]

Where's JOHNTHOMAS when I need him. I have been thinking about this deal all weekend. I think I might throw the dealers a curve ball in the morning. What about the L3700, I have been hearing about? Since I haven't decided anything yet I may as well consider it, after all that 84" rfm could probably use a couple extra ponies.
In my mind I keep going back and forth on the R1's vs the R4's. At first I didn't want to pay extra for the R4's but they have worked pretty good on my 2920. They just don't tear the @#%? out of everything.
Actually, i took my 3 year old grandson over to the one dealer this afternoon and we walked the lot. ( they were closed ) The nut didn't fall to far from the tree because my grandson likes tractors as much as I do. Anyway, I sat him up on a big "M" series (didn't notice the model but it was huge) His first word was "whoooa" then he said "ooooha" then he said get this one grandpa. Then I said, "that's not going to happen".
While we were walking around we saw an L3700 which took me by surprise. So that is where I got the idea to look into it a little further. I'll keep you guy's posted on what happens. I hope JOHNTHOMAS don't miss this post.
cj

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I hope JOHNTHOMAS is still reading this thread because he loves this crap. I visited two dealers this morning. ( my dealer and another one not to far away) Neither dealer had a B3300 yet but expect to very soon. But that doesn't matter. Both had the L3400 HST. After looking closer I decided I can make it work. The one dealer had the L3400 parked right next to a B2920 and I could easily see that it is not that much bigger and I would not lose that much compactness while gaining alot more tractor.
Also, while driving around I decided that I could live with giving up the hyd front blade for the rear grader blade, which should help offset the price a little. Those hyd. front blades are nice but exspensive.
Anyway, my set up will look like this: L3400 HST with BH, FEL, 84" RFM and 84" rear blade. My dealer sells BEFCO rfm and the other dealer sells Woods. I would like your comments on these two mowers. I am thinking they should be comparable.
Now, before anyone gets two excited about the 84" rfm, I must tell you my orchard is flat and I am not using it as A brush hog. I know the the L3400 will pick it up for transport. The wider mower will reach under the trees better as they mature.
Both dealers will have a final number Monday morning for me. They were both very busy with all the normal Saturday morning crowd. I am expecting the price won't be that far from the B3300 to be a deal breaker.
cj

I am. Been gone a few days and just catching up. Your right , I love the deal and even get some thrill out of other people making the deal. I had a cheap RFM on a B7800. Traded it to a Landpride 6'RFM which I traded to Barlows but is still at my house. Any way the cheapo kept breaking so Barlows gave me what I paid for it ($1200) on the Landpride($1750). The Landpride is a tank. A consideration: The Landpride would swing my B7800 around when I reached the botom of my hill and never knew the cheapo was attached. On level ground the 7' probably won't be a problem but check power requirements for a 7' mower. Check/compare weight when buying implements. The weight is one of the major keys to what your getting.

 

[docboos]

I've noticed in this post, the term R-4's. I've also noticed in other posts, the same term but R-1's or even R-3's. As a newby, what does that mean.

Thanks
Mike

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've noticed in this post, the term R-4's. I've also noticed in other posts, the same term but R-1's or even R-3's. As a newby, what does that mean.

Thanks
Mike

I think Residential is what the R stands for. I which does mean Industrial is the same as the R. I/R4 is the same tire. It's a middle tread all purpose type tire. A-Agricultural has wide space bars/tread. Turf is really fine tread pattern more for yard type work but also good in snow per my experience. Never tried anything but Turf in snow myself.

 

[CJBOTA]

Sorry for the confusion, I meant ag tires vs R4's (industrial) Although I thought the Kubota website refers to ag tires as R1's. I will look into that.
cj

 

[magicheater]

Sorry for the confusion, I meant ag tires vs R4's (industrial) Although I thought the Kubota website refers to ag tires as R1's. I will look into that.cj

R1's- AG, R2's- ?? R3's-TURF, R4's-IND Can anyone solve the ??,? Maybe it is the odd tires on a previous thread.....

 

[medicshawn]

If you're moving up to an L series Make sure you get the skid steer quick attach for the bucket. And if you move up to the 3700 definitely look at the RM990.

 

[TripleR]

R1's- AG, R2's- ?? R3's-TURF, R4's-IND Can anyone solve the ??,? Maybe it is the odd tires on a previous thread.....

We often tend to confuse some with all these designations of R1, R4 etc., my manual simply uses the terms Bar, Industrial and Turf. Some will interchange "bar" with "Ag", but this is not true across the models as a bar on the smaller tractors aren't the same profile as a true Ag tire. Tire selection can be fairly confusing even if you "kinda" know what you are looking for; went through this on my Case last year when I tried finding a tread pattern I liked only to find it was out of production, Good Year. Tires that looked alike had different designations.

Some may find this informative; some maybe confusing; demonstrates that often things are not as simple as we think.

The Small Tractor FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions