B7800/B3030 - Large enough for heavy loads?

[aggc]

Like many of you, I am debating the size of tractor I really need. 90% of the time, I will be mowing grass around the house and in the fields. The other 10% of the time I need a tractor and front end loader capable of lifting 600-800 pounds and carrying it a short distant.

I like the B7800/B3030 for their compact size and maneuverability. However, I am not sure they would be up to the loader tasks. For this reason, I am also considering the L288/L3400 tractors.

My question is this: are the B7800 and B3030 large enough and heavy enough to do the occasional loader work I need and do it safely?

 

[p32pac]

I have a B3030. The B3030 is a tremendous machine. However i dont think it is the right machine to lift 800-900 pounds regularly. It can certainly do it but it isnt an easy feeling and i have filled rear tires and a bh. A larger machine can handle that weight no problem.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I use a B2910 which is essentially the deluxe version of the B7800 and was just replaced by the model B3030 in the Kubota line up, but basically has identical specs to both of those tractors.

The Front Loader is capable of lifting over 1000 pounds. It is not the ideal tractor for lifting 1000# loads, and it does require ballast on the rear end to lift a heavy load. However, that being said, lifting 600# to 800# is well within its design limits and I have no hesitation lifting full buckets of soil/sod (or snow in the winter) on a regular basis with the B2910. I suspect many of the bucket loads are 800# or more (its a 60" bucket).

Realize that any tractor must have proper ballast on the rear end when using the Front Loader. I have loaded rear tires and typically have a 60" box blade on the 3pt hitch too. Often people who suggest that a tractor is not capable of lifting loads are not well versed on the issue of ballast. Take a look at the owners manuals (usually the loader manual) and it will typically tell you that you need weights on the rear end AND wheel weights too. Funny thing is that a heavy tractor often requires similar ballast as a light tractor, that is because this is an issue of 'balance' and a heavy tractor can get out of balance just as easily as a lighter one.

 

[KubotaSteve]

My question is, What is the 600 to 800 pounds that you need to move short distances? Is it something that you can make two trips such as moving sand or stone? Is it something that the bucket has to be off the ground fairly high? I've had the 54" bucket on my 7800 loaded completely full of wet sand and moved it around with bucket low with minimal problems but my R-4 tires are loaded and I had a 500 pound box blade on the back. When I went to lift the sand in the air it was fine but when I went to move forward or backward it got a little hairy. If you need to keep that weight up high for some reason and move on some rough ground I would step up in size otherwise the 7800 will handle it fine. The other up side to the 7800 is that it is small enough to get into places a larger machine isn't going.

 

[aggc]

The 600-800# objects in question are giant pumpkins. Seriously. I need a tractor and FEL capable of lifting them and moving them perhaps 50 - 100ft to a truck or shelter. From the replies I've read, it sounds like this might be a risky proposition with the 7800 or 3030 but could be handled much better with an L2800 or L3400. It also sounds like I'll probably lose some mowing flexibility with these larger models though.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

The 600-800# objects in question are giant pumpkins. Seriously. I need a tractor and FEL capable of lifting them and moving them perhaps 50 - 100ft to a truck or shelter. From the replies I've read, it sounds like this might be a risky proposition with the 7800 or 3030

Honestly I don't see that. Any tractor is tippy when carrying a relatively heavy load in the bucket with the bucket RAISED. But there is no reason to carry a pumpkin at any more than a foot or two above the ground. That is the same way you'd carry a bucket of stone, mulch, dirt, etc. When you get to the truck you raise the bucket and load the pumpkin into the bucket. You would want fluid filled tires and a weight on the 3pt hitch regardless of which tractor you chose.

Now if you need to get into tight spaces, then the smaller tractor has the capacity you need and the manuverability you need. If tight spaces/tighter turning is not an issue, then get the larger tractor.

But as you originally said that 90% of your work was grass mowing, I see no reason to pass up the smaller tractors. If the pumpkins get much over 800#, then go for the larger tractor no matter what.

 

[Timber]

It does sound like these tractors will be fine for what your doing, I have the B7800 and I am thrilled with it. Ballast is going to be important regardless of what you choose. You said it was going to do a lot of mowing. One of the biggest reasons I chose my tractor was size and wt. I need to be able to drive into my stalls and I want a soft shoe on the ground With a ballast box I can move very large stone and I use my forks all the time. If I were you I would consider a quick tach and a fork set up and customize it for your purpose and your wt issues will be more than solved. You want a soft shoe on the ground most of the time and heavy lifting is an easy conversion with fork and ballast and you still have maneuverability as well, You can tailor a tractor to be very specific to your needs

 

[KubotaSteve]

For what you described, I agree with Bob, the B7800 or 3030 would suit you fine. I really like the nimbleness (if that's a word) of the 7800 mowing. I only got the 60" MMM instead of the 72" due to storage problems and I can get close enough to my above ground pool that I don't have to push mow around it.
Here's an idea for you to on your pumpkins. You could get a carryall for the 3pt hitch and take an old skid and put some short sides on it. Use the FEL to load a pumpkin in it and hook it to the back for a real nice counter weight plus move two pumpkins at the same time (one on carryall and one in bucket).

 

[The Gardener]

You could get a carryall for the 3pt hitch...QUOTE]

This sounds like a great item to own. I really like the benefit of doubling up on loads by using the "carryall" as ballast.

Can you provide and image of a "Carryall" and/or a link to a source. I have never seen one.

Thanks,
The Gardener

 

[JLoaf]

I have a B2710 (same size as B7800 but 27 hp) w/ a 6' RFM. I love it for mowing. It is very manueverable and fun to operate. I've pulled the 6' RFM behind other tractors (L3830 and an L2201 gray market) and the B2710 is by far my favorite for mowing.
I don't have an FEL on the B2710 but I sure wish I did!
Good Luck!