b7800 or other?

[twodogs]

Gentlemen-
I have been considering a b7800, & I thought I would seek advice from those who know. I explained my situation to my local dealer, and he recommended the b7800. I have a 3 acre yard in SW PA. I cut it about every 5 days. Our yard has a lot of young trees, but I think we planted well - leaving 12 or more feet between obstacles. I also cut our cleared fields (about 8 acres) a few times per year. Of course, like everyone else, I would like the ability to put on a FEL for landscaping & snow removal. Like most, money is a factor. I don't, however, want to buy too small, or something that isn't a quality machine. The dealer quoted me about $18K for the 7800 with a MMM & FEL. My questions to those with similar experiences: 1. Is the 7800 the tractor you would recommend? 2. Is the MMM the better method for the yard, or a rear mount finish mower? 3. Would you recommend a different tractor for these jobs?

I have thought about buying the tractor & mower, and picking up the FEL later. I need to sell an old TR3 & Ford 8N to help pay for this purchase, and every cent will count.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Bob_Skurka]

The B7800 is a lightweight, yet high HP tractor, it excells at lawn mowing, especially with the MMM and a hydrostatic transmission. For mowing a yard I prefer a MMM, I traded in my RFM over a year ago and have grown to really appreciate the advantages of mowing the lawn with a MMM and how easiy it is to get up next to things planted and built. The B7800, being a light tractor, will not mark up the lawn if you mow in 2wd (and that will keep your better half happy).

The loader on the B7800 is the 402 loader, it is a fairly modest capacity loader but well suited to the tractor, I use the same loader on a B2910. There are times when I wish I had more, but I gets the job done and if an ultra-hgh capacity loader is not needed, then you won't ever find it lacking for normal landscaping needs.

Kubota probably has the best 30 hp engine in the world, you will not regret the quality you get with that engine. You'll have plenty enough power in that tractor for your yardwork, landscaping and snow removal needs.

 

[twodogs]

Thanks! It helps to hear from those who are using the tractors for the things I will be doing.

 

[Henro]

TwoDogs,

The B7800 is a very hard working tractor for its size. It can do a pretty good job of cutting grass too...if you are going with a RFM get a 72". I had a 60" and it was not wide enough to cut close to things like fences with...

I'm in Pgh too...I have a B2910 which works well in the woods too. I think if I had your property and wanted to have a smaller size tractor that could cut 3 acres of grass, but still do ample work in 20 acres of woods the B7800 size would be a great fit. I might also look at Kioti though...not sure how the prices compare, but they look pretty nice and might come in a little cheaper. Still a quality item from what I can see.

If you were not interested in grass cutting the L series might be a better pound per dollar choice...but they are a step bigger in size than the B series...heavier...and so on.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="red"> I might also look at Kioti though...not sure how the prices compare, but they look pretty nice and might come in a little cheaper. Still a quality item from what I can see. </font>

The CK30 is a heck of a nice tractor and in most regions seems to be a good value. Currently there is no Mid Mount Mower available for that tractor. One other downside might be the weight of the machine for lawn mowing, it is about 1000# heavier and physically larger than the B7800.

 

[twodogs]

I spoke to a Kioti dealer in New Alexandria, PA. He told me that the Kioti is built like tractors used to be built - Ford 8Ns, etc... I am going to take a look before I put the money on the table. I have "settled" several times in the past. The only fear that I have is that I buy the Kioti to save a few bucks, then end up disappointed. I have heard nothing but positive stuff about the Kubota line. It seems as if they are the Toyota of tractors. I have a JD dealership about 2 miles from my house, but they seem to chase customers away.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="green"> I have heard nothing but positive stuff about the Kubota line. It seems as if they are the Toyota of tractors. </font>

I'll agree with that assessment. Not the cheapest, not the most expensive, but known for reliability, good design and customer loyalty!

I don't hear a lot of people disappointed in Kioti tractors, there seem to be some dealer issues reported but most people like the tractors after they get them sorted out. I'm not quite sure I would consider them like an old Ford. Their DK line is a heavy duty modern lineup. The CK line is their modern consumer machine with lots of whistles and bells, I like the CK20 and CK30 (but dislike the CK25). What Kioti consistantly has is weight. Their machines are heavy, so if you want to compare them against the B7800 you won't find anything similar. The B7800 is probably the lightest of all the 30 hp tractors sold, the CK30 is probably one of the heaviest on the market. The CK30 will have greater capacity in every way than the B7800, but it is really a different type of machine. They also have the less popular LK line, they are more of an older design with somewhat fewer features.

As long as you are looking at other brands, what about New Holland, Massey Ferguson, Case, and Mahindra?

 

[DHD]

I just got a b7800 and have been using a 72" RMM that I use to use on a 2wd Ford 2000 (similar to an 8N in size). I found in hilly areas I have to put the b7800 in 4wd, where the old Ford 2000 never had a traction problem. But the old Ford is a heavier tractor and the tires were loaded.
The b7800 is more pleasant and faster to mow with due to the hydo drive and power steering.
The b7800 is noisier than the Ford 2000 while mowing, because to run the mower at 540 PTO on the b7800 the engine has to run at 2600 RPM, on the Ford it takes 1500 engine RPM to get 540 PTO.
Either way hearing protection is a must.
I am concidering a 60"MMM for the b7800 for tight mowing areas, and still using the Ford 2000 with the RMM for the more open areas.
That way my wife can use the Ford.

 

[bowhunter3030]

I looked hard at the CK30, but I didn't want the weight. I hall 55 miles one way to my 135 acres. I looked at the 7800, also. I bought the B3030. I liked the little extra's and the new design.

 

[hambob]

I know little about Kioti, but have a b7800 and am very happy with it. One thing I try to do when I buy is to look a resale. If you read the other threads, you will see where someone is thinking of getting a bigger machine. I think he will get a better trade in or sale price on the Kubota. I also always recommend buying the biggest you can afford, meaning pay for without going with out food and clothes, and sometimes clothes are not that important.