Center PTO options

[racer34v]

What other attachments use the center PTO?

Trying to pick from B3200 and B3300SU

Never going to mow with it (ag tires)

And not going to snowblow.

Its about 1k cheaper to go with the 3300 at the dealer i am working with.

Thanks,

 

[von-mil]

Besides the front blower and the mower deck, the only other mid-PTO attachment that Kubota makes available is the sweeper/broom. It requires the same sub-frame, hydraulic hitch and drive shaft extension that the snowblower uses.

 

[moship]

Something to consider is resell value by having the middle PTO. On some Kubotas it is very easy to add the mid-PTO (remove cover and bolt drive in place), while on others the tractor has to be split to add the appropriate drive gear before the bolt-on mid PTO drive can be functional)

If you plan on keeping the tractor a long time and never see the need the choice is simple, but if you plan on selling or your needs might change it might be worth paying for it up front. I see you're in MI and a front snow blower might come in handy.

If you want to add the option later make certain you do the homework up front to ensure it is a bolt-on task. I only caution you on this as even between the same series, such as the Grand L's the 3240 may be bolt on while the 3940 is split the case style... I ran into this when I bought my tractor without mid PTO, but needed it. Fortunately it was a simple bolt-on exercise for my tractor.

 

[racer34v]

Excellent point on the resale appeal. Thanks Moship


I really dont see myself snowblowing, I dont mind the cold and have plowed in the past with my old 460 with a blade on it.

 

[94BULLITT]

If you don't need it I would not get it. I don't see you getting that much more resale because you have a mid PTO. The also lower your ground clearance.

 

[crazyal]

I'm not sure how much it would add for resale. It could sway the decision towards one with the center pto if someone was looking at two very similar tractors but unless you have the attachment(s) that use it they would need to locate and buy them or it would just go unused. Finding used attachments is not always easy.

The mounting brackets going to the rear for the loader on my 4240 are lower than the mid pto.

 

[zzvyb6]

There are other uses one could imagine, though. (I have one on my JD 1070 and have used it for a number of other applications besides mowing). An air compressor is a nice thing to have on board. You can leave it on full time. If you have a loader, you can move a mid-mount mower up front on the loader frame and power it using the snow blower drive shaft extention. This takes advantage of the easy-on and easy-off features mechanically and adds the nice parts of having a large front mower. A water pump also is a handy thing to have on-board that takes advantage of the high speed pto. Rear units have extra mass because of the need for a gearbox to spin it up. Needless to say, a mid-mount pto generator makes some sense because of the rpm available and the size of it. How about a mid-pressure washer ? All you would need is a fluids tank (saddle tank or a trough in the loader to supply it). Some of this is for people who would need to buy it off a shelf and the rest is for those with a need and some mechanical ability.

To me, the important feature is that it is easy to put on/attach/hook up, can be left on without have it in the way, keeps the rear pto, hitch, and drawbar free for other service and makes the neighbors say "Hey, I wish I had me one of them deals". My air compressor is a radial type (so it has some ground clearance issues, but I see there are now some opposed piston types that ought to work and stay hidden. No need to run it at a speed other than idle, too. Better than carrying an air tank and can drive a sandblaster (not to mention airing up a tire out in the middle of NoWhere).

 

[azbinder]

Also consider, do you NEED cruise control? B3200 has it but the B3300 does. And, the rear tires on the B3300 are bigger.

 

[Tompet]

As you stated if you are not going to mow or blow snow (or any of the uses zzyvb6 outlined) your consideration seems to be only resale value. How much that would add for trade-in or a slightly broader base to sell seems proportional. What i mean is what percentage of the 1k would you get back vs the 1k you save right now...I suspect it would be a wash.

If you are getting the ags (or turfs) the B3200 and the B3300 share the exact same size tires front and rear. It is only with the R4 tires that there is a difference and that is the B3300 comes with larger R4s front and rear (the same R4s as on the L3200). I had the dealer order the smaller front and rear R4s for a B3200 when I purchased my B3300. I had the cruise added to the 3300 for $95.00. If you do go with the B3200 you can order the step from a B3300 and it will bolt right on. Enjoy your tractor!