Comparing the B2910 to the L3130

Rolando · Sep 11, 2004

Ok, I'm still concerned about the loader capacity of the BX23, so I have been looking at the B2910 since it looked like a somewhat smaller version of the L3130. But then I looked at the MSRP for the two models and the B2910 is only $90 less than the L3130!

Could someone give me some insight on what the benefit of choosing the 2910 over the 3130 would be for such a small reduction in price? The 2910 is smaller, although only 16 inches shorter and 6 inches narrower. But you lose about half the weight and a third of the hydraulic pressure. It seems like you get so much more capacity with the L3130 for such little more money.

I've put some of the stats I was interested in for the two models in the attached file (if I did it right), using the loaders I would pick. I think I got the price for the LA402 right, I got it on some web site. Does anybody know what the list price is for the smaller backhoe available for the 2910, the B4672?

Thanks,
Rolando

Bob_Skurka · Sep 11, 2004

These are really 2 different beasts designed for different types of work. The B2910 seems to be well suited to the small property owner who is doing landscape type work, mowing the lawn, etc. The L3130 is a brute in comparison to the the B2910 capable of significantly heavier work with the 723 loader that is a virtual monster in comparison to the rather anemic 402 on the B2910.

Your profile shows that you have 5 acres, and while I don't know what you are planning on doing on those 5 acres, the B2910 is on the large size for that size piece of land (IN MY OPINION) but if you are pulling logs on your land, then the L3130 is probably better suited to the task. So it really boils down to the tasks. I like the B2910 and have used it extensively, it has never let me down but I am very critical of the loader strength (especially after buying a smaller N.H. with a stronger loader). If you have clay soil and are mowing the lawn with the B2910 you will be very pleased becuase it is light for its size and won't easily rut the yard when the soil is moist. Bear in mind that the specs you attached show sizes without the loaders attached, the B2910 with a loader is about 13.5 feet long and 5' wide (bucket width). I have places on my property where I can't get it down some of the paths or work between the trees so again, while the tractor is not that large, it can be too big in some cases.

Take a really hard look at the jobs you will need to accomplish and then match up the machine to accomplish the task. You may end up looking at the BX23 and realizing that it is much more capable than you expected.

Rolando · Sep 12, 2004

But why would the prices be so close when the capabilities are so disparate?

My 5 acres are all sand, no rocks and very flat. It is wooded with small hardwoods (mostly less than 8 inches). My dilemma is that I want to be able to immediately clear just enough for the house I'm building, then selectively clear the balance over a year or two. During the construction, I would want to be able to use a pallet fork and move dirt and grade. In the long term, with just lawn care and maintenance, a BX23 would definitely be the ticket, but I worry about the capability of its loader during construction and clearing.

I would like to avoid ending up with two machines (one just for mowing), and an initial rental for the heavy work is not really an option, since I was thinking of a period of a year or two, not a weekend or a week to clear the property. Hence my reluctance for both the L3130 and the BX23. While the B2910 is somewhat in between, it seems so expensive compared to the capabilities of the 3130. And I want the cruise control and some of the other features that I would loose if I went with less than the 2910. Maybe that's why Kubota prices it so high . . .

ronjhall · Sep 12, 2004

Rolando
 B2910 is only $90 less than the L3130 
Are you comparing list price for the L3130 HST. I believe the price difference is about $1000 for the HST model.
smaller backhoe available for the 2910, the B4672? 
Current price difference that I have seen is about $500 over the B4690.

Now that I have a dedicated mower for mowing. I think I would have been better off with the L3130. Because of the added loader capacity.
I have had to move pallets around with my 402 loader. Being limited to about 900 pounds means I can never move a full pallet of paver stone or other items. I have found most delivered pallets of stone, bricks and etc. weigh over 2000 pounds. The L3130 will not lift the weight either.

Bob_Skurka · Sep 12, 2004

Ronjhall said: I have found most delivered pallets of stone, bricks and etc. weigh over 2000 pounds. The L3130 will not lift the weight either. Ron is absolutely correct about tractors NOT being able to lift pallets of brick and stone. This summer I had 3/4rds of a pallet of bluestone in the back of one of my trucks, it tipped the scale at nearly 3000# (I paid for it by the pound /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif), full pallets weighed between 3500 & 4000#. I don't know of any CUT in any size that Rolando would consider that will lift anything close to that.

 I would like to avoid ending up with two machines (one just for mowing). . . While the B2910 is somewhat in between, it seems so expensive compared to the capabilities of the 3130. And I want the cruise control and some of the other features. Perhaps you are shopping the wrong brand? Consider that many tractors are built differently, you may be looking at the wrong type of machine? The B2910 is a ladder frame machine which is why it is light. Now I am not recommending the Kioti CK30, but it is much closer to the L3130 in construction and has most/all of the features you see on the B2910, the CK30's loader is superior to the B2910 but does not compare to the 723 loader of the L3130. The New Holland tractors, perhaps the TC29DA might be good fits, they are moderately heavy (not as heavy as a Kioti, but heavier than a Kubota) and the TC29 has more loader capabilities than the Kioti CK30. The TC29DA is a full featured machine with the whistles & bells you are looking at. Although I am not sure you will need the cruise control very often, especially on a 5 acre wooded lot.

Henro · Sep 12, 2004

Rolando,

I can see from your different posts that you are reallyl getting into figuring out what your options are! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

You have gotten a lot of great advice. It is a tough call. You probably won't know if you got it right until months after you make your decision.

Price per pound of tractor is a good question and something many of us have just learned to take for granted I think. I don't think it is limited to any color, they all see to offer more tractor for dollar, the larger you go in size.

The L series Kubota seems a little on the large size to be a great finish mower. I am sure that size tractor mows a lot of grass for some people, so it would cut you yard too, if you don't have a lot of trees and other things to cut around and low brances to cut under.

Would I trade my B2910 in on a L series for use on my 3.7 acres? No, I would not. If I could turn the clock back, and buy a 3130 in place of my B2910, knowing that in the future I would also have a BX2200 to go with it, would I? I might...but I am not sure. My B2910 is a good worker and being small, is able to get around and between things better than the larger tractor would.

I have done a lot of work with the B2910, but there is a limit to what you can do on 4, 5 or even 10 acres really. As you get most of it done you find less need for the larger tractor and more uses for a smaller tractor.

Whenever tractor size questions come up, I always think of my neighbor. For as long as I have known him (about 25 years) he has has a International 454, which is a 38 PTO HP tractor. Rather on the large size...on 4.5 acres. For the last ten or more years he also has had a smaller JD garden tractor...works for him.

But I also see him on the JD most of the time...

By the way, on paper the difference between the L3130 and B2910 may only be a few inches, but side by side it sure seems like more! On the other hand, whatever you end up with will seem to shrink the more you use it...

Tough call...

Rolando · Sep 12, 2004

I see your and Ronjhall's point about lifting masonry and stone pallets, but that's not too much of a drawback during the construction since the delivery trucks will have their on fork lifts to place the materials around the work site. Lumber and other materials tend to be what needs to be moved around after delivery and they're not in the same weight class.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll take a look at the other brands. I've stuck with the Kubotas because it seemed they have a great reliability record, which is pretty high on my priorities since I am very mechanically retarded. It's kind of ironic since my father was a heavy machinery mechanical engineer (sugar mills). I guess sometimes it just doesn't get passed on.

Are the Kioti and New Holland tractors as reliable as the Kubotas?

JoeR · Sep 12, 2004

Rolando:

If you are going to be clearing palmettos, then get the biggest you can afford! I have an L4330 with LA853 and BH-90 and palmettos can bring my 7,000lb machine to a dead stop. I have seen palmettos stop a full size cat loader! I end up using the edge of the root rake to pop them out, and have spent 10 hours working on a 100x100 area with dense palmettos. For land clearing you may even consider paying someone with a big machine and then using your tractor for the cleanup and site work... Although, if you enjoy seat time, then it's a personal decision.

Good luck,

Joe

Bob_Skurka · Sep 12, 2004

Are the Kioti and New Holland tractors as reliable as the Kubotas? 

Kioti has been around for a while, they are marketed in other parts of the world as DAEDONG tractors. Are they AS reliable. . . the CK certainly is a new design so there is no track record.

New Holland sells more farm equipment than any other manufacturer in the world. The TC29 is a very solid proven design, it has been around for several years and has proven itself. I think the difference in reliability is negligable between the NH and the Kubota. I believe the same could be said about John Deere in terms of reliability, and they are also heavier than the similar size Kubotas, but I like the NH loaders much better because of the visibility their design provides. There are reasons that Kubota, John Deere & New Holland are the Big 3, and part of it is rock solid reliability (but any brand can make a lemon or two, they are just rare).

Rolando · Sep 12, 2004

I appreciate the info, Joe. Thankfully I only have a few parmetto bushes, no palmetto trees, and they are at the perimeter on the lot, so I won't have to do much about them.

Rolando · Sep 12, 2004

The MSRP's I got were from the Carver web site for the two models and the $16,670 was for the L3130 HST. I guess getting the extra capability of the L3130 just doesn't cost much more once you get to the feature set of the B2910.

I'm not sure I understand your comment about the backhoes. The B4672 is a lower capacity than the BL4690. The B4672 has a 6.5 feet reach while the BL4690 has a reach of 7.5 feet. I would expect the BL4690 would be more expensive. I don't need a lot from the backhoe, so having a less capable, less expensive unit available for the tractor is actually a benefit for me.

Nik · Sep 12, 2004

I sold my B2410 with FEL and stepped down to the BX23. I have about 2 acres. Things I miss about the B2410 so far is the quicker movement of the FEL. THe BX23 FEL is very slow at lower RPMS. The ride is smoother on the B2410 likely due to bigger tires. In regard to the backhoe, the BX23 hoe works well. I can see the advantage to a aftermarket backhoe such as WOODS for a B series tractor. No need to constantly reverse the seat when moving the tractor and longer reach even with the Woods 6500. I have seen the WOODS put on and removed and it may be easier than that of the BX23. I like the small size of the BX23 for my property however I may be disappointed with it compared to my B2410. If your main goal is not mowing but heavy landscaping work than I think you would be happier with a larger tractor. The L series tractor are great for heavy work. I enjoy using my brothers L3710 and really like using the pallet forks (quick attach) for moving brush and heavy objects. The L3130 may be a good size for you without being too large. I would get a dedicated lawn mower such as a ZTR or rider mower and make this less of a factor in picking a tractor. I now have a ZTR and did not get a mowing deck for the BX23. I have been very happy with the ztr. It seems to be the quickest and most maneuverable way to mow a lawn. By the way you can always sell the larger tractor after you completed your projects. I had no problem selling my B2410 and attachments (1 week) and this paid for the BX23 with some new implements. Kubotas have a good reputation making them attractive to potential buyers if they are priced right. You should test drive the B2910 and L series to get a feel for their operation. To confuse you more just keep in mind the tractor looks smaller on the dealer lot than on your property. That is why I would go with the L3130 or 34330 for your property then the larger L models if you like thse better than the B series. I think the BX23 may be too small for you planned uses.

To20Chris · Sep 12, 2004

If you really plan on finish mowing a large portion of the lot regularly, and are worried about leaving tracks, then the B2910 may be the way to go. Otherwise, the L3130 is a far better deal. If you were to calculate the difference in the size of the footprint these two machines make in comparison to 5ac, it would so small as to be meaningless (OK, I had to - my back-of-the-envelope calculation says the difference in the footprint of the two is about 0.003% of your property size!). How could one be too big, and the other ok?

ronjhall · Sep 12, 2004

Rolando
The difference is $500 cheaper for the B4672. The only difference in the 2 units is the length of the Dipper and Boom. Cylinders, Pump, and other items are the same.

Rolando · Sep 12, 2004

Thanks, Henro. It looks from your comments that you bought a B2910 and then decided to also get the BX2200. Could you talk about how you came to decide to add the BX2200? I think it would give some insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the B2910. Did you consider a smaller tractor when you got your 2910?

rswyan · Sep 12, 2004

Rolando,

I'm one of those that made the decision to go with a B2910 rather than the next larger model for not much more, due largely to what I forsaw at the time as my long-term primary use - mowing about 5 acres of lawn. I have a ton of landscape work right now where a larger tractor would be nice, but the next model up is as you say significantly heavier. Living here in Ohio, where we have heavy clay soil that ruts very easily when damp, the extra weight was not an advantage but a liability. When we bought, we figured that it was probably going to be the only tractor we'd ever buy. But quite frankly, now after playiing in the dirt a little bit /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I've been toying with the idea of making it a side business and have wondered more than once if we shouldn't have gotten a little larger tractor. FWIW.

penokee · Sep 12, 2004

Rolando
I've gone thru some what the same process as yourself. Started with a B7800 and progressed to a L3130 based on much sage comment from this board. I have a few more acres and will be skidding and pileing logs, FEL work with gravel and mowing woods roads with a Bush hog. The L3130 or L3430 with the 723 FEL better fit the bill for this type work.
Now I have one more decision to make before I purchase - which Dealer? Both are approx. 60 miles away and their price varid by only $17. Need the machine, so may have to flip a coin. I looked at Green and Blue also, but Orange appeared to me to be a little heavier made. All good machines. Enjoy. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
penokee

willywildes · Sep 13, 2004

Hi Rolando as a new 3130 owner i just went through the same issues and drove myself crazy. my land is open with hills. I will be moving alot of dirt. 65 years of turning right with a pull disc has moved it mostly down hill. I read every post on TBN some people say i dont need that big of a machine and i might agree. I tryed to rationalize the 7800 and 2910 to save some$$. There wasnt that much difference. My 72"tiller works great i now till in 20min what took all day with the troy built what i'm trying to say is don't over analize it, lose sleep over
it.(I did) only you know what will work for you and what you want
I used the 72" box scraper for eight hrs today the wife says
we will have Busch gardens in no time. enjoy, GO DO IT !!

MessickFarmEqu · Sep 13, 2004

If you have to make a straight comparison between New Holland and Kubota as far as reliablity is concerned Kubota wins hands down. Adjustusted for volumes, we fix about many more New Hollands than we do Kubota's. Part of this is because Kubota tends to do things right the first time, you see very few warrenty recalls even on their brand new models.

gduff · Sep 13, 2004

Are you sure about the width? You could be looking at minimum width on the 3130, which is 59.8 with R1 tires. The 3130 can be adjusted out to 71.2" width. (58.3 to center of tread plus width of tire 12.9 = 71.2) This would be even wider if you chose R4's. I had a B7800 which is the same as the 2910 without some of the bells and whistles and the rear tire width was not adjustable on it, so that may be the same case with the 2910. I now have a L3830 HST, which is slightly larger than the L3130. (I have my rear tires set at around 6' as measured on the outside.) I find this to be a much more stable tractor than the B7800. I have an LA723 on the 3830 and had a LA402 on the 7800. I am a little surprised about Bob considering the 402 as anemic as that would not be my impression. I always thought that the tractor might be a little light for the power of the 402. My 7800 would easily lift the rear tires of the ground, even with considerable counter weight. (53" Tiller or 5' Rotary cutter etc.) This was in the lift, not curl operation. I can't say that the LA723 will do that on my 3830 albeit heavier tractor and this may be a good thing.
I can see where the 2910 would be a better choice if you do a lot of lawn mowing. The L series will "leave a mark" if your lawn is at all soft. (Or even if it isn't) Some might even consider the 2910 on the heavy side for mowing. If your future needs include a larger lot size you may be better served with the 3130. Good luck in whatever you choose.