Comparing the B2910 to the L3130

Rolando · Sep 19, 2004

Henro,
Just for my edification, what were your thoughts and motivations when you bought your B2910? Did you consider the more powerful L3130, which has about the same price?

When I asked my local dealer whether they have any B2910's, he said they weren't ordering any because with just $90 dollars more getting you a L3130, nobody wanted any.

ronjhall · Sep 19, 2004

Rolando
I noticed that on TractorSmarts site they do not list the B2910 anymore.
I heard a rumor at a Kubota dealer the other day that a replacement tractor for the B2910 is coming out next year. It may have some of the features that the L**30 series tractor has in the B2910 size.
I would think that there would be some price changing to make the tractor competitive.
Next month Kubota will be having their dealer meetings. Should have some idea of what the new products will be then.

I purchased the B2910 because it was the right size/weight for my property and the jobs that I wanted to do. It had just come out in 2000 and had the deluxe features that I thought would make using the tractor easier and more comfortable.

rswyan · Sep 19, 2004

A large part of my motivation was I planned to mow with it and have some areas in the yard that get a little soggy and I didn't want to put any more weight on the lawn than the B2910. On the otherhand I wanted as much capability as I could get because I have alot of other work around the place that I need to do. The 3130 was alot heavier.

As far what sells I think alot of this is dependent on the dealer's sales ability and what they like. The dealer I bought my 2910 from sold a snotload of them this year. He selling logic to his customers was that you were spending X for something that could potentially last many, many years - so why not spend a little more (relatively) and get the deluxe unit. Apparently worked for him, as he had sold out all the B2910's he had within a month or so of when we bought (May).

Henro · Sep 19, 2004

Just for my edification, what were your thoughts and motivations when you bought your B2910? 

In my case after much torment I concluded that the B2410 was what I should buy. I wanted the largest tractor that would fit my 3.7 acres. I had seen the B2910 but did not consider it, because it just LOOKED too big to my inexperienced eye.

Then the guy I was dealing with (who managed and was the main salesman) at the Kubota dealership I liked, quit, and the owner, who usually spends most of his time at his blue dealership, took over. I was finalizing the deal for the B2910 TLB over the phone, and I asked just for kicks, how much extra for the B2910? He said should be about $2,000. On a whim I decided to buy the B2910. VERY glad I did.

For me it turned out to be the right choice. Power to weight ratio is on the high side, physical size is small enough that I can get around and between trees real well. I could finish mow with it I am certain and be happy with the results. It is a real workhorse for its size.

If I had ten acres or more, then I am certain the L3430 would look VERY attractive. But for my property size, the B2910 is the perfect size working tractor.

You do get more for your money if you go with the L series, at least more pounds per dollar. I have no regrets that I settled for more hp per pound though.

Rolando · Sep 19, 2004

So Randall, for you the lighter weight of the B2910 trumped the higher loader capacity you could get with the L3130?

rswyan · Sep 20, 2004

Yes - because at the time we bought I "knew" that the primary use would eventually be mowing. Our front yard has slight slope to it (looking at it from the side it looks kinda like this: house \___/ upper portion of the property) In the spring the low spot out in front of the house gets wet and stays wet for a very long time - it's real slow to dry out, and the grass could easily get over 1' tall before it can be mowed. Not unusual for that to happen several times a year, but it's particularly bad in the spring. I recently found out why (partially) when I put in 250' of french drain in the upper part of the property - it used to be a farmers field and had been tiled - that place in the lower part of the front yard that usually doesn't completely dry out until August is where the 6" clay drain tile ends. I cut through the line when I digging the trench for the french drains (plugged with concrete so hopefully the yard will be a little drier)

At one point in time we had an IH 444 (40hp gas) tractor with a brushhog that we used to cut the lawn. It easily weighed twice what a B2910 weighs and would leave horrible ruts in the yard - so I went with a lighter tractor to replace it.

The reason I put "knew" in the opening sentence, is that since we got the tractor, I have been having so much fun working outside (my normal work involves sitting behind a computer) that I have been seriously considering starting a business doing light excavating/landscape type work - and for that it would be nice to have a little larger unit.

But other than that, the 2910 has served us well so far.

BradK · Sep 20, 2004

Rolando, I wrestled with the same two models as yo uexcept mine was the 3010. I ended up with the 3010 because I have a longer period of time planed to remove unwanted trees for better pasture, dirt work, drive work and tree work. I also use the tractor to clear palm metos and pine trees at my dads and brothers. The 3010 ruts the grass less then my f350. On the flip side my brother also has 5 acres that are finish and just need to be mowed and maintained for the most part I recommended a B series for his uses. I like the power and size of the 3010 but it can get cumbersome in some areas and my property is largely cleared. I also have a ZTR from my lawn service that I use in the tight areas and around the pond were the 3010 feels too tipy. My dealer said when I purchesed dollar for the dollar the 3010 was a better deal and if I were to do it all over again I would get the 3010 or the 3810 to allow larger implements.

BradK /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

cmhyland · Sep 22, 2004

Rolando,

I own a B2910 and have 8 acres. I looked at the 3130 and it is a very nice machine. But I have to tell you that I would not want to mow anything that even remotely resembles lawn with it. The machine will slice and dice turf like the ginsu knife due to the very large weight difference.

Yes the loader lift capacity is greater and in the 4 years I've owned my machine it would have come in handy exactly twice. Two large boulders I had to move. I just put the machine in low range and pushed them to where I wanted them....

The loader capacity is not a big deal at all.... I think people over estimate the value of that spec... The spec that I have learned is most valuable in my 4 years is max dumping height of the loader.... the LA402 loader is a little low...

Regards,
Chris

texbaylea · Sep 22, 2004

I have an L3130HST with loaded tires, R4s, that I have been using now for 28 hrs. My place is all sand. We received a years worth of rainfall in the first six months but only normal rainfall since. The land is well hydrated as a result. I have not found any rutting at all as I mow or in brush clearing. The only concern I have about the weight is to stay off the septic field.

The L3130 is a great machine and I have all the power that I need for the majority of my tasks.

Vernon

Rolando · Sep 22, 2004

Vernon,
I noticed on your profile that you list a "lift frame" in your implements. What's that?

Rolando · Sep 22, 2004

Chris, I notice on your profile that you list a "fork" in your implements with your B2910. Is that a pallet fork? And if so, is it bucket mounted or frame? One of the questions I had with the B2910 is how well a pallet fork would work with the LA402 loader.

rswyan · Sep 22, 2004

( I have not found any rutting at all as I mow or in brush clearing. )

Possibly because your place is "all sand" - there was a thread (I think about compaction for driveways) and someone stated that sand is naturally compacted to some high amount/percentage just in it's normal state.

texbaylea · Sep 22, 2004

Rolando

It should properly be called utility carry all frame. Fits on 3PT and you can bolt 2 x 6's to it for carring things around. Tractor supply is a good source.

Vernon

texbaylea · Sep 22, 2004

Maybe but I sure buried my old IH444 with R1s a few times. I think that the R4s give better flotation.

Vernon

bluewing · Sep 22, 2004

Rolando,

I too live in the Central Florida area, and have 16 acres of former Orange trees, overgrown with Oaks.

A year and a half ago I bought an old used L3650GST with an LA650 loader. At first I thought this would be too big of a tractor for what my intentions are, but quickly found out there were times I wished I had a larger one!! (The fact that this was an older tractor with 4,000hrs may have played in this matter. Probably wasn't up to its original full capacity.)

I built a 1000' driveway and cleared dozens of trees. A 2-3' dia. Oak is easier to get down than an old 4" Orange tree!!!

I've got about as much use out of this 'ole Kubota as I can, and am also in the market for a new tractor. I'm looking at the L series, but am trying to justify the GST vs. the standard transmission.

I've been to the several dealerships in Ocala, Deland and Orlando. PM me if you want to get more info on prices and deals I've found.

One thing I am certain........... I will not use the turf tires on this sand! They fill up and spin out way too quickly. I don't plan on using it in my yard, so that helps my decision.

Good Luck!!

Rolando · Sep 23, 2004

That's my problem, once I clear and finish building the house, mowing is mostly what I will be doing. I don't want to have more than one machine, so I'm trying to find a compromise that will work for both.

Have you thought about the HST transmission? I've been reading that it's good if you do a lot of loader work.

poco · Sep 23, 2004

I have a 3430 with a 72 " MMM and have mowed around two houses and 10 acres of fields for over a year and this tractor does one of the finest finish mowing jobs around . This year was as wet as last year in Western Pa. and I have mowed the houses the day after an all day rain without tearing up the lawns at all. The 2910 is a good machine but don't rule out the 3130 .

Bob_Skurka · Sep 23, 2004

Have you thought about the HST transmission? I've been reading that it's good if you do a lot of loader work. 

"good" would be an understatement. Modern commercial loaders are pretty much all hydrostatic transmissions, in the commercial world, time = money, and hydrostic transmissions save a lot of time. They are also a lot faster for mowing if you have a lot of landscaping to mow around, if you have relatively short straight runs, etc. If you are doing field mowing then a HST transmission offers minimal benefit.

cmhyland · Sep 23, 2004

Vernon,
Drought tollerant turf is very tuff stuff usually. Up here in New England because we get more rain over the year the turf will stay lush and green but also seems more tender.

I find that if I'm not careful the 2910 will cut up the turf with turf tires on it. And further I've seen much smaller machines do it on tight corners.

I guess much of it depends on where you are and the climate and the type of turf your on .

The 3130 is a beautiful machine... I really liked it when I was looking but it was just to large for my needs...

Doesn't mean I wouldn't like to have one.... Of course I'd also like about a 75 or 80 hp model with a cab that had heat and ac... but that's what they make lottery tickets for...

Regards,
Chris

texbaylea · Sep 23, 2004

Chris

You are probably right concerning your type of turf but I was figuring that Rolando's situation was closer to mine. I had gone through a similar process starting with a B7800 to B2910 to L3130 and glad I did.

I wholeheartedly agree with your last statement. I had the wife agreeing with the L3130 but could not stretch it to an L3430HSTC as much as I wanted to.

Vernon