Considering B3200

[LindyT]

Hello!

I've poured through these forums over the past week or so and am really appreciative for the wealth of knowledge and experience from you all.

My wife and I just purchased a house in Michigan - it's on 10 acres. I'd say it's pretty close to half irrigated, manicured lawn and half grass/weeds. We also have between 1/4 - 1/2 mile paved driveway and large asphalt area around the 60x100 garage that will need to be plowed regularly in the winter. We also have a road maintenance agreement which states there's no fee, but the neighbors pitch in to pave the street (another 1/4 - 1/2 mile)

My initial thought was to get a zero turn for the front half and a CUT for the back, but a couple of seemingly honest dealers have told me as much as they'd love to sell me two machines, I'd need a commercial ZTR for that much property and the cost would be significant. The thought is to just get a CUT with a 72" rear finish mower (not many obstacles, mostly flat) or belly mower (I don't know which would be better for me; I have no strong preference) and forego the ZTR. I'm told it will take longer to mow, but the advantage is one piece of equipment, which is nice from a maintenance and more importantly, a budget standpoint.

The question now is, what's the best balance of machine vs versatility? Thus far, it seems the B3200 offers the most value and use, but I'm wondering if it might be overkill and/or will tear up the yard. Then again, I'm wondering if it will handle current and future "tractor needs" in the foreseeable future.

Attached are a few pics of the property. Any thoughts, insight and recommendations would be greatly appreciated!


Thank you.

 

[General Lee]

Welcome to TBN! The B3200 is a fine machine, I used to have one. It is light for its size and if you got Industrial or turfs tires, you wouldn't have a problem with tearing up the grass. The ZTR may be able to cut faster but that is all you'll be able to do with it....cut. The B3200 will allow you mow and do other tractor related chores. Pulling implements, etc. The front end loader comes off very easily so you wouldn't have to swing that around mowing. What are your future needs for the tractor? It is a very capable machine. The B3200 also has a mid PTO which allow you to use a front mounted snow snow blower for the asphalt drive

 

[TroyR57]

I just got a B3200 and love it. But for your use, a B2620 would work, it also gives you the Mid Pto, for Snow blower, and up to a 60 inch MMM. The reason I say this, is I had to load my B3200 on a trailer to move to my brothers the other day, and my 16ft trailer, which was fine for my BX23, is just a little short for my B3200, you can check that out on the
Trailers and Transportation form. Good luck with what ever you decide, and give Brady Barlow a call you will like the quotes.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've had a B7800 FEL RFM and a B3200 FEL RFM and they are two fine mid level machines for all around work. I prefer the RFM for larger lot mowing. I used BX's though for my around the house mowing and now use F's for my mowing.
With the amount of land and current needs and possible (likely) future needs I'd go with the B3200 FEL RFM for my first trial tractor. Who knows, it could accidently work out to being the final tractor.

 

[TripleR]

I have never owned a B3200, but researched them before going with an L so my opinion is only that of a tire kicker so to speak. The B3200 is a really nice and capable tractor that should serve your needs quite well. My personal preference would be the B3030 for the position control, but the added features cost and it won't do anything the B3200 won't.

I prefer the MMM over the RFM, but both have their advantages.

I do agree two machines would be ideal and one machine to do it all is a compromise, but sure do understand the whole financial thing.

 

[fredhargis]

I would say a tractor of that range would be perfect for what you need. Get it first, and if you determine later you want to add a ZTR, do it at that time. Between the rear mount and mid mount mower, the rear is going to be a little easier to mount/remove/switch to a different tractor. The MMM is going to be considerably more maneuverable.

 

[firefighter jim]

Definitely not overkill for your property and you'll be glad you purchased a CUT over a z turn. Alot more versatile.

 

[kuboman]

I think you would really enjoy a frontmount mower for your property. Much more user friendly for your kind of mowing:thumbsup:

 

[Verticaltrx]

Either a B3200 or a B2920 would work for what you want. The difference in PTO hp is negligible, however the loader capacity on the B3200 is a bit more. I would go for turf tires for your use. The dealer will probably try to sell you R4 Industrial tires, but they will be harder on the lawn than turf tires, and much worse in the snow.

Run the B3200 at PTO speed before you buy one and see if the vibration bothers you, to some people it does. If so the B2920 would be a pretty good match.

 

[LindyT]

Thank you for all of the feedback, guys. I went and tested out a B3200 (two of them at the same dealer, actually) today -- I think the size is great, but was not at all impressed with the vibration -- both of them had it. Felt like a rattle trap (and I'm OCD, even with a tractor ) The salesman said "it's the nature of the beast, unfortunately." They didn't have any 2920's to look at, unfortunately.

I went and looked at the 2520 Deere (they weren't open though, so was unable to test.) That too is a really nice unit. I don't plan on doing anything crazy - the property is fully developed, all paved, so I can't foresee any heavy stone work or anything. It looks like the 2520 green and 2920 are the front runners at the moment, but I haven't found any 2920's to look at yet. Will shop around a bit more this coming week.

Thank you very much again for the feedback so far.

 

[kuboman]

Thank you for all of the feedback, guys. I went and tested out a B3200 (two of them at the same dealer, actually) today -- I think the size is great, but was not at all impressed with the vibration -- both of them had it. Felt like a rattle trap (and I'm OCD, even with a tractor ) The salesman said "it's the nature of the beast, unfortunately." They didn't have any 2920's to look at, unfortunately.

I went and looked at the 2520 Deere (they weren't open though, so was unable to test.) That too is a really nice unit. I don't plan on doing anything crazy - the property is fully developed, all paved, so I can't foresee any heavy stone work or anything. It looks like the 2520 green and 2920 are the front runners at the moment, but I haven't found any 2920's to look at yet. Will shop around a bit more this coming week.

Thank you very much again for the feedback so far.

I wouldn't let the vibration worry you on the 3200 unless you are doing a lot of pto work. Then it could be annoying, otherwise the 3200 is a powerfull unit in a nice sized package. I hardly ever get mine over 2000 rpm for anything unless I need the rpm on the pto.

 

[archerynut]

I have had my 3200 for about 2 months now and I love it. Very capable and comfortable machine. I don't think you can go wrong with anyone you are considering.

 

[number two]

Welcome-terrific looking place.That sweet garage would nicely house a B3030 or the newer B3000 with the cab.All that mowing with A/C would be nice,as well as civilized snow blowing or plowing.Turf tires and your choice of mowers would make it a lifetime tractor for that property.Hey,no need for two machines,get the cab! Good Luck!

 

[KU Gator]

Your test drive experience was similar to ours when we drove a B7800. A lot of vibration when you got it near the PTO speed which is where you will spend a lot of time mowing. So that plus we were a bit more comfortable with the size of the B2920, lead us to choose it. Also note if you choose the B3200, the mower is a ground contact, so the the weight of the mower rests on the wheels that ride on the ground. Some posters have used check chains to convert theses mowers to suspended. The B2x20 series uses a supended MMM so the mower height can be changed by turning a knob, but it is limited to 60" width.

The advantage to the MMM is it is easier to work around obstacles. Easy to judge where you are mowing so less likely to hook it on something and isn't swinging wide behind the tractor when you turn. But they are more expensive, you are limited to the tractor manufacturer brand, and more difficult to remove and re-install.

With the RFM, you have a wide selection of brands to choose from and although they swing wide when you turn, you would be able to back it under some of those low trees you have. They are easy to take off or put on.

The B3030 or B2630 are really nice tractors. A bit more expensive as they are the premium line, but some nice features. They also use the ground contact MMM like the B3200, but if you opt for the RFM, that isn't an issue.

I do prefer the 3 speed ranges that the Kubotas have vs the Deere 2 speed. I probably spend 80% of the time in the mid range, but nice to have low for some of the heavier FEL work and nice to have high when you want to get from one end of the property to the other.

 

[SGStriglos]

Do not under estimate what you might do with a tractor. It is a no brainer as far as the ztr vs cut. I have owned the 2910 for 550hrs ans seem to contue to find project with only 2ac to maintain. And with chains they are great in the snow with a blower or blade depending on the snowfall.

 

[LindyT]

Thank you again, guys - I appreciate the insight here. I don't know why buying a simple tractor is such a nerve-wracking experience, but alas, here we are.

I'll probably be stoned, but I believe I've settled on the Deere 2520. I didn't fall in love with the 3200 primarily because of the vibration... it would have driven me crazy (crazier) in short order. I finally did see a 2920, but it didn't seem to quite "fit" me as well as the deere. I personally preferred the controls on the 2520, plus it seems lack of position control is something many end up regretting. I think I'll be regretful of the 2 speed vs 3 speed, but we shall see.

The biggest thing that won me over was the dealership. If I were a seasoned buyer that needed little post-sale followups, it may sway me in the other direction, but the local Deere dealer has been fantastic, really easy to work with and competitive with pricing. The Kubota dealer is further away, harder to get a hold of and has been slow to answer questions. Naturally, that doesn't reflect on the brand itself - but it's a factor for me, being a "newbie."

I'm hoping the 2520 has enough oomph to keep me going for a while. With no heavy stone or work beyond plowing and gardening, I don't see why it wouldn't - but what do I know!

Who knows, my next one may be orange!

Thank you again, guys - very, very much appreciated!

 

[TripleR]

Congratulations on finding a tractor that fits you. What is "right" for one person won't be for another, so it always is a good idea to go in with an open mind.

 

[KU Gator]

Sounds like you have found a machine you are physically comfortable with and a dealership you are mentally comfortable with. Congratulations.

 

[archerynut]

Congrats on finding the right tractor for you, because that's what is important.

 

[fredhargis]

In the end, the only thing that matters is that you be happy with the choice you made. You've given this plenty of thought and will no doubt like the JD. As for the nerve wracking part, this is (for a lot of us anyway) a fairly major expenditure, and one we don't do often. Seems to me like it's tailor made for nerve wracking.