Enough tractor?

[BrianW]

I am looking at a B7800 or a B3030 and am leaning towards the B3030. I own 3.5 acres with about 1 acre of lawn. I already have the mowing handled so I will not be mowing with the tractor. I need to improve my lawn as I have erosion and poor soil. I plan on having top soil delivered and want to use the tractor to move and spread it. I also would like to clean up the woods around my home. It is full of vines (poison ivy) and dead trees. I also have 55 acres of mountain property in WV. My land is not that steep in most places. The property has been forested and I have lots of skidder trails that I would like to maintain for use by my ATV. These trails are in good condition. I need to cut saplings from some of them and repair a few washouts. I don't plan on cutting new trails. I like the idea of a smaller tractor for use around the house and on the narrow trails. I envision using the bucket and a box blade or grader blade to maintain my trails after I bush hog them. I may purchase the backhoe in the future if money allows, but this is not a high priority at present. Do either of these tractors allow you to move the rear wheels further apart? How stable will these tractors be on mild slopes with filled tires, a box blade on the back, and the loader on?

 

[SuperDave]

I live in Alberta Canada, and own a B7800. I have 100 acres of land that has about a 100 foot drop from the top to the bottom. My driveway is 1 mile long with relatively steep ditches. I am also in the process of building trails in the bush. I use the FEL and a 5 foot brush mower. The box blade is ideal for blading my driveway. However, I need to have the bucket full in order to have enough traction. Fluid in the tires will happen soon. The 7800 handles slopes pretty good. At first I was sure I would flip it in a few circumstances, but over time I am pretty confident it can handle some pretty good slopes. I have 300 hours on my tractor now and am very happy. I have moved hundred's of yards of dirt, clay, rocks etc. Having more hp would always be nice, but for the money, the 7800 is awesome.

 

[RobJ]

You might also consider an L series. Little bigger, more stable, heavier. Have no idea on the price differences though.

 

[kingoflawns]

Both the 7800 & 3030 are good machines. The 7800 has adjustable rear tread the 3030 does not. The 3030 has a little more power and some extra hydraulic features. I have a 3030 HSDC, i'm very pleased with it!

 

[5030]

Brian:

Honestly, at least with me, there is never enough tractor. Tractor size and implement size is directly related to your credit rating, your wife's approval rating and how thick of payment book will fit in your desk drawer. I started out with a 16 horse Kubota and I'm up to 95 horse. Of course along the way, my needs grew too. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[canoetrpr]

Both nice machines you are looking at.

In my biased but honest opinion, for your needs, you would be better off with an L3400. I've recently purchased this rig. It would be comparable in price to the B3030 but it would lack some of the bells and whistles - like telescopic lower links etc... nothing you can't really live without.

Heck if you could swing it, if I were you, I'd be looking at the L3130 or better.

If you are not mowing then weight may well be your friend. The B7800 and B3030 while both good machines are on the light side. The L3400 is a bit heavier with some more PTO hp than both and priced about equal to the B3030 seems like the best bet to me for your needs.

I also found the L series frame to just feel better than the smaller B3030 frame.

Now if mowing was your thing then the 7800 and 3030 would be hard machines to beat.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[IslandTractor]

Just a comment that there is nothing on your work list that could not easily be done by a B7510. No need for big horsepower as you are not doing any serious ground engaging work (for which the B series is not ideal) and you certainly would not need an L in my opinion. I am doing similar work with a 21hp TLB and it does a mighty fine job. Spend the savings on grapple attachments and other implements that will help you get the work done rather than on a tractor with more horsepower than your needs require.

 

[Egon]

I'll agree with Island Tractor. Trailering weight may be a consideration.

My B7100HST Kubota has been used for the jobs listed and more.

I surely like the B7800 though but cann'a afford one.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[kingoflawns]

You have some valid points there island, i don't think this calls for an L model either. Having owned & operated a B7500 myself for 6 years i do think the 7800 or 3030 would better serve this property. The 7510 could handle all of it no problem, however the additional tph lift capacity And pto hp of the larger machines will get the chores done faster & allow the use of a larger,heavier implements should he wish to grow into them.

 

[5030]

Egon:

The L series isn't all that heavy even with the FEL on. I believe my old 5030 was in the area of 5K with a backblade and FEL. I never had any problem hauling it on my 28' gooseneck behind my 350 Ford. I miss the old girl, the payment book was much thinner.

 

[Egon]

Daryl:

You have been in the farming mode too long!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bigger tractors are always better on a farm cause they are needed and put to work making a living.

Now me, I'd also like a bigger tractor but due to being fiscally challenged there is no payment book possible.

Now if only I could have a Cat D9 with rippers at my disposal for a week!

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[IslandTractor]

KingofLawns,

You're right if he needs bigger implements but with 3.5 acres total (not all to be maintained by tractor) and the need to maintain trails, I would imagine that 48" brush hog would be about right. Anything bigger would decrease manuverablity and make trail maintenance a bit tricker without substantially decreasing mowing time.

 

[5030]

Egon:

Soon, very soon, I'll be fiscally challenged too. That's why I am getting all my big ticket items overwith. Me thinks this will be my last tractor.....but I said that about the 5030 too. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

One nice thing about a physically large tractor......people get out of your way when travelling on the road.

 

[jazzdaddy]

I remember when I bought my L3830 three years ago and thought that I couldn't imagine needing a bigger one, in fact I thought that the 3830 might be too big.

Well, now I can see the limitations. For really moving stuff and impacting the ground, you need the weight and power. The M105 is being set up at the dealer right now and I should have it soon.

I'm keeping the 3830 because I'm always coming up against situations where I can use two tractors.

 

[kingoflawns]

Thank you for sharing your story with us jazzdaddy, doe's it have any bearing on this thread ? If so i missed it ?

 

[npaden]

I think he is saying that when in doubt, get the bigger tractor.

I'm in the same situation right now trying to decide between an L4400 and an MX5000. I think I'm going to go with the MX5000.

 

[5030]

We already have a 105S in the family. The M9 that I have and the 105 are physically the same size and have the same cab. You will like it but expect it to use more fuel.

I hope you spec'd it with cast centers. The FEL will overcome the stamped wheels necessitating add on weights whereas the cast centers balance the loader's capacity.