Goodbye 3030 HSTC, Hello 3430 HSTC

VAMountains · Oct 10, 2006

First, let me say I love(d) my B3030 HSTC. It was comfortable, more powerful than I expected from a tractor that size, and terribly good looking. There's only one thing it didn't have -- STABILITY.

I live on a small mountain. Mountains have slopes. Slopes require tractors with wide wheelbases and some serious weight. I almost learned this the hard way -- twice.

I put 20 hours on my 3030 before realizing that I made a mistake. Luckily, the dealer agreed to take it back (with a $2500 restocking fee) and to replace it with the Grand L 3430 HSTC (after I paid the $5000 price difference). This was an expensive lesson, but I'm already MUCH happier -- mostly because I'm MUCH safer -- with the 3430.

I hope others can learn from this. The 3030 is a great tractor, but even after buying wheel extenders, it isn't nearly as stable on any kind of slope as the 3430.

Guess which is which, and I haven't even had the 3430's tires extended yet.

johnk · Oct 10, 2006

Big diffence in the stance. Did you put the outhouse there because of the steep Slopes???

VAMountains · Oct 10, 2006

johnk said:
Big diffence in the stance. Did you put the outhouse there because of the steep Slopes???

I couldn't afford indoor plumbing after paying the restocking fee and the price difference.

johnk · Oct 10, 2006

Are those R4's or big AG's on the rear??? Look very similar to mine...

BenA · Oct 10, 2006

Where you at VAMountains? I am in Radford.

VAMountains · Oct 10, 2006

johnk said:
Are those R4's or big AG's on the rear??? Look very similar to mine...

R4s. I still want to mow the lawn, and I was told that AGs would rip it apart.

VAMountains · Oct 10, 2006

BenA said:
Where you at VAMountains? I am in Radford.

Outside of Charlottesville. Very hilly around here.

john_bud · Oct 11, 2006

VA,
Sorry you have to spend the $$ to learn that lesson! I guess, "ouch" is all one can say.

Did you have the 3030's tire's filled with fluid? It makes a large difference. It will help the larger tractor too.

Just wondering...

jb

VAMountains · Oct 11, 2006

john_bud said:
Did you have the 3030's tire's filled with fluid? It makes a large difference. It will help the larger tractor too.

I did, and have the 3430's tires filled as well. It does help, but it wasn't enough to give me near the stability I needed on the 3030.

Charlesaf3 · Oct 11, 2006

I'm a little pained to hear this, since I just bought a b3030 (as yet undelivered, and I have hills. I understood that the center of gravity would be the same, as the b3030 has less weight, but also less height? And the mmm brings down the cg a bit. I also had the tires filled with foam, which adds even more weight down low.

How did you get the b3030s wheels extended? I was told that wasn't possible and would love to know how.

I love Cville. Spent 3 great years there.