Buying Advice is position control really a big deal

[nwfirsttimer]

I am soon to be a new tractor owner and have settled on kubota or deere as the tractor i will be getting based on a combination of reputation and local dealer support. I have spent a lot of time (too much) culling through blogs, forums about the various configurations/option etc but still remain uncertain the 3 point hitch control on the kubota b xx20 series tractors. Is the the postion control offered on the xx30 series versus the 1/4 valve control on the xx 30 series a significant difference. Much of the work I plan to do is box blading and rotary cutting. Any input on this would be much appreciated

other info:

11 acres, flat pasture with silyy rock free soil
1200 ft gravel driveway
impements rotary cutter, RFM, snowblower, tiller, loader

considering b2620, b2630, b3200 or JD2520. slightly considering Mahindra 2516 (looks best on paper but no local dealer and I am a newby

thanks in advance for the input. I am very excited to pull the trigger




thanks

 

[kennyd]

IMO, yes it's a big deal-especially if one of your main jobs will be using a box blade.

 

[TripleR]

I doubt you will get a consensus, but I will never buy a non-position control tractor if a position control is an option. I have the quarter inching on my BX2660 and really don't like it especially while box blading, grading or running a rotary cutter. While running a cutter, I have to keep bumping up on the 3-point as the implement keeps dropping; same thing with other implements, but to a lesser degree.

All of our other tractors with the exception of the John Deere 2305 have position control.

 

[fredhargis]

As a tractor newbie (so beware of my words) and a B2920 owner, I wish I had given more consideration to position control. The 1/4 inch valve is not that useful. I even found it to be a problem with my rear snowblower; while using the loader to clear some snow the dang blower kept drifting down and would eventually drag. This year I hope to add a rotary cutter for occasional use in my field, I'm guessing I'll somehow use chains to hold the hitch up. That said, my tractor spends more time mowing my yard than anything else, and getting the xx30 series would mean also getting a ground contact MMM, versus the floating MMM I have. So the mower won out, but it sure seem like they could have both on the same tractor.

 

[hizoot]

this is one of the reasons I bought the 2520....

I wanted to buy the kubota as the dealer is a customer of mine and a great guy...I just couldnt live with those features.

 

[k0ua]

I doubt you will get a consensus, but I will never buy a non-position control tractor if a position control is an option. I have the quarter inching on my BX2660 and really don't like it especially while box blading, grading or running a rotary cutter. While running a cutter, I have to keep bumping up on the 3-point as the implement keeps dropping; same thing with other implements, but to a lesser degree.

All of our other tractors with the exception of the John Deere 2305 have position control.

+1 here, on my B7500 without position control, I got tired of fighting the position of the rotary cutter, and finally put gauge wheels on it to keep it at the same height. But now with my L3400, I figured out I no longer need them. Position control is better, and I bet with the box-blading jobs you are planning, you would be glad you had position control. my 2 cents.

James K0UA

 

[Ford tractor]

Read this information and it will all make more sense.


http://www.tractorsmart.com/main/Tractor%20Three%20Point%20Lift%20Types.htm

 

[Bird]

I had a B7100 without position control and a B2710 with position control and I'd never buy a tractor without it, if I could afford one with it.

 

[Localmotion]

As everyone else has already said... you really do want position control, especialy if grading :thumbsup:

 

[Artesia Aggie]

Position control is one of the reasons I went green not orange!

 

[bp fick]

Not having it, for some guys, is likely never noticed. For those of us who really use our 3 pts more than we use our FELS, in all honesty, the 1/4" is not a terrific system. Let's be brutally honest here.

It's not like Kubota doesn't offer it as it is standard on Kubota B xx30 series. Deere doesn't seem to offer a "budget" minded tractor in the small tractor category. When you pay more? You SHOULD get more. Whether it's Green or Orange, you can get Position Control, you just have to open your wallet a little more.

When you settle for an economy (basic, or standard) Kubota model? Call it what you will. Yup. You save money. Quite a bit. But, you've got to give something for that and position control is one of those things you give.

You pays your money and you takes your choice, it's that simple.

 

[nwfirsttimer]

Thank you for your input. I think I will head the advice since adding postion control later does not seem to be an option. That has me curerntly leaning toward the JD2520. It also seems that the Kubota L2800 might be a good fit. BAsed on the MSRP it is close in proce to the B3200

thanks again for your input.

 

[ayelvington]

I so wish that I had asked this question before I bought. Don't get me wrong, I love my BX, but a day doesn't go by where I don't wish that I had depth/position control on the 3-point. You were wise to ask before you put your money down!

 

[Charlesaf3]

another vote for not necessary, but I'd happily pay extra for it - it sure is nice.

 

[Giles]

Quart-inching is the only thing I dislike about my B2320. To me, it's just a cheap way to manufacture a lift control.
For me, it is a real pain to use my attachments. I am in the process of installing "gauge wheels" on my---rock rake---box blade and grader blade--

 

[BethesdaEC]

I really wonder what the true cost of position control is? Is Kubota using this to force the upgrade path rather than a true cost savings measure. This is one of the big reasons that I purchased my JD 2520 over the Kubota.

 

[bp fick]

I really wonder what the true cost of position control is? Is Kubota using this to force the upgrade path rather than a true cost savings measure. This is one of the big reasons that I purchased my JD 2520 over the Kubota.

I don't think so. Deere isn't Kubota's only competitor.
They likely produce the "standard" line, in order to compete with tractors marketed and priced much lower than either Kubota or Deere.

So, you cannot compare a B__20 to the Deere 2520 on Position Control. You'd need to compare the Deere 2520 to Kubota B2630 and the match up is competitive, features AND price.

Again, just my opinion, but Deere doesn't make an economy line of small cuts. They are all feature laden and priced on the stiff side because of it. Deere gets pounded on here every day for their high prices.

Just blowing the Apples to Apples whistle.

 

[pdp11]

Again, just my opinion, but Deere doesn't make an economy line of small cuts. They are all feature laden and priced on the stiff side because of it. Deere gets pounded on here every day for their high prices.

Just blowing the Apples to Apples whistle.

Yes, but it was the features that sold me on my JD 2520. It's not like the features that Deere offers amount to leather seats and a sun roof, they are useful, convenient, and productive features. I could never have a tractor without position control after finding out how much better it is to operate my rear blade with it.

 

[bp fick]

Yes, but it was the features that sold me on my JD 2520. It's not like the features that Deere offers amount to leather seats and a sun roof, they are useful, convenient, and productive features. I could never have a tractor without position control after finding out how much better it is to operate my rear blade with it.

Agreed. Those same "useful, convenient, and productive features" and more are found on the B2630. That's the match-up and that's all I'm saying.

The 20 series B is kind of the VW Beetle line. Just is what it is. Why Kubota markets the way it does is anybody's guess.

 

[DAY]

An analogy in autos would be power vs windup windows. If you almost never open the windows (air, heater) then the extra cost and weight and electric motors that can fail are needless add-ons. If you open and close the window(s) a lot, then it is a useful option.

Ditto the PTO- if you don't own any powered attachments, then it's useless.