Knowing what you know now...

NIXON · Feb 28, 2004

( Henro, deep down I think you wished you had purchased the L3130. Come on now, tell the truth, yes??????? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif )

I'd be willing to bet that some time down the road bill ( henro ) will be posting about his new 3430/bh .

John

OrangeFloyd · Feb 28, 2004

I've never looked forward to looking back.
Also, life's too short to worry about gas mileage.

relax, have fun.

-OF

EastTexFrank · Feb 28, 2004

Good question and the short answer is NO, I would still buy the B2400 or it's newer equivalent. I did a lot of research before I bought, this site was invaluable, and thought I wanted the B2100. The dealer convinced me to get the B2400 saying I would really appreciate the extra 3 hp and he was right. For me it is the perfect size of machine. It is more than big enough to take care of the 4+ acre yard and just big enough to handle the 8+ acres of pasture with its slopes. I sometimes wish for a few more horses when in the pasture and the ability to pull a 5' shredder but if that was a real issue I suppose I could trailer the old JD from the farm. I guess I'm just too lazy. Nope I'm perfectly happy with the Kubota but now I must admit that I find the Power Trac's interesting with their ability to get the impliments out in front but there is no dealer within a hundred miles.

keeney · Feb 28, 2004

I think I should have went with a used skid-steer (or track-loader if I could have afforded it) for building the house and yard.

Once it is done, then switch to a sub-compact, but still with a loader.

Since the house and yard is almost done and I already have a small compact, I am likely to stick with it. I could see switching to a sub-compact at some point when my 4100 gets too old to use.

- Rick

Henro · Feb 28, 2004

Henro, deep down I think you wished you had purchased the L3130. Come on now, tell the truth, yes??????? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif 

I guess a couple months ago I was thinking that it might be nice to have a larger tractor with a better backhoe...but for some strange reason, along with changing my perception about rops drilling, I have also come to realize that what I have is going to be all I need in a year or two, and maybe sooner.

For the twenty five years that we have lived here, my neighbor has been happy with his 38 PTO HP International 454...on four acres...so I guess with 3.7 an L series would not be too big for me... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

But still...being a practical guy and all...I think a B7500 would work for me too!

So over the last couple weeks I have deserted from the "I'll never drill my rops" army and here I am now sneaking out of the "bigger is always better" school... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Wonder what is coming next? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Hope it's a top and tilt setup!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RoyJackson · Feb 28, 2004

The only thing I would have done differently is to ensure I had a live PTO (either independent or dual stage clutch).
As far as Horsepower...a few more would have been nice, but my little 670 hasn't let me down yet...maybe I'd of gone for a 770 or 790 instead.
Even the live PTO is just a convenience. The inertia of the mower or cutter blades (more so the cutter, due to their greater mass) has kept them spinning pretty fast when I have to clutch.

crown · Feb 28, 2004

sneaking out of the bigger is always better school. I think alot of guys would not admit it but it may well be the way to go. In my neighborhood we have a wide variety of tractors: Kubota BX 2200, B-7500, B-2710, NH tc35, Ford 1920, Yammar 20 HP, JD 855, JD 955, 8N, and one 95 horsepower Deere. We all have between 5 - 7 acres most use the tractors for finish mowing, pasture maintance, snow plowing and minor FEL work. With these task the bigger tractors do not complete the task noticably faster than another, I am not putting down the bigger machines but often we underestimate what the smaller machine will do, that said if I had to do it all over again I would love to have a L-3130 /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

david43a · Feb 29, 2004

I have a bx22 with a tooth bar. I have been moving a lot of wet soil with the loader. I wish the loader had more power to curl and lift. I go into a pile of wet dirt and the loader kinds of stalls then lifts slowly, or I have to back out of the pile so the loader will lift. The loader will not curl and lift at the same time. Sometimes I wish I had gotten a b7500 with backhoe and payed the additional cost. David. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

narcnh · Feb 29, 2004

From all the posts it seems like it depends on where you are going in your life. If you're moving into bigger places, more land, more heavy-duty projects, more animals, more more more, then it's probably a progression to bigger. If, on the other hand, you have arrived at that place in your life where you want to be, most or all of the big projects are done, and it is simply a matter of maintenance (and sitting back and enjoying actually being at the place you want to be), then downsizing, or at least maintaining a given tractor size probably makes sense.

As for me, my B7800 appears, after less than a year of use, to be just the right size for where I am. Over the past nine years I went from a 50 x 70 suburban lot (no tractor) to a 3 acre rural suburban lot (used B1750) to a 60 acre rural "farm" (new B7800). If I ever get into livestock in a big way and convert the cornfield into pasture, I might need to scale up again, but for now I seem to be in the sweet spot WRT size and power. The little 1750 was great, but out of its league on this property. Any bigger and I probably would have trouble mowing my lawn. Henro, I sometimes wonder if I would have preferred the added bells and whistles of the 2910, but the size would still be the same.

Speaking of bells and whistles, I do plan to add some enhancements this year. I covet a Top and Tilt, and a set of Pat's Easy Changers (or some other quick hitch device) would be nice. The adjustability of the 3PH on the 2910 is probably the only thing I miss on the 7800. Hopefully, the QH will address that issue.

But, having a little brother for the 7800 like SOMEONE else, sure is enticing. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bill

p.s. What is most impressive to me in reading all these posts is the amount of research and analysis that TBN users obviously put into making decisions about tractors, attachments, modifications, etc. There's a lot of brain power chugging away out there.

txdon · Feb 29, 2004

After Having the Kubota L5030, BH, FEL&teeth, T&T, on 120 acres for about 4 months now, I still believe that for this property this tractor is perfect. With 4+ miles of fence to maintain brush to clear and roads and ponds to maintain this tractor is a pleasure to operate. I followed the discussions of TBN for about 6 months before I bought, I guess that is why I got the right tractor. I figure If I can just get 12 acres a year the way I want them I will be finished in ten years, but then I have to start over and clear ten years of growth (kind of like painting the Golden Gate Bridge). /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Boondox · Feb 29, 2004

Wow, how many of us have mulled that same question over and over in our minds..?

There are times I wish I had gone up a couple more notches in size when I traded up from my B1750 to the L3010. The L3710 (or presently the L3830) would have given me more oomph when sculpting the land, harvesting firewood, clearing snow, etc. But the bottom line is this little Clementine of mine has done pretty near everything I've ever tossed her way! My only specific need would be greater FEL breakout strength, but I can live with what I have.

Pete

8561 · Feb 29, 2004

Henro - I have to say I was a little shocked at your original post. I thought you were headed in the other direction towards an L series, now I'm sensing something in the middle of your two might be ideal in your opinion.

When I was purchasing mine last summer, all the advice I received on this forum was go bigger, go bigger, go bigger when I was comparing the B7500 and B2410. In the end, I made what I thought was the right purchase for me and bought the B2410, knowing, as is the premise of this thread, this would be the only tractor I would have for the next 10 or more years.

I've said this before, and I think it is still true. I think there are days you wish your tractor is bigger and days you wish it is smaller. Ultimately, you'll make what you have work for you and are thankful you don't push a wheelbarrow anymore. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

narcnh · Feb 29, 2004

"I think there are days you wish your tractor is bigger and days you wish it is smaller."

Ayuh. Moved a lot of snow from the back side of the house last weekend, where it slides off of the main house, onto the rear wing/barn/carriage house section (what do you call that on an old New England farmhouse?) and then to the ground. While clearing a path from the farm road to the house, I went right under a big old spruce without thinking about it. Looked up and the ROPS JUST cleared the lower branches. Would have been a real bummer to damage that tree. I'm going to have to be more careful, when mowing this summer around some of the other trees (and may think about the 'smaller is better' comment a few times).

RobertN · Feb 29, 2004

I am at a cross roads...

My B8200HST 4x4 is great. It is Kubota B2710/2910 sized, which is pretty nice for the five acre range. Iif I had to buy another tracor, to last 10 years, I would go with the same thing, although I would look at the other brands real closely.

The tractor I would choose would primarily be a HP upgrade to mine. Mine is 19hp, which is on the low side for the size tractor; again imagine the B2910... Now knock it down to 19hp. Mine does not have power steering either. It would be nice to have the extra HP, I do lug down really easy. And, a loader full of stuff can be fun to steer.

Of note to go with another tractor, would be the immediate addition fo TnT. I built mine, and it works great; wouldn't have one without it. A loader would come with it. I got mine without. I paid cash for it, and it was all I had cash for... Then did same with the loader. It is a more COMPLETE tractor with the loader and TnT.

Of other note, I would look at a skid-steer attach on the loader arms. There would be one bucket for material and finish work, and another with a tooth bar. Barring that, it might be a clamshell with teeth... Auxillary hydraulics would go to the front too, for a clamshell and other skidsteer type implements.

Also, I would look at a "square" setup. What I mean, is a 4' or 5' wide package. My loader is 4', my front tires are 4', but the rear tires, whether turf or R4 or R1(I have R4), are 4-1/2' wide. To cover that print, I have a 5' scraper. I have wanted to access where I needed somehting more like a 4' tractor. If I can not do that, and still have the HP, then might as well have a 5' loader ect...

If possible, rear down pressure would be nice. I have found my PHD to be hardly useful here with the lack of down pressure.

NOW... the cross roads... My B8200 works great at home, but I need it for our Mom and Pop landscape business. I have had access problems because of the width, and the length of manueverin with the loader and scraper(which I needed) on the tractor. I have also lacked HP for many things I wanted to do. I get the work done, slower, but time is $$$.

For my aplications, that ASV RC30 would fit all my applications, at home and at work. I could mow, grade, and dig. It could do post holes, trench ect, and outmaneuver my CUT. As some of you have seen in other threads, after renting it a few times, I am sold on its capabilities.

If I went that route, It would be the 30HP RC30, with a tooth/clamshell bucket. First implement would be a mower, second would be a tie between a trencher and an auger.

Right now is a crossroads though... The Kubota works at home fine. The 19hp is ok. Away from home, I could use the HP, and manueverability. Both would be nice at home. The RC30 would cost over twice what my B8200 is worth. A B2910, JD4310, TC29 would be about 1.5 times $$$. As a fledling business, I'm not ready to put the cash there yet...

frank_f15 · Feb 29, 2004

( I've said this before, and I think it is still true. I think there are days you wish your tractor is bigger and days you wish it is smaller. )

i feel the same way, the only time i would like a biggere tractor is the few times i need more mass AND not more hp! plus at time i could use a little more umph on the fell, but for 90% of my task the b2400 fits me well.

fishman · Feb 29, 2004

I lurked for months, then visited this site very often for the next year before buying my 2910 for my 10 acres. I am very happy with my purchase after 2.5 years. The only thing I wish it had was a quick-tach type system for the loader bucket. Interchangable tools for the loader would be a big advantage and if buying a tractor today, it would have that feature or I wouldn't own it.

Again, this site and taking my time were two keys to getting it right the first time.

That said, if $ was an issue, I think a 7500 would have been able to handle 97% of the stuff I've done with my tractor, although requiring more time. That would have saved me $4k.

I am glad I've been able to afford my 2910 though. Just 31 more payments to go! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

EastTexFrank · Feb 29, 2004

Guys, what's a top & tilt system???? I feel completely left out not knowing what everyone else is talking about. Help me!!!!!

Inspector507 · Feb 29, 2004

EastTexFrank
Terrain Contour Control aka Top and Tilt

Junkman · Mar 1, 2004

( Guys, what's a top & tilt system???? I feel completely left out not knowing what everyone else is talking about. Help me!!!!! )

It is an expensive system of hydraulic pistons, hoses, and valves to control everything that attached to the 3 point hitch, that will do everything you need to do with it from the tractor seat. It is for those that want the best of everything. If you never had one, you will never miss it. Once you have one, you will wonder how you ever got along without it. Sort of like having a wife.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Henro · Mar 1, 2004

If you never had one, you will never miss it. Once you have one, you will wonder how you ever got along without it. Sort of like having a wife.... 

Junkman,

I'm /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Usually your advice is pretty good. In this case my experience is just the opposite! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I never had a T&T, but I sure do miss having one just about every time I bend backwards to adjust the top link!

And the wife, well on those days when the "honey do's" never end...I wonder why I got one in the first place! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

(Hope she doesn't see me typing this, or the second point may become the truth... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif )