Kubota B3030 vs L3400

[rickmacheske]

If you don't mind the price, get the 3430. Great machine. I got the 3400 because I didn't want to pay more.... Just remember how much all those attachments cost. BTW...get the dealer to put two rear remotes on your machine. You'll find that you need them.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I was wondering about that - what uses the rear remotes? Backhoes and log splitters?

Not sure what the price of the grand Ls is - I have to find that out.

 

[rickmacheske]

Top link, log splitters, back hoe, harley rake, etc.... Anything that requires rear hydraulics.

 

[Charlesaf3]

After talking to a dealer again today, I'm thinking it'll be the b3030. Seems like the position control and a bit more power justifies the uptick from the 7800? (The tilt wheel doesn't do anything for me).

So now to figure out a good price for it.

 

[lawn_king]

Good choice, the position control is great for mowing & hogging, the rear end of the 3030 really blows the 7800 away, ratchet level adjustment, telescoping lower link ends and sway arms really make for faster implement change up. I have owned several tractors over the last 2 decades, international, mtd and kubotas, i have to say im really in love with the B3030!

 

[The Gardener]

Do you use the B3030 to cut grass?

I am still narrowing my Kubota choices. Mowing is a huge effort [5+ acres mixed between groomed areas around the house and hilly, rough fields. I can always use our riding mower to handle the delicate cutting around the house and gardens so that's not a big concern. With wooded acreage still to be cleared, I also need a tractor to assist in this effort.

My four Kubota choices are:

BX24 - MMM and hire out all of the wooded acreage clearing
B3030 - MMM and share the wooded acreage clearing with a hire out
L3400 - Rear mower and share the wooded acreage clearing with a hire out
Grand L - Rear mower and do all of the wooded acreage clearing myself

How fast/easy is it to take off the MMM from either the BX24 or the B3030 ?

Thanks,
The Gardener

 

[Bob_Young]

Hi Gardner,
Sounds like your long term needs are best suited to the B3030. You'll only need the brute strength of an L-model until you get your wooded areas cleared...and the B3030 can certainly help with that. Afterwards, the size and heft of an L-model will be a liability, while the B3030 should work very well finish mowing your large lawn areas.

As to the MMM remove and replace effort, I can only report on my experience with the B7610. It was a big PITA when done as directed in the manual WITHOUT using the FEL. But maybe I didn't do it enough to get the hang of it.

When I learned to use the FEL to lift the front of the tractor and roll the mower straight foward or back under the front wheels to get it out or back in, it became quite easy. Don't even have to change the mow height settings. I'd say it's about a ten minute job now with little or no cussing and I do it every week. Half of the time is spent making sure everything is securely retained after the changeover. Don't know if you can do this with the BX or the B3030. I think the B3030's 72" deck might be a "drive over", which would accomplish the same thing.
FWIW
Bob

 

[The Gardener]

Thanks Bob.

I'll definitely take another close look at the B3030. My initial visit to the dealer included a lengthy demo ride on the B3030. I was extremely impressed with the tractor and its creature features. I did note that the seat was terribly uncomfortable. I felt as if I was literally being thrown toward the steering wheel.

I have read about a replacement seat on TBN. For extended lawn cutting, a comfortable seat is a must. Otherwise, the B3030 was terrific in every respect.

It is such a difficult choice. Given that we'll be requiring a long term loan to make this Kubota purchase, we cannot make a mistake. I'd rather error on too large than too small having owned a medium sized, 2WD, tractor for 7 years. It was great until our demands exceeded its capability. This time around, our demands cannot exceed its capabilities. We have a barn so indoor storage and proper maintenance should provide us with 15 solid years of performance - and more if we still want to own it.

Our acreage offers a lot of future possibilites. We have 15 acres of which we are only using a small portion at this time. We have 3+ wooded acres that are in the process of being cleared. Beyond those 3+ acres, we have another 8 +/- wooded acres that will most likely become quite tempting once we can access them through the 3 acres being cleared.

Only employment for needed money forces me off the property. Otherwise, I'd probably take my meals on the tractor and just keep playing.

The Gardener

 

[4cylinder]

I have a B3030, and for the most part, I like it a lot. It has three speeds, but in the high range, you are very limited going up any sort of slope. That was a shock to me. Any rough terrain requires that you use Low or Mid ranges just to get over the bumps.

Weak point: (and this may be true for all Kubotas), after 12 hours of operation the steering linkage ripped loose of the steering cylinder, stripping the threads. My terrain is not really that rough. I'd seriously look at how beefy the steering linkages are on the various tractors. Got a feeling the L seriies may be better, but not sure.

 

[daro]

Got a $ on a B3030HSD factory set up for $12350. Highest quote is just over $12600.
Daro