Kubota B3200 HSD

[Tobyone]

Good Afternoon,

I am a new member to TractorByNet and this is my first posting. I have read man of your reviews over the past few months and I have quickly realized there is a lot of tractors owners that area very knowledgeable. I am looking for your assistance and your expert opinion's on the purchase of a compact tractor. I thank you for your patience but I feel it is necessary for me to provide your with a little back ground first. I live in West Michigan in a rural area with 3 acres which is adjacent to 20 acres of woods owned by one of my neighbors. I also have a 12 x 400 ft. driveway which is constructed of 22-A slag. My lawn is only an 1/2 acre which I cut with a self propelled mower, mainly for exercise. My yard and home is surrounded by 2 plus acres of woods with 50 to 125 ft tall Oak, Maple and Beech trees. I also cut and split my own fire wood and burn 3 cords of wood a year. Over the past 6 years since building our home I have been blessed with the use of our Company 2002? New Holland TC33D tractor with FEL and Box blade. I use the tractor for an average of one week a year, however it is seldom available. I have also rented several Kubota tractors over the years for landscaping and was pleased with the tractor. The tractor that I would like to purchase within the next few weeks will be used for current and additional landscaping, removal of trees, fire wood, driveway grading, snow removal, etc. I have been looking at tractors for a few years and had definitely decided on a compact tractor 28 to 32 HP. It is not necessary to have a new tractor and a used tractor in excellent or mint condition would be fine.

One of the tractors that I have a current interest was listed on Craigslist and was originally listed as a 2011 Kubota B3200 with 25 Hours, FEL, 60 inch mower deck and (loaded) Turf tires. I test drove this tractor on Friday and inquiring further about the warranty, the present owner called the Kubota dealership where he purchased it from in June 2012. He was informed that the tractor was not a 2011 but a 2012. Based upon the serial number I have since received verification from the Kubota dealership that this is a 2012 tractor. Before the present owner realized it was a 2012 model, I was able to negotiate a price for $16,300.00 for the Kubota B-3200 tractor with loaded Turf tires. , FEL with quick release bucket, grill guard, rear lights and a 60inch mid mount mower deck. This tractor is a in Mint Condition and the present owner has basically used it for the last year to cut his lawn and used the FEL to move a little snow this past winter. The tractor has very few hours on the FEL. However, the sale is pending and will depend on if I can use Turf Tires in the woods of if I need to purchase a tractor with R4 tires.

I also stopped at a dealership and had them quote me a price for a new tractor with the same options and with Kubota $1000 discount and rebates it would be $20,800.00 which is $4500 more than the 2012 Kubota B3200 with 25 Hours. If I purchase this used Kubota B3200 I would remove the mower deck as I will not be using it to cut out lawn with it. I would most likely sell it or see if I can trade it into Kubota for a box blade and eventually a front mount snow blower. Since Friday, I have found a Kubota dealer that listed a 2012 or 2013 Kubota B3200 with 1 HR use. The Kubota has an FEL and R-4 tires for $16,000 ( cash Price) plus tax $16,960.00 The dealership was not open due to the July 4th Holiday and I can not tell you if the tires were loaded or if it has a quick release bucket.

I have a couple of concerns? Fist of all can I use Turf Tires in the woods?The woods are leaf covered and mostly open with a few logs and of course has brush in some areas. I have a small hill on my property which is basically high and dry with no SWAMPS. Secondly, will the Kubota B3200 be able to pick up 16 inch to 24 inch diameter logs x 4 ft length. The reason that I ask this? I have noticed in your forum several had mentioned that the Kubota B-3200 is too lights and is only 1734Lbs w/O an FEL or loaded tires. the FEL. Will the Kubota B3200 be ok if had loaded had tires, and a 60 in box blade ( 500lbs) on the back. I also understand if I purchase new, competitors such as New Holland list their Boomer 30 Tractor weight at around 3100 Lbs and the Mahindra 3016 at around 2400 lbs. Once again thank you for your assistance.

God Bless,

Tobyone

 

[kcender]

You seem to only be interested in the B3200.Have you considered an L3200 or an L3240?Both are in the horsepower range you want but are heavier more capable tractors than the B series.The L3240 has a dry weight of almost twice the B3200.With the type of work you are doing I would think weight would be more important than horsepower.As far as the turf tires go I can't answer your question.If it was me I would want R4 tires for the stronger sidewalls and better traction over turfs.

 

[art]

Depending on what you are doing in the woods you might be okay with the turfs but they are far from being the best tires for some of the woods that I have been in which might require R-1 or R-4 tires. AS far as the weight, I find balance is often the most important part of setting up tractors to do a job. With working in woods one of the things most important is that the front axle is normally what stops a tractor when in ruts. I'd make sure there are no steering linkages hanging below the front axle as they will get bent!

 

[TripleR]

Pretty much along the lines of kcender's comments. I quickly eliminated the B3200 from consideration as being too light and quarter inch 3PH which I hate. The Lxx00 have a history of jerky 3PH, so consider that, my choice quickly became a Grand L, but it costs a lot more. I would look at al brands before deciding on anything.

I no longer get turf tires, I only use bar or industrial.

 

[jeff9366]

I have a couple of concerns? Fist of all can I use Turf Tires in the woods?The woods are leaf covered and mostly open with a few logs and of course has brush in some areas. I have a small hill on my property which is basically high and dry with no SWAMPS. Secondly, will the Kubota B3200 be able to pick up 16 inch to 24 inch diameter logs x 4 ft length. The reason that I ask this? I have noticed in your forum several had mentioned that the Kubota B-3200 is too lights and is only 1734Lbs w/O an FEL or loaded tires. the FEL. Will the Kubota B3200 be ok if had loaded had tires, and a 60 in box blade ( 500lbs) on the back. I also understand if I purchase new, competitors such as New Holland list their Boomer 30 Tractor weight at around 3100 Lbs and the Mahindra 3016 at around 2400 lbs. Once again thank you for your assistance.

You can use Turf Tires in the woods but R4 Industrial Tires would be my first choice. R4s have enough tread for traction, can be driven over dry lawns without turf damage and are highly puncture resistant. R4s are also a little wider than ag tires (R1s) to support full FEL loads. Punctures on tractor tires are a more miserable experience than on cars. Must of us consider puncture resistance pretty important.

Loaded Turfs on the tractor you looked at? Well, THAT is a FIRST here.

24" X 48" logs might be doable. 16" X 48" should be easy, with ballast and LA504 loader. You did not specify the loader on the B3200. The LA_ _ _ is Kubota's lift rating in kilograms. IE: My B3300SU has the LA504 loader, in theory can lift 504 Kilograms. You could have a LA504,LA364 or LA304 loader on the B3200. You would certainly want the box blade mounted on the 3-Pt. hitch for counterbalance before making a max FEL lift attempt.

You should price a new Kubota B3300SU package. Kubota sells this with FEL/LA504, 4-WD, HST.....all up. You may find the PACKAGE considerably cheaper than pricing a B3200 + multiple options.

 

[Tobyone]

Kcender,

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insight. Yes, you are correct. The Kubota B3200 weighs 1764 lbs which is 864 lbs less than the Kubota L3200 with a weighs of 2600 Lbs. One of the reasons that I was looking at the Kubota B3200HSD was that it was sufficient size for my 3 acres and it also has a mid mount PTO for using a front mount snow blower. The Kubota L3200 is a beautiful tractor and definitely has more weight. I am not sure going to this tractor model would be the answer. Maybe I should consider another tractor such at Mahindra 3616 or the Kioti Ck30. In any event, I definitely will purchase the tractor with R-4 tires.

Thanks,

Tobyone

 

[Tobyone]

jeff9366,

I understand there are a lot of tractors on the market and from the sounds of it some others may be a better choice. I chose the Kubota B3200HSD with 504 FEL as it is 32 hp and has a mid mount PTO. I also understand that the Kubota B 3300 SU has more horse power and is a littler heavier tractor. However, this tractors does not have a mid mount PTO.

I like the bucket that you have attached to your tractor. Are you satisfied with your tractor and if you did it all over again, would you buy the same one. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and insight. What ever tractor I buy, I will definitely have R-4 loaded tires.


Tobyone

Thanks for your insight.

Tobyone

 

[TripleR]

Kcender,

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insight. Yes, you are correct. The Kubota B3200 weighs 1764 lbs which is 864 lbs less than the Kubota L3200 with a weighs of 2600 Lbs. One of the reasons that I was looking at the Kubota B3200HSD was that it was sufficient size for my 3 acres and it also has a mid mount PTO for using a front mount snow blower. The Kubota L3200 is a beautiful tractor and definitely has more weight. I am not sure going to this tractor model would be the answer. Maybe I should consider another tractor such at Mahindra 3616 or the Kioti Ck30. In any event, I definitely will purchase the tractor with R-4 tires.

Thanks,

Tobyone

May be inappropriate on a Kubota thread and I own mostly Kubotas, but I would pick the CK30 over the B3200 or B3300. I really liked the B3030, but they quit making them. The Kioti has position control 3PH and extendable lower arms, very nice features in my opinion anyway.

Look at all of them and a choice will become clear and it may be diffrent from anything any of us would get, good luck.

 

[jeff9366]

I like the bucket that you have attached to your tractor. Are you satisfied with your tractor and if you did it all over again, would you buy the same one. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and insight. What ever tractor I buy, I will definitely have R-4 loaded tires.

Bucket came standard in B3300SU package. Bolt on chain grab hooks are from Ken's Bolt On Hooks in Maryland.
The aluminum, clamp-on Debris Forks are from Payne's Forks.

I have been happy with my B3300SU, which is mostly used in the woods. I had a loaned JD/Yanmar 750/20hp on which to learn for a year before buying the B3300SU.

I have R4s. I do not have them loaded. It seems tractor newbies think they must have 1) backhoe 2) loaded tires. I try to discourage both unless the buyer is sure, SURE, SURE.

Just do not wait long if you purchase new. Kubota is about out of the Tier 3 emissions compliant models, as are other marques. Soon only Tier 4 compliant tractors will be available new at considerably higher prices than the Tier 3 models.

LINK TO "TO LOAD OR NOT TO LOAD" TIRE THREADS:

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-...5608,d.eWU&fp=b3670fc984b902&biw=1280&bih=722

 

[kcender]

Not trying to steer you in any one direction but in your original thread you mentioned how competitor's tractors were heavier.Maybe these tractors are more in the class of the L3240.It can get confusing with Kubota having so many different tractors around the same horsepower.You also mentioned wanting a mid PTO which is available as an option on the L3240.I used to own an L3240 and now own a B2620.Although the 2620 is not as able as a B3200 I can tell you there is no comparison between the L3240 and the B2620.I realize the L3240 is a lot more money but it is easy to spend someone else's money.Just something to consider.