kubota dilemma

son69 · May 17, 2009

Hello, I am requesting the help of TBN to help me make a decision on a new Kubota. A little back ground on my situation. I have 3 acres of which i want to clear 1 acre to build a barn/workshop. I also own a lawn mowing business. I have access to a full size backhoe which i will use to do the heavy work on my project. What i am looking for is input on what would be a good size tractor to use for the finish work, some landscaping, and to use in my business (hauling mulch, stone, fill, planting trees and bushes.etc). I would like a tractor that could carry a decent size loader, and a backhoe if needed, but also be turf friendly. I don't see many powered implements being used right now, but maybe a mower or tiller in the future. I like the size of the l3400 and the options on the grand l's, are they too big? would they dig up a lawn? and i don't know if the b's are too small. Any input would be great, or what model you think would best suite my needs. thanks

powerstroke444e · May 18, 2009

If you are going to use it for landscaping the L-series would be very helpful with the landscaping as it will load a larger truck than the b series, but a B3200 with a backhoe would also handle a backhoe and still be easy to handle. I would play/work with both size tractors and find the one that almost to big as a year from now you will wish it was bigger.

rpraymond · May 18, 2009

Both the L or B series would work for you. Some other factors you want to consider are; What size trailer you want to haul? The L would need a larger, heavier one. Also, what size yards would you mostly be working on? If you need to get into tighter areas then the B would be easier to work with. Hope this helps.

easygo · May 18, 2009

It sounds like you would want a lighter footprint which points toward the B3200. But!!! If you tend to take on large jobs where you start from scratch with more room to move around and larger machines leaving marks is no big deal go with the L or Grand-L. However. If most of your jobs involve fixing or redoing part of an established landscaped property/front yard the B3200 would be a better choice. The B is 1000lbs lighter to begin with and is more nimble. The L will do heavy work easier. The loader on the B maxes out around 850lbs but it will load a 1 ton truck. The L3400 will pick up about 1000lbs. Sounds like you will want turf tires to begin with.

JOHNTHOMAS · May 18, 2009

Since you have access to a full sized backhoe for heavy jobs then the B is my recommendation. I've bought 8 Kubotas in the past 5 years so my opinion is that you can go to big. I did for my needs. I had an L3240HST for 1 year and traded it forward/backward to a B3200 last month. Money should not be the determining factor since there is not always alot of price difference between two properly equiped Kubota tractors. When you try to work a machine that is to big for your needs you get over the "bigger is better" mentality pretty quick. The big difference between most of the Kubotas is ground clearance and weight. The L was to heavy for my 7000 lb dual axle 16' trailor but it will haul my BX, B and F easily and much safer. The B's are a great size with sufficent power and ground clearance. The L's are Grand for flat land work or farming. The L had my legs

clinched on hillsides.

LD1 · May 18, 2009

I would recomend the 3400...mainly because that's what I have and what you are describing, it would be great at it. I tend to wish I had a bigger tractor when doing heavy dirt work or cutting firewood etc, but then It would be harder to mow my lawn.

The B3200 is about 800lbs lighter @ ~1700lbs
The 3400 is about 2500lbs
The grand L's are about 800lbs heavier @ ~3200lbs on up.

That is the weight of the tractors only, loader and implements add more to that. I mow my yard with ag tires and don't have any problems. If you go turfs or r-4's, that would be even better for you.

I think the grand L's are just too big for what you describe. Take a good look at the specs of the b3200 and l3400 and then try them out and see which one fits your needs. I think if you use the bucket a lot to move stone, landscaping bricks, mulch, etc you would want the 3400. If you plan on doing any loading too, keep in mind that the l3400 has about 10" more lift height too.

As you can tell, I am a little biased, but in all seriousness, study the specs, and then take them for a test drive, and buy the one you think best suits your needs.

art · May 18, 2009

With the large backhoe already being covered you might even look at the BX series to get you into the tight places. They also make quite a few attachments that might be nice depending on where you are at with your landscaping business.

KeithInSpace · May 18, 2009

Not sure if the BX would be too small, but with access to a large machine already, I'd definitely be thinking toward smaller rather than larger. Specifically, if you're using it for landscaping efforts, you'd want something to minimize damage to turf when constructing patios or mulching beds. A smaller B machine can move MUCHO mulch and still be very nimble.

I love my BX, but it has certain inherent limitations such as ground clearance, lack of FEL lift height, and other little things. I'd LOVE to be able to clean-jerk 1,000 to 1,200# with the FEL, and I'd love to feel more comfortable operating on side-slopes with the FEL attached...a couple of items that a B machine would start addressing.

But if you already have big, small is good.

devildog1 · May 18, 2009

My choice would be the B3200 TLB, But of course that's what I have and It is quite the ratio of power and nimbleness in a mid size tractor. I do believe that it will do all you have specified without a breaking a stride.But to be fair the BX Series TLB are great and capable tractors. I own a BX23TLB and I have to tell you this tractor can do it all! I was and still amazed how powerful this BX is, and just remember one good point, It will not leave a lawn all torn up like the B3200 0r the L3400 will do. The B3200 or the L3400 with a loader and backhoe weighs in at over 400olbs, run that over a finished lawn quite a few times and guess what? Maybe the Bx series is what you need?
DevilDog