Kubota L3430 or B7800 or B3030

[drlocolobo]

Hello Gentlemen & Ladies

I just cannot decide on the right tractor for my needs. Here's the skinny. Six acres. Back is sloped 10-20 degrees. Put new addition on house and removed about 1.5 acres of trees. Need to move alot dirt (grading, filling), take out a fair number of stumps, a few more trees, dig a few footers. Afterwards, mainly upkeep...mowing, maintenance mainly.

Afraid of buying too much tractor for long term use, or more important, not enough for heavier short-term needs.

Would really appreciate your collective expertise. Thank you in advance for any assistance.

JT

Thought for today: Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you need to criticize them, you're a mile away, and you have their shoes.

 

[drlocolobo]

One more thing. (I feel like Columbo)

I plan on adding a FEL, MMM and Backhoe. Any suggestions on this.

Thanks again

 

[riptides]

In my humble opinion, are you stuck on a MMM? You mentioned a fair amount of grading and stumping. I would think the MMM setup on that class of machine would impact your ground clearence in certain situations.

But then can you see yourself swapping out the attachments on a regular basis?

Thinking of saving some back ---- that is my train of thought.

-Mike Z.

 

[ronjhall]

For moving a lot of dirt and digging stumps. I would want the L3430. But for upkeep after those projects are done the B7800 or B3030 would be my choice. Either of the smaller tractors could do the stumps and FEL work. But will take more time.
I have dug a few stumps with my tractor (B2910, older model of the B3030) and Backhoe. Even the smaller stumps would come out a lot easier with a BH90.
If you are landscaping the place you may be able set up plant so a L3430 could do a great job of mowing the lawn.
You may want to look at this thread. Silt Happens Jim has been moving a lot of dirt and rocks with his TC45D. He claim thats a lot of work for a tractor as larger as his.

 

[Bob53]

Sounds like in the long run the B3030 would be best for you. If you're grounds are soft at times when mowing the b3030 or B7800 because of weight. The the L3430 going to move the dirt better so depends on type of ground you're working with too. Stumps, depends on you're ground too and type trees. If they are that big and ground is tough you will get more with the B3430 with bigger hoe, some you maynot get with either.

 

[drlocolobo]

Ron H

Thanks for the sound advice on the Kubotas. I have been debating the NH TC33DA. The 45DA seems to be more tractor than I could justify later.

jt

 

[drlocolobo]

Bob

I appreciate your insight. You are right on. I am expecting the bigger stumps to be a battle. I am willing to deal with a little extra hassle as a trade-off for better long-term maintenance work.

jt

 

[guyrj33]

I suggest getting a tractor for the long term work. Consider bringing in a large excavator for the stumps etc. A days work with an excavator could save a week or two with a tractor.

 

[Bob_Young]

drloco,
I've gotta agree with Guy from MA, get a machine for the long-term work and rent an excavator for the stumps and holes.

I've been going through my latest attempt to justify a Tractor/Loader/Backhoe and have come to that conclusion. I've got a bunch of stumps to remove and some drainage ditches to dig. But, I've found that the stumps and the ditches are dictating way too much about the machine I buy and the money I spend.

Nuts to that. The neighbor's kid has backhoe training and is looking for work. I'll rent the hoe for a weekend or two and let him have at it. Even without him, I'd rather learn and make my mistakes on a rental.

Not only will it get done alot faster, there will be no wear and tear on my machinery, no depreciation, no worries about bent dipperstick cylinders/oil leaks/funny noises or support issues. And after the stumps and holes are gone, there'll be no BH sitting around with a tarp over it.

Have you ever noticed how much small TLBs buck, twist and jump when on a tough digging job? It isn't what you'd call gentle treatment. Hate to see my $20K+ baby being put through that.
FWIW
Bob

 

[KubotaSteve]

I love my B-7800 on my 6.5 acres. I've got the MMM and whenever I get into heavier loader work, I take the 60" MMM off which I can do in about 5 minutes with the loader attached. I mow around 2.5 to 3 acres of what I have plus a trail system on the back of the lot and it works great. I only went with the 60" deck due to storage issues and it handles it with no problem. I went with the 7800 instead of the Deluxe versions to get more implements.
Good luck!