L2800 vs. B2630

GSP9 · Mar 14, 2006

I just found this website and it has been a big help. I currently own a BX2200 with a FEL and 60" MMM. I am looking to upgrade to either the L2800 HST or B2630. I have approximately 20 acres that are a combination of 3 acres of lawn and the rest fields. I have decided on a rear mount finish mower for the lawn. Some of the fields will be planted with cover and food for pheasants, so the 3 pt. hitch will be used quite a bit. Any thoughts on which tractor might do a better job. Both quotes I got were within about $500 of one another so price is not that much of a factor since they are so close. I guess I am drawn to the 2800 HST due to it being a little bit bigger and more power. But some of the things that the B2630 offer that interest me are the 3 pt. hitch position control and the independant PTO. Are these features that important or not? Plus, is the 2800 HST 2WD/4WD or is it in 4WD all the time? Thanks.

wushaw · Mar 14, 2006

I have a L2800HST, It has Position control just like the B2630.
The L2800 has a clutch pedal for engaging the PTO where the B2630 does not have a clutch pedal, I would guess on certain applications this would make someone a little leery like post hole digging.
For what your doing there shouldn't be a problem with either style.
The L2800HST can only be purchased in 4wd which is selectable between 2wd and 4wd.
The L2800 is obviously a bigger tractor and weighs more than 800lbs than the B2630 and with less frills than the B2630 which is just perfect for me but maybe not someone else.

Av8r3400 · Mar 14, 2006

I just went through the same process and settled on the L3400 shuttle shift (rather than the hydro). In my area it was the same price (within $100) of the L2800 Hydro. I wanted more PTO horsepower for use with a brush hog and 72" finish mower.

Not to muddy the water further for you, but, try one of these shuttles. It's not as bad as everyone seems to think, plus you get more of the engine's HP to the PTO. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Also, please fill out your profile so we know more about you and your uses of the tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

GSP9 · Mar 15, 2006

Thanks for the help. I must have missed the 2WD/4WD selector on the tractor that's why I assumed it might be just 4WD. I thought about the shuttle shift but I use the FEL quite a bit and I'm so used to the Hydro on my BX 2200 that it's hard to give up. I have also considered a bachhoe for one of these units. Any opinions on which one? Should I stick with Kubota or possibly one of the Woods units. Thanks

Henro · Mar 15, 2006

GSP9,

You won't get that much for your BX if you trade it in, and probably not get as much as it is worth to you if you sell it outright.

How about keeping it for the 3 acres of grass, and buying a second tractor for the other work you want to do?

With 20 acres you could do well with a larger tractor Like the L3430, or the L3400, or whatever.

Personally, I REALLY like having a BX sitting there with the MMM on it, along with a larger tractor with backhoe for other chores... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

If you can swing it $ wise, you might want to consider keeping the BX. Works for me! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

chuckhole · Mar 15, 2006

I looked at the B series when I originally bought 11.5 acres and everybody said go bigger than what you want because you will wish you had later on so I bought the L2800. I have driven stick all my live so no problem with the clutch. And your haudralics aren't taken for the HST so you get all of your power. Also, the 4WD makes a big difference. Since buying another 25 acres when the back section came up for sale, I am soooo glad I went with the L series. The only implement I haven't bought yet that I really, really want is the backhoe and it will be a Kubota. When it comes to matching the hydraulics, I believe that the FEL and the Backhoe should both be Kubota.

We also bought the Kubota RTV9000. It is HST and I love it but I am quite happy with the Shuttle on the L.

canoetrpr · Mar 15, 2006

With 20 acres you can hardly go wrong going bigger.

For mowing the B series has an advantage in that it lighter. Probably hard to find a better all round machine than the B series to do things which include a lot of mowing.

That said the economy L series (3400 and 2800) don't weigh THAT much more than the B - more yes - but nothing like the Grand L. So with turfs you likely will not have much of a problem with mowing there as well. It sounds you application is pretty evenly distributed between mowing and other things which makes the economy L look better to me.

The L will probably be a better buy for the rest of the chores. I like the bigger frame of the L series. If you had small spaces to work in then the B would be a clear winner. If not, go for a larger frame.

With the amount of land that you have I would seriously consider upping the choice to between the L3400 and B3030. I don't think you will regret the extra hp at the PTO. It might be the difference in comfortably running slightly larger implements. In all likelyhood you will keep this machine for a LONG time so don't skimp here. If you do ever trade in or sell, the extra pto hp will add to the selling price more than any other feature.

What you will be missing in the 2800/3400 L series vs. the B2630 and B3030 is a few of the luxuries that come standard with the B. It is all personal choice as to the importance you will place on these.

Nice machines to be picking from - good luck.

GSP9 · Mar 15, 2006

Thanks for the help. Just what are these "luxuries" that the B2630 & B3030 have and are they really worth the extra money. I haven't used any rear implements on my BX2200 so I'm really at a loss for what "luxuries" can do for you as far as the 3 pt. hitch is concerned. So if you guys have any examples for me I'm willing to listen. I have considered the L3400 HST but of course you have to draw the line somewhere. Especially if I want to get the backhoe. The funny thing is, just three years ago I was shopping for garden tractors and when I finally decided on the BX2200 I thought it was overkill. I really believe that the BX2200 will be able to do the things I plan on doing (especially with all of the implements you can get for them now) but it will be just a little undersized and it will take me longer. Plus, I don't want to beat the thing now and have problems down the road. That's why it is time to upgrade. Another interesting note, I stopped by the dealership tonight after they closed, and they had a B7800 and a B3030 side by side. Those two tractors seem almost identical as far as size. When I got my quotes, the B7800 was $1,000 less than the B2630. So I'm not sure how much more the B3030 would be but the extra money has to be in the "luxuries". I still think the L2800 HST is my favorite but I'm just curious what the luxuries are when you buy a B2630 or B3030.

canoetrpr · Mar 15, 2006

Some of the luxuries... there probably are more:

- Tilt steering wheel.
- Very comfy seat - although I think the 3400 seat is nice enough for me.
- Telescoping 3pt hitch arms - this would sure be nice to have. I plan on adding a Pat's easy change or another quick hitch though so it may well be moot if you go that route.

I know you've got to draw the line somewhere. I've just been there :- ). Dollar for dollar the value you will get from stepping up from the 2800 to the 3400 is worth it IMHO. If you bargain hard I bet you will fiind very little price difference between the two as I bet the dealers move more L3400's than they do L2800 and anything sold in larger volumes, they can probably make a smaller margin on.

Case in point - they dealer I made a deal with for my L3400HST had the L3400HST sitting in a crate. No other deal he could make me (I tried on a L3130) could touch the deal he was offering me on the L3400HST. It made all the difference that he already had the tractor in a crate on his lot.

Think of the extra thousand bucks or so as being put under the pillow. I BET you will get the whole difference back in ten years if you sell or upgrade. The range between a 30 and 40 hp tractor is a sweet spot in my opinion because it can handle a reasonable size acerage and not be too much tractor even if you have just a few acres.

Get that L3400 for the thousand bucks or so and give up coffee for a couple of years!. You will have the coffee back after a couple of years and 6 extra hp for the next 25 years!

Whatever you decide - all the best