L2800

Longson · Nov 5, 2004

Well, I'm a newbe here. Just signed up, and I am looking at new tractors. I'm looking at new because all I can find used is JUNK. I have 20ac in Utah that I am going to start to play with. Septic, trenches for water lines, underground utilities, planting small trees. ETC,ETC, ETC...You all know the drill...I am going to need a tractor. I stopped by my local Kubota dealer and was very impressed with what I saw. Not being made of money, I still need to buy right the first time. This will allow me to keep my happy home as well. Anyone had to convince the wife???

Anyway, I think I will need a loader, box scraper and a backhoe. The BX2300 looks like the combination I will need and is in the price range (quoted $15.9k w/o scraper)...but is it too small. I REALLY like the L2800 for the size, but it has a clutch and standard transmission. This doesn't really bother me, but a HST would really be alot nicer. My question at this point is...is a BX going to be too small and will I wish I would have got a L2800. How well do these small units perform moving dirt and never mowing a lawn. Is the backhoe just a toy, or can it really perform. Will I be better off going a little larger. Does anybody rent crystal balls???

I know this is all going to be subjective but just give me your gut feelings.

Thanks in advance, Paul...

Attached is a pic of my ugly mug...

Bird · Nov 5, 2004

Paul, the BX can do the job, but it'll be slower. Strictly my personal opinion, but I think you'd regret buying it and want to trade up very soon. But I also understand that sometimes we have to settle for a little less than the ideal for budgetary reasons. And the BX would certainly be much better than no tractor.

Bob_Young · Nov 5, 2004

Hp, size and weight mean more than convenience. They all increase the range of jobs your tractor will handle. To handle jobs is why you're buying the tractor, right? A tradeoff between a small tractor with HST and a larger gear tractor is a no-brainer when the smaller tractor may not be adequate for your needs. Get the bigger tractor. How convenient is it to use an HST yet take twice or three times as long to do the job?

Keep in mind that gear tractors were virtually all that was available up until the late 70's. They're tough, economical, relatively easy to fix and, once you get the feel of yours, not hard to use. I think you'd be very happy with an L2800; happier still with an L3400.

Keep it simple.

Longson · Nov 6, 2004

Well, now I have been convinced that that a L3400 is probably my best choice, what is a good honest "street price" for a L3400 with a FEL and a box scraper. I will probably have to forgo a backhoe for now, but what are they worth off the top of your head??

Paul...

familyman · Nov 6, 2004

While our properties are different, our needs are very similar.
About 7 months ago, I picked up an L2800 with the FEL and a 6.5 foot backhoe. I've been digging around my house to run a drainline for my basement and waterproof its walls. I've also been reshaping the surface of my property to redirect water flow and have 75 hrs on the machine. I think I can offer you some useful insights.
For these purposes, if I could start over and rethink my purchase, I'd go bigger. More hp, more hydraulics, more weight, bigger backhoe. Why? Time. I first considered the BX2300, but I'd have no where near as much done as I do now had I gone with that choice. And I still wish I'd gone bigger. Not that the L2800 isn't performing well; to the contrary, it's a great machine that I can't find fault with. But a larger Kubota (or other brand) would get more work done in a given time period, with less effort on my part. Also, the gear trans works great, but hydro would really speed things up.
Skip the BX, the L2800 would be better, but larger would be best. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

thcri · Nov 7, 2004

I think with 20 ac's the BX is small and you will be like me and kicking yourself for buying too small. I bought a New Holland TC21D and ended up taking it back a year later in trade for a TC29D. The BX will do the work but will take a lot longer. Sitting on a tractor is fun but there is other things to do in life also. I would tend to go for the larger tractor if you have the funds. The Kubota L2800 is a good tractor and I think it will fit the bill. But take some advice and look around. There is other manufactures out there. Go out and try them all out even if your heart is set on the Kubota. Even if you really like the dealer check out the others. I probable will get slammed for saying that on a Kubota forum but this way at least you won't have any second thoughts after you buy.

murph

aardvark · Nov 7, 2004

My BX23 works great on two acres, but on twenty acres, I think it would be too small. If I had twenty acres, I'd buy two machines. One machine similar to a Kubota L48 or John Deere 310 or Ford 555 or something, and a zero turn mower. I'd buy the TLB used, and I see them used in the equipment trader pretty regularly for under $25k. The mower I'd probably buy new when I got the point where I needed it.

I do know what you are talking about regarding buying used. Most all the used small tractors I looked at were just junk with a crappy paint job to make it look nice. The couple thousand dollar savings over buying new wasn't worth it. I started off with an $8k budget for a used machine, went up to a $10k budget, then more, then I decided to just buy a new one. I can't afford a new "big" tractor like the L48 or JD or NH equivalents.

vulcan101 · Nov 11, 2004

i am also a relative new member but i bought the L2800 about 3 months ago to work 28acres and after a lot of comparing i feel this tractor has performed every task i have asked of it.sure there are larger fancier tractors with more gadgets to make your work easier but i couldn't find a one size does all things tractor available so i went with the L2800 and have been very satisfied.besides after your purchase there is always some new piece of equipment your gonna want to buy and with the L2800 you have some change left over for it.