Comparison L3301 or B26, which is a better buy?

[rxdad2012]

2014 L3301 hydrostat with 600 hours. Includes FEL and Backhoe, also throwing in bush hog. Mostly used for field work. Seller wants 22000

2010 B26 TLB hydrostat with 275 hours, has canopy, loader & backhoe. Private owner, never used commercially. Looks brand new. Seller wants 24000

I realize there is a difference in horsepower. I currently have a 1978 Ford 2600 so Im used to around 34hp for a tractor. I mostly do some bush hogging, light gardening. And i plan to work on my land some with the backhoe, dig some pipe trenches, expand my pond, etc.

I know this is comparing oranges to oranges (sort of--and a play on kubota colors lol). And i know you should buy based on application. I do have a lot of hills on my 6 acres so extra horsepower might be nice. Also considering resale value in this equation too...

Which of these is the better buy and why?

Appreciate all the guys helping me pick up new tractor knowledge here on the forum!

 

[Roadworthy]

I would probably opt for the L3301. It is a heavier unit and more capable. I've never had a canopy so that's not a selling point to me. The perceived value of the L3301 will probably increase as I believe that one is before the EPA Tier 4 emission requirements - simpler is better in my world. Of course saving $2000 comes into play there, too. I also feel the B series severely limits the size brush hog you can use due to its weight. Just be sure whichever you buy to get the three point arms. You'll need them when you remove the backhoe and go to brush hogging.

 

[rxdad2012]

I would probably opt for the L3301. It is a heavier unit and more capable. I've never had a canopy so that's not a selling point to me. The perceived value of the L3301 will probably increase as I believe that one is before the EPA Tier 4 emission requirements - simpler is better in my world. Of course saving $2000 comes into play there, too. I also feel the B series severely limits the size brush hog you can use due to its weight. Just be sure whichever you buy to get the three point arms. You'll need them when you remove the backhoe and go to brush hogging.

All good points. I appreciate the input. I just discovered the Loader on the B26 units are not removable so that also helped me a little. There may be times when I would need to remove that due to tight quarters.

 

[dusty3030]

I would probably opt for the L3301. It is a heavier unit and more capable. I've never had a canopy so that's not a selling point to me. The perceived value of the L3301 will probably increase as I believe that one is before the EPA Tier 4 emission requirements - simpler is better in my world. Of course saving $2000 comes into play there, too. I also feel the B series severely limits the size brush hog you can use due to its weight. Just be sure whichever you buy to get the three point arms. You'll need them when you remove the backhoe and go to brush hogging.

The B26 is a commercial / construction grade machine.

The L3301 is the new series with DPF. The only thing the 3301 is more capable of is in PTO horsepower. Otherwise the B26 is way more rugged than a L3301.

 

[rxdad2012]

The B26 is a commercial / construction grade machine.

The L3301 is the new series with DPF. The only thing the 3301 is more capable of is in PTO horsepower. Otherwise the B26 is way more rugged than a L3301.

Thanks, Dusty. I see you are using larger tractors, one of which is a Kioti. What's your impression of those? I can get a 2020 Kioti Ck3510 HST with loader and backhoe for 28,500 out the door from my local dealer

 

[RickB]

If the B26 has a QA front bucket that would give you at least as much maneuverability as an L3301 without a loader. An L3301 less loader will get plenty light in the front with any significant amount of weight on the 3pt.

 

[dusty3030]

Thanks, Dusty. I see you are using larger tractors, one of which is a Kioti. What's your impression of those? I can get a 2020 Kioti Ck3510 HST with loader and backhoe for 28,500 out the door from my local dealer

If you are looking for a backhoe I'd get the Kubota B26.

 

[rxdad2012]

If you are looking for a backhoe I'd get the Kubota B26.

Thanks. I assume the Front bucket on the B26 has the skid steer type quick removal? Is it ever necessary to full remove a front end loader from a tractor like the B26? Thanks for all the help

 

[RickB]

Thanks. I assume the Front bucket on the B26 has the skid steer type quick removal? Is it every necessary to full remove a front end loader from a tractor like the B26? Thanks for all the help

Assume nothing. A 10 year old tractor could well have a pin on bucket. That is why when I broached the subject I said IF.

 

[Captain Dirty]

All good points. I appreciate the input. I just discovered the Loader on the B26 units are not removable so that also helped me a little. There may be times when I would need to remove that due to tight quarters.

The L45 TLB I have is the B26's mid-sized brother. I have never had to remove the FEL. The FEL bucket on my machine is SSQA but I have never dropped the bucket for maneuvering. In tight spots I have raised the FEL bucket to its max height to reduce the length of the tractor. If I were to face a spot so tight the L45, let alone a B26, would not fit, I would probably be thinking hand labor.

I do not know if the B26 has an easily removable FEL bucket; I do not know if your "tight quarters" would preclude raising the bucket.

 

[rxdad2012]

The L45 TLB I have is the B26's mid-sized brother. I have never had to remove the FEL. The FEL bucket on my machine is SSQA but I have never dropped the bucket for maneuvering. In tight spots I have raised the FEL bucket to its max height to reduce the length of the tractor. If I were to face a spot so tight the L45, let alone a B26, would not fit, I would probably be thinking hand labor.

I do not know if the B26 has an easily removable FEL bucket; I do not know if your "tight quarters" would preclude raising the bucket.

Thanks, Captain!

Can anyone else think of reasons one might need to fully remove a FEL?

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have a similar year B26 and it is plenty capable of mowing with a 5 or even 6 foot bush hog. As has been said, it is a commercial grade machine weighing in at 4001 pounds with the hoe and FEL. It does have QA FEL but the arms are semi-permanently attached. You would have to remove the entire subframe to remove the FEL. The tractor is so short that you can do just about anything in any place without removing even the FEL bucket but it is quickly removed if needed.
If you go to the Kubota build your own and do a comparison between a B26 and your other option, (new tractors) I think you will quickly see which one is a bargain. The B26 is going to be in the $40K range. That "canopy" is not just a sunshade on it. That is a 4 post full roll over, fall protection system. The one drawback is that it doesnt fold down like a ROPS would on a homeowner grade of tractor.

I use my B26 all the time for pushing trash, digging holes, trenching, hauling dirt, cleaning up storm damage, lots of other stuff. I never take the back hoe off since I have zero turn for mowing and a larger tractor for bush hogging. The previous owner of my B26 pulled a 5 foot bush hog with it easily.
I just did a Kubota build your own B26 based on what my has, (QA FEL bucket, QA backhoe bucket, hydraulic thumb-this accessory is highly recommended, industrial tires, drawbar, 3 point hitch. Price came out to just under $42K.

 

[rScotty]

Thanks, Captain!

Can anyone else think of reasons one might need to fully remove a FEL?

My experience is that I never did remove any of my QA FELs - but I swap SSQA buckets all the time.

All the B26s come stock with a 2 lever manual SSQA type FEL bucket attachment. The L3301 has SSQA optional ($500) on their little loader and std. on the larger one. SSQA is real handy and getting to be standard on lots of equipment. Get it if you can. There is an option for a hydraulic SSQA on the B26 with front accessory hydraulics but I just have the manual 2 lever type and it's easy enough to work.

Right now I manually swap between three different front buckets when working down by our creek. Since the TLB has front accessory hydraulics I do keep dreaming of a 4n1 bucket - but so far it's just a "someday maybeso".

The last three tractors we've had before the Kubota TLB have all had quick change FELs but not SSQA. That's nice in theory, but taking off even a QA FEL is just enough more work to do than just removing an SSQA bucket that I never actually did remove any of my QA FELs. Even when I might have appreciated not having the loader in the way. Compare that with changing aSSQA bucket which takes about two minutes total, and I think that's the way to go - probably because I do it all the time.

 

[rxdad2012]

I have a similar year B26 and it is plenty capable of mowing with a 5 or even 6 foot bush hog. As has been said, it is a commercial grade machine weighing in at 4001 pounds with the hoe and FEL. It does have QA FEL but the arms are semi-permanently attached. You would have to remove the entire subframe to remove the FEL. The tractor is so short that you can do just about anything in any place without removing even the FEL bucket but it is quickly removed if needed.
If you go to the Kubota build your own and do a comparison between a B26 and your other option, (new tractors) I think you will quickly see which one is a bargain. The B26 is going to be in the $40K range. That "canopy" is not just a sunshade on it. That is a 4 post full roll over, fall protection system. The one drawback is that it doesnt fold down like a ROPS would on a homeowner grade of tractor.

I use my B26 all the time for pushing trash, digging holes, trenching, hauling dirt, cleaning up storm damage, lots of other stuff. I never take the back hoe off since I have zero turn for mowing and a larger tractor for bush hogging. The previous owner of my B26 pulled a 5 foot bush hog with it easily.
I just did a Kubota build your own B26 based on what my has, (QA FEL bucket, QA backhoe bucket, hydraulic thumb-this accessory is highly recommended, industrial tires, drawbar, 3 point hitch. Price came out to just under $42K.

Great info, Gary! Much appreciated. Ive noticed that the B26 is usually significantly higher in price, likely meaning higher durability and longevity.

It seems most user on the forum lean toward the B26 vs the other options Ive presented. Since I have way less experience with tractors, I am definitely taking notes!

 

[rxdad2012]

My experience is that I never did remove any of my QA FELs - but I swap SSQA buckets all the time.

All the B26s come stock with a 2 lever manual SSQA type FEL bucket attachment. The L3301 has SSQA optional ($500) on their little loader and std. on the larger one. SSQA is real handy and getting to be standard on lots of equipment. Get it if you can. There is an option for a hydraulic SSQA on the B26 with front accessory hydraulics but I just have the manual 2 lever type and it's easy enough to work.

Right now I manually swap between three different front buckets when working down by our creek. Since the TLB has front accessory hydraulics I do keep dreaming of a 4n1 bucket - but so far it's just a "someday maybeso".

The last three tractors we've had before the Kubota TLB have all had quick change FELs but not SSQA. That's nice in theory, but taking off even a QA FEL is just enough more work to do than just removing an SSQA bucket that I never actually did remove any of my QA FELs. Even when I might have appreciated not having the loader in the way. Compare that with changing aSSQA bucket which takes about two minutes total, and I think that's the way to go - probably because I do it all the time.

Thanks, Scotty! Your insight has been great during all these conversations!

 

[Tomtint]

I have a L3700SU which is about the same size as the L you are looking at..I have never removed the loader arms and have had the tractor 8 or so years.. It has the ssqa on the front so I just drop the bucket if I'm in tight areas. And that may have only been a few times in all this time. If I had to choose between my tractor and a B26..I would take the B26.. Its more powerful and built like a tank

 

[rxdad2012]

I have a L3700SU which is about the same size as the L you are looking at..I have never removed the loader arms and have had the tractor 8 or so years.. It has the ssqa on the front so I just drop the bucket if I'm in tight areas. And that may have only been a few times in all this time. If I had to choose between my tractor and a B26..I would take the B26.. Its more powerful and built like a tank

Thanks for the info, Tom!