Price Check Looking to beat a B21 in features and price.

BigWilly · Nov 11, 2004

My father has been talked into buying a B21 by a friend. He's wanted a CUT for quite a while now, but this has seemed to push him over the edge.

My only concern is that the B21 is not the best tractor for his requirements. What he is looking for is a smallish, moderately light weight tractor with a backhoe and a FEL, basically to dig holes and move earth around on his property, but the daily to expand its capabilities later would be an asset.. From what I understand the B21 is a purpose built construction machine, not suited for the "toy" end of the market. When we were at the dealer (he didn't have any B21s in stock), he showed us an L3430 with a backhoe and front end loader. I liked the L3430 very much, it probably as big as he would want, and it looked like it would be much more versatile than the B21.

In terms of price, what could he get thats similarly priced to the B21, but more of a versatile, larger tractor. I don't think he really needs added ruggedness of the B21, compared to any other of kubota's line.

Thanks for you time and sorry for the lengthy post! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Henro · Nov 11, 2004

The B21 is a heavy duty small tractor about the same size as the B7800, B2910 or the new B3030.

If I remember correctly the loader does not come off. I think also that the PTO hp is pretty low, but I don't remember exactly how low. You could check the specs at the Kubota site.

The L3430 is a step larger in size. I don't think there is a direct comparison between the two tractors. My guess is that the L3430 might be more comparable to the L35, or the new version of it.

The key difference in my mind with the B21 is not being able to take the loader off. If the tractor is to be used for "tractoring" as compared to construction type work, either the new B3030 or the L3x30 series might be a better fit. Having the ability take the loader off is valuable sometimes.

The B3030 with the new BH75 backhoe is a nice machine that is about the same size as the B21. It would also be a little cheaper than the B21.

The L3430 with the BH90 back is even better, if a step larger machine will work.

If I were not in need of the heavy duty aspect of the B21 or L35 type tractor, I would look very seriously at the L3430/BH90...

It all comes down to what the exact needs are though... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

BigWilly · Nov 11, 2004

( If I were not in need of the heavy duty aspect of the B21 or L35 type tractor, I would look very seriously at the L3430/BH90...

It all comes down to what the exact needs are though... )

I think thats exactly what I wanted to hear. What's the difference in terms of price for a backhoe and FEL on the L3X30 and the B21? I've scowerd the Internet for a while, and I can't seem to come up with anything concrete.

Henro · Nov 11, 2004

What's the difference in terms of price for a backhoe and FEL on the L3X30 and the B21? 

Hopefully someone who know today's prices might chime in...I am not in the market myself today so I am not up to speed on prices.

That being said, I would almost be willing to bet that that a L3430 with BH90 backhoe would be in the ballpark with the B21 on price. Might even come in cheaper.

And it would offer more PTO HP than the B21, more weight, and so on. Now if weight is an issue, the B3030 would certainly be worth considering. I have a B2910 and it is a real work horse...for my personal needs. Not use commercially. Just lots of hours on 3.7 acres. The B3030 would be as good or better, probably better...backhoe mounts better...

The best way to get an idea on price is to ask the local dealers. If you get several quotes, that should give you a pretty good idea. You can also get quotes from dealers willing to ship to you. Shipping adds cost, but possible sales tax savings may offset those costs. On a large purchase there is risk though. Your are likely required to pay some kind of tax regardless of whether you purchase in state or out of state...

v8dave · Nov 12, 2004

I'm a fan of B21s. If you can't convince your dad to get a L-series tractor. Don't be too concerned he is buying a turkey.

I'll offer two points here, why a B21 is good and why a L-series Backhoe might be better.

As you and Henro note the B21 is purpose built for construction and rental yards. They are nearly indestructable. As my dealer said: "It is built like a tank." Think of it as a landscape work tractor--digging holes and moving dirt. If you want to plow fields a L series would be better.

The B21 loader does not come off easily. It is intended to be mounted all the time. The loader brackets are part of the falling object protection (FOPS) system/canopy. The backhoe does come off easily and quickly. With the BH off, the tractor can accept cat 1, three point hitch accessories. If a mower is needed it will have to a rear mower. I liked the single seat for both the tractor and backhoe. I like it even more now that I have a tractor with a seat for each.

The low engine and PTO power does not seem to limit the utility of the whole tractor package--it is a real work horse. The B21 is compact and appeared to me to have a fairly low center off gravity--be less likely to roll over than the bigger L series tractors in steep terrain. And, if it did the FOPS/ROPS looks like a NASCAR roll cage.

The B21 has an absolutely stellar resale value, of course it has a high initial price. And, for that higher price you can get a bigger L series as Henro outlined.

I'm sure Henro would agree, a bigger backhoe would be nice to have. The B21 backhoe, while powerful for its size, has a small reach and digging depth. I don't miss the power, or depth too much, but the short reach is a real pain. Resetting the tractor to continue digging gets old after a while. In this, size does matter. If your dad is really going to do much digging, the longer reach backhoe can dig more from each spot--is the point to sell the L series tractor on. Not so trivially, a bigger loader bucket comes on the L also--moves more dirt per load. Get the bigger backhoe and bigger bucket when choosing from the L-series option list.

sherpa · Nov 12, 2004

I have a B20 which is the older version of the B21 and I love it. The backhoe comes off easily. I use it like a tractor. I mow with it, use a large 6 foot grader blade, 6' box blade and 4' pulveriser. It does it all. It uses no fuel! I mow my neighbors yard and its full of tight places and the little B20 is wonderful. Its size is even better when you start digging with the backhoe in tight places such as drain lines close to houses etc. I fixed many driveways that were washed out this year. I pull large trees that have fallen and use them for firewood. It really is a serious piece of equipment.
Sherpa

srs · Nov 12, 2004

( I have a B2910 The B3030 would be as good or better, probably better...backhoe mounts better...)

Henro, Watch, next year you'll be parking the new B3030 cab tractor with quick attach backhoe in your garage. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

MarkV · Nov 13, 2004

BigWilly,

I have a B21 with 1100 trouble free hours that I use for everything on a 32 acre tract of land. Great machine, nearly indestructible, very maneuverable and surprisingly powerful for a 21 hp tractor. It runs a rotary mower, tiller, rear blade, box blade, landscape rake, log splitter and a few other things with out problem. I would recommend the B21 to anyone who is looking for a “heavy duty” small TLB and don’t think there is anything else on the market that can match it in this size range.

That being said, it is pricey and for home use I would certainly consider other models in the Kubota line. You can get into the L series tractors in the same price range but I am not sure they meet the “moderately light weight” tractor your Dad wants. You also didn’t mention how much land it will be used on and the L series will not be as maneuverable in tight areas as the B21 if that is a concern. Henro’s suggestion of the new 3030 or 2910 would be a good place to look. To me their big advantage over the B21 is PTO horsepower. The B21 only has 13.5 PTO hp which limits you to a 4’ rotary mower and my 4’ tiller works my tractor harder than anything I use when doing our Georgia red clay. Personally I don’t miss not being able to remove the loader but I do not finish mow with the tractor. I would miss the 4 point roll bar with metal canopy, FOPS, which has saved me several times in the woods from falling branches. I would also miss the sloped hood and extra strong hydraulics of the B21.

Guess it all boils down to needing to look at all of them and seeing what trips your trigger. Don’t worry though. If your Dad gets the B21 you will not be disappointed and as V8Dave said they have a tremendous resale value because you can’t find used ones, they don’t break so nobody sells them.

MarkV