Buying Advice Need some advice before I buy...'please'

[John Mclain]

Hi everyone,
Exc informative forum, for a soon to be first tractor owner.
I have a question for you vested, experienced experts.
Pros and Cons on two models, the difference in price is only about 7K.

The 3030 Cab and the 3240 Cab.

Looking at the specs, the extra money looks to be mostly for extra weight and size, is there anything else I may be missing?

The 3030 I have a quote for 22.5 and the 3240 at $29.5. both with FEL.

I will be using the new machine mostly for moving soft material, possible grass cutting.
Future snow blowing or plowing, post hole digging, and light Back Hoe work.

Thanks!

 

[Willl]

You look familiar.

 

[amigauser]

The 3030 Cab and the 3240 Cab.

Looking at the specs, the extra money looks to be mostly for extra weight and size, is there anything else I may be missing?

The 3030 I have a quote for 22.5 and the 3240 at $29.5. both with FEL.

I will be using the new machine mostly for moving soft material, possible grass cutting.
Future snow blowing or plowing, post hole digging, and light Back Hoe work.

Thanks!

I have the B3030hsdcc cab model and I have been happy with it. If you are definately going to mow with it, lighter is better and the B3030 cab with the mid mount mower is a nice all around machine. It has some of the highest horsepower available for its size and weight. It is also relatively compact in size. It is a nice homeowner tractor which is how I use mine. I have the kubota front quick hitch with Kubota 6 foot hydraulic front blade and it works great for snow. Kubota also offers a nice front snowblower for it.

If you are sure that you will not be mowing with the tractor, the Grand L 3240 has the newer HST PLus with auto throttle and Stall Guard. Makes loader work a little easier. It also offers the LA724 front end loader which can lift almost double what the LA403 loader on the B3030 can lift (probably not an issue for your use). The Grand Cab is supposed to be much quieter than the B3030 cab. It is definately a much larger and heavier tractor than the B3030.

If I had to do it over, I would probably get the Grand L40 myself. I was new to tractors when I purchased mine to and I had planned on mowing with it. I ended up getting a dedicated mowing machine so I use my B3030 for mostly loader work. The Grand L40 is a much nicer machine for that use.

 

[davitk]

Hey bruce, you have got to look at the two tractors side by side to understand the difference, it is virtually the size difference between a compact pickup and full sized. That said, the 3030 fills the light weight/high hp niche that is extremely useful around the house and in between landscaping. I have the 3240 and it is often too tall, too heavy, or too wide for what I want to do around SWMBO's "flowers" , but you'd have to pry it from my cold fingers to get me to trade.

Welcome, and have fun shopping!

 

[texasjohn]

John, I just had to say WELCOME to TBN... and, hope you share your tractor experiences with us... photos and all... and, I think you spell your name..almost right I guess it's good there is a difference, else we would get confused!

 

[SCtractorguy]

I have the L3240 hst+ and really am impressed. (non-cab) It is quite heavy to use for lawn mowing, I have the R4's that can wrinkle the lawn if I turn tight. The turf tires may be better.
I ended up getting a BX2230 for mowing use. The L3240 is just great for all the other work around the place. Not much snow to move around here .

Best!

 

[Evil the Weasel]

The Kubota backhoe is not compatible with the B3030 cab. There is a Woods model that will work with it however. I expect the same situation applies to the 3240 but am not positive.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

If the price difference is not a problem and space limitations for the larger machine are not a problem, I suspect you would never regret having more horsepower, more hydraulic capacity etc.

The 3240 is similar in weight to the JD 3X20 series - approx 300 lbs more depending on config. I have Turf's on my JD-OS and quite often mow with the FEL and BH still attached. Total weight including the MMM would be in the 5400 Lb. range. In my case, turf damage is minimal - mostly hards turns in 4WD. Compaction appears to be minimal.

The 3240 cab is around 3,700 lbs. On the JD forum there are some with 3X20-Cab and MMM/Turfs who are pleased with mowing performance - weight not a major negative factor.

 

[Crash101]

The more I read of what you intend to do with the tractor the more i believe I would be considering the B3030. Moving soft material. grass cutting, snow blowing/plowing, and light backhoe work might all be performed better with a lighter, smaller tractor. Even though you applied the word "only" to a 7,000 dollar savings, it's still 7,000 dollars that would go a long way toward the purchase and installation of the back hoe. No one can tell you what is best for you, but I'm pretty sure if I needed something to do what you describe I'd spend a long time looking at the B3030, if indeed Woods makes a backhoe that would work on the cab model.
I have an L2800 with the front loader and backhoe and find sometimes it's just to big to get into certain spots. I rarely have an occasion to need more weight or power, but have needed smaller size several times. I've often wondered if I should have looked closer at the B3030.

 

[smfcpacfp]

Someone mentioned that it would be good to compare the two tractors side by side. If I had done that I am sure that I would have chosen the larger tractor. I always like bigger, but I have come to learn that small and strong has advantages over bigger

The advantage of the smaller tractor is that it is more manueverable, needs less storage space, costs less, uses less fuel, attachments are less expensive.

In reality the B3030 with the cab is perfect for me. I bought it primarily for snow removal, but I have used it to move soil:

It is also the power source for my wood chipper, I have grappel hooks to move logs and the FEL to mover cut and split wood around, and a back box for grading. These uses were an unintended benefit.

I don't use it for mowing or backhoeing. My soil is pretty much beach sand and with the toothbar on the loader, it digs nicely. As I said I get happier with each new use of this small tractor.