Need your help in finding the perfect Kubota...

DanR67 · Jun 1, 2004

Freds -

I agree you can use the FEL to help "pile" the snow quite high - which is fine in a *limited area*. But if you have to pile up both sides of a 1/3 mile long driveway....

I did a search for "snowbanks" on google - THIS picture shows what I am getting at.

If you got several *back-to-back* big snowstorms - I would worry about the snowbanks "building up" too high to be able to plow effectively. I think using the FEL to "pile up" / "push back" the snowbanks on a 1/3 mile driveway (on both sides = 2/3 mile?!?) would take quite a bit of time. Certainly not impossible for a CUT - but not something that you would necessarily want to do before going to work! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

That's why I'd go for a snowblower and not even worry about it.

Dan

PS - MikePA - Thanks for the URL tip - was my first time posting a link here at TBN. I used the "URL" tool in "Instant Markup" and presto! Thx. D

gduff · Jun 1, 2004

I live on the opposite side of the state from you (Northeast of Burlington) and have a lot of the same conditions. My driveway is 1000’ with a grade and if rocks were worth .50, we all could retire. I have a B7800 and tried clearing snow with it last winter. As you know, we a couple of big snowfalls and the tractor could barely get itself around, say nothing of clearing snow. In 12” or so snowfalls it was fine. I was clearing with just the FEL and did not have any tire chains. (These are a must). I am confident that with chains and a snow blower it would do just fine. If you get much drifting it can be tough with just a FEL. I really like the B7800 but I have just traded it in for a 3830, which I should have next week. My only complaint on the B7800 is the stability on side hills or in the woods. (I was leasing out about 40 acres of meadows that I now have to take care of myself hence the larger tractor.) As far as mowing goes I think it all depends on how particular you are. The B7800 with R4’s will churn up a little turf if you turn too sharp. If you are careful about turning it isn’t that bad. It helps if you remove the FEL for mowing but I’m too lazy for that!

Freds · Jun 1, 2004

OK, you got me there Dan. That's one heck of a lot of snow. Sometimes where I'm at even the state trucks swap their blades for snowblowers.
I never priced one out, but I here the ones that front mount are quite pricey. I'm sure they are a lot better in the long run if you have a limited area where you can pile or push the snow.
A snowblower on the front and blade on the back would be one heckuva snow removal machine.

DanR67 · Jun 1, 2004

Freds -

While I didn't take that picture - we've had some fairly big snows here over the years. I just wanted to illustrate that *at some point* - there's just no room to push it anymore! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I think gduffs' post supports my hunch that a bigger tractor is likely called for - simply in terms of the effectiveness of snow removal.

The *only* (yeah right!) thing I wish that I had available on my 7610 is some sort of "Quick-tach" (spell?) system where you can swap skid-steer implements in place of the loader bucket in under a minute. I *think* that it's available already with the B7800 / B2910's LA402 loader - certainly on a bigger unit's FEL like the L3830.

The thing I'm really interested in is a grapple bucket - thinking of trying to "DIY" one myself....man - THAT would make yard cleanup a breeze! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Cheers,

Dan

snmhanson · Jun 3, 2004

I have a B7800 and got it for the same reasons you are looking at. So far I have only used it for landscaping (mainly leveling very rocky and crusty soil with a box blade) and mowed my in-laws lawn with it once with the 60" mmm. As far as the landscaping and FEL work, I am glad I went with the 7800 over the 7510 that I had at first. It just makes things faster and easier and it works great. However, I would not say there is anything I can do with the 7800 that I couldn't do with a bit more time with the 7510 (or 7610).

When I mowed my in-lawns lawn it cut the grass great but I did have to be careful in my turns or the wheels would dig in a little, especially on hillsides. I only cut their field with it which is a little rough and a weed/grass mix so I'm not sure if the results would be the same on a quality lawn or not. I think a 7510 would have been a better choice for mowing and a BX would have been ideal but then it may have taken quite a bit longer to get to the point where I need to mow. The nice thing is that since I'm doing the landscaping I will be able to contour the lawn to accomodate the 7800's mowing characteristics.

I haven't had the opportunity to move any snow with it yet as I got it after the snow season, however, we generally don't get too much snow where I am (although this year we did get a couple pretty big storms). I will probably just use a rear blade since we rarely get more that 12" at a time and our drive is flat and level.

It's hard for me to not recommend the 7800 since I like mine so much but I personally think that for a one machine route where your needs include finish mowing the 7610 may be a better fit for your long-term needs. I actually wanted to go with the 7610 but my dealer didn't have any in stock when I bought my tractor. If there is a job the 7610 won't handle I doubt the 7800 would be able to do it either. I also agree with previous posts about getting a 7800 (or HEAVIER tractor) for the "tractor" work and a seperate machine for mowing. I should have actually done that but then my wife would have given me a hard time about getting a tractor and seperate mower since the only thing she saw a need for was mowing. I do, however, think that a decent riding mower that will get the job done close to as fast as a 7800 will cost more than the mower deck for the 7800 would, though I'm sure it would do a superior job.

I wish I had mowed more with my 7800 so I could give you a better idea of how it does. I received mixed reviews so it probably depends mostly on your soil conditions and such. Anyway, I hope this helped a little.

Matt

GreenMtnBoy · Jun 5, 2004

I don't remember ever thinking so hard about a purchase before in my life! I thought I should give an update on my current position (not that it won't change by tomorrow morning). Here's what I'm thinking and my rationale behind it:

#1) As suggested by many, I'm going to forget about trying to make this machine a mower. I'm not thrilled with the idea of mowing with a cheapy gasoline-powered riding mower, but a used 2wd diesel Kubota with a deck...that sounds pretty good and I can probably get one for about what I'd pay for a 60" MMM. And I'll have time to find one too, because it'll be a while before the grass is growing on those 2 acres I just had stumped /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

#2) Now that I don't have to worry about mowing, I feel good about going with R4 Industrial tires. I like the toughness of the carcas as compared to the turfs and think they will do a lot better traction-wise in general. Some have told me that turfs are actually better in the snow, but it doesn't matter to me because I'm fairly certain I'm going to be needing chains no matter what tire type I have. Why not AGs?...even though I won't be mowing, I'll have a need to traverse the lawn now and again. Word has it that the R4's will be kinder to my grass on these occassions.

3) For snow removal on my 1/3 mile driveway, I'm leaning toward a rear-mounted snowblower. Why? I just have a feeling that blowing is going to be less hassle for me and I'm young enough that I don't mind getting a crick in my neck if it saves me $2000 over a front-mounted blower (not sure that is the difference between the two, but it is considerable).

4) I'm leaning towards the B7610. Yes, I'd rather have a B7800, or a Grand L for that matter, but I'm thinking (hoping?) the 7610 will do the trick (albeit a bit slower) and the lower payments will be noticed. It's possible I could be convinced to go larger... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

So, that's where I am at the moment and I'm getting really itchy to unload some cash...If my logic doesn't make sense to you, by all means post your thoughts.

By the way, prices here in Northern New England are $2000 higher than down South. I'm willing to pay for good, local service, but two grand is a bit much. Any suggestions along these lines would be appreciated as well.

Thanks again to all. I'll let everyone know the outcome.

GreenMtnBoy

Egon · Jun 5, 2004

The choice's you have indicated sound real good to me. I'd even consider it for mowing.

Egon

Henro · Jun 5, 2004

<font color="blue">#1) As suggested by many, I'm going to forget about trying to make this machine a mower. </font>

About a month ago I had a chance to visit Bud (TBN name) and was impressed with his lawn.

He has a B2400, which is the same as the current B2410/B7610. I can't remember for certain, but I think he has a MMM.

I would bet that this size tractor will mow well enough to satisfy more than 90% of us... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Also much more enjoyable to operate the B series than it is to ride a gas powered lawn tractor...

The ONLY downside I see is the time it takes to put the mower on and take it off, and storage of the mower when not in use.

My B2910 with RFM did a better job cutting my grass than my little 20 HP Yardman MTD garden tractor did. Don't write off the mowing ability of any of the B series. They really can do a pretty good job...

mathteacher · Jun 5, 2004

<font color="blue"> The ONLY downside I see is the time it takes to put the mower on and take it off </font>

It is the same deck as the B2410. I don't have any major problems taking it off. It would help if you had a very flat smooth area to do it in. Actually, I find it harder to take the BB off and put it back on.

yes, it is a good enough cut for me. But it isn't as good as a dedicated mower cut. But the time I save. 4 hours vs 12 to 16 hours, It IS JUST FINE!

BTW the B7610 is a great machine. And if you are going with the R4's you will even get more traction. I am very pleased with mine.

Donald B.