NEW B3030HSD any advice? and Thanks!

[KYDAVE]

I've been lurking on this site for almost six months. A lot of lurking!
I want to thank you all for your wisdom, when you answered other peoples questions. I learned a lot, because I did not even know what questions to ask and you answered them.

Maybe you are interested to find that I have selected a B3030HSD. Probably could have gotten away with the B7800, and the L3240 was too heavy for my SUV to haul (occasionally). I'm not sure that the difference in price (B7800 vs. B3030) is worth it, but I figured I'd be buying this only once!

To get to the point, I would like to hear about some of the mistakes you made when you got yours, so maybe I can learn by your mistakes.

I also plan to buy a finish mower, auger (with largest praticle bit), tiller, and box blade. I can afford to buy new, used is OK, but not sure how to get the best value. Any advice on these?

Thank you all again, for your frank answers to all the questions I did not know to ask.

 

[Bigtwin]

KYDAVE, we're in the same boat. My B3030 HSD and various implements were ordered this morning. I don't have a delivery date but I don't think it'll be long. The B3030 is in a warehouse in Ft Worth, about 130 miles from me.

 

[smfcpacfp]

I have a whole different sort of attachments than you do with the snowblower being the real reason for getting the tractor. We got about 20 feet of snow this year which is a bit below average.

I am extremely pleased with it. When I saw it beside some of the other Kubota tractors, it looked like a midget, so then I thought, "I wish that I had purchased a bigger tractor", because price wasn't really an issue.

Then I began to think it through. This smaller tractor is more manueverable which is great for some of my snowblowing areas, and some of the projects that I have planned (redoing a retaining wall, preparing an area for a sidewalk, etc). Plus it all fits in my garage with the attachments. It has enough power for my needs. Practically speaking it was the right choice.

I got two of my summer attachment today (pictured below):

 

[Lindy]

I have selected a B3030HSD.

Good choice! That's what I have too.

To get to the point, I would like to hear about some of the mistakes you made when you got yours, so maybe I can learn by your mistakes.

Things I'd do differently / things you might want to consider:

1. I'd probably get the 72" MMM instead of the 60" (I'm probably going to do this anyhow)
2. I'd probably ask the dealer to install a rear worklight, maybe a front one too.
3. I'd check out the HD alternator
4. I'd at least ask my dealer about the fender mounted joystick.
5. I'd definitely buy the 60" KKII tiller again -- it works great with this tractor.

 

[swampvol]

To get to the point, I would like to hear about some of the mistakes you made when you got yours, so maybe I can learn by your mistakes.

I brush hogged over 2 acres before I realized the parking brake was on.

 

[Ductape]

KYDAVE, you'll thank yourself for choosing the 3030 the first couple times you change heavy impliments ! I also considered a 7800, but most certainly would have ended up changing to the telescoping 3 point hitch arms.

A couple things i'd strongly recommend.....

Skidsteer style quick attach and HD bucket. From my local dealer, this was about $700 more than the stock light duty bucket.

HSDC loader joystick..... i feel more natural to operate.

40 amp alternator kit..... you will end up wanting some work lights.

 

[Charlesaf3]

The telescoping arms are just about worth the money by themselves. The position control is worth the rest of the difference.

Someone might find the cruise control useful. I've used it precisely never, and would take it off if possilbe - I think its a safety hazard in innumerable ways.

If you are going to use an auger a lot, look at mine. Costs more, does more. And much easier.

skidsteer QA is great. should be standard.

Skip ANY mid mount mower. I have the 72. Its fine, I wish I had a rear finish instead. I'd trade for one, in all seriousness.

Work lights are key - I have the 40 amp alternator. I have 2 lights. 4 would be better. If you have the FEL the headlights are worse than useless - you will soon see what I mean.

I don't mind the regular joystic.

 

[stimpee]

I got the 72" MMM with mine, and love it. I am impressed with the cut, and my tractor gets a lot of use on my "finished" lawn cutting the grass, so a RFM would drive me nuts.

I got the ATI QA and heavy duty bucket. That is a must have IMHO. My preimary regret is that I did not get the pallet forks right away. I want them.

I think my only other regret at this point, is not getting enough attachments. I want a box blade (got a rear blade only so far), pallet forks, drag harrow, possibly landscape rake, and of course would LOVE to have the BH75, but cannot realistically justify it.

I got the rear work light, and it is nice too. I will probably put the HD alternator on myself at some point soon, and then add some rops mounted forward and rear facing lights. The front headlights are pretty poor due to the front brush guard.

I should be OK without the extra lights until winter comes though, since the days are going to be reasonably long for a while.

Steve

 

[AMR]

B3030 thoughts and advice:

1. I like my 60" MMM, I think I would want the 72" but the 60" fits nice in the garage both on and off the machine, probably a toss up here for me. Lots of talk about how hard the MMM goes on and comes off, to me it is easy. Backing up to my BH is the hardeest.
2. Couldn't live without my BH.
3. Love the front blade for plowing.
4. My loader is about 3/4" end to end out of level, drives me crazy but in all practicality impacts nothing.
5. Love my tires loaded, feels great mowing compared to my BX23, great for plowing too. Plowing with the BH on is next to impossible, no steering.
6. Hooks on the bucket rock. A hook on the BH bucket rocks as well. Useful for a thousand and one things.
7. I want a heavier duty bucket, I did not get QA, don't have a big fork need and the light material bucket is taking some abuse from big rocks.
8. I have 4 lights, two forward and two back, LOVE them, I plow and even mow at night. I do not know about the alternator, never asked, dealer put the lights on, no problems.
9. Block heater is nice in the winter, I think, gives me peace-of-mind anyway.
10. 70 and beautiful I don't need no stinkin' cab, 0 and windy, wish I had a cab, but I use the BH a lot and I couldn't get the BH75 with the cab.
11. Lots of talk about this fender mounted loader control, I checked one out at the dealer, can't say it would change my life much.
12. Cruise control, I wish I could get my money back on that one or put a cup holder where the lever goes, useless to me.
13. Cut holder location sucks.
14. 3 PT set up rocks, feels good spreading fertilizer, tilling, hogging, etc.
15. Get dollies for all attachments. I finally put my BH on 3 TSC furniture dollies ($62), wow, world of difference not having to back up to the thing anymore.

Good luck and have fun, everytime I get on my B3030 I think about how lucky I am to have something like this.

 

[KYDAVE]

I'm going to look at MMM and rear mowers in the AM. I though MMM would be best, but, honestly, a LOT of folks are saying go with the rear mower.

If I choose MMM, it will be Kubota. If I choose rear mower, what brands are the best value? I've seen prices from say, $600 (Chinese) to $2600. I'm cheap, but don't want to be foolish! Bush Hog, King Kutter, Befco, heck, I just want one that cuts well, breaks down infrequently, and is easy to fix.

I also need a tiller. Lindy, by KK, did you mean King Kutter (like at Tractor Supply)? 4 tine, 6 tine, cover my tracks, offsetting, gear driven, chain driven. Same as before. I want one that works well with my tractor, breaks down infrequently, and is easy to fix.

BTW-the lower the price the better.

...and thanks this disccussion has already helped me decide that whichever mower type I decide, it'll be 72", not 60"!