Newbie Needs Guidance

[deputy]

I am new to this forum and new to tractors. Am closing in on buying a tractor. After a fair amount of research I have decided on Kubota. Now trying to decide on best model for my use and would welcome guidance from folks with experience.

Terrain is hilly with sand, sage, rocks, etc. Need is to maintain half mile DG driveway (filling pot holes, smoothing wash board, snow removal, cleaning ditch, etc.); occasionaly moving Rail Road ties, digging tree holes, moving sand, crushed stone, base, fill dirt, etc., for landsacping (personal residential use only); digging post holes for Rail Road ties for fencing; clearing and maintaining a fire break along fencing (primarily sage brush); mid PTO for possible future addition of a front mounted snow blower is important; may also want a log splitter for help working up 5-6 cords of wood per season. Have no farming, horse, or mowing, need.

Am trying to decide between the B-2920, B-7800 or B-3030. Have price quotes as follows:

--B-7800 (BH-75 w/12" bucket and the L402 FEL). $22,800.00.
--B-2920 (BH65 w/12" bucket and the LA364 FEL). $22,250.00.
--B-3030 (BH75 w/12" bucket and the LA402 FEL). $23,500.00. (Note: need to confirm this since the FEL the dealer quoted is the 402 as opposed to the 403).

Am leaning toward the 7800 or 2920 but would welcome views of those of you who have experience with these units.

Once I decide on a tractor I will be back to you all for help identifying best suited attachments (post hole digger, grading blade or box, brush mower, etc.)

Thanks.

 

[MikeInEburg]

I have the B7800 w/402 loader and BH75. Have been VERY pleased with it. Only shortcoming is 3-pt. hydraulic control. The B7800 uses quarter inching valve as opposed to the more classic position control. Makes precision grading a bit more difficult.
Mike

 

[deputy]

Thanks Mike. You were the only one to bother to respond. I appreciate it.

I am headed to a dealer in the morning. He has a 7800 HST with 50 hours on it. He will do the 50 hour service, add a new BH-75 and new 402 FEl (the unit has not had either). Unit will come with a full three year warranty and qualify for the current 0% financing. I have negotiated a cost of $21,000.00, delivered, pending my inspection. I will negotiate for purchase of a box scrapper and post hole digger. May also want the Top and Tilt added as well as a thumb plate if either is possible.

Would appreciate any comments re price and/or attachments .

Thanks.

 

[Bird]

In my opinion, all 3 of those are close enough to the same that any of them will do what you want. Naturally, the B3030 has more "creature comforts" and would be first choice, but I also know that sometimes first choice may not be worth the price difference. As Mike said, the B7800 has that quarter inching valve, and I have a pretty strong preference for position control, but again, I've owned and used tractors that had neither, so there's nothing wrong with the B7800.

And welcome to Tractorbynet.

 

[deputy]

Bird,

Many thanks. It is clear from all of the posts that I have read that the position control is much better than the quarter inching vlave but, like you said, cost can be an issue and is in this case.

Do you have any thoughts re fairness of the $21,000.00 negotiated cost on the used B7800 which I mentioned?


Thanks again.

deputy

 

[Bird]

I haven't tried to keep up with prices, so anything I say about the price would really be no more than a wild guess. I think MSRP for that rig new would be about $24,852 (I guess you know you can go to Kubota.com) and "build" your own. I would expect many dealers would come down 10-15%. So then he's coming down a little more because the tractor's used. So, for my wild guess . . . I wouldn't call it a steal, but I think it's a fair price.

 

[Smokin Diesel]

It is clear from all of the posts that I have read that the position control is much better than the quarter inching vlave but...

I wouldn't dwell too much on the quarter inching valve vs. position control. I've only had my 2620 for the summer, but in all the grading I've done I have not once wished for position control. With the small size and short wheelbase of these tractors you'll constantly have to adjust the height of the implement, unless you're finishing off an already smooth surface. I'm continuously clicking the control back and forth when I'm moving dirt. Very rarely can I just set the height and forget it. Position control would be useless for me.

Not sure about the others, but the 2x20 has an adjustable stop for the height adjustment of the 3pt. Not overly handy for frequent adjustments (needs a wrench), but works well for things like brush cutters. A poor man's position control, of sorts.

Position control has its place, but I wouldn't say its much better than quarter inching. Each version has its application where it shines.

 

[peterc38]

I think the B7800 is a fine tractor but based on the prices for new tractors that you were quoted, I'd pick the B3030 for $700 more than the B7800 and not look back. $700 over 42 months at 0% is $16.66 per month. The position control is worth that alone not too mention the telescoping lower 3 pt arms on the B3030 which make it a lot easier to change implements.

 

[Lindy]

When I was buying, the choice was between the B7800, the B3030, and the JD 2520 (which fell off the list quickly).

I wound up going with the B3030. It was the right choice for me.

My reasons (most already stated):
- Position control
- Deluxe 3pt setup (telescoping links, ratcheting tilt control)
- More modern look
- Didn't like the stabilizer bar for the loader on the B7800 going over the hood near the fuel cap
- I like the appearance of the gauges on the B3030 (not all that big a deal)

There are other things, but that's all I can remember right now.

And yes, my loader is the LA403. I'd guess that the LA402 won't fit on a B3030, but even if it did I wouldn't want it because of that stabilizer bar that goes over the hood near the fuel cap.

Good luck with your search. You can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[kubuddha]

I have to agree with Bird, pete38 and Lindy, B3030. The 403 vs. 402, tilt wheel, position control and the lower links are good options. My concern is with the pricing! I bought my B3030 July 2006 equipped with 403 loader, Rc72-30B MMM, 60" Landpride box scraper for about 10% less, however, I'm not familiar with current 2008 pricing. Have you shopped other dealers?