Too Many Choices

CBW1999 · Jan 26, 2009

Went onto the Kubota Site and spec out 3 different tractors with essentially the same options

B7800,B3200 both came back within a couple of hundred dollars of each other.

The B3030 came back significantly higher, the only difference is the factory installed cab was added.

The biggest difference I see are the creature comforts in the 3030. Are these worth several thousand dollars more? Or would buying an aftermarket cab for the 78or 32 be the way to go?

Anyone out there with a 3030 or 7800 have comments pro or con regarding their decision?

medicshawn · Jan 26, 2009

What are you looking to do with the tractor? How much property? Are you upgrading or buying new?

07 LMM LTZ · Jan 26, 2009

The cab is a few grand extra but if you intend to use your tractor for snow removal, over the life of the tractor it is worth it IMO. Sure beats sitting out in the cold.

ChuckinNH · Jan 26, 2009

The B3200 is the replacement for the B7800 so both tractors are very much alike except for the body style. The B3030 has added features like better seat, tilt wheel, position control for the 3pt, and extendable links on the 3pt that are both great features if you plan on using many 3pt hitch attachments. The factory cab comes with factory heat, and air conditioning. Aftermarket cabs are available for the B3200 ( I assume the same as the B2x30's), and the B7800. They will cost at least $3000 I think, and are available with heat, but not air conditioning. If you want a cab tractor, the B3030 is probably a good way to go.

JOHNTHOMAS · Jan 26, 2009

I have a L3240HST Plus that I am trying to sell so I can go back to a B. I had a B7800 for 3 years and after trading up I really prefer the size and power of the B7800. I stopped today at Barlows and priced the B7800 and B3200. Since they have stopped production of B7800 all he could find was a new B7800 2007 model on some other dealers lot. It was $1000 less than the new B3200. He had a B29?? with 37 hours on it but I'll wait till I sell mine then go for the B3200. I don't need a cab so that's not a factor for me. My L3240HST has the 3 point extensions and lowering adjustments and a great seat like the B3030 but not being a big 3pth user I won't pay the difference. When you do the pricing with options on Kubota site you will see the price difference clearly. Steve told me prices had gone up so my price of $18500 is very reasonable according to Steve Barlow. He also told me he had a man that does delivery for $1.70 a mile one way or I could ship it with one of his for half of that. So, when I sell mine I'll be taking home the B3200 he has with I4 tires and FEL.

CBW1999 · Jan 26, 2009

I'm considering an upgrade from a B7510. I will be using mostly a quick hitch for implements.
My thoughts are to get the FEL and front mount blower all at once (currently only have FEL). The cab primarily is for the shelter in the winter. Heat would be nice and A/C isn't a selling point for me (although it would be nice to sip iced tea in the coolness while mowing the lawn- just don't tell my wife

)

I have a friend who has the B7800 with aftermarket cab. However, I am not too excited about soft sided doors- would rather have something more solid. I hear it is a pain to install the heat module as well. One of the biggest issues with heat, is that currently, the coolant doesn't get all that warm in the winter. So- again I think back to a factory set up..

So, back to the quotes- B3030 (spec'd by me) is 33000 (about). The B3200 is about 25000- adding 3k for the cab would bring it to 28000- 5k less than the 3030.

Oh...what the heck- I'll get one of each

Ductape · Jan 26, 2009

If you have any interest in having a cab, 100% the 3030 is THE way to go. If no cab is in your future, then I'll recommend the 3200. I really like the 7800, but its a leftover for all intents and purposes. The price is close between the two, so get the current model with its updates.

As far as justifying the difference in price between the factory cab and an aftermarket cab............... how many reasons do you want ???

PUSHINDIRT · Jan 26, 2009

My father has a 7800. It is a great machine, plenty of power, and reliable. I have a 2920 which I love, but I too had a tough time deciding between the 7800, and the 3030. If the 3200 had been available I would have purchased that one. Like you said the 3030 has more creature comforts, but costs a little more. I did notice the hydraulic output is greater with the 3200 vs. the 3030 but not by much (9.9 vs. 9.1). I think both machines are awesome! I'm glad I don't have to decide!!

caj4isu · Jan 26, 2009

Another difference between the B3200 and the B3030 is that the B3200 has a live continuous PTO with a clutch. The B3030 has no clutch and has an independant PTO. This is one reason why I'll be buying the B3030. No cab for me since I'll be getting the backhoe - you can't put the hoe on a cab model.

Ace3 · Jan 26, 2009

If a cab tractor is what you want then the B3030 cab, in my opinion, is the only choice. I love my B3030 but wish now that I had got the cab. It gets mighty cold after a few hours snow plowing. To add a cab now is going to cost almost as mush as buying it new and the aftermarket cab is nowhere as nice as the factory cab. My only complaint about the 3030 is that it has more power than its weight can use. It has done everything I have asked it to. I feel that it is worth the extra money for the "deluxe" features.

bandit67 · Jan 27, 2009

CBW1999,

You're not quite comparing apples to apples as far as the cab is concerned. To get a cab comparable to the B3030 cab with the same features, you're talking around $6000 - 7000 for the Laurin or Jodale Perry. That would put the price of the cabbed B3200 at $31000 - $32000, only $1000-$2000 less than the B3030 cab.

When comparing similarly configured machines, the B3030 was worth the extra $$ to me.

So it depends on what you want a cab to do for you as to which machine to go for.

For those of you who want both a cab and a backhoe, there are a couple of options.
One is the B3030 with factory cab and Woods BH70X or BH80X backhoe.
The other is the B3030 with BH75 and aftermarket cab. The Laurin cab has a lift-up rear panel that allows you to drop the seat down and use the BH75 backhoe.

I love my open station machine, but as I get older and want to take advantage of the creature comforts of a cab, I could add the Laurin at some point. Here's the Laurin cab: http://www.laurin-inc.com/upload/689-pdUVeTJ10j9B5LUR0yNT.pdf

ChuckinNH · Jan 27, 2009

Bandit, are you going to get one of those cabs for your dog sled too?

bandit67 · Jan 27, 2009

Well, maybe I could fabricate a curved plexiglass windscreen for my sled in the name of improving aerodynamics.

ChuckinNH · Jan 27, 2009

I'd do a computer model of that to check drag, or your dogs might not love you as much.

Ace3 · Jan 27, 2009

Bandit,

Do you know where you can get the Laurin Cab?

bandit67 · Jan 27, 2009

Most dealers should be able to get that ordered for you.

You can direct specific questions to Laurin corporate, and they answer pretty quickly, but they only sell through tractor dealers. Sounds like it's pretty easy for a dealer to order from them, even if they haven't before.

CBW1999 · Jan 28, 2009

I need to correct myself on the pricing. It appears that I had spec'd out the extra hydraulics on the rear ( which I wanted). That accounted for the additional$$$.

So......I am a little clearer now. Still have to decide (which takes me forever) on which way to go. It will be a while anyway....maybe I'll be prepared for next winter!