Why I am buying a 2710

leathej1 · Sep 10, 2004

Rather than the 7800:
1. Kubota offered a $700 rebate
2. 3PH position control for precision
3. Butt-friendly seat w/armrests

Rather than a 2910:
1. Save $1500 and only sacrifice 3HP

Rather than a 3130:
1. I need to fit between trees

My plan (if you can call it that) is to use the 2710 for small applications a) up to the point where there really are no more small applications or b) up to the point where I need a bigger tractor. My philosophy has been that you concentrate on precision first, then deal with enough power to be efficient. For example, by best lawn mower ever was a used Jake 30" mulching mower with an aluminum deck that I bought (from my tractor dealer) for $30. The cut was beautiful. Next was a Craftsman 38" tractor and bagger, which was great for picking up grass because it had only one two blades. I now have a new Simplicity 20HP with 50" deck. It has all the power I need, but I miss the perfect cut and bagging efficiency that the others had. Had to get it though - I'm mowing 5 acres of 32, and it keeps getting bigger.

Back to the 2710:
2004 B2710
LA402 FEL
R4s
Canopy
Woods 5' box blade

This will be in a heated garage, so I doubt the block heater will be necessary. Wish I had the money for forks, but not today. I also would have liked a trailer to go between the house and Mom's farm, but I guess I can borrow one for a while.

It should be all together next week (R4s are getting shipped right now). This will be my first tractor since I was a kid on a dairy farm - very exciting.

Bird · Sep 10, 2004

It seems we don't hear as much about the B2710 since Kubota now has the B2910 and the B7800, and neither of those existed when I bought my '99 B2710, but they're fine little tractors and I'm sure you'll like it.

leathej1 · Sep 10, 2004

I also was not as concerned with the 2-3 HP difference because I am not doing any mowing. My most important tasks will be:

1. Adding shale to and grading the 750' driveway
2. Pushing rocks up onto the stone wall
3. Plowing and piling snow

I wanted to post this thread because I felt bad for those poor 2710s out there, always getting one-upped by the 7800. My 'Adopt a 2710' program might just take off, and hundreds of 2710s may find warm garages of their own.

Cliff_Johns · Sep 10, 2004

( I wanted to post this thread because I felt bad for those poor 2710s out there, always getting one-upped by the 7800. My 'Adopt a 2710' program might just take off, and hundreds of 2710s may find warm garages of their own. )

If you find any that need a temporary foster home, let me know. I'll feed it and take care of it until a suitable adoptive home can be found. I'll even take it out and use it at least once a week so it doesn't feel neglected.

Cliff

Alan L. · Sep 10, 2004

You'll enjoy it. My 1999 2710 sits comfortably in the shop with its 590 hours and is not jealous of the 2910 or 7800 at all. It has more than enough power and is paid for.

MadReferee · Sep 10, 2004

My B2710 has 934 hours and will out work my neighbors new B7800.
Probably only because of the operator, though. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

NIXON · Sep 10, 2004

Great pick ! Btw,the 3130 does fit between trees with judiciuos loader work /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif John

frank_f15 · Sep 10, 2004

CONGRATUALTIONS! you fullfilled the most important part of buying a tractor. BUYING THE ONE THAT U THINK IS BEST FOR YOU!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif am sure u will be very happy with it.

Rolando · Sep 11, 2004

I've also been looking at the B2910. It's not just the 3 hp that you're giving up, it's cruise control, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, ratchet 3-point lift rod and telescopic lower links of 3pt hitch. Don't know if those things are important to you, but thought I would mention them. To me, the cruise control in particular with the HST would be important when mowing. Also the telescopic lower links when installing implements.

Too bad you're in New York (and me in Florida), eBay has a 2910 with loader and box scraper and 127 hours for $14,500, but it's in California. 5 days to go and no bids.

leathej1 · Sep 13, 2004

True, those things were decision factors too. But:

1. The 2710 has pseudo-cruise control (three positions, control under dash)
2. Tilt/tele wheel wasn't a factor, because I liked the default position of the wheel
3. 3PH stuff isn't yet a factor, since I only have one implement, and I don't see removing it or tilting it any time soon

Maybe it's rationalization, but when I tallied up all the pros and cons (oh, like I really did that - how naive can you get?) it still summed up to the 2710.

I have seen good stuff on eBay, but I'm going new for once in my life.

Henro · Sep 13, 2004

Also the telescopic lower links when installing implements.


The place where I appreciate them the most is when hooking ip my 3PH backhoe. I can't imagine how much of a pain it would be to get the lower links hooked up without the telescopic feature.

As is, with my B2910, the backhoe goes on and off pretty quick. I doubt the off part would be any different, with or without the telescopic links. But the ON part would be VERY different...and time consuming I bet, if I did not have them.

If an implement is heavy, you really appreciate the ability to extend the lower links...then you pick it up, and the weight of the implement pushes them back into the normal operating position.Telescopic lower links are really nice to have. I guess you don't know if you never had them, but you sure do miss them if you have had them, I would never buy a tractor without them...

...except I did, my BX2200. That is how I know how great they really are...

leathej1 · Sep 14, 2004

That's a good point. I guess the next one will have to have telescopic 3ph. Right now, I think I'll just rent mini-excavators when I need trench duty. I can get a lot of hours for $5-6K.

Alan L. · Sep 14, 2004

Can the 2710 be retrofit with the telescoping links?

Henro · Sep 15, 2004

Can the 2710 be retrofit with the telescoping links?


Yes, from what I understand that should be no problem.

But once you price the parts you may give up on the idea. I remember pricing the parts for some reason in the past (forget why, maybe related to wanting to possibly put them on my BX2200???).

I think for the whole works it would cost over $400 for the parts...that number could be low (or a little high, but I doubt it), I don't remember exactly. Whatever it was, it felt very expensive at the timefor what you get... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif And it still does... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

The prices I got were from Tractorsmart.com by the way, so they were not really inflated. Would not hurt to check for yourself though, just to be sure I got it right back then.

leathej1 · Sep 18, 2004

How many weeks has it been since I ordered those R4s? A few. The dealer says they should be here next week.

He also mentioned that he had two dealers this past week try to buy the tractor. I wonder if that is because most dealers don't carry that model anymore?

ronjhall · Sep 18, 2004

I wonder if that is because most dealers don't carry that model anymore? 
The reason that dealers may be looking for 2710 is they are no longer manufactured. Kubota may be offering the rebates to get the new one out of the system before the end of the year.
Only the B7800 and B2910 are built. That may change with next years models.
Here is a link to a thread on the lower arms that others have mentioned.
Click Here

leathej1 · Sep 24, 2004

Got it - thanks.

I just finally took delivery yesterday (still waitng on R4s). Here is a pic.

ronjhall · Sep 24, 2004

Congrat's on the new tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Nice to see a FEL bucket with all the paint still on it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif