Yet Another - Which Tractor? B3350 or L3...

[Trav7]

So looking for input and advice on sizing a tractor for our property. I already have a 60” zero turn so I’m not looking at mowing duties for the tractor.

Basic todos include maintenance of a 5 acre property, maintaining a 600’+ gravel driveway, small farm chores (chicken/duck so moving shavings, food, pulling coops across yard), property chores (mulching, removing deadwood and trees, grading and repairs ), and possibly some other projects including, some grading/yard repair and other random small projects (cleaning up overgrowth on property edge, digging retention ponds, moving things, etc).

I’m sure more projects will appear. I have thought about getting a backhoe equipped model as we have some flooding issues and would like to do some trenching. However I am thinking it’s more cost effective to rent equipment as those situations present given the pricing for the backhoe

A local dealer has a b3350su which looks nice but want to make sure I don’t make a mistake with my purchase. Any thoughts are appreciated. The smaller tractor should do most tasks fine I think, but one of my concerns is dragging the fools around the pasture. Coops range from 8x8 to 12x16 (and 16x24 shed -all of which are on skids).

 

[PaulL]

Dragging coops is probably a traction thing - most any tractor will have the HP to do it in low gear, but many of the smaller ones will just spin the wheels. How heavy are they, how well do they move on the skids, how wet is it when you move them? Can you drag them yourself, or how do you move them at the moment? If you can move them by hand yourself, then just about any tractor will do, but if you're currently dragging them with your truck or something then that might be different.

 

[D2Cat]

Why are you dragging fools around your pasture? And why would you buy a tractor to do it?

" but one of my concerns is dragging the fools around the pasture."

 

[bgk]

Why are you dragging fools around your pasture? And why would you buy a tractor to do it?



" but one of my concerns is dragging the fools around the pasture."

I wouldn’t mind dragging some of the fools I run into on a daily basis around with my Kubota. However, as I’m sure you already realize he meant coops.

 

[PaulL]

Maybe you could develop a dedicated fool dragging implement. I think there'd be a substantial market for such a device.

Of course, you can drag a fool to water, but you can't make him drink, so you'd have to think hard about whether it's worth the effort of dragging them at all.

 

[D2Cat]

Paul, you could use a treble hook with salt on it. Then when you got them to water they'd be thirsty.

 

[MadMax31]

My advice would be to research the Snake Bit B3350 very carefully.

 

[Trav7]

Why are you dragging fools around your pasture? And why would you buy a tractor to do it?

" but one of my concerns is dragging the fools around the pasture."

Lol. Meant coops. Autocorrect always picks a funny substitute.

I Have used my truck to drag them at times. They could be moved with the old pipe trick (have done that before as well, doable but not a fan. Truck method has its issues too). Usually just move them to help the pasture wear evenly and not overload an area.

 

[sheepfarmer]

With the chores you mention I think you'd be happier with a B2650. The regen issues with the B3350 are more likely to appear with low rpm uses, and most of the things you list can be done at low rpm and don't require a lot of horsepower. Unless your coops are really heavy? I have a 2650 and an L3560 on 15 acres, and the B is a really handy little tractor.

 

[dirtydeed]

When I was tractor upgrading I had considered the B3350 SU until I had 4 dealers tell me that they wouldn't even sell one to me...and they all had some sitting on their lots.

Maybe they got the issues resolved? Maybe not quite yet. Just make sure you do some research.

 

[SDT]

So looking for input and advice on sizing a tractor for our property. I already have a 60***8221; zero turn so I***8217;m not looking at mowing duties for the tractor.

Basic todos include maintenance of a 5 acre property, maintaining a 600***8217;+ gravel driveway, small farm chores (chicken/duck so moving shavings, food, pulling coops across yard), property chores (mulching, removing deadwood and trees, grading and repairs ), and possibly some other projects including, some grading/yard repair and other random small projects (cleaning up overgrowth on property edge, digging retention ponds, moving things, etc).

I***8217;m sure more projects will appear. I have thought about getting a backhoe equipped model as we have some flooding issues and would like to do some trenching. However I am thinking it***8217;s more cost effective to rent equipment as those situations present given the pricing for the backhoe

A local dealer has a b3350su which looks nice but want to make sure I don***8217;t make a mistake with my purchase. Any thoughts are appreciated. The smaller tractor should do most tasks fine I think, but one of my concerns is dragging the fools around the pasture. Coops range from 8x8 to 12x16 (and 16x24 shed -all of which are on skids).

I just bought a B3350 (not SU) with lots of options, delivered about 3 weeks ago, and love it.

That said, from the limited information provided in your post, I would think that an L series would be more suitable for your purposes. The B3350 is a deluxe model (expensive) well suited to mowing with a MMM (not the SU), and has high power output for its size. It is, however, smaller and lighter than L models of similar HP.

Unless you like the features (I do), an L3301 or 3901 might be more suitable for your needs.

Finally, if you decide on the B3350, research the SU model closely. The SU model is a cost and feature reduced model. Among other cost reductions, it has no mid PTO, precluding future addition of some implements, including a MMM.

SDT

 

[Trav7]

When I was tractor upgrading I had considered the B3350 SU until I had 4 dealers tell me that they wouldn't even sell one to me...and they all had some sitting on their lots.

Maybe they got the issues resolved? Maybe not quite yet. Just make sure you do some research.

Was there a particular issue with that model? Or just the dpf and regen?

 

[dirtydeed]

Was there a particular issue with that model? Or just the dpf and regen?

Right, DPF/Regen. I had asked for pricing on them and I'm not kidding you when the dealers REFUSED to sell me a B3350.

I would concur with SDT' s post above. Maybe an L (2501) would work for you?

I would have also liked an L but I have very wet ground (especially this year) so machine weight was of primary importance to me (along with a few creature comforts). I needed a lighter tractor so I went with the B series. The backhoe is all the ballast I will ever need.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[NYOrange]

I agree with the above check out the L2501 and maybe some of the savings could go towards the backhoe.


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[North Idaho Wolfman]

Look at an L2501, much better size for what your wanting to do.

And the statement "just the dpf and regen?" is really understating how big of an issue it is.
For some (very few) they have had great luck with there units, other (most) have had nothing but problems from day one.
The problem was so bad they were buying them back faster than they could sell new ones!
Avoid it like the plaque is my advice!

 

[PaulL]

To move the coops you could potentially lift a bit with forks on the 3ph, then drag - that'd reduce drag on the lawn. From the sounds of it an L would pull them fine (should have at least as much traction as your truck), a B might struggle just based on weight - they're not a heavy tractor. And if you're not mowing anyway, then the mid-PTO has little use, so may as well get the L - they're not much different in price.

 

[SDT]

Was there a particular issue with that model? Or just the dpf and regen?

The issue was with the 33/39 HP 4 cylinder diesel engine with DPF. This engine is used in the B3350 (only) and high end front mount commercial mowers. Issues are/were present in all as well as other products made by third parties using this engine.

Issues have been sorted out but there are still many units in the field that have not been corrected. Additionally, there are dealers that do not have the expertise (or inclination) to properly correct the issues.

Some engines are getting oil past the valve seals contaminating the DPF. It takes very little oil in the exhaust to cause DPF issues.

SDT

 

[Trav7]

The issue was with the 33 HP 4 cylinder diesel engine with DPF. This engine is used in the B3350 (only) and high end front mount commercial mowers. Issues are/were present in all as well as other produces made by third parties using this engine.

Issues have been sorted out but there are still many units in the field that have not been corrected. Additionally, there are dealers that do not have the expertise (or inclination) to properly correct the issues.

Some engines are getting oil past the valve seals contaminating the DPF. It takes very little oil in the exhaust to cause DPF issues.

SDT

Thanks SDT. That’s quite helpful. Been trying to read up on various threads but obviously sometimes tricky digging thru pages and pages of posts

 

[Trav7]

To move the coops you could potentially lift a bit with forks on the 3ph, then drag - that'd reduce drag on the lawn. From the sounds of it an L would pull them fine (should have at least as much traction as your truck), a B might struggle just based on weight - they're not a heavy tractor. And if you're not mowing anyway, then the mid-PTO has little use, so may as well get the L - they're not much different in price.

That’s one of the advantages of the tractor I was hoping to utilize. Without lifting there’s a tendency to catch or dig on uneven ground as well.

Looking at the L series, the only drawback aside from size and slight price increase, it didn’t appear to have a third function kit available. I’m assuming this exists from someone in the aftermarket?