Can a B3030 fix this?

[Arth]

Hi Folks,

I've been researching tractors for about a year. I've read everything I can find, talked with dealers, kicked tires, driven them around the lot, etc and have narrowed it down to a few models from Kubota. That's about as far as I can get. I wondering if there's anyone here that has one of the models I'm looking at that use it for similar work that could lend an opinion as to whether or not I'm in the right ballpark...

I'm leaning towards a B3030 (or maybe a 3200 if the 3030 is too much more $). Other options would be the L3800 or L3240.

Here's what I want to do with it:

• Move materials, level landscaping, dig post holes, gardening and general maintenance on my 5 acres - mostly wooded so maneuverability / size is a big concern..
  
• Grade and maintain about 3/4 mile of gravel road (not just my driveway - see attached images). I'm thinking a box blade might do the trick here, although I've never tried it. Previously used a small grader which has given mixed results.
  
• Move snow with blower / blade as a backup to the plow truck.
  
• Bush hog about 4-5 acres of community property

I currently have a Cub 149 that I use for mowing so I'm not too concerned about that aspect.

Ideally, I would buy a a BX for my property and an L series for the rest. That's not an option so I'm leaning towards a large B series. However, I'm not sure if the B series can really do what I want it to do in terms of smoothing / grading the road. An L would but that may be too big for the rest... My budget is about $25,000. The less money I put into the tractor, the more I can put into implements...

Would very much appreciate any advice you have to offer!

 

[hodge]

If it is a real hard-packed driveway, then probably none of them will do- you need something like a grader, with down pressure. As far as smoothing gravel, filling in ruts, etc., any that you listed with a box blade or grader blade will do the work. Very few tractors are going to do the work of a piece of heavy equipment, though.
For your acreage, again, I'd think that the 3030 or a 3200 sized tractor would do the trick. We have a New Holland 3910 (50 hp), maintaining 70+ acres of mountain land, and it's more than enough. At times, it's too big, and my B7100 fills those gaps. I'd say a 30-35 hp tractor would do what you are asking. Then, you will have money to put into implements.

As a side note, I have a friend with about a mile of gravel road, that he maintained with a 25 hp Dragon tractor- it did fine moving snow and smoothing gravel. At times, though, he and the other property owners would have to hire a grader to cut the ruts down. He now has a 57 hp Belarus, and he still hires a grader at times.

 

[eserv]

Don't be put off too much by the small size of the BX. They are very capable machines and the atachments for them are a lot less expensive and more convenient than the "B" attachments. Our customers often remark that they are amazed the things they can do with their BX----. For $25000 you will have a great machine with a lot more equipment to make it versatile than you could ever have with a "B" tractor. However, if you need a cab the B3030 cannot be beat!

 

[skeets]

What he said!! I have a2360 and work the snot out of it and with a 50 inch box blade ( I borrowed one) that bad girl has no problem with the drive way moving snow mowing or anything else I have put it through. Trust me you will run out of traction before you will run out of power

 

[TripleR]

We have found our BX2660 to be a very capable piece of machinery that would do all you mentioned; however for serious "wood work" the 8 inches of ground clearance "can" be problematic depending on your terrain.

If mowing is a big priority then I would (did) go with the BX, but if woods use is then a B is a great choice.

We own several tractors, but have learned you can't own/maintain them all, so sometimes we rent when something outside the parameters of our equipment comes up.