New L3200 Loader/Backhoe

[lemontwist]

Marvin from Barlow Equipment just brought me a new toy!
L3200 HST with Loader, Backhoe, Grading scraper and WR Long grapple, along with a 20' trailer to haul it all.

Much fun/work awaits, including the tractor barn.

 

[gpreuss]

You're sure in for some fun with that one! They look SO GOOD when they're new!

 

[seanbarr]

Awesome! I spent a few minutes looking at it. You should tell us how you decided on this model!

 

[lemontwist]

Well, I've been looking/researching for a few years now. Reading this and other forums, visiting dealers, and talking to other tractor owners.

I have 10+ acres of mostly woods, with over a half mile of drive/private gravel road that gets pretty beat up when it gets wet. I've been fixing the road up with my ATV trailer and shovels, which gets old real fast (especially as I get old . I eventually figured out that a grading scraper (Land Plane) is the right tool for maintaining a smooth road.

As far as size, bigger is better for ground engagement, so the BX was out. the B series might have worked, but the L is much heavier for similar HP, which made that choice clear. I need to get around in the forest, so I think a Grand L would be too big (and out of my budget as well). And, honestly, I wanted a 'real' tractor, not one that would easily be confused with a lawn mower.

Regarding the backhoe, I've always wanted one for digging out stumps, moving rocks, trenching, and any number of other jobs. Probably could do without it (and almost did), but I figured I get it now or probably never.

I also got a 48" grapple for clearing the underbrush and downed trees in the woods, which is pretty thick. Based on other folks experience, I think I'm going to use the grapple a lot.

Many thanks to the posters on this and other tractor forums. I felt like a much more informed buyer with your help.

 

[chim]

.....................As far as size, bigger is better for ground engagement, so the BX was out. the B series might have worked, but the L is much heavier for similar HP, which made that choice clear. I need to get around in the forest, so I think a Grand L would be too big (and out of my budget as well). .........................And, honestly, I wanted a 'real' tractor, not one that would easily be confused with a lawn mower. .........................

Congrats on the L3200. I have a little over 60 hours on mine since early last summer and absolutely love it. You're right about the size. My B7500 worked OK for 10 years but it was often marginal in weight and size. The L3200 is not too big and heavy for finish mowing and mine sees a lot of that.

The "lawn mower" comment made me smile. Wifey came from a farm family and I heard her trying to describe our new L3200 to a friend who is unfamiliar with tractors as a "glorified garden tractor"

 

[Pquackenbush86]

I'm considering upgrading to a 3200 or a 3240 from my 3010, what did you end up paying out the door for the package? Looks awesome!

 

[tempforce]

pushing 80 hours since the first of the year. very happy with my purchase..of a L3200, with fel, back hoe, box scraper, forks and a tiller.

 

[Sammy3700]

Which backhoe did you go with?

 

[tempforce]

the bh77 with 12" bucket..

 

[Sammy3700]

How much trouble is it to unhook the backhoe? Or have you unhooked it yet?

 

[lemontwist]

Getting the backhoe (BH77) off is pretty easy. A fairly simple dance of the bucket on the ground and the stabilizers to lift it out of it's 'cradle'. The description in the manual is harder to read than it is to do. The downside is that you then have to put on all the 3-point hitch parts, which takes longer than removing the backhoe. Around 30 minutes for the first time, maybe faster as I get more practice.

 

[tempforce]

un hooking the backhoe is a breeze.
**just make sure you are on a level surface**, and you pull the tractor forward a little, after pulling the pins… with the tractor shut off, bleed the pressure from the system. by tapping the controls on the loader or backhoe... before un-hooking the hydraulic lines… remember to hook the lines together, on the tractor. so that your other attachments will work. i.e., fel…. this needs to be done on the disconnected equipment… to keep dirt out of the hydraulic system..

hooking up takes a bit more time…
it helps if you left the backhoe on level ground.. back up so that the lower brackets are alined, hook up the hydraulic hoses. then back into the backhoe. then use the back hoe to position itself so that the retaining pins/bolts line up.. i'm getting good at hooking up.. lots of practice helps… i found that the upper pins will work loose, if the little handles slip out of the provided metal holes. using a bungy cord wrapped around the base of the backhoe chair and slipping the hooks onto the little handles/pins between the large pin and the metal hole, the little pin fits into. which holds the little handles/pins in place..
cc

 

[alia176]

Curious, did the dedicated seat with the backhoe start with BH77? I didn't see this feature on BH75.

 

[Tarmy]

BH76is what I have...and has the dedicated seat. The pins working loose(mentioned above)is an issue. I drilled a hole in the end of the sliding handle and put a clip in it to keep them from working loose. I also built a cradle to drop the backhoe on so I can move it around the shop while it is off the tractor. That also makes it easier to put back on...because you can move it around to line up first time every time.

I have a cart or cradle for all my implements so I can move them around...and line them up when it is time to re-install.

I also think you will get WAY more use from that grade all by installing a TNT and manipulating that from the seat...those things are great for the leveling/sloping the driveway.

 

[diegokid]

To save time taking the backhoe off I bought longer bolts that hold the lower pins in for the three point hitch. I cut the head off of them and drilled a hole through the shank. I now use a hairpin instead of taking the bolts in and out. Saves a few minutes.