The wife and I are building a new home on 8 acres (mostly wooded). I will be needing a tractor for grading & leveling the new yard / driveway. Hauling wood, rocks, dirt, gravel etc. I'm looking at getting a B3200. Do you guys think that the FEL for the 3200 has enough lift capacity for this kind of work?
New to forum, got some questions
- Thread starter AirborneRGR
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Kubota_Man
Member
Equipment
BX24, Rear blade, Front blade, Snowblower, 54" MMM, Box scraper, Landscape rake
Welcome to the neighborhood Airborne. I think you will find the fine folks on here have a wealth of useful info that we are more than willing to share.
Depending on how much time you have to spend on your projects any size tractor will do what you need. My dealer told me that my BX24 wouldn't move a mountain.....WRONG it will move a mountain it just may take a bit longer.
When you do get your new addition just remember we love pictures of Tractor Porn.
With a name like what you have "Thank You for your service"
Depending on how much time you have to spend on your projects any size tractor will do what you need. My dealer told me that my BX24 wouldn't move a mountain.....WRONG it will move a mountain it just may take a bit longer.
When you do get your new addition just remember we love pictures of Tractor Porn.
With a name like what you have "Thank You for your service"
gpreuss
New member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3200DT w/FEL, K650 Backhoe, 5' Rotary, 40" Howard Rotavator, 6' Rhino blade
The quick answer is YES. My old L185DT was about the same weight, with a bit less loader capacity, but nowhere near the horsepower, and I was dazzled by what it could do!!
On the other hand, traction is a function of tire size and tractor weight. An L3200 is about 800 lbs heavier, with considerably larger tires. And you get more loader capacity. You get about 25% more tractor, for 10% more $$.
As you can see from my avatar, I spent a lot of time and money trying to make my 185 a bigger tractor. I used it for about 35 years; it did the job. But I would have been way ahead if I'd spent the 10% more $$ for the next size larger machine.
Which ever you get, fill the tires for ballast, and have something on the 3ph that weighs 600+ lbs while you do any loader work.
On the other hand, traction is a function of tire size and tractor weight. An L3200 is about 800 lbs heavier, with considerably larger tires. And you get more loader capacity. You get about 25% more tractor, for 10% more $$.
As you can see from my avatar, I spent a lot of time and money trying to make my 185 a bigger tractor. I used it for about 35 years; it did the job. But I would have been way ahead if I'd spent the 10% more $$ for the next size larger machine.
Which ever you get, fill the tires for ballast, and have something on the 3ph that weighs 600+ lbs while you do any loader work.
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AHunsinger
New member
Equipment
L3800,loader,tiller,subsoiler,9ft disc,5 ft rotary cutter, 7ft blade,planter
Thanks for the info, all good points. I'm brand new to the tractor world, so I'm trying to learn all I can. Going from a 4000 sqft lot to 8 acres is like a dream come true.
North Idaho Wolfman
Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Living to the east of you in the same general land, I would suggest you step up to the L series.
They will give you a lot greater capacity and stability over the B series.
They will give you a lot greater capacity and stability over the B series.
I bought my L3200 because of the weight and lifting capacity. My old B7610 did a great job, but I needed more lifting capacity. I've enjoyed my L so far and is a great tractor and not much more expensive than the higher end B series. Enjoy whatever tractor you get. Kubota won't let you down!
I just pulled the trigger on a B2650 and love it. Of course I'm not plowing or bush hogging 20 acres. Sometimes bigger isn't always better, but as stated weight is key to traction. I've been snaking between trees and pushing logs etc and I'm sure except for the agility, a L would do a little more. I just leave the bush hog on the back and most times I get plenty of traction. My yard is pretty soft so I play it safe. I stay in 2wd until I get stuck, then go to 4wd to get free.
Of course if you have wide open spaces AND the funds to support it, go for the bigger, heavier tractor. The only downside will be the wallet. Like tool boxes or sheds, buy the biggest you can, better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Of course if you have wide open spaces AND the funds to support it, go for the bigger, heavier tractor. The only downside will be the wallet. Like tool boxes or sheds, buy the biggest you can, better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
If your ground is soft, there is no harm in leaving it in 4WD so you won't have to worry about getting stuck.
Ron
Ron
North Idaho Wolfman
Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
I leave my tractor in 4wd all the time, as long as you not running it on solid hard surfaces you'll be fine.
I have 9 acres and the L3800 and find it fits my needs perfectly. I would either will get your work done but it doesn't hurt to go bigger if you have the funds.
I mostly stay in 2 wheel drive but If I start to spinning at all I'll kick it into 4wd, no sense in waiting until your stuck. As mentioned there are a lot of guys who never take them out of 4wd and think that's probably pretty safe unless you are on the road.
Good luck with your choice and post some pics when you get it home.
I mostly stay in 2 wheel drive but If I start to spinning at all I'll kick it into 4wd, no sense in waiting until your stuck. As mentioned there are a lot of guys who never take them out of 4wd and think that's probably pretty safe unless you are on the road.
Good luck with your choice and post some pics when you get it home.