The l3200 or b2650 debate is over

Jason G

New member

Equipment
2014 B2650 and 1981 T1400 (Mainly my back)
Sep 19, 2014
35
0
0
Monticello Fl
Struggled between the two for over 2 weeks. Plenty of pros and cons for both. I kept thinking "bigger is better", but when does the question of needing more HP stop? I'm new with the tractor world, and perhaps I underestimate the strength of 26 ponys. The final factoring point on my decision ended up being... the wife felt better on the b2650. So there it is. Delivery this wed (2 days). B2650 with loader and 54 inch bucket. Loaded tires. Full tank and delivery for 17500, plus taxes comes right at 20000. Also purchased the bexpanded piranha tooth bar. Seem like good price? Will it be enough HP? Is 54 better than 60 inch bucket? Main uses will be clearing about 2 acres, grading 150' driveway, picking up and disposing tree stumps. 1/2 acre garden till. Weekend warrior stuff. So many questions and concerns. I feel buyers remorse on letting non dfp l3200 slip away. Perhaps it would be overkill?
 

AZ.

New member
May 4, 2014
22
0
0
Arizona
Struggled between the two for over 2 weeks. Plenty of pros and cons for both. I kept thinking "bigger is better", but when does the question of needing more HP stop? I'm new with the tractor world, and perhaps I underestimate the strength of 26 ponys. The final factoring point on my decision ended up being... the wife felt better on the b2650. So there it is. Delivery this wed (2 days). B2650 with loader and 54 inch bucket. Loaded tires. Full tank and delivery for 17500, plus taxes comes right at 20000. Also purchased the bexpanded piranha tooth bar. Seem like good price? Will it be enough HP? Is 54 better than 60 inch bucket? Main uses will be clearing about 2 acres, grading 150' driveway, picking up and disposing tree stumps. 1/2 acre garden till. Weekend warrior stuff. So many questions and concerns. I feel buyers remorse on letting non dfp l3200 slip away. Perhaps it would be overkill?
Im a huge believer in HP over anything!... The way I see it its about all the things you will add later... For me a generator, post hole digger ect ect....Easier to unload something heavy... More does give you more....
 

Jason G

New member

Equipment
2014 B2650 and 1981 T1400 (Mainly my back)
Sep 19, 2014
35
0
0
Monticello Fl
Well...that comment justifies my buyers remorse of the L3200. I agree that more HP now helps later. I was just hoping/depending that the B2650 will be enough. (Maybe too much?)
 

D2Cat

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
13,829
5,577
113
40 miles south of Kansas City
Here's what you stated was the critical factor, "The final factoring point on my decision ended up being... the wife felt better on the b2650. So there it is."

So you make a purchase based on what you and your wife need/want. Quit asking and worrying what other people think. They are not in your situation, not paying your bills, not married to your wife. Once you make a purchase you're beyond the analyzing stage!

Quit making stress for yourself. Look at what's good about your choice and don't look back.
 

kc8fbl

New member

Equipment
2014 L3200 HST FEL, 1949 Minneapolis-Moline R
Aug 23, 2012
222
0
0
Gobles, MI
I'm sure the B2650 will be plenty of tractor and won't let you down. The L has more HP and lifting capacity, however, the B is a little more nimble in the tighter quarters you may be working in. It may take just a little longer on some things since you may not be able to take quite as big a bite out of a dirt pile compared to the L.

I love my L3200. I feel more comfortable mowing my ditch line with it. I used to have a B7610 which was 24 HP. It was a great tractor and did everything I asked it to. I just needed more lifting capacity.

As long as you and your wife are happy with the 2650 and feel comfortable with it, that's all that matters. Besides, that will help you out in the future when you decide your 2650 needs a helper! ;) :D
 

461mike

New member

Equipment
BX2200 w/front snowblower, B2650, 54" box scrapper, grapple, 6' plow
Sep 19, 2014
16
0
1
menomonie
I am going through the same debate but instead b2650. It is a hard choice no matter what you decide. When I bought my B7610 in 2007 new I was green and could of got a better deal and always thought if it was big enough. That little tractor helped me pull about 200 trees in 5 acres and over a dozen stumps that weighed half the tractor, it might have taken me longer as I have no BH but it did it. So I think whatever you decided it will be the right decision.

Can I ask? I do not want to hijack the discussion kc8fbl how did he like his switch from 7610 to 2650. Anything that you wished you had on it but did not order.
 

koja

New member

Equipment
BX25D
May 27, 2014
335
1
0
Fremont Mi.
Don't worry what anyone else thinks , you will be surprised and pleased with what you bought. Kubota's are amazing and will always surprise you in what they will do .
 

Garandman

New member

Equipment
L3200, SSQA bucket, pallet forks, Ratchet Rake, Wallenstein BX42s chipper
Sep 1, 2014
19
0
0
Boston / Sullivan County NH
Just to keep the universe in balance, yesterday I ordered an L3200.

I told my wife we needed a garden tractor to mow the lawn...;)
 

Jason G

New member

Equipment
2014 B2650 and 1981 T1400 (Mainly my back)
Sep 19, 2014
35
0
0
Monticello Fl
Delivery has moved up a day. Actually, in about 2 hours that new bota is gonna be on my property. I may have to take an early workday and go play. I'll try to get up a pic or two. I ordered the piranha bar and they said it was the first one for a b2650 they have done.
 

Jason G

New member

Equipment
2014 B2650 and 1981 T1400 (Mainly my back)
Sep 19, 2014
35
0
0
Monticello Fl
OK. With less than 20 minutes on seat and goofing around with a dirt pile and a tree stump, so far I'm impressed. I'm sending this post from my phone while sitting on my new b2650.
 

kc8fbl

New member

Equipment
2014 L3200 HST FEL, 1949 Minneapolis-Moline R
Aug 23, 2012
222
0
0
Gobles, MI
Can I ask? I do not want to hijack the discussion kc8fbl how did he like his switch from 7610 to 2650. Anything that you wished you had on it but did not order.
I traded in my B7610 for the L3200. I use it mainly for mowing the yard, but the loader is a huge help. The added lifting capacity and lifting height is very noticeable. It doesn't turn quite as tight as the B did, but that's not a big deal. I feel it was a positive move going up in tractor size. I wouldn't mind having another B series sometime for doing smaller jobs. The only thing right now I would like to have is a back blade and a tiller.
 

CaveCreekRay

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3800 HST, KingKutter box scraper, KingKutter 66" rake, County Pride Subsoiler
Jul 11, 2014
2,631
100
48
Cave Creek, AZ
For anyone on the fence...

My wife is SUPER cautious when it comes to mechanical things. Teaching her to ride a motorcycle took years. But, she'll hop on her Vespa in a heartbeat because there are no gears on a scooter.

When I went out to find a tractor, she helped me by combing CraigsList. Once she understood the concept of hydrostatic drive ("That's right hon... no clutch!") she insisted she be able to drive this new toy (L3800).

After an hour or so in the seat, she is comfortable and very confident using it. Which is good: We have a ton of landscaping to do this fall.

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Bluegill

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Equipment
L3750DT Shuttle, L3800DT FEL both
Jan 11, 2012
1,560
4
0
Success Missouri
Trying to figure out how to submit a pic for yall
Nice! Nothing wrong with the B series. It will serve you well.

A friend of mine just bought a lightly used B32xx (don't remember the model). He wanted a L3200/3800 but his wife felt more comfortable on the B and she will be using it more than he.
 

Bluegill

New member

Equipment
L3750DT Shuttle, L3800DT FEL both
Jan 11, 2012
1,560
4
0
Success Missouri
For anyone on the fence...

My wife is SUPER cautious when it comes to mechanical things. Teaching her to ride a motorcycle took years. But, she'll hop on her Vespa in a heartbeat because there are no gears on a scooter.

When I went out to find a tractor, she helped me by combing CraigsList. Once she understood the concept of hydrostatic drive ("That's right hon... no clutch!") she insisted she be able to drive this new toy (L3800).

After an hour or so in the seat, she is comfortable and very confident using it. Which is good: We have a ton of landscaping to do this fall.

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Where's the hood???
 

Jason G

New member

Equipment
2014 B2650 and 1981 T1400 (Mainly my back)
Sep 19, 2014
35
0
0
Monticello Fl
I definitely feel better about my purchase of the b2650 seeing that the l3800 come without hoods..
 
Last edited:

85Hokie

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BX-25D ,PTB. Under Armor, '90&'92-B7100HST's, '06 BX1850 FEL
Jul 13, 2013
10,746
2,551
113
Bedford - VA
I definitely feel better about my purchase of the b2650 seeing that the l3800 come without hoods..
mmmm.....

no hood, mmmmm

not sure if i needed a hood like that ifn i had a wife that wanted to use the tractor!:D

and on that thought, you might have created a monster - she wont let you drive !!!

glad to see the other half enjoys the toys too!!!

and what DID happen to the hood?
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
30,212
6,384
113
Sandpoint, ID
When I was buying a tractor I started off with a B7100 @16HP wasn't happy with that so I replaced the motor and jumped it up to 21.5HP still not happy I bought my L3450 @36.7HP...
Now if I can only find a snow blower to fit this then I'll truly be happy!
Big Budd @900HP


You can never have enough HP!
 

ShaunRH

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3200
May 14, 2014
1,414
6
0
Atascadero, CA
When I was a little spud, my father used to take me on my Grandfather's 8 wheel CASE that looked similar to that. He'd let me drive it all over the fields with me sitting in his lap while he ran the pedals, I'd steer. I drove it through a 14' deep gully ditch and thought that was the funnest thing we'd done so I did it several times more. He was amazed that I wasn't stressed out at all by going down and back up. The 8 wheeler took it on like it was just a little dip! So, love those big monsters!

As for the debate, good choice on the BX. I was looking for the BX and ended up with the L3200. I love the L3200 but for the same price I could've gotten a BX25D with the backhoe, HST and the same attachments. So I have buyers 'what if's' the other direction, but I have 6 acres that need to be turned into a retirement ranch so I know I'll need the bigger machine. I have my D-17 for backhoe work, but it's on my Dad's ranch in Utah so I need to haul it to my Texas ranch, not gonna be cheap.

So, good choice with the BX, don't fret the L3200. If the wifey says she likes the littler one better, you made a wise choice.