Go BottomB3030 after the first 15 hours
 | jegenrieder
Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 18 Hampshire Co., WV / Arlington, VA 
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2005-08-09 114629
A few reflections:
The LA 403 loader takes less than two minutes to detach. It's really impressive so far.
Get a toothbar for your loader! I splurged an extra $250 based on recommendations here, and I use the teeth every hour (clearing brush, pulling fenceposts, uprooting briars, younameit). You can carry so much more, tie things to the teeth, and pick up things that are larger than your bucket (e.g., trees).
The BH75 backhoe takes longer to detach, maybe ten minutes initially, but then less than five after practice.
The R4 tires are so capable, yet leave no noticeable impact on my lawn (although it is most comparable to the rough of a golf course. If you are into a well grromed lawn in a rainy environment, they might not work so well.
The HST transmission is a must with a loader, mid-mount mower in trees, or with a rotary mower (bush hog) in tight spaces. When I considered an L3130 I didn't mind the GST or FST, but all I did was drive it around. Under real work conditions, the HST is two less things to think about.
The new telescoping and ratcheting 3-point hitch works very well.
Buy extra pins! I loose one every three or four days, except for the loader and backhoe, which have built-in pin storage.
Stick to your rules about requiring folks to read the manual before driving it. I waived it for my wife and now she insists on doing all the regular mowing. She was intimidated by the B3030 for a total of maybe 10 minutes.
I use the 4WD very often, maybe even 60 percent of non-mowing time. The differential lock has been helpful three or four times already. I often wish the front wheels were larger, but that has only been a cosmetic concern so far.
In retrospect the L3130 would have been nice for heavier-duty loader work, but it would not have worked for our mowing needs around lots of trees. Also, I can get the B3030 with the loader and bush hog in surprisingly tight spots and it's been excellent for trail-building. The resulting trails are perfect for walking or running, and also ATVs, but the L3130 would have required/created enough room for a small car.
I can rent an S130 Bobcat for $155/weekend (8 hours), plus $95 if I went them to deliver it Sat. morning and pick it up Monday morning. With that alternative available, the B3030 will turn out to be the best choice for me in the every-tractor-is-a-compromise buying process.
Jim
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Add PhotoB3030 after the first 15 hours
 | JOHN THOMAS
Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 61 SOMERSET, KY
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2005-08-10 114633
A word of advise to all tractor owners that like to drive their tractors. NEVER< NEVER< NEVER let your wife drive it!!! You will become the secondary driver in very short order!!! My wife was intimidated by my BX2200 60"mmm and fel which I traded for a B7800 with fel, boxblade, landscape rake, front forks and 6'rfm and bought her a BX1500 to help me with mowing. One day she tried the B7800 and there has been trouble ever since trying to get her off of it. Don't think she has been on the BX1500 since but I have several times mowing. ....
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Add PhotoB3030 after the first 15 hours
 | ncrunch32
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 762 Kingston, NY 
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2005-08-10 114642
My wife will jump on my JD4310 anytime. One time I come home and she is using the backhoe to help a neighbor's wife plant a bush. Only problem was that she had the front bucket down on their new blacktop driveway for stability. I ran over - told her to stop - and spent some time hammering a small gouge out of their driveway. The husband came out later to inspect - the repair I did was close to perfect but I think he may have noticed a pebble or two out of position :) ....
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