upgrade 7800 vs 2630 or 3030
jd2210
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 112 IN Pics |
2006-01-05 122292
I am strongly considering jumping up a class size in tractors and have my sights set on either the B7800 or B2630 or B3030. My primary need for this unit will be loader followed by some mowing (would get the MMM), snow removal and to a lesser degree 3-point work. At some point, I would like to get the backhoe. I'm fairly familiar with the specifics (hp, 1/4" position, clutch engagement vs hydro switch), but given the choices which would you consider? When I compare the B7800 vs B3030, the dollars are significant, close to 2K, so what makes it worth that much more? Likewise is it worth spending $1200 more to go from the 2630 to the 3030? At this point, I'm stuck and looking for comments.
PS Don't tell the Green guys I'm over hear asking about Orange, just kidding.
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upgrade 7800 vs 2630 or 3030
jgbiker
Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 4 Hillsboro OR |
2006-01-05 122295
Hi jd2210
I've owned both the 7800 and a 3030. IMHO the 1/4 inching feature of the 3 pt. hitch is a pain, If for example I were mowing, blading, I would have to set the 3pt. height in 1/4" increments by pushing/pulling and releasing the lever until the right was achieved. It was almost impossible for me to raise the implement to go over a stump or rock while mowing and then to lower it on the move to it's previous height. Or if blading to change the blade from a preset height and back. I would have to come to a stop and then pump the lever to achieve the desired height.
For me the B3030 was a much nicer tractor with extra features. The big thing for me was the differance between the 1/4 inching valve of the 7800 and the control valve of the 3030.
Now for for what I consider the down side of the B3030. The current owners manual states on page 13 that along with other safety features, the B3030 will not start while in gear (it's like an automatic transmission in your car) there is no clutch pedal. That it will only start in neutral. This isn't correct, it will start in gear. Kubota is now aware of the typo in the owners manual and promised to print new manuals. Nothing has been mentioned to me about them notifying current B3030 owner about the typo. And I'm told that Kubota doesn't think the lack of a safety neutral switch is a hazard. I'm passing this info along so that no one else has an accident or a near miss. If your aware of this non feature and can live with it, the B3030 is a good tractor.
You could try to find a B2910 which has all the features of a 3030 and the looks of a 7800 and it has a clutch pedal.
John ....
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upgrade 7800 vs 2630 or 3030
beagle
Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1333 Michigan Pics |
2006-01-05 122298
What's been stated about the 1/4" valve is true in our case, but to a lesser extent. I have gotten used to the action of the valve, and also installed a position indicator so we know where the 3-pt is at all times. With time you get used to the valve, but it isn't position control. With either valve, adjusting the height of an implement to clear objects would take some fussing around, position control or not. I'm not sure the valve type has much to do with that problem.
You should be a ware that there is another major difference between the 7800/2910 and the 30 series tractors. The PTO engagement on the 30 series tractors is hydraulic, therefore the pto can be engaged and disengaged without clutching. Since the tractor is hydrostatic and the pto's are hydraulic, there really isn't a lot of use for a clutch. Being able to engage and disenage pto's on the fly is a nice feature, maybe even nicer than the position control. You don't have this feature on the 2910 either.
We have the 7800, although modified, it has been a great machine for us and always ready to work. ....
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upgrade 7800 vs 2630 or 3030
jd2210
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 112 IN Pics |
2006-01-05 122311
jdbike, thanks for the informative message, especially the start in gear option.
beagle, My Deere operates the way you describe for the PTO, and I consider that OK. That is, the minimum RPM is around 1500K, so when you pull the switch it's essentially 1500K quickly to the implement (really don't like that, but it's OK). As for the clutch, I like it better, because you can ease into the implement.
Thanks again for the messages. ....
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upgrade 7800 vs 2630 or 3030
Toolin
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 11 West Michigan |
2006-01-05 122320
I have a B3030 so my opinion is probably biased. First of all, I love it. I looked at the same three tractors you are considering and ended up with the 30. I liked the B7800 but my main reason for not going with it was the fact that it is now an old model, The B2630 and B3030 were brand new in 2005. Those two are improvements to the B7800, IMHO. Being newer designs I think the resale in the future will offset the higher purchase price. Plus I liked the looks of the them better but that is personal taste. Some other things to consider are; the new models have hydrostatic steering vs. power steering, POSITION CONTROL, did I say position control? It is much easier to control implement height. In no time you will learn how much to move the lever to make the rear blade raise or lower as ground conditions change or to level the dirt you are grading. I have experience with both systems and I would never buy a tractor that did not have position control. The other thing that is way cool on the new models is the foot controlled tilt steering wheel. This makes it so easy to move the wheel up to mount or dismount the tractor. That is a really great feature. The reason I chose the B3030 over the B2630 was the fact that since I was going to be spending a lot of money anyway, a little more to get the extra HP seemed worth it to me. More power is better in my book, even if you never need it. So far, the only thing I have done that needed all of the power was pull a 2 bottom 14" 3PTH Ford plow. That is a load but it pulls it surprisingly well in low range, FWD. The other thing I liked better about the 30 over the 26 was the sound of the 4 cylinder engine vs. the 3 of the B2630. Smoother and quieter to me. As far as the hydraulic PTO, that has not been a problem for me but the only thing I use it for is the MMM. I don't know why it wouldn't work well for any PTO use. I have driven my dad's Ford 4000 with Hydraulic PTO and the Kubota is smoother. Still, the Ford never was a problem so I would not worry about it. Good luck. ....
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upgrade 7800 vs 2630 or 3030
jarndt
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 351 Northern Virginia Pics |
2006-01-06 122321
jd2210,
There is no tac on my BX, but I'm almost positive the min RPMs are WAY lower than 1500; I don't know about the 2210. The BX operator manual indicates the RPM should be lowered before engaging the PTO to avoid shock loading the drivetrain. You can certainly engage the PTO more gently by feathering a clutch, but I imagine the engineers designed the hyraulic PTO to engage without causing damage.
Another perspective on the HP difference between models... If you look at the HP to size/weight ratio of today's tractors vs. those of 50 years ago, newer tractors are overpowered. However, the role of the small tractor has changed significantly too. It all depends on what you'll be doing with the machine, I suppose. ....
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upgrade 7800 vs 2630 or 3030
jd2210
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 112 IN Pics |
2006-01-06 122323
jarnet,
The weight ratio to hp is something that I have been pouring over heavy the past couple of months. That is, I really don't want a machine in my private yard to be much more than 2000 lbs (I know with a loader or deck, anyone of the three mentioned will be heavier than that, but not by too much). Alternatively, I looked at the Deere 3120 (29.5 hp and love that machine and would buy it today), but I don't want something with a base footprint of 2700 lbs before adding loader, or deck or doing work, because I feel that is too heavy for my general home use. ....
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upgrade 7800 vs 2630 or 3030
jgbiker
Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 4 Hillsboro OR |
2006-01-06 122337
JD2210
Is the JD3120 a much biger tractor than a B3030. Since Kubota is going to take back my 3030 I'm looking at different choices. I can't find a 3120 to look at or any literature
John ....
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upgrade 7800 vs 2630 or 3030
Toolin
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 11 West Michigan |
2006-01-06 122342
The JD3120 is a larger tractor than the B3030. I think it is more comparable in size and weight to a L3130. ....
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upgrade 7800 vs 2630 or 3030
Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York Pics |
2006-01-06 122354
Thats correct on the weights. The light foot print of the large frame B-series is an everyday advantage. ....
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