Kubota in the Vineyard

[jquinn24]

Hello:

I have a vineyard in Iowa and am looking for the right Kubota to help me out with day-to-day operations in the vineyard and around the acreage. I've spent a lot of time on various sites trying to get a better idea of what will suit me best and am leaning towards a B3030 with a cab.

I like that this tractor is narrow and will drive between rows with ease and also that it is light and won't create much soil compaction over time. But I'm wondering if it's too small and not enough HP for the out of the vineyard tasks.

Day-to-day operations may include: mowing, spraying, roto-tilling and light soil work, wooden post driving, and snow removal. With the exception of hydraulically driving posts, I feel the B3030 will have plenty of HP, but I've also been considering a small to mid-sized L Series for more HP... but at a much higher price.

Any thoughts from B3030 owners and/or vineyard owners/operators would be great.

Thanks much,
James

 

[Eric McCarthy]

Kubota makes a few model tractors just for vinyard use. They are in the M series line up ranging from 62 to 85 HP with or with out cabs.

http://www.kubota.com/product/M40NARROW/M40Narrow.aspx

 

[Bulldog]

I have a 32 hp L 3000 that I use about every day on my farm. It does alot of the same chores you listed and handles them just fine. You can do some pretty heavy work with a 30 hp tractor. With that being said I wouldn't trade my L series for a 3030 even though the hp is about the same. The narrow stance and lighter weight would be a big disadvantage to me but it may be just right for your needs. I'll put it like this though. If you have any doubt about the size then go bigger. A big tractor can do most small jobs but a small one will always be small.

 

[Kingcreek]

A neighbor has a B (no cab) and a small vineyard and uses it about like you describe but he only has maybe 3 acres of vines on 10 acres total including his homesite.
My Grand L is 66" wide with R4 tires. I think ag tires will track a little narrower?

 

[CobraTom]

The vineyard I purchased my used loader from has a L 245DT for mowing and spraying between the vines, and two Grand L40's with narrow AG tires and loaders for all over tasks.

They mentioned they need the L245DT without a loader as the loader always got in the way between the vines.

 

[deancs]

I recently considered the same, but in the end went with a L4240. Here in AU the smallest cab model in the L range is the L4240 . One of my main considerations for the L was spraying, particularly canopy where its either a 600L PTO unit or a 1500 trailed airblast. I have 16 acres of vines so I don't want to be back and forward refilling a small tank. As for everything else a B series cab would have been ideal especially being narrower and lighter. As far as tyres are concerned I went with industrial (I think they are called R4s). I have a few small slopes and they will provide better stopping (esp when towing the sprayer) if its damp. The wider tread of the R4s is also of benefit as it spreads the weight which helps to avoid compaction and tyre ruts.