cerescobra
Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2008
- Messages
- 25
I've been tractor shopping for a few weeks and have narrowed my choices to the two Deeres and the old style Kubota. I can buy the 2520 and the B7800 comparably equipped with FEL and 60" MMM for essentially the same price and the 2320 for $1800 less. My application is a home on 5 acres with 2-3 acres of mowing, moving snow in the winter, some landscaping and moving timber around for an outside woodburning stove (dragging logs from the woods and moving cut wood to the OWB).
Here are my general comments on each:
B7800 Likes: More HP (30/22), 3 spd HST, more FEL lift capacity
Dislikes: Old style, slower change on the FEL, brakes on same side as go pedals, more costly to add front blade with hyd. control, ergonomics and comfort of platform.
2520 Likes: Quicker change on the FEL with 200cx loader, highest pump capacity, cheaper to add nice hyd. control front blade, largest tires, IMatch system, ergonomics and comfort of platform
Dislikes: Less HP (26.5/20.5), issues with 3pt hitch tire clearance?
2320 Likes: Smallest (good for mowing), cheapest, ergonomic and comfort of platform.
Dislikes: Lowest HP (24/18), lower pump capacity
Generally speaking, I like the style, comfort and amenities of the Deeres. And the lower cost for a front mounted blade. The main draw for the Kubota is the 4 cylinder, 30 HP engine with 3 spd HST. I suspect I'm missing something here, because I know most Kubota B7800 owners love their machines. So, here are my questions:
-- Is 30 HP or even 26.5HP overkill for my application? I generally believe that more is better, but does it have it's downside?
-- Am I missing other significant pros for the Kubota? I'm concerned that I'm internally biased because I like the style and ergonomics of the Deeres better.
-- The economics for the 2520 and B7800 are more comparable with just the FEL and MMM included. Adding the front blade favors the Deeres. Am I offbase in thinking the front blade is superior to a back blade for moving snow? Or, that a snowblower is either overkill or better value than a good front blade setup?
I was convinced that I would pursue the Deeres until my Orange dealer dropped his price on the B7800 by $1000. I just passed on a B7610 because I thought it was too small.
Thanks for your thoughts and experiences!
Chuck
Here are my general comments on each:
B7800 Likes: More HP (30/22), 3 spd HST, more FEL lift capacity
Dislikes: Old style, slower change on the FEL, brakes on same side as go pedals, more costly to add front blade with hyd. control, ergonomics and comfort of platform.
2520 Likes: Quicker change on the FEL with 200cx loader, highest pump capacity, cheaper to add nice hyd. control front blade, largest tires, IMatch system, ergonomics and comfort of platform
Dislikes: Less HP (26.5/20.5), issues with 3pt hitch tire clearance?
2320 Likes: Smallest (good for mowing), cheapest, ergonomic and comfort of platform.
Dislikes: Lowest HP (24/18), lower pump capacity
Generally speaking, I like the style, comfort and amenities of the Deeres. And the lower cost for a front mounted blade. The main draw for the Kubota is the 4 cylinder, 30 HP engine with 3 spd HST. I suspect I'm missing something here, because I know most Kubota B7800 owners love their machines. So, here are my questions:
-- Is 30 HP or even 26.5HP overkill for my application? I generally believe that more is better, but does it have it's downside?
-- Am I missing other significant pros for the Kubota? I'm concerned that I'm internally biased because I like the style and ergonomics of the Deeres better.
-- The economics for the 2520 and B7800 are more comparable with just the FEL and MMM included. Adding the front blade favors the Deeres. Am I offbase in thinking the front blade is superior to a back blade for moving snow? Or, that a snowblower is either overkill or better value than a good front blade setup?
I was convinced that I would pursue the Deeres until my Orange dealer dropped his price on the B7800 by $1000. I just passed on a B7610 because I thought it was too small.
Thanks for your thoughts and experiences!
Chuck