John_Bud writes ...
<<Considering the price of the BX2200 with a loader, you may want to look into the larger B series. It's a lot more tractor and the prices are fairly close. >>
My tractor experience is very limited (a couple weeks in orange), but from the couple months I spent pricing and comparing Kubota's I know there is a very insideous argument bound up in John's note.
Considering only hydromatic tractor models <BX1800/BX2200/B7400HSD/B7500HSD/B2410HSD> I see ...
POWER Ranking: (gross hp/PTO hp)
B7400 - 16/12.5
BX1800 - 18/13.7
B7500 - 21/16
BX2200 - 22/16.7
B2410 - 24/18
The BX1800 has the exact same engine as the B7400, but is rated at a higher RPM. The BX2200 is also rated as a higher RPM so is probably slightly inferior to the B7500s.
Hydraulic pump Capacity ranking (gal/min):
B7400 - 3.9 gpm
BX1800 - 5.5 gpm
BX2200 - 5.5 gpm
B7500 - 7.0 gpm
B2410 - 7.0 gpm
Power Steering:
The B7400 does not have power steering, makes it a poor choice for front end loader work and maybe a loser for lots of mowing. The rest have PS.
Instruments:
The B's have a tachometer, the BXs do not.
Weight/Dimensions:
The BXs are only a little lighter though a full 6" closer to the ground.
3pt Lift ranking: (force at centers/24" behind)
BX1800 - 1210/680lb
BX2200 - 1210/680lb
B7400 - 1356/1058lb
B7500 - 1356/1058lb
B2410 - 1655/1300lb
FEL:
The LA211 FEL for the BXs is a little longer reach, 5% less breakout force and 23% less center weight lift than the LA272 for B7x00s. Less power yet than the LA302 FEL which only fits the B7500. A lot less than the LA352 FEL for the B2410.
Price ranking: ?
I've been staring at new and used prices for several months and the best new deals I've seen, subtracting off the cost of all attachments (estimated) are:
BX1800 - $7500
B7400 - $7500
BX2200 - $8100
B7500 - $10000
B2410 - $12000 (?)
B2710 - $12500
The FELs increase in price significantly with capacity and often (oddly) the same basic mower deck will be discounted more on a smaller tractor.
==
Anyway - in my very inexperienced opinion, the BX1800 outguns the B7400 unless the 3pt lift capacity is an issue. The greater FEL capacity of the B7400 is limited by the lack of power steering and lesser stability. I would personally choose the BX for the power steering. Maybe the B7400 is a "loss leader" - a low-end, limited feature larger frame tractor at a very attractive price that entice buyers to look, but then the B7500hsd seems to have more of the necessary features for a $2500 upcharge and gets the PO.
The B7500 is a fair notch above the BX2200 features and the extra $1900 (23%) price tag makes it a real question if the extra performance matches extra price. Depends on your use. The taller frame and the availability of a greater capacity FEL and the 7gpm hydraulic pumps are unmatched by the BX2200, tho' the BX has a very slight rated HP advantage and a slightly lower gearing and may drag loads as well as its big brother.
The next step up from the BX2200/B7500 is the B2410 which wins on all these features, but for an extra $2k.
Honestly - there is no simple ordering of these tractors from least to best UNLESS you account for the way you intend to use them. The BX1800/BX2200/B7400 are very very close in price and trade power, lift capacity, hydraulic capacity and power steering. The B7500 and B2410 are progressive $2k step-ups from these and for my uses the B7500 is a little too close to the BX2200 to justify the difference unless you are a heavy FEL user or need more lift at the 3pt. If you want a belly mower the B7400 is only recommended for 54", the rest are 60" but you'd need a B2710 for the 72" belly mower! If mowing is the major chore - BX1800 is at a very nice price/performance point.
Although I've seen discussions of backhoes on BXs I think that's foolish. I'd plan on getting/renting a B2410 or above for backhoe or trencher work.
There is a very slippery slope of feature/price trade-offs here, and Kubota has done a great job of making your life as a buyer difficult. The $600 step from a BX1800 to BX2200 is cheap for the extra 22% horsepower and esp the extra 3 PTO HP - but only *IF* you need it. The B7400 entices you to a bigger tractor and greater ground clearance at a cheaper price than the the BX2200 but loses power & power steering. To buy back the power & PS and a bit more you're "into" a B7500 at $10k. Once there you'll find you're missing the size and position control of a "real" tractor and you're gross HP is a hair less than that little BX2200 so it's a big leap to $12k for a B2410. After that jump then the tiny ($500-700) steps from B2410 to B2710 to B2910 are easy and ....then you'll need to start looking at the L-series brochures.
Your wife may intervene by the time you bring home those L-series brochures for your lawn tractor replacement /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif so let me dispense a little 'reality check' advice before she gets around to it. If you are comparing the BXs you'll find that almost the only Kubota specified difference is the engine & PTO HP and the bottom plow size. That doesn't mean you can sneeze at 22% more HP & PTO HP and 32% more torque. If you can use these for pushing & pulling and PTO drive devices they are probably worth the $600. I don't consider the B7400 to be a step up from the BX1800, and loss of mower width will cost you hours every month. The B7500 is a real improvement over BX2200 tho' mostly in lift and hydraulic capacity not power to the ground or PTO. If you will be using a FEL hard every weekend this is certainly worth the extra $2k. If it will mostly be a power wheelbarrow with occasional heavy use maybe you can live with the BXs lesser lift by taking smaller loads and pocket the $2k. I'd head for the B2410 and above for more serious digging and lifting anyway, but then you're $4.5k+ over the BXs.
Also JonWard might want to check out the used market carefully. I liked the BXs but was enticed toward the B2400 and B2150s since this would also accomodate my heavier occasional tasks and can be had used and low hours for a similar price. I was about to close on a (distant) B2150 then a local B2400 came up which would save transport cost, and at the last minute a used BX2200 equiped to my needs (FEL & 60" mower) came up for sale 80hrs of hobby farm use at a smokin' price. OK - so I'll have to rent a unit when I dig a pond, but I think my wife will take to the BX a lot better than a B2150 and I've saved enough to justify the rental.
