B7610 or B7800 or other

[biker128pedal]

I am trying to decide if I really need a B7800 over the B7610 (or toerh equivalent brand sizes). I have about 3 acres of pasture and over an acre of lawn. A 60" deck will make grass cutting fast. Right know it takes over 8 hours with the 38" deck John Deere. The touble is I need to build and maintain a small riding ring for horses. It will be about 140' by 75'. Then some dirt moving to fill low areas and work and managing the manure. I have been told the bet ting to do is use a box grader to level it then use the FEl to mover the scraped up soil. (Which I can use to fill low areas.)

I have used a B7510 to cut gtrass and test driven a B7800. My legs are long so the B7800 had slightly more room. Both handle great.

(To further confuse the issue I will be looking at a NH TC-30 this weekend. All are hydrostatic.)

The bottom line question: Is a 24 hp tractor with 60" or 48" deck and FEL just right or the step above what is just right? Going up to 30hp is about $2,000. I know get the biggest I can afford bu the B7800 stretches the budget.

The B7800 with LA402 FEL and 60" Land Pride rear discharge mower is $17,068. The B7610 with LA352 FEl and 48" mower is $15,044. The NH is a little higher but is offering 0% on last year unsold units.

Mike

 

[bradyky]

For your application, I like the B7800. The operator's station is substantially bigger than the B7610 and the size of the tractor opens some new doors with implement size. I've always thought the B7800 is a real bargain when you look at the 30 hp 4 cylinder. Not to further muddy the waters, but with the current Kubota $500 rebate, the B2630 and B3030 models get really close to the B7800 and have some really nice features like extendable rear links, deluxe seat, deluxe lift, and a redesigned loader. Plus, the B2630 and B3030 models are eligible for 0% for 36 month financing. Also, if you are going to look at the TC30 hydro, be sure to look at the L3400HST for comparison sake.

 

[biker128pedal]

I saw the B2630 and B3030. More bells but did not price them. The dealer did not mention the rebate on them. Bu the B7800 is a reach for me. I would need 0% for 60 months to go any higher. I did not think about the L3400. I thought the L series were higher priced.

The TC30 is only about $850 more than the B7800. To get an equivalent NH Boomer Tractor I would have to go with a manual. I'll give it a test drive.

 

[bradyky]

The B2630 is around $250 more than the B7800 when considering the rebate. I would probably rather have the whistles on the B2630 than the 3 hp. Just thought I would throw that in so you would have an idea of the difference. Plus you get the 0% for 36. If you look at the L3400DT (gear drive), it is going to be close to the same price as the B7800...maybe just a bit higher.

 

[8561]

Just thought I'd post to let you know that the B7610 will easily run a 60" rear finish mower. I run a Land Pride rear discharge on my B2410 (same chassis and drivetrain as the 7610) with no issue. For me, I prefer the smaller size for the types of things I do. If you see yourself in tight areas, you might like the smaller frame. Either is a great tractor.

 

[Bob_Young]

Both machines (B7800, B7610) should do fine as mowers. The B7610 will be the more maneuverable because of its shorter wheelbase. The B7800 will handle a bigger mower. For pasture and open lawn mowing the B7800 would be the best choice. Around trees and obstacles, the B7610 will win.

Another thing to look at is the loader specs. The B7800 pretty much wins all around in this area. In particular, compare loader maximum lift height. The B7800's LA402 has a max. lift height to pivot pin of 82". For the B7610's LA352, it's only 69.7". That's a FOOT of difference. The LA403 used on the B2630 and B3030 has a max lift of 84"; 14 inches greater than the LA352. Clearly the 7610's loader is vertically challenged compared to the larger models.

If you're going to be loading manure, dirt or whatever into a high-sided wagon or truck, you should probably look at the larger machines. I lifted a snowblower onto a JD Gator with my B7610. With the blower hanging from the bucket hooks and suspended below the bucket, I couldn't lift it high enough to get it onto the Gator. Had to back off and pick up the blower so that it was mostly inside the bucket before I could lift it onto the Gator. It really brought home to me how limited the LA352 is when it comes to max lift height.

I bought the B7610 because of all the trees I mow around. I love it but it's not perfect.
FWIW
Bob

 

[JLoaf]

I have a B2710 with a 6' Woods FM. My tractor has plenty of power for the 6' mower. I recommend the 6 foot mower if you can get it. The hydro is great for quick forward and reverse mowing if you ever miss a spot or need to back into a tight area - much more difficult w/ manual trans.
I would highly recommend the hydro and as much hp as you can afford in one of these small tractors. I would think that the B2630 would pull a 6 ft mower also? 26hp vs 27(20 hp @ pto) on my B2710.
Good Luck!

 

[8561]

I would second Bob's reply relative to lift height. I love everything about my tractor, but if I had the choice to change one thing, it would be overall lift height of the loader.

 

[biker128pedal]

Thanks for the info. I am still torn. I drove a NH TC-30 and TC-24DA today. Both were manual so it is hard to make a direct comparison. They lift higher but less weight comparing equal sizes. For a hydrostatic Kobotas have the edge. The TC-30 is also heavier. This is almost as rough as picking a heat pump. At least I can test drive.

Any break downs or damage to report on the Kubotas. I know the steering linkage between the wheels on the Kubotas is in front of the axle.