Price Check Need Some help choosing a tractor and Pricing

[jas67]

Thanks for the info. I'm in central PA. I don't think I was referring to backhoe. My friend has a tractor with an attachment that looks like a claw. We used it to pick up large logs. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a backhoe so hopefully whatever I'm talking about isn't 6k

I didn't see that "kick butt deal" on their website. I'll check it out again. My problem is actually finding a used one. I called around and the dealers don't have them right now. I can wait a while I suppose.

Thanks again!

Where in Central PA are you? I'm in Palmyra (near Hershey).
The "claw" device you are talking about is a grapple. They make 'em for the loader bucket, and also ones that dangle from a boom attached to the three point hitch.

As for finding a used tractor, I found both of mine on Craigslist. If you are going to keep it long term, and are not inclined to do your own maintenance or repairs, new is probably a good idea in light of the better financing. Late-model used tractors don't seem to sell for a whole lot less than new.

Someone else mentioned Barlow's on this thread. I looked at their used list lately, they have some decent deals, but delivery charges will probably be high to come that far.

Check out Messick's or Keller Bros. Keller Bros do not keep their used equipment list up-to-date on their website, so you'll need to call them, or take a ride up. I was just their (Keller Bros) on Saturday. They have a couple of used BX's, and B's, ranging from some old B7100's (old, but solid -- I have one) to a B2400. Either a B or a BX will do what you need. I mow with a G1800 ( Kubota diesel garden tractor with four wheel steering), so a B is great for my other tasks. If you are going to have one machine, a BX with a quick-detachable loader is a great machine. You definitely want to have the quick-detach loader, and deck, mowing is much better without the extra weight in the front to flatten your grass before you get to it with the mower.

Good luck with your search. If you see anything for sale up my way that you want another set of eyes to look at, PM me.

 

[CHDinCT]

LL, just want to point out one disadvantage of the BX25 based on what you said you wanted to do with it and that is you won't find any grapple's to fit a BX25. There are some claws that can be mounted on the top of the BX bucket, like "the thumb" Thumb grapple 36" , but no real options to buy a full grapple that replaces your FEL bucket. The BX series doesn't come with an option for a quick attach bucket, which is a good option to gave if you plan on getting a regular grapple someday. I believe the B series does offer a quick attach bucket option. Most grapple mfg's make them for a standard quick attach loader only.

Also, the weight of a grapple is a bit much for the lift capacity of the BX, so again, it makes putting a full grapple on the BX not very practical. Just wanted to make sure you've considered the grapple situation before you buy. Good luck.

 

[LadyLooking]

LL, just want to point out one disadvantage of the BX25 based on what you said you wanted to do with it and that is you won't find any grapple's to fit a BX25. There are some claws that can be mounted on the top of the BX bucket, like "the thumb" Thumb grapple 36" , but no real options to buy a full grapple that replaces your FEL bucket. The BX series doesn't come with an option for a quick attach bucket, which is a good option to gave if you plan on getting a regular grapple someday. I believe the B series does offer a quick attach bucket option. Most grapple mfg's make them for a standard quick attach loader only.

Also, the weight of a grapple is a bit much for the lift capacity of the BX, so again, it makes putting a full grapple on the BX not very practical. Just wanted to make sure you've considered the grapple situation before you buy. Good luck.

Thanks for the info. The thumb grapple should be ok for me. However...am I understanding you correctly regarding the "quick attach bucket?" Does that mean the Loader and Backhoe are not considered "quick attach?" Also, is a 3 point hitch an add on with the BX25? I need a 3 point hitch to attach other implements, correct?

Jas67 - I'm about 45min from Hershey/Palmyra so we're close. My good friend is going to take me to a few places this week so we can look at the BX compared to a B. I'm still debating buying a larger, stronger used B. Maybe a used B2910 (my friend had one and loved it) for around 10k-12k. But, I won't have the backhoe. I suppose I'll know once I'm actually looking at them. I'm afriad to get the BX25 and then find it's too small to do what I want to do or lift. I guess time will tell and if it is too small/weak I can trade up for a B. I've heard conflicting reviews. Most people say it's awesome and does a ton of heavy work but I've heard a few people say it's a "glorified mower."

Thanks again.

 

[BXpanded]

Thanks for the info. The thumb grapple should be ok for me. However...am I understanding you correctly regarding the "quick attach bucket?" Does that mean the Loader and Backhoe are not considered "quick attach?" Also, is a 3 point hitch an add on with the BX25? I need a 3 point hitch to attach other implements, correct?

The term "quick attach bucket" refers to a mechanism that allows the bucket itself to be removed easily from the frame of the loader. This offers the possibility of attaching other items such as a grapple to the loader frame. It has nothing to do with the ability to easily remove the entire loader from the tractor. The BX does not offer a quick attach bucket. The loader or backhoe can be removed from the tractor literally in under a minute.

The 3 point hitch is indeed an option for the BX25. It is needed to allow use of most (not all) other implements.

 

[LBrown59]

Scratch that comment about less $$. Just got the bx 25quoted with 60" midmount mower and it's 19k. The B2620 with loader and mower was 18k.

Add a BH to the B2620 and you are around 24000 v s 19000 for A bx25.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

The glorified mower thing: Alot of people buy a Kubota just to mow their lot and for them they have a lifetime mower. That's what I thought I was doing when I bought my first one 5 years ago. Other people buy the same model machine and utilize many of the features of the diesel powered tractor such as FEL and 3ph implements. The neighbor of the mower guy will tell you his neighbor just has a glorified mower. The friends and neighbors of the other guy as well as the other guy will tell you it's a workhorse. I bought my 7th Kubota from Barlows a couple of weeks ago. I moved from just mowing to doing almost all of my landscaping work on my 5 acres. Will have my B3200 out today doing more work. I've been from BX's to B's to L's and now have a BX2350 and a B3200 and a F2880E. The BX's can do just about anything the B's can do but it just takes longer with the BX. Also, the B sits higher from the ground than the BX. That's why I also have a B. I have gotten my BX hung up before. You now need to go to a dealer and sit on the BX and the B, then try to figure out what jobs you will actually use your tractor for. Once you get it you will find more jobs that you never thought of because you don't know what all the little workhorse can do. If you have a friend with a big tractor then add that to the plan. Once you get either tractor you will be surprised what it will do and you'll call your friend over less often for his tractor work. Again, BX closer to the ground, B higher off the ground, that's the major difference. One is not always more or less money than the other. Just because a BX is smaller that doesn't always make it cheaper. Figure your needs (time and ground clearance) then find the right one in your price.

 

[rcrcomputing]

If I had 16 acres, I'd get a bigger tractor. For me, a 40 or 45hp... And certainly no less than a 30 or 35hp. I don't know what the bx's will lift after the bucket and grapple are added, but be sure to find out before you buy.

And though I don't own one, many guys use a flail mower and claim it's "almost" a finish mower look and doubles as a brush hog.. (I've never owned one) Maybe those that do will chime in here..

BTW, when you buy, have rear remotes installed for the future grapple, and of course chain hooks welded to the bucket.

Here's my list:
hooks welded on
rear remotes
hst
4wd

 

[adamhouseknecht]

You should probably consider Bobcat tractors. They have great ratings and their current sales programs are terrific right now. Peopl are getting free front end loaders and rebates. Check out their website. You can build your own online. Home Page - Bobcat Company Good luck.

 

[bandit67]

Lady,

I've had a subcompact, which is what the BX25 is, on a 1 acre lot. I now have just over 2 acres, but it is sloped mountain terrain, and I have a B3030. I also use my machine to do some work on other folks properties. I love the bigger machine.

For your 16 acres, I would HIGHLY recommend that you go with the larger B2620, loaded up with all the features you think you'll need. There isn't a really huge jump in size, but there is a nice difference between it and the BX. You will be less likely to end up trading up in a few years if you go with a little bigger machine than what you really, really think you need now. Many of us have traded up in a short period of time, and that costs money.

The BX subcompacts are a nice little machine, but the more you use one on a decent sized property, the better the chances of you possibly outgrowing it. You will like the added ground clearance and added capacities of the slightly larger B2620, and there is a better chance it will serve your needs for years to come.

I know it's hard to sometimes justify something bigger than a subcompact when you are new to tractors, or getting back into them after years of being away from them, but it sounds like you have a whole lot of chores laid out and would take full advantage of the slightly larger size of the B2620.

Also, as some folks have mentioned, the B2620 will have a few more options available to you in years to come for various implements. After owning a subcompact, and using a friend's BX22, and looking at the B2x20 series and the B3030, I moved up to the B3030 simply because the B2x20's just weren't a big enough jump, size wise, from the subcompact. But I honestly believe that the B2x20's are a great starter size, and had I gone with that size to begin with when I got back into tractors in 2004, I probably wouldn't have needed to buy a new machine last year.

Also, the new B2620 (go with the 26 hp engine - you can never have too much power, especially when mowing) has a real nice mid mount mower deck setup - similar to that of the BX, and will give a good quality cut. It's really not that big of a deal to remove the mid mount mower deck, so I recommend you go with one of those. I've had both mid and rear finish mowers, and I much prefer the mid mower, as it makes the tractor much more manueverable while mowing, and gives, in my opinion, a better cut on finished lawns.

One last thing - make sure you spring for the optional rear remotes since you plan on getting a loader mounted grapple.

 

[LadyLooking]

Wow, lots of great info going on here. I will be headed to the dealer tomorrow to try a few out. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again!