Buying Advice First Tractor Need some advice BX or an L

[James Loehr]

I have 5 acres of mostly mowing with a 600 ft gravel drive. In 2003 I got a L3130 HST and loader. Mowed with a 6ft rear finish mower. 6ft rear snowblower and 6ft blade.The L and rear mount mower was to large to get in some smaller areas and I just hated the rear mount snowblower. Last year I got a BX2360,60in MMM,fel and front mount snowblower. The BX is doing everything as well or better than the larger tractor. I think the L3130 is a great tractor but I see it now as the wrong purchase to make. I now have a 2003 L3130 with about 190hrs on it not being used very much at all.

 

[TripleR]

With your acreage and mowing in the equation, I would go with the BX no question. I prefer the 2660 for the comfort, but any BX should fit your needs.

 

[rpraymond]

I have an L and a B series. I think that the L might be a bit big for your needs. A B or BX would probably work for you and I agree with Johnthomas that if you're thinking used to save some money look at the used Bs and BXs. There are plenty of late model low hour machines for sale out there.
Go sit on a few and get a better idea of what you find comfortable and suited to your needs.
Good luck and have fun searching.

 

[KU Gator]

I believe you would find mowing with a BX or B size tractor and a MMM a whole lot easier than with an L size and a RFM on a 2.5 acre piece of property and any obstacles. It seems much easier to mow around things by just looking down to judge how close you are than looking back. Also, if you get into a rainy period, a lot of turning with that L sized tractor is going to leave tracks all over. Even with my B, I use my garden tractor with turf tires when the ground is wet if I don't want to put off mowing a day or so extra. Plus if you have low limbs that you go under with a riding mower, you will be face to face with them on the L.
Clearly for big projects, the L might be the better fit, but I think the size would get in the way for a lot of the stuff. On the 3 acres we live on, no way would I trade my B for an L. But we also have 12 acres at another location and would sometime like the L there, but as I trailer the tractor, did not want to be trailering something that big on a regular basis.

 

[Tompet]

Hi,
I also agree with B or BX for versatility with what you described. I think looking at used is also an idea. I attached a photo of current used BX's...B's listed for sale at Barlow's...as John Thomas says...call them with model# request...it won't hurt wether for new or used.
TP

 

[montelatici]

The BX is certainly the best choice for you. I would recommend an 1850/1860 or even a 1500 with the lower ROPs. My BX24 with the higher folding ROPs was a pain to use around trees. I subsequently added a BX1850 to the herd with the lower ROPs and it is now my mower for my lawns.

 

[rexcramer]

I would see what the difference in price is between the BX2360 and BX2660. The 2660 only has 2 more hp and a fancy seat, everything else is the same. I have yet to come across a situation where I have needed more hp on my 2360. If the difference in only a couple hundred bucks get the 2660, but if its a $1000 save your money.

Also that price on the BX is a little high, BX 2360's with a 60" MMM, loader, and back blade are going for around 14k in these parts

 

[LBrown59]

I have found out that bigger is not always better.

How true.

I have 5 acres of mostly mowing with a 600 ft gravel drive. In 2003 I got a L3130 HST and loader. Mowed with a 6ft rear finish mower. 6ft rear snowblower and 6ft blade.The L and rear mount mower was to large to get in some smaller areas and I just hated the rear mount snowblower. Last year I got a BX2360,60in MMM,fel and front mount snowblower. The BX is doing everything as well or better than the larger tractor. I think the L3130 is a great tractor but I see it now as the wrong purchase to make.
I now have a 2003 L3130 with about 190hrs on it not being used very much at all.

Another undesired result of the bigger is alwas better theory

 

[ahenthus]

The BX would be plenty enough. An L series could be a bit too much with your acerage . If you want to compromise go with a B series.

I agree. This sounds like great advice. I don't know anything about L's but I opted for the B7610 three years ago when I was in the market for a BX. I got the FEL and 60" mmm and couldn't be happier with my choice. I have a similar situation in that I mow about 3 acres. The other 7 acres belong to the horses and goats (all pets) and I don't do much there except mowing a two swath perimeter several times a year and bush hog the pasture once or twice a year. I don't consider my B as too big for my mowing duties and it is probably more comfortable than the BX. The FEL is probably more useful too. I thought I'd miss having the backhoe but I haven't. If you need a backhoe you'd probably be better off adding one to a B. My rig cost $15K with 0% for three years. My last payment will be in a couple of months. Like some posters told me three years ago, it is better to err on the larger side than get a tractor that is too small. The BX had the same HP as my B but the frame and body are much more substantial on the B. I guess that means you can more easily apply that HP. Good luck and I'm sure you'll be happy either way you go. I believe in Orange.

 

[ahenthus]

Disregard what I said about a backhoe. I misread your post. I stand by what I said about the B though. Here in the south I haven't much need for a back blade, I have a box blade that I use only occasionally, mostly for breaking up hard ground with the tines. In checking out my post I noticed my signature, I had forgotten in the last three years that I had one. This is my first post in years. I still love the Mercedes after putting 70+K on it (looking forward to the next few hundred K), the B7610 is still a joy and I still enjoy my Healey. Life is good.