Buying Advice First Tractor Need some advice BX or an L

[Hondapro]

I have found out that bigger is not always better. Bigger is just bigger and different. I've had and still have several Kubotas. I've had BX's, B's, F, T and an L. I jumped back out of the L faster than any of the others back to a B. The L was to big. I put off work because I didn't want to get it out. I looked for work with the B and now it's to big for my needs and have traded it to a BX25. A BX, any of the BX's will do what you've described and more for future needs. One suggestion of going to a smaller BX and then seeing the difference in price between something that is sized right and something to big is good. I feel that since you switched from new to used for your price comparison you should compare used to used. Check the price difference for a used low hours BX vs the used L. I believe you will find the used BX equipped the same as the L to be less expensive than the used L. I believe the lower dollars got you confused for a minute which happens to me alot. I had a Law Professor in college that always talked about rabbit trails/tracks. That we need to stay focused on where we're going or what we are doing and don't get sucked into other directions that have nothing really to do with our point of focus. Decide what size tractor you need and it seems most of us believe it's a BX, if you agree then pursue a BX. If new is what you want, then hunt for the best priced new BX you can find. If saving a few dollars now is more important than later then search for the best priced used BX you can find. Another factor to consider is cash or financing. If you have to finance then you wil probably be better off buying new. If your paying cash then you may save some bucks now with used. Just my dime's worth.

That is great advice.
Also to the OP I think the BX will do very well for you.

 

[newbury]

I'm a newbie here but have spent lots of time online researching. But now I need advice from those that know.

A little about me: Live on 2.5 acres in No, Virginia, mostly open but still have lot's of trees, have a row barn, a horse, and a gravel drive that is about 1/4 mile long.

Looking for a tractor to mow, landscape, do barn work, driveway maint/snow removal.

Went to the local Kubota dealer and he suggested a BX2660 with a FEL, rear blade and a mid mount mower for almost $16,500. I almost pulled the trigger, then a co-worker called me and said that his friend is selling a 2005, L3130, FEL, rear finish mower, posthole digger with 325 hours on it for $11,000.

My need for advice is: I think the L3130 is a little to big for what I need, but I now feel the BX2660 may be to small.

Thoughts, Advice, or suggestions . . .

Thanks for your help.

In our location there's little near by for used tractors compared to the Carolina's or PA. I looked last year. If the 3130 is in well kept and "garaged" condition you should closely look at it. You could probably resell it for what you paid for it after a year or two..
Visit Used Kubota Tractors for a good look at good used tractor prices.

I found the BX's to be have insufficient ground clearance for my future needs.

Of course for my present needs ANY tractor is drastic overkill.

 

[gdh]

newbury,

I found the BX's to be have insufficient ground clearance for my future needs.

As someone who is strongly considering a BX, what situations have you found the BX to underperform due to ground clearance?
gdh

 

[wmitch1000]

Wow, Lot's to think about. What everyone has said is interesting, since my gut feeling was that the L3130 would be too large, as many of you have said. I also fell for "Larger is Better" and the price is attractive. Now I'll head back to the dealer and take a stronger look at the BX or B.

One more question; do you think the extra ground clearance on the B2920, and the 3 point lift capacity is worth the look verses the BX2660. (12.8" vs 8.7") and (1058 vs 670).

Again, Thanks everyone for your insight. I'll let you know what I decide on!

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Wow, Lot's to think about. What everyone has said is interesting, since my gut feeling was that the L3130 would be too large, as many of you have said. I also fell for "Larger is Better" and the price is attractive. Now I'll head back to the dealer and take a stronger look at the BX or B.

One more question; do you think the extra ground clearance on the B2920, and the 3 point lift capacity is worth the look verses the BX2660. (12.8" vs 8.7") and (1058 vs 670).

Again, Thanks everyone for your insight. I'll let you know what I decide on!

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/148830-b3200-bx2660-side-side-not.html
You may want to view this thread since your now considering B vs BX.

 

[TripleR]

Wow, Lot's to think about. What everyone has said is interesting, since my gut feeling was that the L3130 would be too large, as many of you have said. I also fell for "Larger is Better" and the price is attractive. Now I'll head back to the dealer and take a stronger look at the BX or B.

One more question; do you think the extra ground clearance on the B2920, and the 3 point lift capacity is worth the look verses the BX2660. (12.8" vs 8.7") and (1058 vs 670).

Again, Thanks everyone for your insight. I'll let you know what I decide on!

Many are probably already tired of hearing this, but...

After owning a BX2200 for about six years, I decided I needed a bigger tractor and one with cruise control. After lots of Internet searching, I decided the B2920 was the tractor for me, so I sold my BX2200 to my son in law. After a few trips to dealers and crawling on and off machines, measuring and so on, my wife and I decided a B sadly was not the best for us. We do about 70% mowing and 30% FEL, grading and running a rotary cutter with much of it on hills. The B has a COG that makes it too tippy for us though it does have more ground clearance, so there is a trade off. Being taller also meant it wouldn't fit in some places necessitating a trim mower which we didn't want to do though we own one. The B is also a little harder on lawns, according to many owners and is not as "nimble" as the BX.

I am certainly not knocking the B Series as I still can't keep from looking over at them when I go to the dealer. The BX was just "better" for me. I did get a set of Bro Tek plates for it as mine did not have the upgraded fan/filter protection.

 

[KU Gator]

We chose the B2920 vs a BX24 more because of the additional acreage we own than the 3 acres we live on. We had at the time a JD garden tractor with a 54" deck and a front blade for snow which we still have. Looking back, if I would have moved up to a BX with a FEL and midmount mower, I would have thought that was a HUGE improvement from the garden tractor on our 3 acres. The clearance would not have bothered me because other than protecting the fan underneath if the mower is off, I am not going over brush in the yard.

But what I do like about the B2X20 is the mower deck can be removed or re-installed very easily so if I don't want it on, I take it off and don't think about it. It is a drive over like John Deere uses, plus there is plenty of room to slide it out without a fight. I like the fact that I get my horsepower at about 400 RPM less than a similar HP BX would get there. I like the real tach instead of the digital hour meter becomes the tach when it is running. I like that it has 3 usable gear ranges. Low for the loader when I really need it or the box blade, mid for most of what I do, and can still get to one end of the property to the other in high and can even mow in high if the grass isn't that high. I like that the ROPS fold. And I like the way I feel on it vs the BX.

The negatives for the B are as I mentioned in another post, you are up a little higher, so pay attention to the limbs, if the ground is pretty wet, you will track up the yard a bit more. They turn very quick so watch that when turning on wet ground and taking it out of 4wd helps. And it will cost a bit more up front.

In the end, either will probably get the job done for you and you will wonder how you got along with it. Avoid teaching your wife to use it, or you will end up doing the crap work and she will be riding on your tractor. Make everything seem real complicated when you explain it.

 

[rexcramer]

newbury,


As someone who is strongly considering a BX, what situations have you found the BX to underperform due to ground clearance?
gdh

In deep snow the front axle of the BX becomes a plow which tends to slow you down quite a bit if the snow is wet. When using the back blade over uneven ground the ends of the blade can dig in bringing you to a dead stop. Unless you tighten the top link all the way the back blade only gets a foot off the ground which in the woods is a pain.

Basically the BX is awesome but the ground clearance can be a problem in the woods or on really uneven ground. On the plus side the BX is a very stable machine because of its lower ground clearance. I spend a lot of time in the woods and I would call the ground clearance a minor issue, not one that would make me sell the BX for a B. If I didnt use the BX as a mower I would probably have a B, but the BX is one kickass mower

 

[radioman]

All good points here. The L certainly has a attractive price, plus you know where its been. However- something to think about- do you realize with a rear finishing mower - it has a WIDE turning swath? it can be a pain with lots of things to go around in the yard as small as 3 acres. is the acrage you have all wide open with one, 2 trees? L might fit. but if you have lots of curves, trees, plants etc to drive around, like you mentioned in your post y-ou will find mowing will turn to be a chore .

A BX with MMM is certainly nimble and it does sounds like a better fit.

 

[LBrown59]

newbury,


As someone who is strongly considering a BX, what situations have you found the BX to underperform due to ground clearance?
gdh

I haven't ran into that yet?

 

[montelatici]

"
As someone who is strongly considering a BX, what situations have you found the BX to underperform due to ground clearance?
gdh"



The recent mid-atlantic snow storms were enough to beach the BX24 a few times. Plus, especially with the mower attached, you may have difficulty going over uneven ground. I have a step down from a brick patio to a lawn on which the BX1850 gets hung up on, so I have to go around the long way. I would guess the B would have less of these problems, but I only own BXs.

 

[medicshawn]

I am a member of the the bigger is better club. I had a B7800 and went up to a L3940. I was just looking for some different features and capabilities. Having said that I didn't have any issues with either tractor marking up my lawn or feeling tippy. Both had loaded tires The B7800 had turfs and R1 tires, my L3940 has R4's. I used both to finish mow and have to traverse some hills and have to turn around going downhill to go back uphill.

I think what is best for you depends on what you will be doing and what your land looks like. Mine is not flat and I mow ditches and around a pond with no issues, but I don't really have any trees to get around either. I don't have to get in and out of a barn or stalls I have no narrow gates to go through. Do you need to be able to load Hay or Feed regularly. Any attachments you plan to run? PTO Hp might make a difference. Good luck on your search.

 

[wmitch1000]

Wow, I can't thank everyone enough. So glad I found this site, as I'm getting more information for thought than the dealer can give me.

To answer a few questions:

1. My property has some minor hills and trees to mow around

2. Since my driveway is over a 1/4 mile and gravel. I want a front mounted snow blower.

3. Also want a MMM, a rear blade and of course a FEL.

I'll be mowing, landscaping, and barn/stall work in addition to snow removal.

 

[medicshawn]

I think you need to look at blowers for tractors and their HP requirements. The size you want to run might dictate the tractor. I don't know much about blowers, but I think wanting a front mounted one might narrow your choices.

The size MMM you want to have might also dictate the tractor. For example if you want a 60 inch mower the choices are endless but if you want something bigger your options narrow.

 

[KU Gator]

You might start by going through the price my Kubota routine on some different configurations. For instance start with a B2620 with and without a snowblower and a BX2660 with and without the snow blower and print the specs on both. That would give you a reasonable apples to apples on a B vs BX. Then go sit on them and drive them.

The snow blower adds quite a bit to the cost. For where I live, we usually don't get enough snow that stays for a long enough period to justify it. I also have a 1/4 mile drive plus the area in front of the garage and it takes me usually about an hour with the FEL and rear blade. A front blade is better, but then you loose the use of the FEL, again is relatively expensive for the amount of use I would get out of it and is a one trick pony.

But having lived in other areas, I know there is a great deal of difference. Advantage to going with a package all in is you assuming 0% financing is going you can spread it out and go for it. Otherwise you could try it and add the blower later with probably no problem. My dealer has been good about discounting attachments later, just no financing.

When I decided on a B2920 vs the BX24 the cost was essentially the same, but I did not get the BH on the B. But decided to get the bigger tractor and add the BH later. Haven't needed it so far, but when I do, the option is still open or can rent.

 

[Tom_H]

I was able to borrow a friend's B and quickly realized that it FELT very unstable to me when traversing uneven ground with anything in the bucket.

I remember seeing a pic of a B3030 beside another B series tractor. I don't know which model the other B was, but it was barely more than half as wide as the B3030, so which one your friend had may have been one of the narrow ones.

Also, it helps to keep the loader bucket only an inch or so above the ground.

After owning a BX2200 for about six years, I decided I needed a bigger tractor and one with cruise control.

A cruise control add on kit for the BX2200 has been available since the early 2000's. I have one on my BX2200. It is a mechanical link with a lever that sticks out of the empty slot on the fender.

To the OP: I also think the L is too big. A BX has a low center of gravity and I do take mine on some inclines. I would recommend a BX. You can do everything you stated, and more with a BX. If you want "big", then a B series would be an appropriate "big" for your place. An L would be like using a 17 passenger van as your 1 person commute vehicle. You can do it, but it's overkill.

Now if you're a real wheeler-dealer, that L price sounds good. I couldn't do it but some people might be able to buy it, then re-sell it for a profit.

 

[ronjhall]

barn/stall work

This alone may limit your choice on tractor size. Getting into a stall with a B or L tractor may be impossible unless your stalls are very large.

 

[DavidVT]

Ditto on the 'barn/stall' objective. I agree that this may be the point that keeps you away from the 'L'arger tractor.

While I am in the 'bigger is better' camp, I would love to be able to afford a second smaller Kubota with a MM mower and front blower.

For now the mowing duties remain with my Husqvarna and Craftsman GTs until they finally wear out. The Kubota always starts, those newer AYP mowers are a true PIA and ,I am sorry to say , the last AYP/Husqvarna yard products I will buy in my lifetime.

 

[TripleR]

Quote:
Originally Posted by TripleR View Post
"After owning a BX2200 for about six years, I decided I needed a bigger tractor and one with cruise control."

A cruise control add on kit for the BX2200 has been available since the early 2000's. I have one on my BX2200. It is a mechanical link with a lever that sticks out of the empty slot on the fender.

Like I said, my reason for selling my BX2200 was twofold, "bigger and cruise control", only one of which was available by installation of the cruise control.

As it turned out, I was wrong about "needing" a bigger tractor, more like "wanting", but by the time I figured that out my BX2200 was in the loving hands of my son in law who desperately needed, but couldn't afford one, so all in all I am happy with how things worked out as the BX2660 is much more comfortable and at my age, worth the price of admission and he has something to use on his property and I have visitation rights. The BX2200 is a great little tractor.

As has been said by others, bigger is not always "better".

 

[radioman]

I haven't ran into that yet?

you never do lbrown. you just putt around the yard with one of the 3 BX's. Your big projects seem to be done unless you got something coming up?