Major differences between BX and B series?

[MGH PA]

Looking to buy my first tractor for my 2 acres to mow, plow, and well, work with, as well as possibly helping prepping/planting food plots on my parents property a little over a mile away.

Besides physical size and HP, what are some major advantages of the B series as opposed to the BX? Are they all single pumps? I looked briefly, but couldn't find the PTO HP on either? I see the lift capacity on the FEL is much higher (basically double) on the B series as opposed to the BX. Price point wise, obviously the BX wins with the inclusion of the deck and loader valve on most models my local dealer has, but size wise, I really like the B series.

I know I'm leaving out a lot of differences, but can anyone with much more experience explain the major differences between the two or advantages (other than the previously mentioned lift capacity and size) and disadvantages of the two?

 

[medicshawn]

Here's lots of good info for you.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/.../185147-bx1860-vx-b2320-contrast-compare.html

 

[abeal]

Good link above.

When I was looking this past spring I started with a riding mower, then to a BX and settled on a B2320 for my 3.5 acres. In a nutshell, to me, the BX was a riding mower (very capable at that) on steriods. The B series was a little baby tractor. Also, the plastic tranny fan on the BX bothered me a lot. You see a lot of people going from the BX to a B but rarely the other way around so I figured I'd try to stick with buying just one machine.

Either way you can't go wrong.

 

[MGH PA]

Thanks for that link! Great read with some great information.

 

[bp fick]

Thanks guys. I still have to update my "review" next few months with some snow plowing stories and comparisons. The BX worked so well in snow, so I don't expect any marked difference, but we shall see.

 

[TripleR]

I can't beat the advice you have been given so far and even though a BX fits my needs better, I believe a B would be the right tractor for you.

I like the B Series and went to buy one twice; came home with a BX once and an L another; guess I will never own one.

Of course now which one is the next question.

 

[bp fick]

One reason that some guys "migrate" from a BX to a larger tractor is that for many, the BX is where they begin, it may be their starting point. What happens? They buy more land, take on more tasks, their interests grows, they gain in confidence, and so they often times, as their tasks change/grow over time, the B just makes more sense to them. Some even go up to an L series or buy cabbed, deluxe models, if their needs require it and their funds allow.

I have another theory too. It involves the wife who perhaps had to be convinced of the need for a tractor but who also grows in her appreciation of what a subcut or cut can do.

That said, if I wasn't market gardening and needing the ground clearance, or I down graded my chores for some unseen reason, I'd have no issues whatsoever in downsizing appropriately to a BX. It is a great machine.

If you gonna have a tractor, too small is no fun, and too big is a joke as well. That's the moral of this story, after all the hoo haw is over.

 

[harpoonalt]

My new B2320 comes this week after trading in my BX2350. I have nothing bad to say about the BX. It did everything well and suprised a lot of "tractor" people. I'll report more after it gets here, but one thing I'm looking forward to is the faster top speed. I only have an acre and 2/3, but mow our half mile roadsides and a some common lands. To get out to the main road seems slow on the BX, Painfully so when I'm in a hurry. The B is no speed demon but it's higher top speed should help ease the pain. If you do a lot of driving to your parents it may be something to think about.

 

[RTII]

The main reason I bought my BX (2660) rather than a B, was the lower center of gravity for working on the slopes as well as percieved better manueverabiliy around/under the trees on my place. I have had it now for approximately 8 months and still feel it's the right machine. Saying that, there have been occasions where more fel capacity would have been appreciated.

 

[LBrown59]

Good link above.

When I was looking this past spring I started with a riding mower, then to a BX and settled on a B2320 for my 3.5 acres.
1*In a nutshell, to me, the BX was a riding mower on steriods.
The B series was a little baby tractor. Also,
2*the plastic tranny fan on the BX bothered me a lot.

1*Yer a little mixed up on this thought The JD x700s are auctually riding mower on steriods, not the Kubota BXs .
2*There is an after market kit so this is not a problem with the BXs.

 

[bp fick]

This B versus BX brings out of some guys some defensiveness and elitism. The defensive BX owners get offended when the elitist calls his tractor an overblown lawnmower. The BX owner should get over it and the elitist B or L owner should just let it go, imho.

While they share some commonalities, they simply are different. If one wants/needs a low center of gravity, primarily for mowing security, then the BX is where his research should be focused.

But if ground clearance, along with a somewhat stronger FEL and 3 pt are needed, they are needed and no BX is ever gonna cut the mustard. Period. You simply cannot make a BX taller than it's 6-7" ground clearance.

No matter how many times it has been said, it bears repeating. They are different. One is not "better" or "worse", just better or worse at tasks for which each are targeted.

BTW, LBrown, if someone ever wanted to drop off a free "lawnmower on steroids", a JD X700 series, watch me take it with a huge grin on my face!

 

[jim442]

I had been looking at an L3400 for a couple years, went for the B2920 because most of my use would be mowing and raking plus mucking for horses.
The L had the big lift capacity but I focused on how I would get the most use for my $$$. Have not once regretted the choice. Did not really consider the BX but as mentioned above check the HST cooler on the B vs the fan on the BX and the ground clearance. While the bucket shows 8 or 9 hundred pounds lift the breakout force far exceeds that-handy for getting rocks out.

 

[MGH PA]

Thanks for all of the information, guys.

I saw in the linked review thread about the tires tearing up the yard (or not tearing up the yard as the OP stated). I've always appreciated the traction of Ag tires when doing loading, excavating, plowing, etc. However, if I do go with a tractor, I will certainly be mowing my yard. Are the turf or R4 tires truly needed for keeping the lawn from being torn up?

 

[rjkobbeman]

Thanks for all of the information, guys.

I saw in the linked review thread about the tires tearing up the yard (or not tearing up the yard as the OP stated). I've always appreciated the traction of Ag tires when doing loading, excavating, plowing, etc. However, if I do go with a tractor, I will certainly be mowing my yard. Are the turf or R4 tires truly needed for keeping the lawn from being torn up?

One thing I always noticed when Ags ran across my yard is the lugs really dent/compact he turf. Driving carefully may not tear up the yard, buy you can't avoid the dents. Depends on how big and heavy your machine is of course.

 

[NTrotty]

I looked at 2007 BX with belly mower and loader, goo dprice I thought. Hosever, my wife liked the 0 down 0% and having s new and warranted machine so I chose a new B 2320. So glad now I did it. For same reasons posted in the thread. I have always been told buy a little more tractor than you actually need, I did and am glad I did.

 

[TripleR]

This B versus BX brings out of some guys some defensiveness and elitism. The defensive BX owners get offended when the elitist calls his tractor an overblown lawnmower. The BX owner should get over it and the elitist B or L owner should just let it go, imho.

While they share some commonalities, they simply are different. If one wants/needs a low center of gravity, primarily for mowing security, then the BX is where his research should be focused.

But if ground clearance, along with a somewhat stronger FEL and 3 pt are needed, they are needed and no BX is ever gonna cut the mustard. Period. You simply cannot make a BX taller than it's 6-7" ground clearance.

No matter how many times it has been said, it bears repeating. They are different. One is not "better" or "worse", just better or worse at tasks for which each are targeted.

BTW, LBrown, if someone ever wanted to drop off a free "lawnmower on steroids", a JD X700 series, watch me take it with a huge grin on my face!

I couldn't agree more; never considered going from a BX to B or BX to B an upgrade or downgrade. We will replace our BX with another BX. We also own an L and M and neither of them are "better" than a BX or B; bigger, more expensive, but not "better".

I too would jump all over a JD X700 Series mower.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/148830-b3200-bx2660-side-side-not.html
In case you don't go to the Kubota owning section.

 

[MGH PA]

Thanks for the comparison.

A concern about some comments in that thread. Is the weight difference of the B series significant enough that if used for mowing for a large percentage of the time, that it actually may be a negative aspect?

I like the fact that the B series has a fold-able ROPS which would help with navigating around a few of the trees on my property when mowing, but I also don't want to be tearing the yard to pieces. I'm not **** about my yard, but I also want to make sure I'm not mowing with something that might be a bit overkill.

 

[TripleR]

Thanks for the comparison.

A concern about some comments in that thread. Is the weight difference of the B series significant enough that if used for mowing for a large percentage of the time, that it actually may be a negative aspect?

I like the fact that the B series has a fold-able ROPS which would help with navigating around a few of the trees on my property when mowing, but I also don't want to be tearing the yard to pieces. I'm not **** about my yard, but I also want to make sure I'm not mowing with something that might be a bit overkill.

As I have said on other posts, after months of thinking and research, I decided my "ideal" tractor was a B2920. I was so sure that I sold my BX2200 to my son in law. This all took place in the fall and winter months. My wife and I were finally able to find some B models to try out and compare only to sadly conclude the B, any B would not work for our somewhat hilly property. Posts by B owners about lawn damage also played a part. On our property, folding a ROPS is not a good idea. For our needs, there really was no problem deciding the best for us and we never looked back. I used it to mow, maintain roads, work in the woods and haul literally tons of dirt and rock; not ideal for all, but it worked.

It sounds as though your needs are varied enough that either a B or BX is going to be a compromise and the right choice is going to be the one that does the most of your tasks well and the others so so.

Going back to your original post, I really like the B. I really like the B too and actually viewed simply as a piece of machinery, prefer it to the BX. In the end, the BX just "works" better for me.

Good luck deciding; it is a bear.

 

[BotaBigot]

'''No matter how many times it has been said, it bears repeating. They are different. One is not "better" or "worse", just better or worse at tasks for which each are targeted...

Right BP...as with anything, correct choice ultimately depends on how well needs are defined...