Buying Advice bx or b series and what horsepower

[bp fick]

jdonaovan, I pretty much share your assessment.

The OP is considering stepping up from a BX25. The B series represent a progressional step up, but if he REALLY needs/wants the capacities and capabilities of an L series, then I think the keeping/storing of two machines dilemma comes into play very quickly.

Stepping up from a BX to a B series for increased ground clearance is a no brainer. It is an incremental step up on 3 pt and FEL capacities. To obtain the even greater weight and power of the L series begins to complicate matters and all this needs to be thought through.

Personally, we should wait to hear from the OP again on some specifics needs and wants.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Older thread with side by side pics of B and BX and a lot of good input.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/148830-b3200-bx2660-side-side-not.html

 

[mike69440]

Older thread with side by side pics of B and BX and a lot of good input.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/148830-b3200-bx2660-side-side-not.html

Assuming a small tractor is the best choice, if you have a yard, then the BX will work fine. If you have a small field, then the B series is far better. The bigger the tire the better.

As far as acreage they can each handle about the same. 3 point hitch work, the B is better.

 

[taos]

First I like to thank you all for your replies.the #1 thing I will be doing is cutting grass, #2 clearing snow , laneway aprox 160 feet by 12 feet (paved ),+ cleaning some area near wood pile and near house, aprox 20 feet x 60 feet #3 maintain flower beds(3 main flower beds aprox 30feet x12 feet,also would like to put in irragation system,on aprox 1 acre, using subsoiler (modified ), tree maintenance,remouval and planting ,pick up leaves i have aprox 40 evergreens and 12 deciduous trees, I also own 5 acres with mature trees and rocky soil aprox 6 " of topsoil in some areas and some rocks on the surface ,I have never used the bx 25 there due to low ground clearance and this lot is aprox 30 miles away (I do have the factory fan shield ) , i would like to now and then go there and maintain road aprox 600 feet long and 12 feet wide (gravel). also i will be using the tractor for hauling wood aprox 6 fireplace cords a year, I would like to own just one tractor I feel a L series will be too much tractor for my main needs (cutting grass) and also whats the main differences between 20 series and 30 series

 

[bp fick]

First I like to thank you all for your replies.the #1 thing I will be doing is cutting grass, #2 clearing snow , laneway aprox 160 feet by 12 feet (paved ),+ cleaning some area near wood pile and near house, aprox 20 feet x 60 feet #3 maintain flower beds(3 main flower beds aprox 30feet x12 feet,also would like to put in irragation system,on aprox 1 acre, using subsoiler (modified ), tree maintenance,remouval and planting ,pick up leaves i have aprox 40 evergreens and 12 deciduous trees, I also own 5 acres with mature trees and rocky soil aprox 6 " of topsoil in some areas and some rocks on the surface ,I have never used the bx 25 there due to low ground clearance and this lot is aprox 30 miles away (I do have the factory fan shield ) , i would like to now and then go there and maintain road aprox 600 feet long and 12 feet wide (gravel). also i will be using the tractor for hauling wood aprox 6 fireplace cords a year, I would like to own just one tractor I feel a L series will be too much tractor for my main needs (cutting grass) and also whats the main differences between 20 series and 30 series

Good to here from you!! It's always helpful when the OP clarifies.

There is price difference in the 30 versus the 20 series. The 30 series seem physically bigger. Larger capacities and premium features like depth control on the 3 point.

I'd have to check, though, whether they have mid PTO. If an MMM is a must that will be needed.

 

[bp fick]

Yes, the 30 series does have mid PTO. The have the telescoping 3 pt lower arms and other really nice features. The weigh about 300 lbs more than a 20 series B.

Man, I'd go put my eyes on them and put my rear in the seats of these units. You'd get such a better feel for the differences. The 30s are stout.

 

[OrangeRidge]

.... I would like to own just one tractor I feel a L series will be too much tractor for my main needs (cutting grass) and also whats the main differences between 20 series and 30 series

The World is full of Folk and their opinions ; here's mine .....

You mention an L , so we're not talkin' budget restriction on a B .
I'm sure that a Dealer will bring out a demo B26/3030 MMM for you
to see what a non-suspendeded deck's cut quality will be on your ground.
If it suits you , then get a B##30 , if it doesn't then a B2920
MMM should be enough for lawns.
As to whether a B##20 or B##30 will do the rest of your occasional
tasks , that's something for you to conclude ..........
I like the B##30 , but I haven't got enough land to tend ; too much
hillside , lakes and concrete paths to require such.

Is your grass reasonable quality , like mine ?

 

[jdonovan]

#1 thing I will be doing is cutting grass,
#2 clearing snow , laneway aprox 160 feet by 12 feet (paved ),+
#3 maintain flower beds(3 main flower beds aprox 30feet x12 feet
tree maintenance,remouval and planting ,
pick up leaves i have aprox 40 evergreens and 12 deciduous trees,

These are all tasks that seem well within the capabilities of the current BX25.

The only question is on the "tree maintenance,removal and planting". Assuming you're not talking about taking down 40" oak trees, the BX should be able to do the task as well. I've found my 22 will work reasonably well on stumps up to the 8-10" range. After that I just cut flush and rent a stump grinder once I've got 3-4 to remove. A bit of top soil and the stump is a distant memory.

I did at one point bring in a BIG backhoe and dug out 2-3 large stumps. But they were so large the hoe couldn't even pick them up. So I pushed them into a wood line, and left them for 5 years to rot. Then the BX could pull apart the stumps to the point that we could move the debris to the burn area and get rid of them. I _WILL NOT_ do that again. Now we grind in place. :thumbsup:

I also own 5 acres with mature trees and rocky soil ... i would like to now and then go there and maintain road aprox 600 feet long and 12 feet wide (gravel).

Maintain... as in regrade the gravel?

My current drive is about 500'x12' gravel and my BX22 does a lovely job maintaining that, combination of box blade and angle blade depending on what needs to be done. Hole filling, vs pulling gravel back onto the road and maintaining crown.

In the winter I plow that same drive. Virginia doesn't get huge snow generally speaking, but even in the 25" storm we had last year I did just fine.

Now I see your in Canada, but there is great variety of snow across the country, say Vancouver vs Ottawa. But blade vs blower is a different debate. Both the BX and the B would run an appropriately sized snow tool without problem. Here the B chassis has a bit of advantage as you can get quite a bit more horsepower and therefore run a wider blower.... but whats 4 passes down the drive vs 6-7 worth to you?

also i will be using the tractor for hauling wood aprox 6 fireplace cords a year, I would like to own just one tractor I feel a L series will be too much tractor for my main needs (cutting grass) and also whats the main differences between 20 series and 30 series

Both the B and BX are not going to pull a huge trailer of wood. you were planning to use the bucked for the wood hauling the difference in bucket size is not that great.


From what you are describing I can't see the B as a significant increase in your ability to do any of the tasks you are looking to accomplish. If you want a B then by all means get one, but I don't see the 'need'.

As far as the L goes... IMO WAY to big for your use/need.

 

[bp fick]

From some of the replies, one might get the impression that the differences in one of the B series would be so slight as to make a step up somewhat of a frivolous decision. Some have compared the capability differences as virtually inconsequential, or at least could leave that impression. Hmmmm.

-The B3030 or the B3300 would represent a rather hefty increase of 30% in horsepower.
-Their ability to lift at the 3 pt can be as much as double that of the BX.
-They have twice the ground clearance.
-The Front End Loader, both by volume and by weight can virtually double the BX depending on B model.
-The available back hoe would dig more and deeper, reach farther, have more power, and cycle more quickly.
-They can operate rear mowers, post hole diggers, blades and tillers that far exceed those suited for a BX.

The BX25 and the B2920 weigh the exact same. (1542 vs 1554).. Ok its like 12 lbs different... but close enough.

But this fails to account for the BX25's stated weight includes the Back Hoe, while the B2920's weight is a bare tractor.

All I'm saying is that there is sometimes an underlying current that any step up from a BX should almost dismiss the B series on its way to the L series. I would urge the OP to take his time. Given that his BX25 is less than 2 years old, there is a lot of money riding on his decision to trade or no trade.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I would urge the OP to take his time. Given that his BX25 is less than 2 years old, there is a lot of money riding on his decision to trade or no trade.

OK, where were you several years ago to give me this good advise? It might have saved me from trading and saved me this money your talking about. Nah, it probably wouldn't have made a difference for me but it is good advise in all seriousness.:thumbsup: