Buying Advice b2630 Purchase

Slowtorque · Apr 6, 2011

I have received what I believe is a good price quote on a new B2630. I asked for a package price including R4 tires (filled), loader with 60" bucket, rear work light, and BH77 backhoe. I fear I am forgetting something I may really find useful. The tractor will be used to move mulch and gravel, grade my 600 foot gravel drive, move firewood, dig drainage ditches, plant trees and eventually run a rear tiller. May also want to eventually get a MMM for her. What am I leaving out of this package for my application and is $25,000 delivered (about 800 miles from me is the dealer) a decent price? Locally, I can't even find this model and when I do it is 19.5k for just the tractor and loader.

Neglected to add that the above price quote includes the 6 posn mechanical thumb.

peterc38 · Apr 6, 2011

Slowtorque said:
I have received what I believe is a good price quote on a new B2630. I asked for a package price including R4 tires (filled), loader with 60" bucket, rear work light, and BH77 backhoe. I fear I am forgetting something I may really find useful. The tractor will be used to move mulch and gravel, grade my 600 foot gravel drive, move firewood, dig drainage ditches, plant trees and eventually run a rear tiller. May also want to eventually get a MMM for her. What am I leaving out of this package for my application and is $25,000 delivered (about 800 miles from me is the dealer) a decent price? Locally, I can't even find this model and when I do it is 19.5k for just the tractor and loader.

Neglected to add that the above price quote includes the 6 posn mechanical thumb.

To move mulch, gravel etc. I'd add a toothbar for starters. What attachments do you plan on using for grading of road? Are you also purchasing them with purchase of tractor?

Slowtorque · Apr 6, 2011

I had not asked for a price to include a rear box blade thinking I'd get one locally. I'll probably do that and see what he can do for me. Anyway, that is what I am planning on using, a 5 foot box blade with rippers. The tiller I'll need can also likely be found locally, and secondhand, for far less than 3 grand. I like the toothbar idea.

bp fick · Apr 6, 2011

Have you gotten a quote from Barlows?

Most get a quote from there, online, to keep their local quotes honest. It takes a day or two, but Brady will get back to you. Many go on to purchase from Barlows as well, while others use that information to see if they can get a better deal from their local guy.

Well worth doing when spending that kind of money.

Slowtorque · Apr 7, 2011

Yes, indeed, my quote is from Barlow's. I can't find one locally. Even if I did (I could order it), it would cost 20k for just the tractor and loader.

Tompet · Apr 7, 2011

With delivery of 800 miles...that is an excellent price!
With your stated uses you may want to consider getting the FEL quick attach bracket for the bucket. You'll get the best price for it now. You can always add a set of forks later. Forks are great for moving large balled trees, firewood etc. I use mine quite a bit.

Slowtorque · Apr 7, 2011

Thanks, all. I am still discussing with wife. She is asking how useful the backhoe on this little tractor is going to be. Any help on this one? I have never owned a machine like this before. Is it surprisingly capable for the uses I intend it for?

JOHNTHOMAS · Apr 7, 2011

I resisted buying a BH for six years. Felt I could never justify the additional cost. Finally reassesed my tractor position last year and traded (BX2660 FEL MMM)to a F3080 4wd dedicated mower and a (B3200 FEL) to a BX25 FEL BH to meet my needs at my home and rental property. I felt I justified the BH for the rental property since I have 6 septic tanks there and occasional use at home. I've had it a year and 75 hours, mostly BH work at home. I've redone alot of stone walls with big big stones and planted and moved lots of trees and shrubs and other plants.
The B BH will be stronger than my BX BH so it will be fairly powerful. Digging up big stumps will take some time and digging up 20 big stumps will be done much easier and faster by a dozer or track machine. It will dig holes like slicing through butter, I love digging holes with mine. I scoop up big plants and squeeze them into the back of the tractor, drive to the plants new location, drop the shrub, dig a hole, swing the BH to shove the plant into the hole, swing/knock the dirt back into the hole with BH bucket, tamp around the plant with the BH bucket and then drive over the edges of the newly planted shrub to pack in dirt and some times never get off the tractor.

BH's are for digging holes or digging out rocks and for reaching out to things you can't get to with FEL. Far out reach and powerful lifting, pulling, dragging to you. BH's are very specialized implements but no other tractor implement can do the jobs they do as well but I agree the average mowing home owner usually doesn't need one. They are great for home/business landscapers. I continue to do landscaping on my property and don't see that ending. Always need another grass, tree, shrub planted or moved.

TripleR · Apr 7, 2011

Slowtorque said:
Thanks, all. I am still discussing with wife. She is asking how useful the backhoe on this little tractor is going to be. Any help on this one? I have never owned a machine like this before. Is it surprisingly capable for the uses I intend it for?

Pretty much in agreement with JOHNTHOMAS, if you need one regularly, they are very handy. We don't need one very often and have let our dedicated backhoe sit for several years and now just rent one once or twice a year.

CHDinCT · Apr 7, 2011

All I can say is now that I have my BH, I can't see going without one again, and mine is just a BX verson (BT601). They all do pretty much the same thing, just more slowly with the smaller units. For that price, don't look back on the BH. Get it now cause it will cost you a whole bunch more as an after purchase add on.

Ductape · Apr 7, 2011

Two relatively inexpensive things I'll suggest ...... 1) 40 amp alternator if the 2630 comes standard with a dynamo. 2) Rear wheel spacers will add alot of stability.

As far as the backhoe goes...... if the extra money isn't going to land you in divorce court, go for it. If money is tight, rent or hire someone for the backhoe work. I love having my own backhoe, because it is there whenever I need it. I use it to dig drainage, stumps , rocks , planting shubs, etc, etc. It turns your tractor into a different machine. I will admit, however, I really only use it a handful of hours per year....... so I guess you'll need to figure how much its worth to you to have hanging around most of the time.

Slowtorque · Apr 7, 2011

Does Kubota make something similar to the Deere i-match hitch or quick hitch? Is this worth getting? I heard a complaint somewhere about the seat comfort on the 2630. Is this an issue? Thanks so much. Wife says get what I want.

KU Gator · Apr 8, 2011

I don't think Kubota makes one, but most of the dealers carry Land Pride implements and Land Pride makes one. I use the PAT's system which advertises on this site. The 2630 has telescopic stabilizers and telescopic links on the 3 pt hitch which should combine to make hooking up implents a lot easier, so you may want to try it some before buying a quick hitch system. Probably depends on just how much you would be changing implents.

TripleR · Apr 8, 2011

The telescoping 3-point works so well, I have not even bothered to put my PATS on.

Slowtorque · Apr 8, 2011

Will this B2630 pull a 5 foot land leveler on my gravel drive or should I upgrade to the B3030?

KU Gator · Apr 8, 2011

If by land leveler, you mean a box blade, a b2630 should be able to handle the 5' box blade under most conditions. Usually you will loose traction before you run out of HP. In some conditions such as hard clay or if you get the box really full, you may have to adjust the top link to take less of a bite or raise the box a little. With the 3030, you would still run out of traction, but could operate at a little lower RPM to do the same work. That is both nice for the tractor and you.

The extra HP of the 3030 would be more noticable with the use of the PTO such as running a brush hog in tall heavy grass.

If you can swing the price difference, you will never be heard saying later I wish I had less HP. If I was choosing between the BH and HP, I would choose the HP because you can add a BH later. The only way to add HP is a different tractor. Either way, 2630 or 3030, they are very nice tractors.

Ductape · Apr 9, 2011

TripleR said:
The telescoping 3-point works so well, I have not even bothered to put my PATS on.

I'll second this. I kept my I-Match from my last tractor but sold it once I realized how easy the telescoping 3 point makes hooking up implements.

Slowtorque · Apr 13, 2011

Thanks guys for all the input. Finalized the deal today:
B2630
loader with 60" bucket, toothbar, and hook
BH77 backhoe with 12" bucket and mechanical thumb
Wheel spacers
40 amp alternator
filled R4s
rear work light
front lighting kit

So excited!