Buying Advice BX vs B for 7 acres

[Tom_H]

I guess I did offend some people.... That's what I thought when I saw them.

I'm not seeing anything that indicates anyone was offended; I wasn't. I completely agree with that second sentence above though. Sometimes a person draws a conclusion based on just a glimpse. Appearances can be deceiving; and in the case of the BX, you get a lot more than it appears at first blush.

 

[ashdump]

I'm not seeing anything that indicates anyone was offended; I wasn't. I completely agree with that second sentence above though. Sometimes a person draws a conclusion based on just a glimpse. Appearances can be deceiving; and in the case of the BX, you get a lot more than it appears at first blush.

Ditto, no offense taken here at all. Just trying to clear up a misconception.:thumbsup:

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I'm not seeing anything that indicates anyone was offended; I wasn't. I completely agree with that second sentence above though. Sometimes a person draws a conclusion based on just a glimpse. Appearances can be deceiving; and in the case of the BX, you get a lot more than it appears at first blush.

Ditto, no offense taken here at all. Just trying to clear up a misconception.:thumbsup:

No offense taken, I was just trying to educate the poster and other readers.
I've had/have BX's, B's and a L. All three sizes are tractors. Between B's I bought an L3240HST FEL and when I climbed up on that sucker the first time and started rolling along with that big bucket in front, I thought to myself "Self.......now THIS is a TRACTOR"!!! But after that initial climb up to the heights brought about by big tall wheels and found a hugh rock embedded into a dirt wall that it wouldn't break loose I came to the realization that even a REAL TRACTOR had limits just like the "almost" tractors. Then I used the L3240 a bit more and realized that all three of the sizes of Kubotas that I had owned were all "real" tractors just some were bigger/littler than others.

 

[k0ua]

I came to the realization that even a REAL TRACTOR had limits just like the "almost" tractors. Then I used the L3240 a bit more and realized that all three of the sizes of Kubotas that I had owned were all "real" tractors just some were bigger/littler than others.

Exactly. They are all "real" and useful. But for me The L series is what serves me the best. The L3400HST just has more lift and push ability, as well as the ground clearance I need. I dont mow much, just cut brush/weeds a couple times a year, so my needs are different, I move dirt/gravel and lots and lots of big rocks. Not that I didn't get a lot of work out my B7500, because I sure did.

James K0UA

 

[architect]

$13,600 for a B2630 is an excellent price, was looking at B3030 and B2630 and only low hour machines were at least $15,500 and up. That is a larger B and the premium model in the lineup.
I gave up looking at used and just ordered a B2920, would have jumped on a B2630 for $13,600, You can get Kubota insurance on the tractor which for about $150 a year cover it from damages with $250 deductible, without warranty coverage it still covers you for any damage even if you do something wrong, just keep up on maintenance.

 

[bp fick]

To the OP:

I've had both a BX and B. On some tasks, you might want to consider an L series. I'd be all over that used machine, like butter on bread. Take note: B's come in 20 series and 30 series and they are different.

But....again...... I'd also take a real, hard look at the L series while I was there just to be sure I was convinced in my mind that I didn't need one. Take a deep breath and sort it through, but the price on the B2630 is awesome. Push for another $500 off or at least, make them dump all fluids and install all new filters. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[davesalisbury]

Question is: Will a BX be to small? Spending less is always preferred, but a tractor to small would be a real problem.

With those implements (the FEL and MMM described below) what would be the new BX price? I can't help but think you aren't beating the 50-hour B2630 model by that much...

To the concern about the BX, I used to have one (BX2230) and now have a B2630. The BX was a good little rig, but I noticed a tight fit when hooking up PTO or MMM. I'm not a large person, but I was always finding hooking up stuff a tight fit. Maybe just me I guess. The BX always picked up stuff when in any sort of woods, too, and has a smaller bucket on the FEL. The B2630 comes with position hold and some other nice features on the 3PH, and I've found its higher ground clearance comes in handy. We have 5 acres, btw. I mow regularly 2 acres; the rest is wooded and/or mowed less frequently. Do a lot of gravel work, and till the garden with the B2630.

PS: Local dealer has a used B2630 that the owner never used. I believe about 50 hours. With FEL and MMM. Wants $13,500 which sounds high, but it is essentially a new tractor without the warranty. How does this price sound.

That price sounds a little better than what I gave for the B2630 (admittedly new) with FEL (no MMM - a not small consideration).

Good luck with your decision.

Dave

 

[Richard]

Here's another thought for you...

What if instead of this purchase, you bought an industrial backhoe/loader for say, $10K and then the balance for an older tractor to box/blade with?

I'm just making up the numbers but here's my situation.

My personal property is only about 2.5 acres give or take a blade of grass. I own an industrial backhoe and have found tons of things to do with it that have saved me a boatload of cash.

I've taken down trees, replanted them, replanted my wifes day-lillies (true story), built a rock (boulder) retaining wall, moved countless loads of dirt for lawn, push fallen trees off road, fill front bucket (8' wide) with mulch and use it as a powered wheelbarrow... the list goes on...

If I GAVE this machine away today, I would have still come out ahead for all I've done with it.

Now, to be clear, I also live in the middle of the wifes family farm so I'm surrounded by more acerage than my own. Still... for what I've done on my own property it's been a wonderful tool to have.

so I'd suggest this... buy a used backhoe/loader now to do all your gruntwork. When done you can resell it and then buy a smaller tractor to maintain that which you've created.

 

[johnandcaren]

All: Keep 'em coming. This info is great.


Dave: From what I've seen, a new BX with implements is around 17 - 18K, and a new B2630 from the Kubota webquote site is about 26K.

There is a new BX xxxx sitting on the dealer floor with FEL and MMM for 15K.

As a newbee I was hoping for a descent tractor for 6 - 8k and feel I am probably just wrong, unless I go with a 25 year old Ford or equal. While that's an option and I am a descent repair it guy, I don't want a project, just a tractor.

I drove a new John Deer 2320 today. It was fine, probably good unit, but somehow it seemed like a toy. Just didn't have that solid tractor feel to it. This is surely a personal feel deal to me others may disagree with.



Richard: Interesting idea on backhoe. Actually my son in law lives in area and owns a construction company, so for big stuff he will bring out a monster. Not the same convenience as having it there, but available if necessary. Your idea did start me thinking about ways to leverage that option more which I appreciate a lot. Thanks.

 

[Tom_H]

John,

Just a few thoughts, not necessarily connected to one another:

If you decide on a BX and you want to have your own backhoe on hand for use at any time, you will do much better getting a BX25 than getting a BXxxxx and adding the Woods backhoe later. The BX25 is less expensive than a BXxxxx + Woods BH6000 and the bh goes back on easier. The Woods is 2% stronger, but the 3ph and 4ph collide with each other when the 3ph is at both max width and max height, though some sawing and grinding can overcome that.

Kubota doesn't provide a bh for any BXxxxx, but as stated above, you can add a Woods later. You cannot order a BX25 without a bh, it comes with the tractor, period. With a B series, you can add a standard Kubota bh at any point later in time, for the same price (unless the dealer gives you a special discount-which he might do-for getting it when you buy the tractor).

Richard's suggestion is excellent, and in that your S.I.L. has heavy equipment, it might be prudent to do the majority of the heavy construction work up front with his heavy equipment, then limit your investment only in a smaller tractor for maintenance. If you take this route, you might only need a BX, and could even go with the smaller BX1860, which can take Kubota MMM and FEL, can also take other 3ph implements, and even can take the Woods bh.

On the other hand, if you are going to do any more than a little of the construction work, forest maintenance work, etc. with your own tractor, a BX is going to take all of your available time. It will do everything you want (other than crawling over logs and rocks that require high clearance), and will fill the bill if you are retired and need to stay out of the house all of the time, but I really think you need a B or an L if you want to do most of this construction work with your own tractor.

I'd talk to that S.I.L. and see what you can work out.

Tom