Buying Advice Help me decide - B2320 or B21

[jwasbury]

Hi,

I'm looking at tractors, shopping for used units and would like a loader and backhoe. The machine will be used for general property maintenance on my 13 acre weekend retreat. Much of the land is wooded, but there is an area that used to be a horse field (maybe 20 years ago, now very over grown with brush and small trees) that I'd like to clean up, put in some trails, dig a few ditches to improve drainage, etc. I've focused on the B-Series Kubota's as I feel the size will work well in my woods. Not considering BX series because they are not really any bigger than the John Deere 420 I currently use for mowing/snowblowing and other chores. I've found a couple of machines nearby that fit the bill. There is a 2008 B2320, one-owner, clean, ~155 hours, and then for a similar price there is a 2002 B21 with ~700 hrs. The dealer with the B21 seems to think this is a better machine for my needs (but perhaps this is because its what he has on hand). I appreciate that the B21 is a more capable/commerical duty machine, but I lean towards the B2320 for a number of reasons.

1) newer/fewer hours, should require less care and feeding
2) lighter weight - not necessarily the best for loader/BH capacity, but I feel less likely to rut up my lawn and other areas where I'll be working (ground is often fairly soft). Also should fit nicely on the trailer I already own (open car hauler - load capacity of 4100lbs)
3) Fits in my barn, the B21's fixed canopy won't make it into my garage/barn. I want this tool to be hidden from view when not in use.

Thoughts?

 

[Tractorrr]

You didn't list any positives for the B21 so I guess you already know which one you want. Plus you would have to make a new garage/barn for the B21. I would think you should be comparing the B2320 with something that could at least fit in your garage/barn unless you would build another one. The b21 I would think would be better at clearing trees/wooded areas with the FEL and backhoe but then would be less useful once that was done.

 

[Tractorrr]

You might also consider the L-series as well and a used one.

 

[Grandad4]

Tough choice that only you can really decide, because no one else knows what your property is like and just how much work it's going to take to put it back in good shape. If my experiences were any kind of guide, land clearing and restoration projects are hard on both people and machines and they often end up being far more work than is foreseen at the beginning. That would argue for the more capable machine... the B21, or something even larger. Those B21's are tough, dependable little units, but one drawback to them is the permanently attached loader that gets in the way when it's not needed. You'd also want to be sure the B21 wasn't a well-used/abused commercial or rental unit. Alternatively, you might benefit from a week's rental of a dozer or track-steer to clear that pasture and open your trails, after which the 2320 would probably serve well for what follows.

 

[jwasbury]

The dealer tells me the B21 backhoe is removable...as easy as the one on a B2320. I don't intend to fully clear the pasture...just improve drainage to where the land is not so wet, cut and maintain a trail or two across so we can access a pond on our land that today we need to put mud boots on to hike to. I know it will be lots of work, but I am in no hurry to finish...just like to get started.

Well the B2320 I was looking at turns out is a gear trans and I want hydro. There is another very close, but it's equipped with turf tires which is a non-starter given the wet ground I will encounter. I will keep looking at these and other options as well. Thanks.

 

[Grandad4]

Yes, B21 backhoe is removable, but the loader in front is permanently attached, unlike the B2320 setup. It's very handy removing the loader in front when mowing, etc., so you don't take out your wife's favorite trellis or whatever. Don't ask me how I know this. Best of luck with your shopping.

 

[jwasbury]

Well, patience isn't always my strong suit. A dealer local to me had a B2320 TLB, probably only 4 miles from my house. While turf tires are not my first choice, I think they will do ok. Time is money and this unit was super convenient, fairly priced and the seller delivered it no xtra charge. I got pricing on a 2nd set of wheels with R4s and I may do that sometime before I go heading into the woods (or maybe R1s). I might also just run chains for those occaisons.

Put the tractor straight to work. 1st pulling out my John Deere 420 which I got stuck last week. Easy.
2nd, started to tear down a dilapadated shed in my backyard. Used the tractor to pull the front wall down. The header beam on the top of the wall is a really nice, long piece of timber that looks like its the same vintage as the beams in my 1800's barn. A very nice piece of timber that I want to save that is about 25' long. I centered up to it, chained it to the loader, then carefully carried it over to the barn...nice! I'm going to get a lot done with this thing.

In the future I'll post in the "owning/operating" section. Cheers!

 

[Grandad4]

Congtratulations... very nice setup. You'll get a lot done with it. Enjoy, er. work hard with it. You may find chains serve well for snow removal.

 

[My Hoe]

Well the B2320 I was looking at turns out is a gear trans and I want hydro. There is another very close, but it's equipped with turf tires which is a non-starter given the wet ground I will encounter. I will keep looking at these and other options as well. Thanks.

EDIT: Whoops!

I didn't see that you'd already purchased, when I wrote to you, suggesting chained turfs. I guess great minds think alike, huh?

Congratulations on your purchase--she looks VERY happy there!
_____________________________________________________________

The Following Was Written Before I Saw OP Had Purchased Already

Have you considered using chains for the mud? There are some very aggressive, "V-bar" chains out there, and even MORE aggressive styles, which I can't remember. Turfs are better in snow, (both with and without chains, due to the greater, flatter "footprint," when compared with either R1's or R4's, if that matters).

I do not have experience with chains in mud, but I like turfs, and I plan to "chain up," if bottom-plowing requires more traction than turns can supply. I'm sure others here can supply real-world experience re: chained turfs in mud.

Good luck!

My Hoe