2 Acres half Woods and Lawn Is this B2320 for me?

[Avery11]

Hello all,

First post here after lurking and searching for some time. I live in S. NH on 2 acres split evenly between woods and lawn. In looking at several brands online, I like what I read about Kubota.

A good friend has a 2013 B2320 that he has offered to sell to me. I have used it a few times and am fairly comfortable running it. I would use it mainly for mowing; my steepest grade is about 30% (I prefer to bag my clippings) but also for annual clean up, landscaping, moving materials like loam and mulch, and trail making/maintaining for my sons' ATVs. I would say 80/20 mowing to working. Here is the list and price:

Tractor with 165 hours

Turf tires (don't know if weighted)

FEL

60" MMM (Never used)

3PH 2 ball trailer mover

Ratchet Rake

Landscaping Rake 4 or 5 ft

Rear Blade (Grader I suppose) 4 or 5 ft

Price is $13,000 and I would not want to push it.


Questions:

1. Is this a fair, good, or great price? I would use all attachments.

2. Will this macine tear up my turf?

3. Will mowing on the hill be a problem?

4. Would I be better off with a BX series?

5. Is there a better alternative that I could consider?

Thank you in advance for the experience and advice.

A.

 

[tcreeley]

The price seems reasonable. How much do you save over a new one? Good luck with it. Here are some similar ads- http://www.tractorhouse.com/listing.../?ForcedDeskTop=True&manu=KUBOTA&MDLGrp=B2320

 

[Gary Fowler]

I think that is the same tractor my daughter uses to mow her 2 acre (minus house size) lot with. It works well for her. She also has a tiller and middle buster with it for gardening. IIRC my son in law said the tractor alone was $14K at the time of purchase 4 years ago. $13k sounds like a fair price for the tractor and equipment mentioned.

 

[Avery11]

Thank you for the early responses, Men. Gary, it sounds like your daughter and I are in a similar layout. Does she mow hills? I read somewhere on TBY that a gentleman recommended the B for flat land and the BX for hills. He did not expound on his advice. Perhaps another experienced owner can help explain?

Great input...keep it comin.

A.

 

[Avery11]

I'd be comfortable buying it at that price, it's essentially a new tractor with those hours. The BX is a bit better lawn mower, more stable on hills, but the low ground clearance makes it a bit iffy in the woods unless you're really selective where you go and the HST fan is pretty vulnerable, so you would need a skid plate. I'd put wheel spacers on it personally.

Great advice - thank you. Would you go so far as to say the 2320 would be dangerous on a 30% grade? Also, do you mean wheel spacers on the 2320 or a BX. I have never seen a BX up close, I just assumed it would limit what I could do and I thought this 2320 seemed like a good deal.

 

[Botaskinner]

B2320 owner here.

I purchased my 2012 last August, with FEL and a 4' Land Pride boxblade. I have since added a Pihrana tooth bar and a middle buster.

It had 72 hours at time of purchase, spent about 14K for the whole setup including new implements.

I now have 124 hours, zero problems, tractor has juiced ag tires and has done a wonderful job with grading and prep for new concrete. Absolutely no regrets, though the FEL lift capacity could be a bit better, still it will drag a full BB full of dirt, and carry a full FEL load of dirt at the same time.

Zero problems. Price looks reasonable. Have Fun!

 

[brasco426]

Hey Avery11 I don't know what part of S NH you are but Chappel Tractor is in Milford and carry Kubota. They have been around a long time, and great reputation. Brentwood is their Mahindra dealership. Go have a peak up close to compare. Donnie

 

[varmint]

When you add rear wheel spacers (likely a couple hundred dollars for Kubota or aftermarket) you increase the rear width by 3-4" which, of course, adds to sideways stability on slopes. A 30 percent grade is very steep, so proceed with caution! How do you mow it now, if you mow it?
The price seems fair enough, with all the extra goodies, and you have the valuable advantage of knowing the seller well. If you ever want to plow snow, for example, the B tractor will be much more useful than a BX, ditto for work in the woods, where weight equals traction, not to mention the ground clearance. If you decide later that something else would be better, you should be able to recover your investment easily.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Thank you for the early responses, Men. Gary, it sounds like your daughter and I are in a similar layout. Does she mow hills? I read somewhere on TBY that a gentleman recommended the B for flat land and the BX for hills. He did not expound on his advice. Perhaps another experienced owner can help explain?

Great input...keep it comin.

A.

She is in Conroe Texas area so no hills. The
B series seem to be pretty low to the ground, not anything like a BX but still unless you have some really steep side slope mowing, I think you would be alright. You could always put some wheel spacers on if you get a bit squeamish. When I bush hog on slopes, I always try to go straight up and down rather than side slope and then there is no problem.

 

[buck boost]

That is a good price for the tractor and all the attachments. I paid $13,500 for my B2920 with FEL, loaded rear tires and tooth bar with 26 hours, in 2013. When I bought the 60" MMM brand new, it was around $2300 or so.

The turf tires are going to be the least damaging for your lawn. As long as it isn't too wet, I doubt you will have any problems. The cut from the MMM is spectacular.

My 2920 has 370 hours on it now, and not a single problem. I bet you will love that 2320. I would snap it up if I were you!

 

[GPintheMitten]

I didn't see you mention a front end loader (fel).

Regardless, seems to be a good price on a practically new machine. I have the B2620. I think it will be fine for your use. You may want to mow in 4wd if the tires slip but 2wd if they dont.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I would only expect to mow your 30deg slopes up and down with either a B or BX. Neither will be comfortable/safe turning on that grade. My experience is with a slightly larger B3300 but was very comfortable going straight up or down that grade.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Before you get wheel spacers double check that they don't interfere with the mid mount mower.

 

[varmint]

GP gives good advice; check with Messicks before ordering, or one of the advertisers of TbN that sells aftermarket spacer kits. Better yet, do a search to see if this is a topic already threaded.

 

[AxleHub]

Hello all,

First post here after lurking and searching for some time. I live in S. NH on 2 acres split evenly between woods and lawn. In looking at several brands online, I like what I read about Kubota.

A good friend has a 2013 B2320 that he has offered to sell to me. I have used it a few times and am fairly comfortable running it. I would use it mainly for mowing; my steepest grade is about 30% (I prefer to bag my clippings) but also for annual clean up, landscaping, moving materials like loam and mulch, and trail making/maintaining for my sons' ATVs. I would say 80/20 mowing to working. Here is the list and price:

Tractor with 165 hours

Turf tires (don't know if weighted)

FEL

60" MMM (Never used)

3PH 2 ball trailer mover

Ratchet Rake

Landscaping Rake 4 or 5 ft

Rear Blade (Grader I suppose) 4 or 5 ft

Price is $13,000 and I would not want to push it.


Questions:

1. Is this a fair, good, or great price? I would use all attachments.

2. Will this macine tear up my turf?

3. Will mowing on the hill be a problem?

4. Would I be better off with a BX series?

5. Is there a better alternative that I could consider?

Thank you in advance for the experience and advice.

A.

I had to do some studying before I could respond because a B2320 appears to longer be a current product (2015 brochure catalog printed january 2015 does not list a b2320 but does list a b2301).

And there were both gear and hst versions and there was a narrow version of each and a more standard version of each. The link below is the latest spec sheet I could find on the b2320 models.

https://www.google.com/url?q=https:...ggfMAE&usg=AFQjCNE4LDp_x0hq04EjKmhoef6nOtOGfg


So then I checked tractorhouse and found quite a few of them for sale. As an example a 2013 b2320 hsd with 161 hours including a fel and mmm and 2 years of extended warranty for 12,750 from a dealer.

The link below contains numetous backhoe and non-backhoe versions and there seem likeva great quantity of them for sale.

http://m.tractorhouse.com/Results?i...ame=KUBOTA&modelGroup=B2320&modelSearchType=4


So you don't say if your friend's is a gear drive or a hsd.

My concerns are not about price but rather the following:

1. You mention you've used it several times and you are "fairly comfortable with it". If the mmm has never been used . . . What did you use it for? And were you using it on slopes or woods or flat land ? My point is "fairly comfortable" after using it several times is not a ringing endorsement imo.

2. I'd sense by your description you've not tested other tractors like a BX or a Massey GC1715. I'd encourage you to do that.

3. You mentioned you'd prefer to pickup you're grass clippings . . . and because the fel on your neighbor's b2320 has never been used . . I sense you have another way to cut your lawn which by your post appears to be a major purpose for a tractor. So whatever you are currently using for the lawn is ????

4. Have you ever used the b2320 without the fel attached ? Have you ever used it that way on your slopes? How did it feel ?


Hete is an opinion . . not saying its a good opinion . . . its just mine.

A. I have slopes I cut on a nice lawn. These are not easy gentle slopes . . In true measured terms they are 15 and 20 degrees . . Some cutting is done sidehill and some is up and down. I have lots of garden areas in the primary 1.3 acre lot. Half our lawn is mostly flat and half is the slopes I discussed. The steepest part you can walk up . . But you're leaned into it lol. And tearing up sod is not an issue because we don't damage the lawn as we cut. Nor do we "baby it" to make it look healthy and well cut.

B. I long time planned to own a bx 2370 or bx2670 until I discovered the newer Massey GC1700s. I drove each on flat and on slope. The Gc1715 has a "billy goat" feel on slope terrain even without any spacers etc.. Its 25 hp engine and fel allow me to safely lift hundreds of lbs more in the fel than I could with the bx . And the seat and floor arrangement give me more open space and a forward and reverse separate pedals which I like better that the treadle design.

C. But this "clippings" thing is yet another issue. I know of no other brand of scut . . that offers a true mulcher mmm deck. I'm not talking plugs and a mulching option for a deck . . I mean a deck with no chute . . No exhaust port. A deck built with stripping wheels in the deck and metal baffling is the deck. There are 6 blades . . Not 3. It cuts the grass and then turns it back to where it came from.

D. And from june 2015 till end of march 2016 I have 79 hours on the tractor with less than 30 of those hours being "cutting lawns". The other 50 hours is snow plowing and bucketing dirt and rock and moving skids loaded with landscape blocks and wood and . . . . In other words a work horse. The massey units comevwith 5 year warranties and prices lower or slughtly higher than your price (GC1705 or GC1715 with fel and mmm)

I'm not saying the friends B2320 isn't a choice for you . . I'm suggesting you drive the b2320 with fel off and on, and test a BX and drive a Massey GC1705 or GC1715 like mine. Do it with fel on and with fel off . . and preferably on slopes as well as flats. Facts are something you see . . but tractors are something you feel.

Regardless what unit you choose . . . "Fairly comfortable" is not enough imo.

And ground clearance as some will talk about is an issue with all tractors.

 

[OVRxNxOUT]

Hello all,

First post here after lurking and searching for some time. I live in S. NH on 2 acres split evenly between woods and lawn. In looking at several brands online, I like what I read about Kubota.

A good friend has a 2013 B2320 that he has offered to sell to me. I have used it a few times and am fairly comfortable running it. I would use it mainly for mowing; my steepest grade is about 30% (I prefer to bag my clippings) but also for annual clean up, landscaping, moving materials like loam and mulch, and trail making/maintaining for my sons' ATVs. I would say 80/20 mowing to working. Here is the list and price:

Tractor with 165 hours

Turf tires (don't know if weighted)

FEL

60" MMM (Never used)

3PH 2 ball trailer mover

Ratchet Rake

Landscaping Rake 4 or 5 ft

Rear Blade (Grader I suppose) 4 or 5 ft

Price is $13,000 and I would not want to push it.


Questions:

1. Is this a fair, good, or great price? I would use all attachments.

2. Will this macine tear up my turf?

3. Will mowing on the hill be a problem?

4. Would I be better off with a BX series?

5. Is there a better alternative that I could consider?

Thank you in advance for the experience and advice.

A.

Avery,

A couple things to consider that I would look at before buying, & in no particular order:
A) used vs new putting tractor model/size, HP, etc. all aside - Warranty - consider that the B2320 is now about 3 years old (depending on actual date your friend purchased) you may or may not have some power train warranty left. No doubt that the 1 year loader warranty & 2 year tractor warranty has expired. A new machine will give you may give you some peace of mind if this is an important matter to you.

B) If your comfortable w/ the B2320 since you've ran it a few times, don't worry that hopping on a smaller BX or a machine slightly bigger w/ HST trans is going to be much different & like learning a new language. The BX, B & even the Standard L will operate in much the same fashion. They all are easy to operate & you will become quickly familiar.

To address your questions:

1. Your across the USA from me so our markets may differ some. That said, it doesn't sound unreasonable at all. Since you have use for all attachments then it may be well worth it. Also @ only 165hrs, its still pretty fresh. FYI-50hrs is engine break-in & 1st oil change. Oil change #2 I believe the manual calls for @ 200-250hrs. So it's very young in hours.

2. You stated that this has turf tires on it already. Turf tires are meant to be low impact on lawns, turf, & the sort so Its already got the best tire for the job here.

3. The 30% slope (considering that for some reason cutting up/down the slope is not an option & only cutting along the slope is) - Either way I doubt you will be in danger of rolling as is. However, for peace of mind there is the spacer option that's been mentioned already & likely the less popular option of filling your tires & dropping center of gravity.

4. The BX is great in maneuverability, agility, power to size great w/ a mower. Will it make you feel accomplished @ the end of a day's worth of work? Well, you may have spoiled yourself here slightly since you have already borrowed the B2320. Your comfortable on a little bit larger tractor now so would then buying a smaller one give you that buyers remorse?
~Here's what I hear most when I have customers come back to me that were debating between a BX & another model &/or make: About 80% say they love the BX & are happy as well as surprised what they can accomplish. The other 20% although still happy w/ their machine, comment they wish they would have stepped up into the bigger unit.

5. I work for a Kubota dealer so of course I'm going to be slightly biased here & say Kubota all the way my friend! I think you have the machine & answer right in front of you well...(at your friends house maybe is where your answer is currently)

~ as a last thought, here's a little edge in of my personal opinion. As if your money & situation were my money & situation: I'm not worried about the warranty period being up or next to up & I'd be the proud owner of a very low hour, next to new B2320 by this weekend. I think it will do everything I really need out here on my 2 acres.

 

[varmint]

Axle, you seem to be using the BX specs in your comparison with the Gc1715, not the B which is what is under consideration... which gives somewhat differing results. But you make a good point, maybe the OP should seek out some other tractors before buying his friends. The implements his friend's tractor comes with have value, and that may also be a factor? Just sayin...
I also tend to agree with everything the above poster has observed- although I wish he had a simpler user name!

 

[GPintheMitten]

I missed that it has a fel. I would buy that in a heart beat. That's over a $20,000 unit with those attachments and implements new.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Compare your friends tractor to this one for the same.price. Then you'll know what to do.
TractorHouse.com | 28 KUBOTA B232 For Sale

 

[s219]

$13K is a very good price. But don't be under the impression that it's a lawn mower. If you have a manicured lawn or landscaping, the 2320 will be too big and too rough on the turf.